Nonprofit Speech 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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OMB Asks for Comments on Proposed Changes to Audit Form

Nonprofits that get federal grants have an opportunity to suggest ways audit forms can be streamlined for reports auditors make to them and reports grantees must submit to the federal government. A Federal Register notice invites comments on changes proposed for current audit forms, including the SF-SAC and single audit reporting packages. Comments are due on or before October 14.

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Charitable Giving Bills Headed to Conference Committee

On September 17 the House passed legislation with tax breaks for charitable giving. The bill, the Charitable Giving Act of 2003 (H.R. 7), is now headed to a conference committee with the Senate. The Senate passed a similar bill, the CARE Act (Charity Aid Recovery and Empowerment Act, S. 476), last spring. In addition to tax breaks for contributions to charities, H.R. 7 provides money for a Compassion Capital Fund, simplification of lobbying rules for charities, reduction in excise taxes for foundations, and authority for states to transfer money from welfare to social service programs. This article includes a summary of the major provisions of H.R. 7, a look at how it compares to the Senate bill, the controversial issues facing the Conference Committee and the administration's position.

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House Passes Charitable Giving Act

On September 17, the House passed a bill that provides tax benefits to increase charitable contributions. The bill, the Charitable Giving Act of 2003 (H.R. 7), was approved by a vote of 408-13. It also provides money for a Compassion Capital Fund, simplifies charity lobbying rules, allows states to transfer money from welfare to social services, and modifies various rules affecting foundations. It is expected to go to conference with the Senate quickly. The Senate passed a similar bill, the Charity Aid Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE Act) (S. 476), in the spring.

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The USA Patriot Act and its Impact on Nonprofit Organizations

Executive Summary (This report is also available in PDF format.) The Bush administration recently shut down a number of Muslim-based nonprofit organizations using new powers under the USA Patriot Act, which was passed shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. No criminal charges were made against these organizations, nor were they officially designated terrorist supporters.

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Ready or Not, Here Comes the DUNS Number Requirement

Beginning on October 1 all federal grant applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet “DUNS” number (Data Universal Numbering System) to apply for or renew federal grants, or submit plans under mandatory grant programs. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced the new requirement in a June 27 notice of final policy issuance. OMB said, “The identifier will be used for tracking purposes, and to validate address and point of contact information.” A universal identifier also eliminates the need for separate identification numbers in different federal agencies.

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Attention ALL Grant Applicants: The DUNS Number Requirement

As of October 1 all federal grant applicants must have a "DUNS" number, which the federal government will use as a universal identifier. It will no longer be necessary to have separate identifying numbers with each federal agency. For more information on the "DUNS" number, see the Questions and Answers below: Q 1: What is a "DUNS" number?

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"HOUSE OF WORSHIP? ELECTIONEERING BILL CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM

The Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act, (H.R. 235), authored by Congressman Walter B. Jones, (R-NC) continues to gain co-sponsors. With now over 150 co-sponsors, WE MUST TAKE ACTION NOW! Send a letter to your United States Congressperson now!

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More Evidence of Retaliatory Grant Audits Emerges

If you know of organzations experiencing the problems outlined in this article or other types of actions taken by the government to control nonprofit speech please send a message to Kay Guinane at kguinane@ombwatch.org

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Federal Agencies Launching Grants.gov Web Site

OMB Watch has been monitoring implementation of the federal government’s grants streamlining project, which is required by the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999. The federal government has developed a web site for all agencies to post grant opportunities, and is also piloting a site for electronic submission of grant applications. You can view these at Grants.gov.

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FCC Postpones New Rule on ?Junk? Faxes

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) postponed implementation of its “do not fax rule” for 16 months thanks to the many concerns voiced by nonprofit organizations and business groups. The rule was scheduled to take effect on Aug. 25, and will now take effect on January 1, 2005, according to a FCC news release. The do-not-fax rule, which was adopted late June, requires companies and organizations to get written permission before sending unsolicited faxes that include information on financial transactions. This could include conference registration forms or membership-dues notices.

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