Policy Update, October 28, 2016

Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways provides its Policy Update on "even Fridays" (2nd and 4th Fridays). Contact us if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).

2 Minute Update featuring Julie Johns-Cole

Julie Johns-Cole, State Director for the Indiana 211 Partnership, shares some upcoming priorities for 211 centers including the healthcare open enrollment period and the Energy Assistance Program which both begin on November 1.

Watch the 2 Minute Update now. Read this newsletter for more information about the Indiana 211 Partnership.

Weigh in on IaUW's 2017 policy priorities

We want to hear from our members and partners across the state. What policy issues matter most to your organization and community?

Each year the Indiana Association of United Ways' Public Policy Committee gathers to discuss and plan our strategic policy priorities that shape our legislative agenda. Your input will help add to the discussion as we look to 2017. View our 2016 agenda as a reference. IaUW advocates in four key areas: education, income or financial stability, health and strong communities.

Take our quick, five minute survey.

Vote in the General Election on November 8

We encourage you to get out and vote in the General Election. Voting is a critical component of our democracy. Be sure to learn more about your candidates and find your polling place before November 8.

Nonprofit VOTE will be hosting a post-election debrief webinar, Voter Turnout in the 2016 Election: Who Voted and Why it Mattered, on November 15 at 2:00pmET. Register now to learn more about changes in the composition of the electorate, turnout and voting and partisan trends. Was turnout up or down among Latinos, youth and other key demographics? What factors drove participation? How will the trends reflect the impact of your engagement efforts and inform future work?

Legislative study committees wrapping up

During the legislative session many interim study committee topics were recommended by the General Assembly. The majority of meetings and topics assigned have been discussed. As study committees come to a close, we look ahead at the election on November 8 and Organization Day which will be held on November 22.

Upcoming committee meetings include:

Senate Select Committee on Immigration Issues - November 10
Panel on Alternatives to the ISTEP Program Test - November 15, November 29

Check the interim committee calendar for updates.

Get Covered! Healthcare open enrollment starts November 1

Open Enrollment for 2017 health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace starts November 1. Here are some things that you, your community partners, provider networks and other key stakeholders may need to know:

Health insurance may be cheaper than you think. Depending on your income level, you may be eligible for tax credits on the healthy plan you choose, significantly lowering your monthly premium.
Why pay something for nothing? If you do not have coverage through your employer and do not enroll in a plan at the end of 2016, you will be subject to IRS tax penalties from 2% of your annual household income to as high as $695.
Be a smart consumer and stay covered. You must re-enroll during open enrollment to retain your coverage or find a plan that better suits your needs. Open enrollment gives you the opportunity to find a better plan.
Explore all options for your family. Finding a plan on the open Marketplace for your spouse or dependents can be cheaper than adding them to your employer sponsored plan.
In person assistance is free. Understanding health insurance plans can be complicated. Trained healthcare navigators can help you make choices that are best for your pocket and health needs.

IN211 coordinates information about healthcare events all over the state. Whether you need information on your health insurance options, want someone to walk you through enrollment, or just have questions, 211 is here for you. Use the map to find an enrollment event near you or simply dial 2-1-1.

2016 tax incentive review

Legislative Services Agency provides an annual review, analysis and evaluation process for state and local tax incentives which they submit to the Interim Study Committee on Fiscal Policy. The 2016 review focused on regional development tax incentives which are established as tools to encourage private investment towards the rehabilitation, revitalization and development of specific areas of the state. The following tax incentives and programs were reviewed:

Industrial Recovery Tax Credit: Provides business with a nonrefundable tax credit to reuse large, vacant industrial buildings. The older the facility, the greater the discount provided by the credit. Since the credit was enacted in 1987, it has been awarded to just 48 projects. The small number of projects combined with the various programs that also provide financial assistance make it difficult for researchers to determine whether this credit is effective.
Community Revitalization and Enhancement Districts (CREDs): Encourage the revitalization of commercial and industrial areas that experienced drastic decreases in available jobs. There are 10 established CREDs across the state, and they are very small units. According to the research, the credit was not necessary to encourage all the private investment in the CREDs, some did not even use it. (see blue on map)
Urban Enterprise Zones (EZs): Encourage the development of distressed neighborhoods. There are currently 22 EZs. The EZs were found to be more effective for smaller firms with less employees. They did not find many cases where the EZ led to higher wages for employees. (see green on map)

View the full 2016 Indiana Tax Incentive Evaluation.

Energy Assistance Program begins November 1

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provides financial assistance to low-income households, below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, to maintain utility services during the winter heating months through funding from the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant. The program is administered through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and implemented through the Community Action Agencies with outreach offices in every county. These agencies provide the intake application process and utility vendor payments. Contact your local Community Action Agency or call 2-1-1 to learn about the program and how to schedule client appointments.

Weigh in on issues important to you!

Submitting comments during rulemaking periods is an important way to shape policy. State and federal agencies appreciate specific comments about possible impacts and ways to improve proposed rules. Below are a few open comment periods in Indiana.

Department of Workforce Development is accepting public comments on on the state's procedure for determining the eligibility of training providers to be included on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) as part of WIOA. Submit comments before Nov 21.
FSSA Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning proposes to change the coverage for tobacco cessation services and treatment to align with nationally accepted guidelines. Learn more about submitting written comments.

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.