California Legislature tackles bills to implement and improve health care reform 4/6/2010

The work to implement and improve health care reform at the state level starts today and will continue over the next few weeks in State Assembly and State Senate health policy committees. For a bill summaries and updates More Info...

Health care reform covers millions more for mental illness 3/31/2010

According to an article in The New York Times, health care reform promises to significantly improve funding for the treatment of mental illness. While the landmark Mental Health Parity Law passed in 2008 promised only to prevent insurance companies from discriminating between physical and mental illnesses and only when their policies already covered mental illness, the law signed by President Obama last week expands parity to a much wider pool, making it possible for millions more people to get coverage for substance abuse and mental illnesses. More Info...

Palin speaking fee prompts push for nonprofit transparency bill 3/30/2010

Sarah Palin is expected to raise nearly $200,000 for an appearance at CSU-Stanislaus in June. But the school foundation hosting the $500-a-plate event won't say what they are paying her, or even how much the party will cost - and that has angered State Senator Lealand Yee (D-San Francisco), who has been trying to pass a law that would extend the California Public Records Act to those foundations. Under pressure from CAN, Yee amended the original version of the bill that would have swept in almost any nonprofit collaboration with UC, CSU or community colleges so that it now applies only to nonprofits formally affiliated with a campus. More Info...

Healthcare Reform will burden nonprofit health care providers 3/26/2010

With the largest number of immigrants in the nation, California will be deeply impacted by health care reform provisions that restrict immigrant access to private and public insurance. Because of those restrictions, immigrants without health insurance will end up in hospital emergency wards and community health care clinics. More Info...

State budget hit by healthcare overhaul 3/25/2010

Federal reforms could cost the state $2 billion to $3 billion annually. California officials say there needs to be more of a partnership with the U.S. government. But Anthony Wright, executive secretary of the nonprofit advocacy organization Health Access California, calls the overhaul "a boon rather that a burden. More Info...

House-passed health care reform will impact nonprofits 3/22/10

Late yesterday, the House voted to approve the Senate-passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and will send it to President Obama for his signature. The bill will expand coverage for the uninsured, create insurance exchanges for employers and individuals to purchase coverage, and provides a small employer credit to help small nonprofits and businesses afford coverage. Read more...

Nonprofits eligible for new tax break (3/19/10)

President Obama has signed into law the "Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act"(HIRE Act), which allows nonprofits and other employers to keep the 6.2 percent payroll taxes on certain new hires. This payroll tax forgiveness provision expires at the end of the year, so you will save more the sooner you hire eligible unemployed workers. Read more...

California Service Medal Nominations Close Soon 3/17/2010

Only two weeks are left to shine a spotlight on individuals, businesses and nonprofits that are creating positive change throughout California. Submit your nomination for a Governor and First Lady's Medal for Service Award by March 31, 2010. More Info...

State Budget Crisis Rips The Safety Net 3/16/2010

A just issued special report, entitled "State Budget Crises: Ripping the Safety Net Held by Nonprofits," examines the alarming condition of state budget deficits and identifies three resulting trends putting nonprofits in jeopardy - state and local governments slashing funds for programs they expect nonprofits to administer, government agencies withholding contract payments for services nonprofits have already delivered and governments taking operating money from nonprofits through new fees and taxes. More Info...

Democrats seek state government overhaul 3/12/2010

Legislative- leaders mirroring several proposals put forth by the nonprofit California Forward-Thursday unveiled plans to overhaul state government, the linchpin of which is asking voters to allow a simple majority of lawmakers to pass a budget. They need a two-thirds vote -- including some Republicans in both houses -- to put the question to voters in November. Technical details must still be worked out when legislative hearings begin this month. The effort was declared "dead on arrival" by the Republican leadership and may also draw criticism from some liberal Democrats who want to lower the majority threshold for tax increases.
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The Budget Crisis and You 3/11/2010

Many nonprofits will soon be receiving a survey from Washington State University asking about the impacts of government budget cuts, late payments and other contracting challenges. If your organization receives the randomly distributed survey, please complete and send it in. Even if your nonprofit does not receive the survey, you can still help by sending the National Council on Nonprofits information about your experiences with government contracts, grants, late payments, late contracts, changed terms or other issues. More Info...

