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Don’t Silence Nonprofits NYAPRS Note: The following comes to us courtesy of our friends at Housing Works, who led an e-mail drive, that was supported by NYAPRS members, against possible federal restrictions on advocacy by nonprofit groups. Federal Election Commission Will Not Be Imposing New Restrictions On Nonprofit Groups Housing Works Aids Issues Update May 14, 2004 In Washington today, four of the six commissioners of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted against immediate imposition of new rules and restrictions for nonprofit advocacy. The FEC will delay any action on proposed new regulations for at least three months, and most observers agreed that action isn't likely before the November elections. Last month, Housing Works testified against proposed regulations that would have severely restricted advocacy by nonprofit groups. Originally, the FEC considered forcing nonprofits that "promote, attack, support or oppose" members of Congress, the President or Vice-President, or candidates for those offices to severely limit their fundraising activities and submit to federal election law registration and activity limits. This week, two FEC commissioners proposed applying the new limits only to Section 527 political committees (including the Media Fund, Americans Coming Together, and the MoveOn.org Voter Fund.) But the remaining four commissioners opted for no action at all. We're glad the FEC took our advice and held off from whacking nonprofit
groups. And we salute our pals at the Alliance for Justice and the other 150,000
folks who submitted testimony. Ours is at
Source: Housing Works This 'Mental Health E-News' posting is a service of the New York Ass'n of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide community mental health services dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with psychiatric disabilities by promoting their recovery, rehabilitation and rights. To join our list, please click on the E-News Subscription button.
Schenectady Daily Gazette Editorial April 18, 2004 Just in time for this year’s political campaigns, the Federal Election Commission is reportedly contemplating a change to campaign finance law that would have the effect of muzzling politically active nonprofit groups. That may well not be the intention, but it’s misguided either way. The change would bar any nonprofit group that spends more than $50,000 to support or attack any candidate for federal office in any year from receiving contributions from foundations, corporations or unions. Most likely, doing so would put them out of business, so the change would have the effect of silencing them — which in some cases could prevent them from doing their job. Whether it’s New York environmentalists criticizing the president’s energy policies or Right-to-Life advocates praising his stand on late-term abortions, groups would be limited in how much they spend to spread their message. The $50,000 ceiling might seem like a lot, but if it took into account a group leader’s time and/or expenses — the rules aren’t final yet — the limit could be reached rather quickly. Many of these groups exist to advocate for constituencies like the poor or the mentally ill, etc. — which is entirely their right. If a congressman, senator or the president is perceived as a hindrance to their cause, they might deserve to be criticized. By the same token, if some foundation, corporation or union doesn’t like the political stand, or the amount of politicking the group is engaged in, it’s their right to withhold contributions. The idea of standards and limits for this type of thing is also problematic because of who might do the judging as to what constitutes opinion and what’s merely a statement of fact. The government should just keep out. Source: http://www.dailygazette.net/standard/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=SCH/2004/04/18&ID=Ar04802&Section=Opinion This 'Mental Health E-News' posting is a service of the New York Ass'n of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide community mental health services dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with psychiatric disabilities by promoting their recovery, rehabilitation and rights. To join our list, e-mail us your request and, where appropriate, the name of your organization to NYAPRSadm@aol.com. _______________________________________________
Last Updated on 05/20/04 webmaster@namiscc.org |
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