Policy Update, October 2, 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).

Our Policy Update in Under Two Minutes

Answer our poll about this format or share comments. Thanks to Maggie Snyder from our IaUW Policy Team for this update.

Sign on to preserve expiring provisions for EITC and CTC

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are critical pro-work, pro-family policies that help nearly 1 in 4 Hoosier households. Together, these tax credits are among the strongest tools to promote employment over dependency and to help working families move out of poverty to self-sufficiency. Congress is working this fall to make permanent some expiring business tax breaks. We urge Congress also to make permanent the expiring provisions of the EITC and CTC, which:

reduce the marriage penalty that some two-earner families face in EITC;
boost EITC for families with more than two children; and
ensure that the CTC's pro-work incentive is not lost for very low-wage workers.

Additionally, we ask that Congress close the glaring hole in the EITC that leaves out very low-income workers without children.

Please join our sign-on letter by replying here for your organization. Review text of letter.

Legislative Study Committee topics

The interim study committees of the Indiana General Assembly have been announced with first committee dates. Check calendar. Of interest to our readers are:

Education - 10/19 to discuss teacher shortages
Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services - 10/27 on whether or not bill drafts will be proposed
Fiscal Policy - 10/7, 10/13 and 10/21 all 9amET; multi-year review of tax incentives (EITC, NAP, IDA Credits, etc.), school corporation capital projects, EDGE credits and more. View Chairman Hershman's overview of goals for committee.
Agriculture and Natural Resources - 10/20 on draft legislation and the committee's final report
Code Revision - 10/6 proposed technical corrections bill for 2016.
Corrections and Criminal Code - human trafficking, DNA samples, technology issues with sexual assault, crime and bullying
Courts and Judiciary - 10/20 on open adoption records, medical malpractice
Environmental Affairs - 10/14 on solid waste management districts and water distribution systems and 10/28
Pension Management - 10/14 on public pensions
Public Policy - 10/6 and 10/22 on smoking, e-cigarettes, taxes and regulations, relationship to health and pregnancy
Road and Transportation - 10/8 and 10/15 on enterprise zone funds for transportation, railroad crossings and special group license plates
Budget Committee - Indiana State Policy compensation relative to local departments
Commission on Improving the Status of Children - 11/18 on teen suicide prevention

Weigh in on issues important to you!

We will try to summarize important opportunities to weigh in on rulemaking or public comment periods. Here are a few opportunities.

Public hearing and comments received on Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) and Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network Community Challenge Program (CLEAN) for clean air, water and solid waste on October 14.
FSSA Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services will accept comments on educational interpreter services through a hearing held on October 22.
The Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is asking the public to complete a survey about the clarity of utility bills through October 7.
The Governor's Council for People with Disabilities is holding several town hall meetings to discuss its five-year strategic plan. Review 7 policy statements to prepare. Register here.

Evansville: Wednesday, October 7, 2-4:30pmCT and 6-8:30pmCT, Deaconess Hospital, Health Science Building Johnson Hall, 600 Edgar Street, Evansville, Indiana 47710

Fort Wayne: Wednesday, October 21, 2-4:30pmET and 6-8:30pmET, Holiday Inn at IPFW and the Coliseum, Ball Room, 4111 Paul Shaffer Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 47925

Fishers: Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 2-4:30pmET and 6-8:30pmET, Delaware Township Community Center, 9094 E. 131st Street, Fishers, Indiana 46038

Government Shutdown Averted - for now or a deal in sight?

Just hours before the September 30 deadline, Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution (C.R.) to continue funding federal agencies through December 11. The bi-partisan vote in the House was 277-151, including yes votes from only three of Indiana's House delegation (Brooks, Carson and Visclosky); other Indiana members opposed the C.R. In the Senate, the bill to continue current funding levels was approved with a 78-20 vote, with Sen. Donnelly for short-term funding of government services and Sen. Coats against the C.R. Washington insiders are debating whether 2016 election politics will result in a shutdown after the short-term budget deal expires in December or a longer-term deal to address the budget and other issues (tax policy, highway funding, trade, etc.).

United Ways urge Congress to find a bipartisan solution to keep the government running. At a moment when economic security is already compromised for communities, our nation cannot afford the devastating effects that a government shutdown would cause in lost revenue, delayed benefits and services, and unprocessed government documents. In 2013, the shutdown cost the economy $24 billion.

Early Education Matching Grants available soon

The FSSA Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning is gearing up to announce the next round of Early Education Matching Grants (EEMG). Over the last two years, the Office awarded approximately $3 million through the EEMG program to 35 high quality early childhood education programs across 19 counties to serve 1,024 children. Because there are many steps and requirements, the Office wants communities interested in participating to begin local dialogue and preparations. Requests for Funds and a planning webinar should be available in mid- to late October with applications due in January (with identified match funds).

Licensed and exempt child care providers that elect to participate in the Paths To Quality program at Level 3 or higher may be eligible. Learn about capacity and need in your community from the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) report's appendix, beginning page 12.

Only a few days left to report work hours for SNAP

There are only a few days remaining to report work hours and avoid having SNAP benefits stopped effective Nov. 1. Help encourage people who are classified as ABAWDs, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, to meet the new work requirements and to:

reschedule their appointment with the IMPACT office if they missed it, and
report their employment to the IMPACT office (as some recipients are already working, meeting the requirements, but may not have reported it).

We are also asking the assistance of

health and mental health providers to help clients apply for an exemption if there is a medical, mental health or addiction issue making them unfit for work, but who are not yet on disability. See information sheet in English and in Spanish and sample letter for providers to complete, as prepared by our friends at Indiana Legal Services, Inc;
food pantries and community- and faith-based partners to post flyers for ABAWDs; and
any organizations with clients who have special circumstances, i.e. a caregiver for an older adult or person with disability who is not able to meet work requirements to contact us.

For info about the number of total SNAP recipients in your county, view FSSA reports.

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 members, based 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. See our quick summary based on IaUW priorities.

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.

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.