Senate votes today on $140 billion jobs and charities package 3/10/2010

The Senate is expected to vote today on the House passed American Workers, State and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R.4213). The $140 billion package would, among other things, extend $31 billion in tax breaks through 2010 including the IRA rollover and other charitable giving incentives and includes an amendment for pension funding relief. More Info...

Don't forget! Census is only three weeks away! 3/9/2010

If households don't get counted accurately in the 2010 census now just three weeks away, federal funds tied to population-based distribution formulas won't go to the communities where they are most needed. Nonprofits can and should be organizing and mobilizing to get residents to complete and mail in their brief Census forms. More Info...

California may benefit from State Department related nonprofit 3/8/2010

Congress has passed legislation which President Obama is likely to sign soon, creating a nonprofit corporation to promote the United States as a travel destination. The new State Department sponsored initiative would generate $650 million in tourist spending and create 6,500 jobs annually in California, according to an Oxford Economics study. More Info...

LA Study Finds ' Bang for the Buck ' in Advocacy Spending 3/4/2010

A study of Los Angeles County nonprofits has found that spending on advocacy and organizing can yield major benefits for the communities that donors want to help. The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy estimates that for every dollar invested in the work of a selection of advocacy groups, there was $91 in benefits to local residents. More Info...

What does the mid-year budget package do? 3/2/2010

Both the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees as well as the independent nonpartisan California Budget Project (CBP) have prepared summaries of the California Legislature's mid-year budget actions to date, including provisions that have not yet been approved. Outlining the first steps toward narrowing the state's $18.9 billion budget gap. These documents are available on Committee websites at www.asm.ca.gov and www.sen.ca.gov and at CBP's website.
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Drug Maker Donations to Nonprofits Raise Conflict Concerns 3/1/2010

According to a report today from the nonprofit California Watch, "Three California officials who oversee billions of dollars in Medi-Cal prescription drug spending have failed to disclose free flights, hotel rooms and meals paid for by nonprofit groups funded by drug makers, records and interviews show". The conventions have led to cost savings, Medi-Cal spokesman Norman Williams said "At one conference, leaders gleaned tips from Georgia officials that saved California $10 million in 2008". More Info...

Governor and First Lady’s Medals for Service Award Nominations Now Open 2/26/2010

Shine a spotlight on trailblazing individuals, businesses and nonprofits that are creating positive change throughout California. Nominate them for a Governor and First Lady's Medal for Service Award by March 31, 2010 in any of the following award categories: California's Volunteer of the Year; California's Small Business Volunteer Program of the Year; California's Business Volunteer Program of the Year; California Nonprofit of the Year; California's Service Group of the Year; California's AmeriCorps Member of the Year. To learn more or to submit a nomination, visit the Governor and First Lady's Medals for Service Page at: More Info...

Without a cash crunch, lawmakers opt to wait out fiscal crisis 2/25/2010

This week, the constitutional deadline for the California State Legislature to respond to the fiscal emergency declared by Gov. Schwarzenegger came and went. But Democratic leaders in both houses are slowing down new cuts to state services in hopes that the state's economy continues to improve and the need for cuts eases by this summer. More Info...

Legislative proposals cut budgets, increase nonprofit burdens 2/23/2010

Convened in a special fiscal emergency session, the state legislature is struggling through a package of bills designed to whittle California's $20 billion deficit by $5 billion. Several bills in the package would shift burdens to nonprofits and increase operating expenses, including plans to reduce the state government payroll by 5 percent and cut inmate health care costs as well as a measure that would require out of state online retailers such as Amazon.com to collect sales and use tax on items sold to California residents. More Info...

