Indiana Association of United Ways Logo 
Policy Update, May 1, 2015 
Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways usually 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).
2-1-1 - Take Action
Thank legislators for including $1M  for 2-1-1 in state budget
211day in phone room
The final version of the budget included $1 million per year in support of 2-1-1. We join Indiana 211 Partnership in our appreciation that the State of Indiana is joining the scores of philanthropic funders in supporting Indiana's 2-1-1 services. The budget bill included language from HB1010 to outline the types of data reports required of IN211. The budget bill also added language requiring the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to "study the feasibility of having the 211 service providers take over the operation of toll-free telephone numbers" operated by a state agency, including possible cost savings.

Thank You Card Here are three easy ways to thank your legislators:
1) Use our action alert to thank them through our United Way Advocacy Center.
2) Email or call your legislator directly. Use the Find Your Legislator feature on the General Assembly website.
3) Attend one of the wrap-up Third House sessions around the state. Or view the printable calendar.

At the Statehouse
State Capitol State budget finalized and includes IaUW priorities
The  Indiana General Assembly has passed a biennial $31.5 billion state budgetWe are very pleased to report that IaUW priorities were included:
  • Continuation of $10 million per year for the On My Way Pre-K pilot program (currently in Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties)
  • Continuation of $2 million per year for the Early Education Matching Grants (EEMG) program, which is a competitive grant process that will serve 540 children in 14 counties. See map with EEMG in 2014-2015.
  • Investment of $1 million per year for Indiana's 2-1-1 services
Many important human service priorities were funded in the budget, including increased funding for domestic violence, new funding for sexual assault services, sustained funding for food banks and much more. See our quick summary of important human service items in the final budget, with a comparison from prior budget, Governor's proposal, House version and Senate version. 

Be sure to thank your legislators for investing in important priorities. Use our action alert option to thank your legislators for supporting early education in the budget. Or contact legislators directly.

A budget that includes so many human service priorities is remarkable given a revenue forecast presented on April 16 showed that tax revenues are expected to generate $213 million less than what was expected. State revenues will need to remain high to avoid reversion orders over the biennium. Both Pence and Daniels administrations have ordered budget reversions (or cuts with funds reverted, returned or not spent) in order to maintain a healthy budget balance.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
ICHS Logo
Register for the Wrap-Up Webinar  
Learn about the important new laws affecting human services and the people we serve. Join us for a legislative wrap-up webinar with Indiana Coalition for Human Services on Tuesday, May 12, 3pmET. 

Register online to attend the May 12 webinar.
Charitable Sector Priority Area
Regional meetings for Human Service providers
Indiana Association of United Ways and Indiana Coalition for Human Services
are planning regional meetings with human services providers. In these sessions, we will 
  1. provide updates and Q&A about the Statehouse, including how the budget and certain policies affect human services;  
  2. discuss important issues on the horizon for human services, including philosophical debates about welfare reform, drug testing, best practice responses on the HIV crisis; and 
  3. provide information about and opportunities to get involved.
While the schedule is still being finalized, our tentative schedule includes:
  • May 19 - New Albany at YMCA of Southern Indiana, 8-10amET
  • May 27 - Evansville at United Way, 8-10amCT, United Way 
  • May 27 - Terre Haute (location TBD) 1-3pmET 
  • May 28 - Tentative Ft. Wayne, 11:30-1:30
  • June 3 - Valparaiso, UWPC and Lake County (times TBD)
  • June 10 - Lafayette 11-1:30pm, Lafayette Urban Ministry

Register here to attend. Check back for new dates. If you would like a session in your community, contact us. More info coming soon.

Income Priority Area  - Take Action
Register for May 7 call about VITA Free Tax Prep and My Free Taxes
If you were involved in leading or coordinating a Free Tax Preparation site or promoting My Free Taxes, we invite you to participate in a wrap-up webinar and call on Thursday, May 7. Register here.

Quick initial analysis shows that 5,690 returns were filed by Indiana residents through My Free Taxes, a 25% increase over last year. The average filer is 38 years old, and the average refund was $1,714.02. Single zip codes with the highest numbers of returns filed through My Free Taxes were in
Monroe, Madison and Tippecanoe counties.

Income Priority Area
NAP, IDA and State Earned Income tax credits preserved 
One part of tax policy was the subject of many bills during the legislative session. Tax credits, deductions and exemptions have been reviewed and those that were considered outdated or under-utilized were targeted for repeal or expiration. An example includes a World War I veteran tax credit, as no WWI veterans are alive to claim it. An initial bill would have removed a couple credits important to United Way partners. Advocates helped save these by showing their value.
  • Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits are preserved. NAP credits provide certain qualified nonprofit organizations a charitable giving incentive to help raise philanthropic funds to support housing, child care, senior services, domestic violence shelters, rural transportation and support services in high-need communities.
  • Individual Development Account
    (IDA) Tax Credits
     were saved in a bill passed within the final hours of the legislative session. The IDA Tax Credits provide a charitable giving incentive to raise funds to support the cost of providing financial coaching and budgeting for consumers setting up IDAs, which are matched savings accounts for home ownership, business start-up or higher education.
IaUW also supported the Administration's simplification effort to recouple the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Recoupling provisions would have removed the marriage penalty and allowed families with three children to claim all three children. These provisions were removed in final negotiations, largely because of the estimated $12M-$15M fiscal impact on the budget. As a result, State EITC remains "as is," helping lift certain working Hoosiers out of poverty. Review our one-pager on EITC.  
At the Statehouse
IaUW Public Policy
IaUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. We focus on policies that are aligned with the impact work in local communities conducted by our 61 United Ways and United Funds.
  • Education, so that children are prepared for and succeed in school;
  • Income/Financial Stability, so that individuals and families may achieve and sustain financial stability;
  • Health, so that individuals may access quality healthcare; and 
  • Strong Communities, where a statewide 2-1-1 network and a strong charitable sector help communities thrive.
Our policy priorities are developed and guided by our Public Policy Committee and our IaUW membersbased on their work in Hoosier communities. 

Review our public policy documents created during the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly, including fact sheets, testimony and bill summaries. 

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 - Search 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.

Funding and Other Opportunities Explore current requests for proposals, funding and recognition opportunities.

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.