IRS Reminds Charities to Avoid Electioneering This Campaign Season

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

From the IRS Newswire: IRS Reminds Charities to Avoid Campaign Activities This Election Season IR-2006-87, June 1, 2006 WASHINGTON — This election season the Internal Revenue Service reminds charities to avoid becoming involved in political campaign activities. In the 2004 elections, the IRS noticed an upturn in politicking on the part of 501(c)(3) organizations. The agency responded by increasing its educational efforts and launching an enforcement program, the Political Activity Compliance Initiative (PACI), to investigate specific, credible allegations of wrongdoing.

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Baucus' Estate Tax Reform Plan

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Last week Sen. Max Baucus apparently began circulating a reform plan to counter Sen. Kyl's proposal, which will most likely be offered up next week after a vote on estate tax repeal. Baucus' counteroffer includes a graduated tax rate structure, setting rates at 15, 25, and 35 percent depending on the size of the estate. Baucus' offer, which would likely retain more of the revenue than Kyl's plan, would still likely prove to be insufficient in both keeping the tax code truly progressive and raising enough revenue to fund national priorities.

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DC Seeks More Power Over Nonprofits

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

From the Examiner: D.C. government wants to give prosecutors more power to enforce laws against organizations that abuse their tax-exempt status or mishandle their money, but some nonprofit groups are saying they are already sufficiently regulated.

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Latest Watcher

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Reg policy articles this time: Return of the Senior Death Discount?: Heinzerling v. Mannix

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Watcher: June 1, 2006

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

House Passes Budget, Slips In Increase to Debt Ceiling Immigration Plan Complicates Supplemental Spending Bill House Speeds Through the First of its Spending Bills Who Wins With the Tax Bill? Bush Raises Taxes on Students, Expatriates

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NY Times Editorial: Block the Vote

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Great new editorial in the New York Times: In a country that spends so much time extolling the glories of democracy, it's amazing how many elected officials go out of their way to discourage voting. States are adopting rules that make it hard, and financially perilous, for nonpartisan groups to register new voters. They have adopted new rules for maintaining voter rolls that are likely to throw off many eligible voters, and they are imposing unnecessarily tough ID requirements.

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Birnbaum On Lobby Reform Lite

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), one of the architects of the House-passed measure, said he would like to "pursue more reform" after the current legislation passes. And when will that be? If more indictments come down and the public begins to revolt noticeably against incumbents over the issue, maybe Congress will bestir itself to act more quickly and aggressively. But my guess is that incumbents won't feel the wrath of voters until Election Day, and regret their inaction too late. For the whole article...

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More on the FEC and 527s

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

For more on 527s: Bob Bauer's Blog Kate Phillips, "Election Panel Won't Issue Donation Rules," New York Times (May 31, 2006).

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FEC Will Provide Further Explanation on 527s Instead of New Rule

Jun 1, 2006 by Guest Blogger

The Federal Election Commission voted yesterday, 4 to 2, not to appeal a U.S. District Court opinion mandating either a new rulemaking or further explanation of the political committee definition - specifically, how "527s organizations" are regulated. According to the Washington Post,

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Support Creation of Federal Contracts and Grants Database

May 31, 2006 by Matthew Madia

Last fall, the OpenTheGovernment.org coalition assembled a lengthy list of organizations and individuals, both liberal and conservative, who wrote to President Bush to urge him to put information about how Hurricane Katrina relief funds were being allocated (read the letter). This year, a new effort for increased transparency of federal funds spearheaded by four Senators is making its way through Congress. This effort will make all federal grant and contract information available to the public free of charge in a searchable, downloadable online format.

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