Policy News and Announcements

May

• Proposal to Repeal Charitable Tax Deduction Eliminated from Tax Bill

  May 16, 2013 - On May 15 the House tax conferees, in negotiations with the Senate, eliminated their proposal to repeal the charitable tax deduction and replace it with a credit. more...
  
  

• Legislators Need to Hear from Nonprofit Sector

  May 3, 2013 - To protect the charitable tax current deduction, it is crucial that legislators hear from the nonprofit sector. more...
  
  

• MCN Asks Legislators to Reject Proposed Charitable Tax Changes

  May 2, 2013 - The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has sent a letter of concern to legislators regarding the proposal to replace Minnesota’s charitable tax deductions with a charitable tax credit. more...
  
  

April

• New Language Exempts All Charitable Properties from Proposed Fees

  April 17, 2013 - The Minnesota House Taxes committee released its omnibus tax bill this week. MCN was pleased to see that the amendment excluding charities from proposed street improvement districts was not only included, but expanded. more...
  
  

• Authors Amend Bill that Allows Fees on Nonprofit Properties

  April 12, 2013 - Thanks in part to the calls many of you made, there's good news: the authors in both legislative bodies have offered amendments that would exempt 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations as defined in subdivision 7 of the statute that was updated in 2009. more...
  
  

• A Look at Federal Sequestration Impacts on Nonprofit Services

  April 11, 2013 - Last month, MCN asked nonprofits to share how 'sequestration', a process of automatic cuts to a broad range of federal departments, is affecting them. MCN is concerned about how reductions will be carried out and the ways they will affect nonprofit organizations and the people they serve. In general, we heard three common experiences from those who responded: more...
  
  

March

• Action Alert: Oppose Additional Municipal Fees on Nonprofits

  March 25, 2013 - Your immediate action on this item is needed! Please call legislators and ask them to vote 'no' on this bill. more...
  
  

February

• Sales Tax Proposals and the Impact on Nonprofits

  February 26, 2013 - House File 677 and Senate File 552 have recently been introduced reflecting Governor Dayton’s tax reform proposals. The Governor’s plan is designed to solve Minnesota’s budget deficit, raise increased revenues for the state’s priorities and reduce regressivity in Minnesota’s tax system. Within the proposal is the implementation of a new sales tax on services that would affect both the services that nonprofits purchase and the services that nonprofits provide to the community. more...
  
  

• Addressing the Rise of Municipal Fees and Assessments

  February 14, 2013 - MCN is encouraging state lawmakers to examine this issue to find ways to both protect charitable property tax exemptions from backdoor taxes, and to provide adequate resources to pay for needed community services and basic functions of government. more...
  
  

• D.C. Update: Federal Sequestration Cuts Would Burden Nonprofits

  February 14, 2013 - Unless Congress acts before March 1, spending cuts will automatically eliminate about nine percent from almost every program funded by the federal government, taking billions away from states, localities, and charitable nonprofits providing services in local communities across the country and increasing demand on the work of nonprofits. more...
  
  

January

• Susie Brown Testifies Before the House Tax Committee

  January 16, 2013 - The Minnesota Council of Nonprofit's policy director, Susie Brown, testified before the house tax committee on January 15, at the committee’s first hearing of the session. The tax committee looked at the question of conformity to federal tax law as one of their first objectives. more...
  
  

• D.C. Update: Charitable Deduction Survives Fiscal Cliff

  January 10, 2013 - Efforts in Washington to avoid the fiscal cliff did not include changes to the charitable tax deduction. more...
  
  

November

• “Fiscal cliff” and Federal Advocacy on Behalf of Minnesota Nonprofits

  November 28, 2012 - MCN urges a balanced approach to tax reform and spending priorities, including raising sufficient revenue in order to maintain our nation’s ability to provide a strong safety net, and to continue incentives for robust charitable giving by all Americans. more...
  
  

October

• Tax Reform Matters

  October 9, 2012 - The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits recognizes the critical importance of tax policy on both nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. Recently MCN staff and nonprofit leaders met with Minnesota Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans to advocate for tax reform principles and positions which will strengthen the sector and those it serves. more...
  
  

July

• MCN Can Help Match Your Lists to New Districts

  July 4, 2012 - MCN can help you match your lists to the new districts through our mapping service. more...
  
