Policy Update: ARPA Funds for Nonprofits, Affordable Connectivity Program Ending, and more

Nonprofit Connect works to keep Members updated on policy changes that affect nonprofits through Policy Updates. These messages provide brief information on what is going on in government and policy that may be of interest to the nonprofit community.

Nonprofits Can (on a Nonpartisan Basis) Engage in Election Season
It's a Presidential election year and many thousands of people are not registered to vote or have outdated voter registration information. Plus, the decisions – or nondecisions – of elected officials at all jurisdictions impact nonprofits and the people they serve. Nonprofits have a platform from which they can encourage people to vote and advocate for community improvements. The National Council of Nonprofits is hosting a webinar TODAY at 2pm called Nonprofits and Elections 2024: Why and How You Should Engage (and stay nonpartisan).
Register here
 
Major Tax Bill Passes the House, Slowed in Senate
The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024) passed the House with a bipartisan majority. The bill includes various tax breaks for businesses as well as the child care tax credit – raising the maximum child tax credit to $2,000 by 2025 and ending existing cap on payments – and the low-income tax credit – returning the 12.5% ceiling for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025 and reducing tax-exempt bond financing requirements. In the Senate, some have concerns about a few of the components, which is slowing progress. This slowdown may allow more time to advocate for a priority of the National Council of Nonprofits – restoration of the universal charitable deduction. 
Learn more
 
House and Senate Both on Recess with Next Government Spending Deadline Looming
Representatives and Senators are both on break – the Senate until February 26th and the House until February 28th. However, some of the existing funding bills expire on March 1st, and the other on March 8th, giving Congress less than a handful of working days to pass all twelve government spending bills to avoid a government shutdown. Continuing resolutions are stop gap solutions while Congress works on spending bills for the fiscal year. A continuing resolution cadence poses a recurring threat for government shutdown; if the government shuts down, nonprofits operating federal contracts may experience delays in payments, and demands for social services offered by nonprofits may increase without any additional revenue. Soon, Congress will also need to consider funding for FY 2025, which will complicate the funding debate even more.
Learn more
 
Keep an Eye Out for Details on FY2025 Earmarks
Today, earmarks are referred to as Congressionally Directed Spending in the Senate and Community Project Funding in the House. Representatives and Senators can opt in to requesting funds for specific projects as long as those projects meet eligibility parameters, and the members adhere to transparency and accountability rules. Over the past three years of this process, chamber leadership has determined eligibility requirements and deadlines, and then members solicit applications from their districts. While details have not been published yet for fiscal year 2025, they likely will be published sometime this spring. Check your member’s website for more information.
Learn more

Missouri General Assembly
Senate Democrats filibustered SJR 74, an effort to make it more challenging to pass ballot initiatives; instead of needing a simple majority of voters statewide, this resolution would make it so amendments now need a majority vote in at least five of Missouri’s eight congressional initiatives. Missouri is again considering bills that would prohibit entities like state departments and medical schools from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Learn more
 
Kansas Legislature
Friday February 23rd is Turnaround, meaning all non-exempt bills that have yet to pass their originating chamber at that time will be dead for the rest of the legislative session. Bills are exempt if they are acted upon by one of the following committees: House and Senate Federal and State Affairs, Senate Ways and Means, Senate Assessment and Taxation, House committees on Calendar and Printing, Appropriations, Taxation. This will create a push to debate and pass bills on the floor next week. The House will also likely attempt to override the Governor’s veto on the tax bill this week.
Learn more
 
This blog is informed by the Nonprofit Champion, government websites, and various news articles. Read more from the National Council of Nonprofits on February 12.
You can also review the full 2024 National Council of Nonprofits Policy Agenda, here.
 
Stay tuned for more updates as the year progresses.

This post was written by Kristen Wood, Nonprofit Connect's Advocacy Contributor.
Kristen is an avid participant in Kansas City’s nonprofit community and a self-proclaimed ‘lifetime learner’. In addition to working for Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas, she enjoys following nonprofit policy issues.

To receive policy updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our Advocacy mailing list.
 
40 Years of Heart - 2024 Awards Celebration
Come and celebrate with those in our community who are advocates and catalysts and have an impact on our sector.