2 leaders seek more scrutiny of nonprofits - Orlando Sentinel : Orange County News 2 leaders seek more scrutiny of nonprofits - Orlando Sentinel : Ora

2 leaders seek more scrutiny of nonprofits - Orlando Sentinel : Orange County News 2 leaders seek more scrutiny of nonprofits - Orlando Sentinel : Orange County News: "leaders seek more scrutiny of nonprofits
Finances and salaries for top executives are areas of concern.

Dan Tracy | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 21, 2006


A state legislator and an Orange County commissioner called Tuesday for new laws requiring nonprofit agencies receiving tax dollars to be more open about their finances and salaries.

Their separate proposals were due in part to an article that ran Sunday in the Orlando Sentinel. The article examined the inner workings of the Central Florida Sports Commission and the salaries paid to its top executives, including president Randy Johnson, a retiring state representative seeking the Republican nomination for chief financial officer."

Tags: Nonprofit Accountability, Cost of Fundraising, NPFundraising

Groups Call on Congress to Immediately Disable Technology that Blocks E-Mails from Constituents

PRESS RELEASE

Groups Call on Congress to Immediately Disable Technology that Blocks E-Mails from Constituents: "Groups Call on Congress to Immediately Disable Technology that Blocks E-Mails from Constituents
News Release
Jun 20, 2006
A diverse collection of nonprofit and advocacy groups representing a broad spectrum of political views and issues called upon members of Congress yesterday to stop using a new computer program which enables members' Web sites to block e-mail communications from constituents.

In a joint letter signed by more than 100 organizations, many of whom are more often opponents than allies in their daily work, the groups write: 'Congressional attempts to differentiate among constituent communications -- accepting only unorganized communications but blocking communications where individuals are working together to deliver a strong message -- raise dangerous questions about the infringement of constituents' First Amendment rights and are a disservice to constituents.'"

Tags: NPAdvocacy

Some links to State of Ohio Government Sources

One listing of possible Ohio Resources.

Just a reminder that AFP provides the listings of hyperlinks to other Internet pages as a privilege to the user. AFP does not necessarily endorse, support or attest to the accuracy of information posted on those Internet pages

State of Ohio Government Sources

News-Sentinel | 06/15/2006 | SCAN can continue duck race, at least for now

News-Sentinel | 06/15/2006 | SCAN can continue duck race, at least for now: "SCAN can continue duck race, at least for now
But a change in oversight has area nonprofits concerned.
A column by Kevin Leininger kleininger@news-sentine.com
Tobin-Smith: Race is how people learn about SCAN
Wyss: We need to eliminate ‘skimming’
By Ellie Bogue of News-Sentinel
Volunteers pull toy ducks out of the water at the close of the 2000 SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) Duck Race. New oversight by the Gaming Commission may bring changes to fundraising events by Indiana nonprofit organizations.

They look like ducks, float like ducks and – if they were-n’t made of colored plastic – might even quack like ducks.

But the thousands of miniature fowls scheduled to float down the St. Joseph River for charity later this month are also symbols of changes coming to the state’s charitable gaming industry – a $526 million-a-year business that often blurs the line between philanthropy and gambling."

OMB Watch - Nonprofits Registering Voters Face New Restrictions

OMB Watch - Nonprofits Registering Voters Face New Restrictions: "Nonprofits Registering Voters Face New Restrictions

A growing number of nonprofit organizations in states across the country are finding new rules make it difficult or impossible to continue their nonpartisan voter registration efforts. In Florida, the League of Women Voters and a host of other groups have sued the state to stop enforcement of rules that make such voter registration drives substantially more difficult and risky.

The League of Women Voters of Florida has worked to encourage eligible voters to register to vote since 1939. After a new law took effect in January, however, the group suspended all of its voter registration programs, blaming what it calls the Florida law's 'punishing and complicated regime of deadlines and fines.'"

Tags: NPAdvocacy

WRAL.com - News - In Wake Of Audit Findings, Some Lawmakers Want Change

WRAL.com - News - In Wake Of Audit Findings, Some Lawmakers Want Change: "In Wake Of Audit Findings, Some Lawmakers Want Change

POSTED: 6:51 pm EDT June 6, 2006
UPDATED: 8:55 pm EDT June 6, 2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Some lawmakers who are unhappy with recent state audits concerning two state-funded economic-development nonprofit groups say they want a new system of oversight."

Bill challenges Ford Foundation - 06/07/06 - The Detroit News Online

Bill challenges Ford Foundation - 06/07/06 - The Detroit News Online: "Bill challenges Ford Foundation

Legislation tackles meager grant-making in state by institution Cox is investigating

I n a bid to direct more of the Ford Foundation's $500 million in annual grants to Michigan, two state lawmakers plan to introduce legislation today that would require foundations incorporated here to give half their grants to Michigan causes unless otherwise stated in their founding articles.

The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Andy Dillon, D-Redford, and Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland, is another shot from Lansing at the New York-based Ford Foundation, still incorporated in Michigan."

Estate Tax: True cost of repeal

Estate Tax: True cost of repeal: "Estate Tax: True cost of repeal

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

Please, for a moment, suspend your American sense of fair play.

Assume that you are in a microscopic community, a member of one of the most prosperous families in the nation. You will one day be assessed a tax before inheriting vast wealth. Pretend that you really have a stake in the U.S. Senate moving forward with a repeal of the tax and are eager to see it so.

Now answer this: How will the country replace over one decade the trillion dollars in revenues lost by repeal?"

. . . Or Unfair Burden on Families?

. . . Or Unfair Burden on Families?: "Or Unfair Burden on Families?

By Jeff Sessions
Monday, June 5, 2006; Page A15

This week the Senate is expected to vote on permanent repeal of the estate tax. With this vote, Congress will have an opportunity to finish the job it started five years ago.

The estate tax -- or, as many of us prefer to call it, the death tax -- is a tax imposed on the transfer of assets or property from a deceased person to his or her heirs. This is one of the IRS's most painful taxes, as it hits families at the worst possible time, when they are dealing with the death of a loved one"

Liquor and Gaming Authority #06-445 - GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS CHARITABLE GAMING - Government News Release

Liquor and Gaming Authority #06-445 - GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS CHARITABLE GAMING - Government News Release: "News Release

May 31, 2006

Additional Information

Liquor and Gaming Authority - 445
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS CHARITABLE GAMING

More than 2,600 provincial groups and organizations will receive approximately $7.6 million annually through a new grant program.

All Saskatchewan groups and organizations that hold licensed bingos, raffles and break-open ticket sales will receive a grant equal to 25 per cent of the net revenues raised from these activities.

The grant applies to all licensed charitable gaming that takes place on or after April 1st, 2006. Grants will be paid quarterly, with the first cheques issued once the required legislative amendments are passed, expected in December 2006."

FEC Adopts Hands-Off Stance on '527' Spending

FEC Adopts Hands-Off Stance on '527' Spending: "FEC Adopts Hands-Off Stance on '527' Spending

By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 1, 2006; Page A04

The same rules that allowed independent '527' groups such as America Coming Together and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to pump more than $400 million into the 2004 election campaigns will remain in place for now, the Federal Election Commission announced yesterday, a decision that invites even larger sums to be spent influencing races this year and in 2008."