  

February

• Concerns Raised Over Potential Election Day Registration Elimination

  February 14, 2012 - Today, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and the League of Women Voters Minnesota, two organizations that have long worked toward promoting sensible, non-partisan improvements to Minnesota’s election system raise concerns about the potential for Election Day Registration to be eliminated through two proposed conditions on voting: photo identification and “identical eligibility verification standards.” more...
  
  

November

• A Video Message to Members: Looking Ahead to Election Day 2012

  November 8, 2011 - Today, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits released a video message to its members (below), explaining MCN's position on three constitutional amendment issues that will, or are likely to, appear on the 2012 Election Day ballot, and how nonprofits can help educate the public about constitutional amendment proposals that touch their missions. more...
  
  

September

• For Beginners and Experts: Trainings for the Nonprofit Advocate

  September 14, 2011 - Through a new training series, MCN is helping more nonprofits get involved in advocating for their issues and growing the skills of those already doing this work. more...
  
  

• Poverty Rises in Minnesota

  September 13, 2011 - The Minnesota Budget Project reported on preliminary U.S. Census Bureau figures released Tuesday that show poverty in Minnesota increased substantially during 2009-10. more...
  
  

• Court Calls on Community Leaders for Redistricting Testimony

  September 12, 2011 - Minnesota’s special redistricting panel is looking for community members, such as nonprofit leaders, to help identify geographic communities across the state that should not be divided during the redistricting process. more...
  
  

• Updates for State of Minnesota Grantees

  September 7, 2011 - Recently the Office of Grants Management (OGM) fielded questions regarding the status of state grant contracts and grant payments. OGM recently provided grantees with background on various factors that are affecting the processing of some grants and grant payments. more...
  
  

August

• What We All Need to Know to Defeat Voter Photo ID Efforts, Sept. 22

  August 16, 2011 - Organizations in the Voting Rights Coalition, including MCN's Minnesota Participation Project, are hosting an educational event on September 22 from 6-8 p.m. in Minneapolis. more...
  
  

• Minnesota Budget Project Releases New Resource on State Budget

  August 16, 2011 - MCN's Minnesota Budget Project initiative released a comprehensive analysis of the new state budget. more...
  
  

July

• Budget Now Law - What is in it?

  July 20, 2011 - MCN's Minnesota Budget Project offers details and analysis of the new state budget on its blog, Minnesota Budget Bites, more...
  
  

• Agreement on State Budget Announced

  July 14, 2011 - Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders late Thursday announced they have reached a "framework agreement" on the state budget, decisions that will shape the future our state, economic recovery, and quality of life. more...
  
  

June

• Court Decides What Goes, What Stays in a State Government Shutdown

  June 29, 2011 - The Minnesota Budget Project gives an analysis of Judge Gearin's June 29 ruling on what state functions will continue in a shutdown. more...
  
  

• We Need You on June 30

  June 28, 2011 - Advocates for a balanced approach to the state budget, including revenues raised fairly, are planning a major action at the State Capitol on June 30. more...
  
  

• Watch for Court Ruling Soon

  June 28, 2011 - On June 23, a number of parties presented their case before Ramsey County Court Judge Kathleen Gearin regarding who, if anyone, has authority to order that certain state services continue during a shutdown. A ruling is reportedly likely this Wednesday or Thursday. more...
  
  

• Potential State Government Shutdown Update

  June 21, 2011 - Overview of Budget Negotiations and State Shutdown Preparations and Contingency Planning Resources for Nonprofits. more...
  
  

• Shutdown Legal Issues for Nonprofits: Briefing and Q & A this Friday in St. Paul

  June 21, 2011 - The impending state shutdown raises a variety of legal issues for all nonprofit organizations, and especially for those that receive state funding to provide services. more...
  
  

• Ask the Court to Consider Nonprofit-Delivered Services as Essential

  June 21, 2011 - Your nonprofit can also ask the court to consider services provided under contract with the State of Minnesota be deemed “essential” more...
  
  

• MN Shutdown: Emergency Briefings and Resources for Nonprofits

  June 9, 2011 - MCN has created a central resource webpage, 2011 Nonprofit Budget/Shutdown Crisis, to continue to update nonprofits and others with resources as we learn them more...
  
  

May

• No Budget Deal: What's Next?

  May 24, 2011 - The constitutional deadline for the legislature to adjourn came and went last night without a budget deal being reached. more...
  
  

• Will There Be a State Government Shutdown?

