Government Matters
NPTalk 2002 Reader Survey
Apr 1, 2002 by Guest Blogger
On NPTalk's third anniversary, we invite you to participate in the following online survey. It'll help us to make NPTalk more useful to you over the course of the next 3 years and beyond.
read in fullOnline Monitoring of Corporate and Foundation Philanthropic Policy Influence
Apr 1, 2002 by Guest Blogger
An often overlooked realm of nonprofit use of technology for advocacy involves access to information, not only with respect to government, but also financial information from corporations and nonprofits themselves. One way such information is used is to demonstrate the influence of special interests on public policy formulation, discourse, and decision-making, under the veneer of nonprofit public interest work and/or grassroots activity. Are there special interests hidden behind the online philanthropic policy watchdogs?
read in fullTrustees Issue 2002 Annual Report on the State of Social Security
Apr 1, 2002 by Guest Blogger
Last week, the Social Security Board of Trustees issued its 2002 Annual Report on the status of Social Security’s finances, in which it extended its estimates of the number of years before Social Security’s surpluses will reach certain key milemarkers.
read in fullRecent Activity on Faith-Based Charity Legislation
Apr 1, 2002 by Matt Carter
A review of recent activity on faith-based charity and charitable giving legislation.
read in fullIRS Allows Charitable Contribution Receipts by E-Mail
Apr 1, 2002 by Matt Carter
In a revision of Publication 1771, "Charitable Contributions -- Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements," the IRS has confirmed that a charity can provide acknowledgement of a contribution electronically. For contributions of $250 or more, a written receipt must also be sent.
The full text of Publication 1771 is available online, in Adobe Acrobat format on the IRS website.
read in fullUsing Social Security's Surplus for Current Needs
Apr 1, 2002 by Guest Blogger
Policy adjustments to Social Security – and not locking these surplus funds away – are the key to "saving" Social Security.
read in fullHouse Committee Revises Stealth PAC Law
Apr 1, 2002 by Guest Blogger
State and Local PACs May Get Exemption From Reporting.
read in fullBush Administration Weakens Medical Privacy Rules
Apr 1, 2002 by Guest Blogger
In a move hailed by the health care industry, the Bush administration announced on March 27 that it would roll back medical privacy standards put in place at the end of the Clinton administration.
read in full$50 Billion Per Year is Not Pocket Change
Mar 29, 2002 by Guest Blogger
As reported in the Washington Post on March 25, advocates of estate tax repeal have redirected their efforts to state legislatures, pressuring them to "update" their estate tax laws to reflect the changes implemented in last June’s $1.35 trillion tax cut.
read in fullResolutions Not Worth Keeping
Mar 28, 2002 by Guest Blogger
The FY 2003 Congressional budget plan is probably not going to be a resolution worth keeping.
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