Monday, July 31, 2006

Cleveland.com: Search-New rules proposed for charities, hospitals

Cleveland.com: Search: "New rules proposed for charities, hospitals
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Barb Galbincea and Sarah Treffinger
Plain Dealer Reporters

Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro has revised his proposal to make hospitals and other charitable groups more accountable to the public, a month after proposing the new state rules.

In the second draft of the rules, released Friday, Petro dropped controversial recommendations for policies related to conflicts of interest, executive compensation and billing practices. Instead, said Brian Cook, chief deputy attorney general and head of the public-protection division, the latest proposal calls for a new advisory panel to recommend such model policies."

NPR : Leavitt Charity's $500,000 Returns, in the Form of Rent

NPR : Leavitt Charity's $500,000 Returns, in the Form of Rent: "All Things Considered, July 28, 2006 · There’s a new twist to the story about Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and his family’s charitable foundation. Last week, we and others reported that the Leavitt family charity is a special kind of foundation that bi-partisan forces in Congress are trying to restrict. It can offer huge tax deductions, while loaning money back to donors, and giving little away. NPR has discovered another Leavitt foundation practice that also raises eyebrows."

Friday, July 28, 2006

AP Wire | 07/27/2006 | Federal judge backs release of Islamic charity fundraiser

AP Wire | 07/27/2006 | Federal judge backs release of Islamic charity fundraiser: "Federal judge backs release of Islamic charity fundraiser
JEREMIAH MARQUEZ
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - A federal judge has ordered that a top fundraiser for an Islamic charity the government says has ties to terrorism be released from detention, his attorney said Thursday.

Abdel-Jabbar Hamdan, who has been held for two years, was ordered released without bond, according to his attorney, Ranjana Natarajan of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

'We're thrilled, we're just thrilled,' Natarajan said"

The Derrick-Law details how groups can run games of chance

The Derrick: "Aside from its flashy graphics scratch-off tickets and its no frills lottery drawing tickets, Pennsylvania has another gambling angle - the 1988 Local Option Small Games of Chance.

The measure permits county treasurers to issue licenses that allow certain organizations to conduct raffles, sell tickets and otherwise hold games parties. Simply put, it sanctions limited gambling."

Union Leader - A bad hand: Charity gambling law a disaster - Friday, Jul. 28, 2006

Union Leader - A bad hand: Charity gambling law a disaster - Friday, Jul. 28, 2006: "A bad hand: Charity gambling law a disaster


9 hours, 3 minutes ago

IF ONLY CLINT Eastwood were around to straighten out this mess.

The state passed a ridiculously burdensome new law to regulate charity gambling — without significant input from charities — and now the proverbial chicken is coming home to roost. Charity operators are saying they’ll have to shut down their lucrative Texas Hold ’Em poker tournaments because they cannot comply with the law."

Arkansas News Bureau - FEMA trailers would be moved

Arkansas News Bureau - FEMA trailers would be moved: "One amendment to an emergency management reform bill would waive a Federal Emergency Management Agency regulation against locating manufactured homes in a flood plain. The rule has stalled distribution to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Another amendment allows the homes to be donated to municipalities or nonprofit groups for needs unrelated to disasters. Nonprofits may now receive surplus homes from FEMA only for disaster victims.

The amendments were added to the bill by Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, said he plans to introduce similar amendments in the House soon."

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Union Leader - Charities say new poker law is a bad deal - Thursday, Jul. 27, 2006

Union Leader - Charities say new poker law is a bad deal - Thursday, Jul. 27, 2006: "Charities say new poker law is a bad deal

By JOHN WHITSON
Union Leader Staff
3 hours, 20 minutes ago

Concord – The new state law regulating games of chance -- primarily aimed at Texas Hold 'Em poker -- came under fire from a packed house of people representing charitable organizations yesterday.

The law transfers oversight of the games from municipalities to the Pari-Mutuel Commission, and yesterday's session was held to outline new rules and responsibilities.

Many of the 150 people in the Department of Health and Human Services auditorium said the law asks too much of small organizations composed primarily of volunteers.

'That's the end of Texas Hold 'Em as far as the Bedford Men's Club is concerned,' said Bill Burns, the group's treasurer. 'It's way too burdensome. What it means is that anybody who wants to comply with the rules will have to go to professional gaming operators.'"

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

OMB Watch - OPM Drops Problematic CFC Certification on Lobbying Expenses

OMB Watch - OPM Drops Problematic CFC Certification on Lobbying Expenses: "OPM Drops Problematic CFC Certification on Lobbying Expenses

Under pressure from nonprofit groups, the Office of Personnel Management, the independent federal agency that manages civil service government employment, proposed last month to drop an unclear certification requirement discouraging nonprofits from conducting legally-permissible issue advocacy."

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide-"House to Vote on Estate Tax This Week,

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide: "House to Vote on Estate Tax This Week, Hastert Says (Update2)

July 26 (Bloomberg) -- The House of Representatives will vote this week on legislation that combines a reduced estate tax with a measure renewing two-dozen expired breaks for business including a research credit, House Speaker Dennis Hastert said.

Lawmakers decided yesterday to remove the package of renewed tax breaks from broader pension legislation and attach them to a measure reducing the tax on multimillion-dollar estates because the business breaks have broad support in both political parties.

