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 Policy Update, July 18, 2014
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Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways provides its Policy Update on "odd Fridays" (1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays). Contact us if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).
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 America Gives More Act of 2014 passes House, 277-130
 The America Gives More Act of 2014 (H.R. 4719) packages together five separate tax provisions meant to encourage charitable giving by individuals and businesses. The IRA charitable rollover, the enhanced deduction for donating land conservation easements and the enhanced deduction for donating food inventory will be permanent (as they had expired January 1).
Two other measures include: extending the deadline for claiming charitable donations on the previous year's tax filing and simplifying the excise tax rate to 1% for foundations' investment income. The debate largely focused around how to pay for the $16.2 billion cost of the package over 11 years. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voiced their strong support for the work of charitable organizations.
The Republican-led House and the Democrat-led Senate have different approaches to "tax extenders," the package of various individual, business and charitable deductions that have not been reauthorized. The White House and some Democrats oppose measures when they do not include offsets, which have been required by Republicans for other bills with financial costs. Consequently, this bill may stall in the Senate.
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IRS offers webinar on simplified application for small nonprofits
 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) adopted a new process for small nonprofit organizations to apply for 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt status. Organizations that meet the requirements, including receipts less than $50,000 and assets less than $250,000, may use the new 1023-EZ application form. Previously, organizations were required to complete a 26-page application with an $850 fee. The 1023-EZ form is three pages and only requires $400.
Volunteers and staff of small organizations express relief. Watchdog groups express concern over possible misuse, especially at a time that the IRS has a backlog of 60,000 applications, and the House passed a bill to reduce the IRS budget appropriation.
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 WIOA passed the House of Representatives
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was passed by both houses of Congress earlier this month. This one-pager outlines the main provisions of the 811-page federal bill to reauthorize important education and workforce development programs. The bill eliminates 15 existing programs and requires all to use common metrics in order to streamline programs. See United Way Worldwide letter. United Ways and human service programs are not supportive of all the elements of the bill, but nonetheless, are pleased to see progress in a bipartisan manner.
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 Legislative Study Committees
Check the calendar on a regular basis. Most meetings will be held in late summer or early fall.
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 Children's Coalition of Indiana meeting July 25
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Register today for ICHS Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 20
Nationally recognized storyteller and workshop presenter Kim Weitkamp will offer a workshop on how to use client storytelling effectively. Client stories will be critically important as human service providers prepare for the 2015 budget session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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 Connect2Help 2-1-1 report shows that basic needs still high
The IN211 Center based in Indianapolis, Connect2Help, tracks the needs of callers over time against key indicators of community health and well-being. Requests for help with utilities, housing and food remain at the top of all caller needs.
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IaUW Public Policy
IaUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. We focus on programs and policies that help:
- children prepare for and succeed in school;
- individuals achieve and sustain financial stability;
- individuals access quality healthcare; and
- communities thrive, including a strong 2-1-1 network and charitable sector.
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Frequently Requested Links / Documents
iauw.org - Learn about the Indiana Association of United Ways, current trainings and conferences and the ways we support local United Ways/Funds, partners and communities.
IaUW Policy / Advocacy info - Review and download IaUW Policy Priorities, Third House calendar, bill lists, fact sheets, talking points and testimony.
Advocacy Action Center - Contact your member of Congress or State Legislator, provided through our partnership with United Way Worldwide.
IaUW Policy Update Archive - Read prior issues, special articles and key documents produced by IaUW related to public policy and advocacy.
NEW - Community Report Card - Check out key indicators in Education, Income and Health for your neighborhood, county or region. IN211.org - S earch for human service information available through the referral database or by calling 2-1-1. Download reports about resources, needs, gaps and trends from Indiana 211 Partnership.
NRN Calendar - Register for high-quality and affordable training for nonprofit staff and volunteers by the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network.
Indiana General Assembly
- Check the hearing or floor schedule, watch a live or recorded hearing or floor session and look up your legislators.
Library of Congress
- Look up bills introduced in Congress. Note that the THOMAS site will be maintained through 2014 and fully replaced by Congress.gov.
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The Legislative Council has appointed the 
The annual meeting and training of the