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Monday, July 31, 2006

Should Lobbyists Serve As Treasurers on Campaigns?
Interesting article in US News:

"It creates a huge conflict of interest for the members of Congress," says Alex Knott of the Center for Public Integrity. "They are going to be indentured to these lobbyists because they often rely on them for campaign fundraising." Lobbyists have served as treasurers of at least 68 campaign committees or joint campaign committees with other members since 1998, according to the center. It's unclear whether the number is increasing because reform groups have just started to track these relationships.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Does Tax Talk Today Meet Your Needs?
The IRS is conducting a survey to see whether programs on Tax Talk Today are helpful. Be sure to let them know if you think their programs are helpful to nonprofits or would like more information on a certain topic.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 03:04:22 PM

More Money for IRS Enforcement

The bill, approved by a vote of 28-0, would allocate approximately $10.7 billion to the IRS in FY07, $82.3 million above the FY06 level and $64.1 million above the President's FY07 request. Like its House counterpart, the Senate bill would restructure the IRS by dividing it into three accounts - enforcement, taxpayer services and operations support - and would permit the agency to transfer some funds between the accounts. Specifically, the Senate bill would allocate $4.79 billion to "enforcement" whereas the House bill, approved last month, would allocate $4.75 billion.

For more, see 501cstrategies blog.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 02:56:05 PM

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Corruption in the HAVA Negotiations?
From Roll Call:

"Justice Department investigators have begun a review of Senate Rules and Administration Committee records relating to negotiations over the Help America Vote Act, involving then-Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and former House Administration Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio), as they wrap up their investigation into Ney's connections to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Senate sources said Tuesday.Senate aides familiar with the review said Justice officials indicated the inquiry was not focused on Dodd, who now serves as the committee's ranking member, and the type of information investigators were seeking--while not specific enough to indicate they were looking for a smoking gun --appear to point directly at Ney."

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 12:41:31 PM

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

IRS Calls Catholic Group's Actions Too Political
From Chronicle of Philanthropy:

A Catholic organization in Missouri has asked candidates for state office to return contributions from a charity that advocates for stem-cell research. The move prompted a complaint from the Internal Revenue Service that the request violates prohibitions on political activity by charities.

The Missouri Catholic Conference sent the request to more than 50 candidates who received money from the group, Supporters of Health Research and Treatments. State legislators are considering an amendment to the State Constitution that would prohibit state and local governments from discouraging stem-cell research, a move the conference opposes.

Lawrence A. Weber, executive director of the Missouri conference, said he was looking into the complaint. Officials from Supporters of Health Research and Treatments could not be reached for comment.

For the whole story, see the New York Times article.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 01:03:13 PM

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

OMB Watch Report Revitalizes Congressional Call for Bright-Line Test
OMB Watch's report on the PACI Project seems to have spurred debate on a bright line rule for 501(c)(3) issue advocacy during elections.

From the LA Times:

The OMB Watch report, Schiff said, has motivated him to again seek a response from the IRS and the Treasury Department. He wants the report's recommendations to be adopted.
"I think the guidelines are so ambiguous and unclear, anyone standing behind the pulpit has to be wondering what they can say on the most important issues of the day," he said.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 10:39:42 AM

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Grassley Specifies Nonprofit Issues in Need of Legislative Reform
In a letter to the Hill newspaper, Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) identifies the issues he sees most pertinent in nonprofit reform. These are:

Excessive compensation perks, pay and sweetheart deals involving officers and directors.

Nonprofit groups that act more like for-profit businesses than charities.

Inappropriate political activity.

Lack of financial transparency and accountability to donors.

Nonprofit hospitals that do not provide adequate charity care and community benefits.

Tax-exempt organizations fronting as tax-shelters.

Donor-advised funds and supporting organizations being used by the wealthy to protect business assets and take big charitable tax deductions with little or no money actually going to public charities.

Charitable boards that are not engaged in their fiduciary responsibilities to ensure that the charity is operated appropriately and responsibly.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 01:19:11 PM

Friday, July 07, 2006

Coalition Files Lawsuit To Stop Blackwell Voter-Registration Rules
We recently reported in our blog that a Republican-controlled panel in Ohio had voted to keep Sec. of State Ken Blackwell's (who is running for governor) controversial new voter-registration regulations.

In response, a coalition of groups is filing a lawsuit for an injunction on the new rule.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer,

The suit will request an injunction, claiming a reform law passed by the General Assembly last year, followed by rules Blackwell's office drafted, have all but ended the groups' voter-registration activities in Ohio.
"At this point, the effects are chilling," said Donita Judge, a staff attorney at the Advancement Project, a Washington-based voter-education group, and co-counsel in the suit being filed in Cleveland. "It's just killed voter registration," she added, resulting in an all-but-certain "dilution of the minority vote."

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 01:05:03 PM

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

PACI Investigation Persuades Nonprofit to Create 501(c)(4)
Catholics for a Free Choice has lodged a complaint with the IRS alleging that Catholic Answers, a 501(c)(3), had engaged in prohibited partisan electioneering activity. In reponse, Catholic Answers has now set up an appropriate tax exempt entity (a 501(c)(4)) to legally carry out the activities it wants to engage in.

You can find Catholic Answers' statement on their website

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 02:16:25 PM

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