Indiana Association of United Ways Logo 
Policy Update, January 29, 2016 
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).
At the Statehouse
Two Minute Update 
Indiana Association of United Ways brings you a info from the statehouse.  Watch the video.  This week we celebrate the one year anniversary of HIP 2.0 and EITC Awareness Day.  

In this issue, you will find information about the legislative session and our priorities, United Way Day at the Statehouse, launch of the tax filing season and more. Happy reading from Lucinda Nord and Maggie Snyder of your IaUW Policy Team.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
Register for the United Way Day at the Statehouse February 23
Have you ever been to the Indiana Statehouse to observe or participate in the legislative process? We especially encourage our new volunteers and staff to visit during this short legislative session. 

We invite the staff, volunteers and agency partners to join our United Way Day at the Statehouse on February 23.  Register today.
At the Statehouse
StateCapitolDayIndiana General Assembly in session
The Indiana General Assembly is nearing the half-way mark. About 825 bills were filed by legislators. Committee reports were due this week, which means that if a bill did not make it out of committee, the bill is dead for this session. February 3 is the deadline to make it out of the first chamber to "cross over" to the second chamber.
Key links: 
At the Statehouse
IaUW Priorities at the Statehouse
IaUW advocates for our members and partners at the Statehouse. While you can always review our full bill lists, here are a few bills of interest to our members and key partners.

Education  
  • We are working with Indiana Afterschool Network and the YMCAs on the afterschool bill, SB251.
  • SB206, an omnibus FSSA bill, includes a provision for On My Way Pre-K rulemaking.
  • And yes, there are many, many other education bills related to ISTEP, teacher and school performance, etc. IaUW does not have positions on these bills.

Financial Stability
  • SB132, SNAP for former drug felons, passed unanimously out of Appropriations. Indiana would be the 40th state to implement this policy to help ex-offenders get back on their feet. Thank committee members and email your senator if you support this effort.
  • SB325, the bill to allow Individual Development Accounts to pay for vehicles and with increased income eligibility, passed out of committee. We advocate this important advance for ALICE households. Thank members of Senate Family and Children and contact your senator if this bill is important to you.
  • We worked with partners who were very concerned about a bill to create a "small dollar long-term loan" product (some call it a "payday loan"). We are pleased that HB1340 was amended to be a study committee.
  • Thank members of Senate Family and Children for passing the SNAP Asset removal bill, SB377. Unfortunately, it was recommitted to Appropriations and did not receive a hearing. 
  • Also, the HERO (Hoosier Employee Retirement Option)  died for lack of hearing.
Health
  • SB165 will codify principles of HIP 2.0.
  • HB1347, Mental Health Matters, includes language that we supported related to studying Navigator capacity, training, adequacy and more. 

Strong Communities
  • The PILOT/property tax exemption bill, HB1180, was amended to create a very narrow exemption for churches and religious schools in TIF districts. We testified with information from the IACIR study (Nov-Dec, 2015) about the need for clarified definitions and further analysis.
  • The low-income housing property tax exemption bill, SB225, passed out of committee with clarified definition for low-income housing.
 
At the Statehouse - Take Action
Check out our Third House / Meet Your Legislator Event Calendar
Legislators often offer a preview, progress report or summary at "Third House" sessions or "meet your legislator" sessions. We at Indiana Association of United Ways work to maintain the calendar of Third House meetings throughout the state. Check the calendar for a date and location near you. Upcoming meet your legislator events are being held in the following communities:
  • Carroll County - 2/6, 7:30am
  • Columbus - 2/1, 2/8,  7:30am
  • Goshen - 2/6, 8am
  • Greater Lafayette - 1/30, 7:30am
  • Greater LaPorte - 2/5, 7:30am
  • Greensburg - 2/6, 8am
  • Jeffersonville (One Southern) - 2/5, 8:30am
  • Jennings County - 1/30, 10am
  • Marion-Grant County - 1/30, 8:30am
  • Martinsville - 2/6, 9am
If you attend, drop us a note to share a little about your experience.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
Register now for Legislative Update Webinar 2/4
IaUW partners with the Indiana Coalition for Human Services to bring you updates during the legislative session.  The first update webinar will take place on Thursday, February 4 at 10amET.  Register now to watch the webinar live.  The recorded version will be posted on our website if you are not able to watch the live recording.  The second webinar will be presented on March 21.
 Income Priority AreaEITC Awareness Day
January 29 marks EITC Awareness Day where we ask our partners to help raise awareness about claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and filing tax returns for free. See and listen to news story.

