Policy Update: Budget Resolution, Voting Rights, Redistricting, 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 federal government and policy that may be of interest to the nonprofit community.
House Passage of the Budget Resolution; Stage Set for Budget Reconciliation
The House adopted the senate-passed FY 2022 Budget Resolution on August 24th. This resolution sets spending for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on October 1st, and calls for up to $3.5 trillion in additional spending to expand social programs like the child tax credit, free education at the pre-K and community college levels, and paid leave. The next step is for numerous congressional committees in both chambers to draft the massive spending and taxing measures that will be merged into the Reconciliation bill. Committee-approved legislation is targeted for September 15th.
Learn more.
Movement on the $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill
Last month, the Senate passed the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The House is expected to vote on it on or before September 27. This bill includes several provisions of interest to nonprofit organizations, including:
- $50 million over five years for nonprofit energy efficiency upgrades
- $65 billion for broadband expansion, including $2.75 billion to establish grant programs for digital skills training and equity, and $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Fund (previously the Emergency Broadband Benefit program)
- $39 billion for clean transit, such as the repair or replacement of buses and mobility projects for seniors and individuals with disabilities
- Learn more.
In late August, the House passed HR 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021. The legislation would restore and strengthen voter protections by requiring federal reviews of any local or state voting rules that could discriminate against voters based on race or background. It would override the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that protected voters in areas with a history of voting discrimination. The bill would still need to be passed by the Senate before heading to the President’s desk.
Learn more.
Census Data Released – Redistricting Comes Next
The US Census Bureau released detailed population and redistricting data showing that every state became more diverse over the past ten years and more people are moving to metro areas. This data can be helpful for strategic planning and operational decisions of nonprofit organizations.
Both Missouri and Kansas will undergo a redistricting process this year, which could impact who in Congress represents your nonprofit and your constituents. Share your thoughts with the redistricting committees in Missouri and Kansas. You can attend redistricting hearings in Missouri; while the Kansas redistricting hearings have already taken place, written testimony is still being accepted.
Learn more.
Advocacy Opportunity – American Rescue Plan Act Spending for Nonprofits
States, counties, and cities are still considering what to do with their allocations of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Missouri has yet to spend any money, and Kansas has only had two appropriations to date ($500 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and $10 million for the rural hospital innovation grant). Check out what other states are doing here. There is still time to advocate for partnerships among government and the nonprofit sector.
Advocacy Report from the Council of Nonprofits.
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.
If you have any questions on Policy Updates, please reach out to Nonprofit Connect’s Marketing Manager, Colin Bennett, at cbennett@npconnect.org.
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