IRS urges to update nonprofit lobbing rules 2/17/2010

In the wake of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) has called on the IRS to simplify and update it's rules on charitable lobbying. According to CLPI President Larry Ottinger, "The current charitable lobbying and nonpartisan political engagement rules continue to create confusion, discourage permissible civic engagement and undermine government compliance and enforcement."
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Jobs bills may help nonprofits 2/12/10

The various jobs bills working their way through Congress as modifications of President Obama's small business tax credit proposal could help the nonprofit sector modestly. Citing an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, the Washington Insider blog suggests that the jobs bill will help firms add 80,000 to 180,000 new jobs between 2010 and 2011, of which 8,000 to 18,000 could be jobs in the nonprofit sector. More info...

Want to get involved with the Citizens Redistricting Commission? 2/9/10

Nonprofit organizations have a little more time to urge their members and communities to apply for the Citizens Redistricting Commission and get involved in the process, as California State Auditor Elaine Howle has extended the application deadline to February 16. For more information, membership requirements and to apply to the commission, visit www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov, or call (866) 356-5217.

Haiti Giving Incentives Questioned 2/4/10

California legislators are considering legislation (AB 347) with similar provisions for state taxes as a measure recently signed by the President that would allow charitable donors who make contributions (in cash, not in goods or services) for relief and redevelopment purposes in Haiti between January 11 and March 1 of 2010 to take their deductions on their 2009 federal tax returns rather than waiting for their 2010 filing. Although appealing at first glance, this kind of giving incentive raises a number of difficult policy questions. Read more...

Obama budget = good news + bad news for nonprofits 2/3/10

The $3.8 trillion federal budget that President Obama has proposed for 2011 seems to avoid major cuts in many social-service programs and adds money to some. At the same time, the President renewed his proposal to limit the value of charitable deductions for wealthy taxpayers in his proposed fiscal 2011 budget plan - refashioning it as a way to help provide tax relief to middle-income Americans. The proposal would limit to 28 percent the tax break couples earning $250,000 (or individuals earning $250,000) could get for their itemized deductions, including gifts to charity. Read More...

Plan proposes tax credit for new hires 2/2/10

As part of the President Obama's recent proposed job-creation plan, businesses and nonprofits would get a $5,000 tax credit for every new employee they hire in 2010. If a nonprofit or business increases the hours or wages of employees making less than $106,800, the employer would be reimbursed for the additional Social Security taxes incurred. The maximum benefit for any one employer would be capped at $500,000. The President's plan comes as Congress is considering other ways to support the nonprofit sector, which employs roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce. Last month, the Senate passed a health-care reform bill that would provide tax relief to help small employers - nonprofits and for-profits and for-profit businesses alike - offer health benefits to their employees. More info

White House urges "creative destruction" of conventional social problem solutions 1/29/10

Sonal Shah, head of the White House's Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, was in Los Angeles this week at a conference held by the University of Southern California's Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy and urged foundations to take greater risks, saying one of the lessons she learned in her first year is that the federal government is not easily able to finance experiments with new efforts to treat social problems. She said we need some "creative destruction" to figure out what ideas were worth government investment - whether it be to reduce child mortality, improve education, or solve other social problems. She also said that much of her work has been hobbled by a lack of detailed data and statistics about nonprofit groups and how public policies affect them and the people they serve. Without reliable data, she says, it is often hard for her and her colleagues to get support for ideas that might help nonprofit groups. Read more...

President Obama's New Budget: Impact on Nonprofits

Following up on tonight's State of the Union address, the President will release his 2010-11 budget proposal next week. Learn how the President's budget priorities may impact the work of your organization and communities that you serve on an Independent Sector webinar Friday, February 5, 2010 at 11 AM (PST). Details click here

Want to Know About State Budget Alternatives? 1/26/10

The statewide Health and Human Services Network is coordinating a webinar for all advocates --Sacramento and grassroots -- to go over the tax proposals included in "Low-Hanging Fruit in the Tax System: 10 Policies for $20 Billion" found at http://caltaxreform.org/?p=211. Meanwhile, Senate Budget Committee on Health holds its first hearing of the year today and more hearings on Human Services follow on 2/2 and on Alternatives, including Revenues, 2/4. For hearing information click here.