``We'll get the pension bill done, and move forward and pass a piece of legislation that deals with the extenders and inheritance tax,'' Hastert, an Illinois Republican, told reporters today on Capitol Hill."
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Portsmouth Herald Local News: Charity gaming law a step toward legal gambling

Portsmouth Herald Local News: Charity gaming law a step toward legal gambling: "Charity gaming law a step toward legal gambling


We share Portsmouth Police Chief Michael Magnant's deep misgivings about a new law that gives the state rather than local police the power to permit charity gambling events."

Perry urges 'level playing field' for faith-based charity groups

Perry urges 'level playing field' for faith-based charity groups: "AUSTIN Governor Rick Perry says the government should end barriers to partnering with religious and community groups that want to help the needy.
Perry today told charity group representatives in Austin that Texas aims to be a national leader in 'leveling the playing field' for faith-based and community organizations."

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Union Leader - State raises stakes on charity gambling - Sunday, Jul. 23, 2006

Union Leader - State raises stakes on charity gambling - Sunday, Jul. 23, 2006: "State raises stakes on charity gambling

By JOHN WHITSON
Union Leader Staff
Sunday, Jul. 23, 2006

The idea that New Hampshire has restricted gambling to racetracks and lottery tickets, standing fast against a tidal wave of gaming, is quaint.

It’s also inaccurate.

There are legal poker games every day of the year all over the state, with thousands of dollars in prize money to be had.

“Of course there is gambling,” said Richard Bouley, a lobbyist who represents the gaming industry. “It’s just not on a large scale.”

The popularity growth of poker nationwide in recent years — particularly Texas Hold ’Em — triggered a change in state law that took effect Wednesday and transferred oversight authority from municipal police departments to the state Pari-Mutuel Commission."

Security Funds For Nonprofits Said on Way - July 25, 2006 - The New York Sun

Security Funds For Nonprofits Said on Way - July 25, 2006 - The New York Sun: "Security Funds For Nonprofits Said on Way

By SHALIN PUNN - Special to the Sun
July 25, 2006

The Department of Homeland Security says it is preparing to release $25 million in anti-terrorist funding for New York City nonprofit organizations.

The announcement follows a press conference during which Reps. Anthony Weiner and Carolyn Maloney urged the department to finally make the funds available months after Congress appropriated them."

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

USATODAY.com - IRS warns churches to stay neutral in upcoming campaign season

USATODAY.com - IRS warns churches to stay neutral in upcoming campaign season: "IRS warns churches to stay neutral in upcoming campaign season
Posted 7/18/2006 8:03 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this Subscribe to stories like this
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service has been warning churches and non-profit organizations that improper campaigning in the upcoming political season could endanger their tax-exempt status.

In notices to more than 15,000 tax-exempt organizations, numerous church denominations and tax preparers, the agency has detailed its new enforcement program, called the Political Activity Compliance Initiative, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday."

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

All Headline News - IRS Warns Tax-Exempt Organizations Against Political Campaigning - July 18, 2006

All Headline News - IRS Warns Tax-Exempt Organizations Against Political Campaigning - July 18, 2006: "IRS Warns Tax-Exempt Organizations Against Political Campaigning

July 18, 2006 12:14 p.m. EST

Mary K. Brunskill - All Headline News Staff Writer

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - The IRS has sent over 15,000 notices to tax preparers and tax-exempt organizations, including churches, warning them that improper campaigning in the upcoming political elections could put their tax-exempt status at risk.

In its notices, the agency explained its new enforcement program, called the Political Activity Compliance Initiative. Under the program, the IRS will no longer wait for an annual tax returns to be filed before it investigates into claims of improper campaigning. A committee consisting of three members will review the complaints and then vote on whether they need to be investigated in detail."

Thursday, July 13, 2006

MercuryNews.com | 07/13/2006 | Non-profits team up to give big

MercuryNews.com | 07/13/2006 | Non-profits team up to give big: "Non-profits team up to give big
TWO BAY AREA GROUPS AGREE TO MERGE, CREATING ONE OF COUNTRY'S LARGEST COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS
By John Woolfolk
Mercury News

Two Bay Area philanthropy groups agreed to a merger Wednesday that will create one of the largest foundations of its kind in the nation, with $1.5 billion in assets and 1,400 charitable funds.

The governing boards of the San Jose-based Community Foundation Silicon Valley and the Peninsula Community Foundation, located in San Mateo, voted unanimously to join forces as the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

The combined organization, which will be based in Palo Alto or East Palo Alto, will be among the top five community foundations in the country, rivaling the $1.9 billion New York Community Trust and the $1.6 billion Cleveland Foundation."
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Strengthening the nonprofit sector

Strengthening the nonprofit sector: "Strengthening the nonprofit sector
By Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)

Warren Buffett secured an even loftier position in the eyes of Americans when he recently announced his plans to give away the lion’s share of his $44 billion fortune to charity. The “Oracle from Omaha” boldly represents the noble generosity of the American spirit.

Charitable good works and philanthropic pursuits have strengthened the United States of America for the past 230 years. The philanthropic network is a cornerstone of American society, serving a pivotal role in communities across the country and wielding considerable cultural, economic, political and social influence around the globe."