LSA Washington – August 3, 2010
A regular publication from the LSA Public Policy Office
PLEASE NOTE: Along with Congress, LSA Washington will take a break during the August Recess and will return September 14.
FMAP Extension Tabled Again
Monday, August 2, the Senate, in a vote of 95-0, tabled the amendment that included both $16.1 billion to extend the enhanced federal Medicaid match (known as FMAP) for 6 months and $10 billion in education funds. This move comes after the Congressional Budget Office said that the package would add $5 billion to the federal deficit. After retooling the amendment, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered a fully offset version for cloture. A vote on cloture is now expected on August 4. If it receives 60 votes, the amendment will be added to an unrelated federal aviation bill (H.R. 1586). The $16.1 billion for FMAP would fund a phase out of the enhanced federal Medicaid match passed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, providing states with a 3.2 percentage point increase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, a 1.2 percentage point increase in the third quarter of FY 2011 and additional dollars based on unemployment in the states.
Advocacy is still needed to ensure the 60 votes necessary for passage. Please email or call Meg Cooch at 202-626-7949 with questions or check out the LSA Action Alert on this issue.
Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act Gains Steam
The Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act (H.R. 5533) would strengthen the partnership between the federal government and nonprofit organizations by establishing better communication with the federal government, better coordination within government, and enhanced data collection. Specifically, the bill would create a U.S. Council of Nonprofit Organizations and Community Solutions, establish an Interagency Working Group on Nonprofit Organizations and the Federal Government, charge a single existing federal agency with the responsibility of coordinating data collection on nonprofits and fund a small grant program to enhance nonprofit data collection.
Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced this bi-partisan bill in the House on June 16, and has been joined by co-sponsors: Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), David Loebsack (D-IA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), James Oberstar (D-MN), Michael Capuano (D-MA), and Todd Platts (R-PA).
Nonprofit organizations are being asked to show their support for this legislation by signing on to a letter of support and sending letters to members of the House of Representatives to encourage them to co-sponsor the legislation. For more information, go to the National Council of Nonprofits.
Nonprofit Voter Resources Now Available
November is fast approaching and nonprofits can play a major role in helping to ensure individuals are registered to vote and to educate the public and candidates about key human services issues. Founded in 2005, the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN) partners with nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote. NVEN is the leading source of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services. Check out their website, www.nonprofitvote.org, for free Voter Participation Starter Kits as well as fact sheets on what nonprofits can legally do during election time and other resources to engage staff, consumers and families in voting.
In addition, NVEN has begun a webinar series. The next webinar is Thursday, August 12, 2-3 pm EST, focusing on principles and ideas for doing voter registration, voter education, engaging the candidates and getting out the vote. NVEN will be posting Disability Links this month to voting information for organizations serving people with disabilities on a “Learn About Voting in Your State Map”. The 50 state map is a good source of state by state voting information for nonprofit staff.
LSA Seeks Director of Advocacy and Policy
Lutheran Services in America (LSA), is seeking a Washington, DC-based Director of Advocacy and Policy who will educate elected and appointed officials about issues of interest to LSA member organizations (including healthcare, aging, children and youth, housing and the nonprofit sector), and educate and engage LSA members on issues of public policy. LSA connects the 300 health and human service organizations of the two largest Lutheran denominations in the US. Together these organizations serve 1 in 50 Americans each year and have collective annual operating incomes exceeding $16 billion. The Director of Advocacy and Policy will: develop and implement advocacy and policy strategies; create access to decision makers; represent LSA in coalitions and at key national tables; engage LSA members and LSA staff in public policy advocacy; help plan and carry out LSA events; work closely with LSA's Public Policy Advisory Committee; design and implement print and electronic communication vehicles to key constituents; and position LSA and its members for impact.
To see a full job description, including requirements, please click here.
Please submit a resume/CV and cover letter, including salary requirements to LSAJobs@lutheranservices.org. Interviews for the position will begin August 16.
Invite Your Elected Officials to Your Site During August Recess!
Now is the time to invite your federal elected officials to do a site visit to learn more about your organization while they are home for the month of August. To learn more about hosting your elected officials for a site visit, click here or contact Meg Cooch via email or at 202-626-7949.