Court Decision Reshapes Political Landscape 1/21/10

The Supreme Court ruled this morning that corporations, labor unions and other groups can directly spend on campaigns, a sweeping change that would open the floodgate to political donations nationwide, both for direct contributions to candidates and to fund issue advocacy, much of which is carried on by nonprofits. Today's ruling could damped two California initiatives with nearly identical wording that would put restrictions on corporate donations. Details: Alliance for Justice Nonprofit and Foundation Advocacy Blog click here.

Encouraging Charitable Efficiencies: More Charitable Than Discouraging Nonprofits 1/19/10

If you're looking to fill a need in your community, look to fiscal sponsorship as a solution instead of creating a brand-new nonprofit, says Ellen Friedman, Executive Vice President of San Francisco-based Tides Foundation, writing in The Huffington Post. "The nonprofit sector and the IRS could be well-served by partnering to create a referral pipeline between those with passion, ideas and access to resources and those organizations able to manage and administer charitable activity most effectively...not enough people know about the alternatives to establishing nonprofit organizations; alternatives like fiscal sponsorship and donor advised funds that exist to create greater efficiencies and cost-effectiveness for charitable activities." Read More...

Health care reform bill adds charity reporting requirements 1/15/10

Two provisions in the health care reform bill passed by the Senate and currently under negotiation with the House would set new potentially precedent setting oversight standards for nonprofits. One Senate provision would require the Treasury Department to review information about each tax-exempt hospital's "community-benefit" activities (such as offering full-time emergency care to all patients regardless of ability to pay) every three years to determine whether the institution remains eligible for a tax exemption. The other Senate provision would require the Treasury Department to make an annual report to congress on the levels of charity care provided by nonprofit and other hospitals and on related topics. The American Hospital Association has particularly objected to two requirements in the Senate bill. "Such a review is unnecessary, expensive for the hospital, and would effectively empower the Internal Revenue Service to establish requirements for tax exemptions based on a flawed reporting mechanism and absent input from communities served by the hospital and those who represent them," the hospital association said. For more information click here.

Budget Advocates Launch New Website 1/14/10

A new website aims to be a clearinghouse for health and human services actions on the state budget. It includes first-hand stories and pictures of budget advocacy, media coverage and links to budget information, and news and analysis from budget advocacy organizations.

IRS Urged to Help Small Charities 1/8/10

The Internal Revenue Service should collect information from small nonprofit groups about the kind of hep they need to comply with tax-reporting requirements, then develop a plan to meet their needs, Nina E. Olson, the national taxpayer advocate, said in her annual report to Congress. Ms. Olson recommends the IRS design an "Exempt Organization Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint" - similar to one that was developed for individual taxpayers - to collect data and develop a plan to reach out to nonprofit groups. Only nine IRS employees are now primarily responsible for providing information and education to 1.8 million diverse tax-exempt organizations. For details click here

New Bill to Crack Down on University Nonprofits 1/7/10

SB 330, which is a reintroduction of last year's SB 218 (vetoed by the Governor), would update the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to include nonprofit auxiliary organizations that perform government functions at the UC and CSU. To address the Governor's veto message, the new bill will exempt from disclosure the names of volunteers and donors who wish to remain anonymous provided they do not receive something of value greater than $500 in exchange for their donation or service. CAN will be working to assure that the bill does have an adverse impact on nonprofits in general.

Governor Presents State-of-the State, Proposed Budget This Week 1/5/10

Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to give his State-of-the State address 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, followed by release of his proposed 2010-11 state budget on Friday. You can watch his address live on The California Channel and find out about his budget on his website.