Policy Update: Midterm Results, Lame Duck, and Earmarks
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.
If you enjoyed the three-part series on advocacy we hosted this fall with Health Forward Foundation, they will be hosting a session on 'Nonprofit Advocacy Basics' with Boulder Advocacy on January 6th, to help you understand how you can shape the public debate on important social issues. Learn more here.
The Midterms are Over – Check out the Results
On Tuesday November 8th (and before via early and absentee voting) the country went to the polls and determined the makeups of Congress, state legislatures, and many governorships. Federally, Democrats hung onto the Senate with 48 total seats and two members of third parties that caucus with the Democrats; Georgia’s runoff Senate election was yesterday and not called at the time of this drafting. Republicans took control of the House of Representatives by gaining nine seats. In Kansas, Laura Kelly won her reelection for Governor. Republicans took the Senate race in both Missouri (Eric Schmitt) and Kansas (Jerry Moran).
Overview of statewide races
Watch the recorded Elections Recap Webinar from the National Council of Nonprofits
Missouri Election Results
Kansas Election Results
Earmarks will Continue
House Republicans, as part of their transition to taking over the House, voted down a proposal to ban earmarks. This means the practice of Congress providing funding for specific local projects will continue for the third fiscal year in a row. Last year, organizations could make requests for consideration through their Representative or Senator, and proposals were typically due around February. If your organization may make a proposal, now is the time to be thinking about the details and reaching out to your member of Congress.
Learn more
Lame Duck Session
Congress has until December 16th to pass a bill to fund the government. An initial agreement was made to try for an omnibus funding deal; it is likely a very short continuing resolution will be passed to extend the deadline to later in the year to provide more time to negotiate the omnibus. The House is also expected to vote this week on the National Defense Authorization Act compromise language. Congress has also passed a measure to block a rail strike and force workers to accept previously negotiated labor agreements, and is moving forward a measure to protect same sex and interracial marriages.
Learn more
State Legislative Sessions Around the Corner
In Missouri, legislators begin prefiling hundreds of bills on December 1 for consideration in the 2023 General Assembly. A review of the bill topics seems to put taxation, education, guns, and sports betting on the agenda, among other topics. The legislature will go into session on January 4.
Learn more about Missouri
In Kansas, legislators just selected their leaders and the majority of the slots went to Wichita-area members. Some things that seem to be on the list for discussion include education, more tax relief, Medicaid expansion, and mental health.
Learn more about Kansas
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.
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