FEC To Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Internet Rules

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has scheduled a public hearing on its proposed rules on three Internet-related political activities.

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Faith-Based Compromise Reached

After months of wrangling between the House, Senate and White House, a compromise on the Administration's Faith-Based Initiative has been reached. The CARE act of 2002 (S. 1924) was introduced on February 8, and contains several major provisions. These provisions include:
  1. Tax incentives for giving,
  2. Provisions for equal treatment of nongovernmental organizations that apply for federal grants,
  3. Fast-track processing by the IRS of applications for 501(c)(3) status by small organizations applying for federal funds, and
  4. Funding for six new programs.

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Proposed Non-Itemizer Deduction Raises Concerns

Instead of questioning the wisdom of the tax cut enacted last summer or proposing to delay its implementation until support for key domestic investments is provided -- which is what should be done -- we now have to weigh an acknowledged valuable tax break, the non-itemizer deduction, against vitally needed federal programs.

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Legal Services Restrictions Under Review, Lawsuit Filed

An internal Legal Services Corporation (LSC) review of restrictions on legal aid programs has recommended no change in restrictions prohibiting LSC grantees from using LSC or other funds for class action litigation, legislative advocacy and community education. This includes the "program integrity regulation," which requires physical separation between LSC-funded recipients and any organizations that engage in these restricted activities. (See 45 C.F.R. 1610)

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Community Technology Programs Cut Back in FY 2003 Budget

The proposal calls for eliminating two successful community technology programs -- one at the Department of Commerce, the other at the Department of Education -- and increasing a HUD program that allows funds to be used for community technology programs but does not require it.

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Handcuffing America's Charities

Case Examples of Organizations Affected by the Istook Amendment Table of Contents
  • Executive Summary
  • State-by-State Listing of Case Examples
  • A Brief Chronology of the Istook Amendment
  • Analysis of Current Istook Proposals
  • Son of Istook Amendment
  • Three McIntosh Anti-Advocacy Amendments
  • Summary of the Istook Amendments
  • The Silence America Amendment
  • The Revised Istook Amendment
  • The Simpson-Craig Amendment
  • Statement on Advocacy by State/Community Charities

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Serving the Public Good: A Position Statement on Advocacy By Nonprofit Organizations

The nonprofit sector plays a key role in our society today. In partnership with government, nonprofit organizations are engaged in service delivery, research, educating the public, and much more -- in general, they work to build a better world, at home and abroad. People across the country use nonprofit organizations to learn more about key issues of the day, and to link up with other citizens to create a more powerful voice. Nonprofit organizations themselves also speak to policy-makers and the public on behalf of the people they serve. Advocacy by the nonprofit sector has

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Serving the Public Good: A Position Statement on Advocacy By Nonprofit Organizations

The nonprofit sector plays a key role in our society today. In partnership with government, nonprofit organizations are engaged in service delivery, research, educating the public, and much more -- in general, they work to build a better world, at home and abroad. People across the country use nonprofit organizations to learn more about key issues of the day, and to link up with other citizens to create a more powerful voice. Nonprofit organizations themselves also speak to policy-makers and the public on behalf of the people they serve. Advocacy by the nonprofit sector has

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Summary of the Silence America Amendment

From "Handcuffing America's Charities." EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On August 4, 1995, the House of Representatives passed the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill for FY 1996 with a provision by Representatives Ernest Istook (R-OK), David McIntosh (R-IN), and Robert Ehrlich (R-MD) that would limit the advocacy voice of federal grantees and impose significant new paperwork burdens. That provision, called the Istook Amendment, was modified and offered as an amendment during a House-Senate conference on another spending bill, the Treasury, Postal Service, and General

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Chronology of Events Related to the Istook Amendment

From "Handcuffing America's Charities." The following chronology catalogues the major events related to the Istook amendment. The chronology does not track the 1981 Heritage Foundation proposal found in the Mandate for Leadership that is similar to the Istook amendment. Nor does it trace meetings earlier this year that involved the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, Capital Research Center, and several congressional offices, including House Majority Leader Richard Armey (R-TX) and his staff, Viriginia Thomas. It appears that the proponents of the Istook amendment, led by

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