Nonprofit Speech Rights | Center for Effective Government

Is the FBI Watching You?

The Department of Justice announced new guidelines for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that dramatically expand their authority to conduct investigations that are not related to criminal activity and engage in surveillance of religious, political and advocacy organizations.

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FEC Urged to Exempt Nonpartisan Voter Education in Soft Money Rulemaking

Public comments have been filed and hearings held in the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) first rulemaking to implement the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, focusing on rules relating to soft money contributions to political parties and fundraising by federal candidates and their agents. Both the Republican and Democratic parties urged a narrow interpretation of the rules, while BCRA Congressional sponsors and reform groups urged a more aggressive approach.

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The On-Again Off-Again CARE ACT

The on-again off-again mark-up of the Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE) (S. 1924), which is Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Rick Santorum’s (R-PA) faith-based and charitable giving bill, looks like it will finally happen on Thursday, June 13 in the Senate Finance Committee. If it does go to mark-up, everyone is waiting with bated breath to find out what will be in the bill.

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Charitable Choice Advocates Continue Regulatory, Legislative Efforts

While the CARE Act has hit a snag in the Senate over the costs of tax cuts for charitable giving, non-tax portions of the bill dealing with federal grant rules for faith-based organizations could become even more controversial if the bill passes the Senate and goes to conference with the House.

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OMB Watch Comments on Proposed Soft Money Rules

Comments on the Federal Election Commission's proposed regulations on soft money. May 29, 2002 Rosemary Smith, Assistant General Counsel Federal Election Commission 999 E Street NW Washington, DC 20463 Re: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Notice 2002-7: Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; Non-Federal Funds or Soft Money Dear Ms. Smith,

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GAO Issues Report on Exempt Organizations

The General Accounting Office has issued a report requested by the Senate Finance Committee that reviews oversight of charities and makes recommendations for improvement. Tax-Exempt Organizations: Improvements Possible in Public, IRS and State Oversight of Charities is available at Report GAO-02-526.

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CARE Act Update

Behind the scenes maneuvering continues on the Charity Aid Recovery and Empowerment Act (S 1924), the faith-based compromise bill sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) and endorsed by President Bush.

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Hearing Held on Bills to Allow Church Electioneering

The Subcommittee on Oversight of the House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony from supporters and opponents of two bills that would allow religious organizations to endorse candidates and spend funds on partisan electioneering activities.

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NPTalk Spring 2002 Reader Survey Results

Results and observations from the NPTalk 2002 Reader online survey conducted between April 1 and May 1, 2002. We hope this summary will prove useful to other groups as they conduct their own member/reader/user surveys. Before we share the findings from our first-ever reader survey, we wanted to share a few notes and observations:

We received about a 7% response rate out of roughly 900 subscribers. Our average subscriber base throughout the year is about 1100. We currently do not actively advertise the list, so folks who find us generally do so through word of mouth.

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Press Release: National Study Reveals Nonprofits Face Persistent Barriers in Public Participation

See the Executive Summary. To download the report in PowerPoint format click here.

For Immediate Release May 28, 2002 Contact: David Arons, (202) 387-5072 or Gary Bass (202) 234-8494

Washington, DC Preliminary findings of a three-year study of nonprofit charitable organizations' public policy participation indicate strong recognition by nonprofit leaders of the importance of public policy participation as it relates to serving their mission and community. However, a number of key barriers stand in the way of unleashing nonprofits' civic potential.

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