Policy Update: Spending, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Missouri Special Session, and More

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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.

Government Funded; Congress on Pause Through Elections
Congress quickly put together a continuing resolution before the end of the fiscal year on September 30th to ensure the government remained funded. Existing funding levels will be maintained through mid-December. The House has recessed through the election to allow members to campaign, and the Senate is expected to follow suit.
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Remember - Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Waiver Ending Soon
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program forgives the remainder of federal student loans for individuals who work at a nonprofit organization or a government entity for ten years and make timely payments throughout that period. Last year, the Biden Administration created a limited waiver for that program, which allows borrowers to receive credit for previous repayments that would otherwise not qualify for forgiveness, such as partial, late, and lump sum payments. This waiver is ending on October 31, 2022; if you might be eligible, apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program here.
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Supreme Court Has Returned and is Considering Significant Issues
The Supreme Court began its next term this week. On the docket are cases that question the ability of state courts to examine state election laws from the lens of their state’s constitution, consider whether Alabama’s redistricting efforts violate the National Voting Rights Act, look at how race can be used in higher education admissions, and review the possibility of overtime pay for highly pad supervisors.
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Issue Specific – Hunger, Arts

• For the first time in 50 years the White House held a conference focused on hunger, this time with a focus on nutrition and health. The goal is to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030 by facilitating partnerships with nonprofits, higher education institutions, and philanthropy, and committing billions of dollars in funding.
• President Biden restored the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, which had been eliminated under the Trump Administration. This advisory board is committed to advancing the arts, the humanities, museums, and library services.

 
Missouri Special Session Passes Income Tax Credit, Agriculture Tax Credit
Governor Parson called the legislature back for a special session this fall to consider the issue of taxation. Last week, the Governor signed a bill that would cut the current income tax from 5.3% to 4.95% once it takes effect in early 2023, and would gradually lower the rate further to 4.5% if revenue growth achieves certain growth. The projected cost for the state is $764 million per year in revenue. Yesterday the legislature also passed an economic incentives bill valued at $40 million for rural projects.
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Remember - Midterm Elections
The general election is November 8th, 2022. All Representatives in Congress are up for election, as well as one third of the Senate. There are statewide races in Missouri and Kansas, as well as ballot measures on issues such as marijuana legalization in Missouri and legislative override of agency regulations in Kansas. The results of these races will impact who represents you and your organization, and what bills are considered. Review who and what is on your ballot, or help your constituents look up their ballots, here.
And, review the dos and don’ts for your 501c organization around political campaigns and elections here.

Stay tuned for more updates as the fall 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.

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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