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...