Nonprofit Lobbying Rights

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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What's Up With the Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure Provision?

Mar 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

The bill that will be marked up tomorrow in HSGAC currently does not contain a grassroots lobbying disclosure. Reportedly, Sens. Leiberman and Levin will offer an amendment in committee to include grassroots lobbying disclosure. If that doesn't work, or is not allowed, Democrats are said to be planning on introducing an amendment on the floor. Why wasn't it included in the Chairman's Mark? According to the Hill:

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OMB Watch Statement on Lobby Reform

Mar 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Why is grassroots lobby disclosure good for nonprofits? Find out by reading our statenent on lobby reform and grassroots disclosure. While your at it, check out our resource center on lobby reform!

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Lobby Reform:Markup and Hearing Tomorrow!

Mar 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Don't forget! A Markup and a Hearing on Lobby Reform Tomorrow! House Rules Hearing: Time: 10:00 AM Location: H-313 The Capitol Senate HSGAC Markup: Time: 10:00 AM Location: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Rm. 342 Marking up a substitute to S. 2128, Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act of 2005

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No Campaign Finance, Grassroots Disclosure in Rules Markup

Feb 28, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Nothing controversial on the lobbying front came out of a Sen. Rules Cmte markup today. The bill would give any senator the ability to strike offensive “out of scope” provisions through a 60-vote point of order without killing an entire bill, however, it does not address issues outside the jurisdiction of the Rules committee, such as campaign finance law or lobbying law changes. These are expected to be addressed in a markup on Thursday in Sen. Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee. The Hill's take...

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HHS Pulls Funding for Silver Ring Thing

Feb 28, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Following up on a Watcher article we did in Sept., HHS has agreed to settle the lawsuit that was filed against for providing federal funding to a pro-abstinence that did not seperate the message from the religous componets of the program. The case was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). For a Roundtable article on the decision.

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Lobby Reform & Grassroots Lobby Disclosure: Good for Nonprofits

Lobby and ethics reform discussions in Congress could prove to be a significant opportunity to level the current uneven playing field, where wealthy interests have inordinate access to lawmakers and voice in public policy debate. Successful reforms would change this dynamic, giving individuals and groups lacking enormous resources, like most nonprofit organizations, a more equal chance of being heard.

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FEC Set To Vote on Internet March 20

Feb 24, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Roll Call offers this article (paid subscription required). A snippet: FEC Chairman Michael Toner said he favors less restrictions when it comes to the Internet than more. "What the FEC does in this area will affect the online political activities of millions of Americans," he said. "I also think the FEC should make very clear that the press exemption applies with full force to online activities including the activities of bloggers, who in this society are functioning in my view as press entities."

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Rudman Rept Dropped; Critical of Fannie Mae, Not Enough for Action

Feb 23, 2006 by Guest Blogger

A report by former Sen. Warren Rudman, released today, is highly critical of accounting practices at Fannie Mae -- especially actions by its former chief financial officer. But that might not be enough push Sen. Richard Shelby to press for action on a bill to revamp oversight at government-sponsored enterprises. However, many expect Shelby to cave to White House demands on language dealing with portfolios. Why are we concerned about this?

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Lobby Reform: Momentum in Senate; House, Nonprofits Weigh Impact

After making a lot of noise about reform, lawmakers finally move to wade through the mountain of lobby and ethics reform bills and begin marking up legislation.

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Will Earmark Reform Fail Because Members Will Protect Their Money?

Feb 17, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Will earmark reform fail as members try to protect their money? From The Hill: The building momentum for earmark reform could force lawmakers to cut back significantly on their beloved pork projects, and in the process reduce something that is in short supply on Capitol Hill: bipartisanship.

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