Nonprofit Speech Rights | Center for Effective Government

HHS Strikes Again- Stop AIDS Prevention Program Grant Threatened

The heavy hand of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may be bearing down on organizations involved in AIDS prevention programs. The latest action may make continued federal funding contingent on following HHS guidance on conferences and workshops to ensure that such events do not encourage sexual activity, even if funded with private dollars.

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Recent Campaign Finance Decisions

In recent campaign finance decisions, a Federal Election Commission (FEC) ruling allows members of Congress to help associations raise general funds, the AFL-CIO wins a case protecting privacy of internal records used in an FEC investigation, and the Supreme Court rules rules that nonprofits cannot make direct contributions to federal campaigns.

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Two Reports Show Influence of Business Lobbying Spending

A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center released June 19th shows that for legislative issue advertising in the national capitol area in 2001-2002, the side that spends more wins more. In a second report, PoliticalMoneyLine released an analysis of spending for the second half of 2002 that depicts more record breaking spending on lobbying Congress, primarily by business interests.

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Charitable Giving Bill in House Sparks Controversy Over Foundations' Costs

When the “Charitable Giving Act of 2003" H.R. 7 was introduced in the House last month, there were optimistic statements that the Ways and Means Committee could consider the bill before the July 4 recess. However, no action is pending and controversy about provisions involving foundations is gaining national attention.

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HHS Seeks Input on Best Practices for Intermediary Organizations

On June 9th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an announcement seeking public comment on a proposed research study to examine best practices of intermediary organizations that serve faith and community based organizations.

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Head Start Group Sues HHS Over Threatening Letter

The National Head Start Association (NHSA), an organization representing parents, teachers and Head Start programs, filed suit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Tommy Thompson on June 11th, seeking a court order that would prevent HHS from penalizing Head Start advocates that speak out against the administration’s proposed overhaul of the program.

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Input From Nonprofits Guide Public Comments on Grant Streamlining

OMB Watch is working to inform nonprofits about federal agency proposals to streamline the grants process, and get input from state and local groups heard by the agencies. As part of this project, the National Council of Nonprofit Associations and OMB Watch co-sponsored focus groups of state and local nonprofits that reviewed recent Federal Register announcements in detail. The focus groups represented a variety of programs and came from diverse areas of the country.

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Data Quality Challenges

June 9, 2003 Gareth Hatch, Office of Federal Financial Management Office of Management and Budget Room 6025 New Executive Office Building Washington, D.C. 20503 Via E Mail to ghatch@omb.eop.gov Re: Consolidated Federal Financial Report, Volume 68 Fed. Reg. No. 67, Pages 17097-17105 Dear Mr.

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OMB Watch and NCNA Comments on Grant Application Information Standards

June 9, 2003 Sandra Swab, Office of Federal Financial Management Office of Management and Budget Room 6025 New Executive Office Building Washington, D.C. 20503 Via E Mail to sswab@omb.eop.gov Re: Standard Data Elements Comments, Volume 8 Fed. Reg. No. 67, Pages 17090-17097 Dear Ms.

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Study on Effectiveness of Faith-Based Services Shows Little Difference

Ever since President Bush announced his faith-based initiative in January 2001, the administration has claimed faith-based programs are more effective than secular programs, but most of the evidence has been anecdotal. That has now changed, with publication of a study by Indiana University and Purdue University comparing results of faith-based and secular job training programs.

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