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Information for Policymakers Information for Nonprofits Policy Issues About MNA Public Policy
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Policy PortalIssue#93 STATE NEWS
FEDERAL NEWS
MNA Action Network
The place where you can speak directly to elected officials about the issues affecting the nonprofit sector STATE NEWS Differing Deficit Estimates for Fiscal Year 2006 The Senate Fiscal Agency recently released its budget estimates for fiscal year 2006, which included a $72 million budget deficit. This is much smaller than the $150 million deficit Governor Granholm had predicted earlier this fall for FY06. A better estimate will be available after consensus estimate conferences are held this coming January. For more information on the state’s budget, visit the Office of the State Budget and the Senate Fiscal Agency. Both estimates indicate that the state will again face a revenue shorfall in Fiscal Year 2006. After multiple years of revenue shortfalls and one-time fixes, in the coming year the Legislature and the Governor will face difficult decisions regarding which critical state programs to cut. For additional information on the impact of the state’s revenue shortfalls, visit the Citizen’s Research Council of Michigan. Governor Granholm Appoints a Variety of Positions in October Since October 1, Governor Granholm has made the following appointments:
Michigan Public Educational Facilities Authority
Task Force on Children’s Justice
Correctional Officers’ Training Council
Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs
Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC)
November 2: Absentee Ballots, Voter Scams, Get Out The Vote Voters can still obtain absentee ballots for the November 2 election. Registered voters can get an absentee voter ballot in person by submitting a request to their city or township clerk’s office by 4 p.m., November 1, or they can have it mailed to their home if they submit a written request to their clerk by 2 p.m., October 30. Voters must complete and return their absentee ballots to the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Information on voting and absentee ballots can be found at the Michigan Voter Information Center. Citizens from Ann Arbor and southern Wayne County Secretary have recently reported attempts to defraud voters by telling them the deadline to apply for absentee ballots has passed and that they need to send their completed ballots to wrong addresses. Secretary of State Terri Land has urged individuals not to reveal personal information over the phone. National Voice has a new Get Out The Vote Toolkit that instructs organizations how to increase voter turnout on November 2. Visit MNA's election page to view the GOTV Toolkit and other important election information. The state’s fiscal year 2005 budget is nearly complete; a joint subcommittee still needs to determine capital outlay appropriations ( H.B. 5510). Otherwise, the budget has expected cuts to some programs. The following departments have budgets cuts of varying degrees: agriculture; civil service; community health; education; environmental quality operations; family independence agency; judiciary; school aid; the state; treasury operations; and treasure revenue sharing. For specific information on appropriations, visit Michigan’s Senate Fiscal Agency and House Fiscal Agency. The House returns on Thursday, November 4, for a lame duck session. The Senate returns on Wednesday, November 3. Upcoming scheduled committee meetings can be viewed on the Michigan Legislature Web site. FEDERAL NEWS Singh Joins Advisory Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Sam Singh, President and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association; William C. Richardson, President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; William S. White, President of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; Dorothy Johnson, President Emeritus of the Council of Michigan Foundations; and Jon Pratt, Executive Director of Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, have joined other nonprofit leaders to form a “ Panel on the Nonprofit Sector.” The recently-formed panel, chaired by Diana Aviv, President and CEO of Independent Sector (IS), will recommend legislative options to the Senate Finance Committee to increase nonprofit accountability. The panel will establish two advisory groups, one of prominent community leaders, including those from other sectors. The second advisory group will include a range of academic and legal experts. The panel also will create five working groups to study and provide recommendations on issues involved in governance, transparency and financial accountability, oversight of sector organizations, the legal framework for regulating charities and foundations, and specific recommendations concerning small organizations. The finance committee asked that the panel provide a report of its initial findings and recommendations by February 2005 and a final report later that spring. Independent Sector is urging all nonprofits to give the committee input because any new regulations will affect the entire sector. Independent Sector Seeks Feedback on Principles for International Charity Independent Sector recently released a draft statement of Principles for International Charity (PDF), which addresses concerns about the voluntary guidelines issued by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2002 to assist nonprofits and funders in complying with anti-terrorism financing requirements. Independent Sector is seeking feedback on the Principles from organizations in the sector. To contribute, contact Mauricio Vivero, director of government relations, (202) 467-6100, by November 1. President Bush Signs High Risk Nonprofit Security Enhancement Act On October 18 President Bush signed into law a Homeland Security appropriations bill ( HR 4567) that contains $25 million in funding to provide security enhancements and training to nonprofit organizations determined to be at high-risk of international terrorist attacks. Funds will be distributed by the Department of Homeland Security based on risk assessments, in consultation with state and local authorities. Webby to Give New Award for Best Charitable-Organization Web Site A Web site is an excellent vehicle to advocate a charitable organization’s mission. The 2005 Webby Awards competition will include a new category for best charitable-organization Web site. The fee to submit an entry for consideration is $95, and the deadline is December 17. For more information, go to http://www.webbyawards.com. The Congress has adjourned until November 16, when it will resume for a brief lame duck session. |
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