About 1 in 5 lower-wage singles and families who qualify for EITC do not claim it. Singles earning up to $14,800 and a married couple with 3 children earning up to $53,200 may qualify. Research finds that the EITC encourages work, reduces poverty and leads to long-term gains in child health and academic success.

Are you on Twitter? Join our social media campaign. Find the media release or radio ads. Call 2-1-1 to find a free tax preparation site near you or use My Free Taxes to file online at home.
Income Priority Area - Take Action
Employers: Help your employees file their tax returns for free!
Why should your employees pay for tax preparation if they may file for free?  If a single or married couple has income less than $62,000, then they may be able to file for free through My Free Taxes. More than 70% of Hoosiers qualify to use this free, safe and secure online service. 

To help your employees, you may:
  • post this My Free Taxes flyer in your break room;
  • include thispayroll stufferwith paystubs in February; and
  • offer computer and internet and printer access during or after hours for an employee to complete their return and print a copy for their records.
For taxpayers with incomes above $62,000, they may still file through My Free Taxes for a fee competitive with other online tax preparation software. Find more info at www.myfreetaxes.com. 
Charitable Sector Priority Area - Take Action
Last chance to nominate a Torchbearer
Sunday, January 31, is the deadline to nominate a Torchbearer for the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. The form is online and requires a nomination statement less than 250 words. A nomination is a great way to honor an outstanding community volunteer. Nominees are needed for all 92 counties and must have resided at some time in the county of nomination. 

Torchbearers will carry the Bicentennial Torch through all 92 counties between September 9 and October 15, 2016, starting in Harrison County and ending in Marion County. 

The Torch Relay is one of many special activities and events throughout 2016, the year of Indiana's Bicentennial.
Health Priority Area
First birthday for HIP 2.0 
The Governor recognized Sen. Pat Miller and Rep. Charlie Brown and many others during the anniversary celebration for HIP 2.0. Since the State received federal approval a year ago, 370,000 Hoosiers have enrolled in health coverage. The expansion of HIP for Hoosiers earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level has helped to close the coverage gap, as there were few insurance options for many low-wage earners prior to HIP 2.0. Hear what consumers had to say in about HIP in the 5-minute celebration video.

The Governor called on partners to help more Hoosiers know about the program. Many more qualify and have not yet enrolled. Check eligibility here.
Health Priority Area
January 31 is the last day to enroll in Marketplace coverage
Do you know someone without health insurance?
January 31 is the last day to enroll in a health insurance plan in the Marketplace for 2016. Penalties for being uninsured in 2016 will be $695 or higher. Learn more or sign up for Marketplace plans at www.healthcare.gov. 

Navigators are trained and certified to help consumers understand different healthcare options that best meet their life, health, family and income situation. Call 2-1-1 to find a Navigator or enrollment event near you.
At the Statehouse - Take Action
bullhorn Weigh in on issues important to you!
We work to highlight important opportunities to weigh in on rulemaking or public comment periods.  Here are a few opportunities.
  • Indiana's plan for participation in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program is open for public comment through February 12 before it will be sent to the Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. View the proposed plan for the 2016-2018 CCDF program period.  Public hearings will be held in northern IN on 2/1, southern IN on 2/3 and central IN on 2/4.  View flyer for more details.
  • The Department of Child Services (DCS) is holding a public hearing on residential provider, child placing agency and DCS managed foster care rates for 2017 in Indianapolis on February 18. 
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 60 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, 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.
  
Federal Advocacy Action Center - Contact your member of Congress 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. 

Congress.gov  - Look up bills introduced or passed in Congress. 

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