  May 24, 2011 - Unless a budget agreement is reached between now and June 30, a full or partial government shutdown could begin on July 1. more...
  
  

• Governor Should Veto Bill That Will Limit Voter Participation

  May 23, 2011 - The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits opposes any proposals which restrict voting to only those who have a state-issued photo ID. more...
  
  

• Charitable Reporting Conformity Bill Signed Into Law

  May 19, 2011 - House File 786, a bill initiated to streamline nonprofit reporting requirements between state and federal regulating agencies, was signed by Governor Dayton on Wednesday, June 18. Learn more about this issue. more...
  
  

• No End in Sight to State Budget Fight

  May 18, 2011 - As the May 23 legislative adjournment date approaches, deep differences remain between the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Dayton. more...
  
  

• Mandatory Photo ID for Voters Nears Final Passage

  May 18, 2011 - A conference committee has finished work on Senate File 509, which proposes significant structural changes to Minnesota’s election system. more...
  
  

• Charitable Reporting Conformity Bill Nears Final Passage

  May 11, 2011 - House File 786, a bill initiated to streamline nonprofit reporting requirements between state and federal regulating agencies, has unanimously passed the House (129-0) and the Senate (62-0). The House is expected to accept the Senate language, and the bill will likely be sent to the more...
  
  

• Constitutional Amendments and 501(c)(3)s

  May 11, 2011 - Unlike the prohibition on influencing votes for a candidate, 501(c)(3) organizations can proactively initiate ballot measures or react to measures proposed by others, and can support or oppose ballot measures and encourage the public to vote accordingly more...
  
  

• Little Time Left for Budget Deal to Be Reached

  May 11, 2011 - With less than 2 weeks remaining until the constitutional adjournment date of May 23 for the Legislature, there is growing concern that a budget deal will not be reached in time. more...
  
  

• Stand Together Against a Cuts-Only Budget

  May 10, 2011 - Join the Day of Action on May 20 as nonprofits, faith organizations, and labor unions bring those stories of how a cuts-only approach will affect our state to the media and legislators. more...
  
  

April

• Conference Committees Next Stop for Omnibus Budget Bills

  April 6, 2011 - The Minnesota House and Senate have continued work on their respective omnibus budget bills this week. Several bills are still awaiting action in the House or Senate. After each chamber has passed their versions of the omnibus bills, conference committees will set to work reconciling differences before a final vote is taken and bills are sent to the Governor. more...
  
  

March

• MCN and MCF Launch Coffee with Commissioner Series

  March 24, 2011 - The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Minnesota Council on Foundations, with support from the Minneapolis Foundation, is pleased to offer a highly interactive and informative series, “Coffee with Commissioners.” Each month we’ll highlight a different state agency that interacts with nonprofits and the philanthropic community in Minnesota. more...
  
  

• Legislative Finance Bills Approaching March 25 Deadline to Clear Committees

  March 16, 2011 - House and Senate budget committees have until a deadline of next Friday, March 25 to finish omnibus finance bills. Last week, the House and Senate released their 'targets' for spending, or the amount each committee must cut or increase within their budget area. Both the House and Senate made targets that cut spending in all areas. House and Senate tax committees are also moving to complete their bills, which are not expected to include any revenue increases. more...
  
  

• Take a Closer Look at Governor Dayton's Revised Budget

  March 16, 2011 - After the February Forecast showed the deficit had shrunk to $5.0 billion, Governor Dayton released his revised budget. What changes were made from his initial proposals? The Minnesota Budget Bites blog writes, "Governor Dayton's preliminary list of changes takes advantage of the $1.2 billion improvement in the state’s budget situation to reduce tax increases on the wealthiest Minnesotans and restore cuts to services for some of the most vulnerable." more...
  
  

• Charitable Registration Conformity Bill Introduced

  March 16, 2011 - While budget considerations certainly dominate debate at the Capitol this session, MCN is pleased to report progress on a bill (HF786/SF615) initiated to streamline reporting requirements between state and federal regulating agencies. more...
  
  

• Join the Campaign to "Speak Up" for Your Community

  March 9, 2011 - Minnesota faces a budget deficit that is dire, urgent and serious for our state’s nonprofit organizations and communities. Nonprofit organizations have critical information about their communities that can help legislators make informed decisions. more...
  
  

February

• Committee Deadlines Set for Legislative Session

  February 16, 2011 - The Minnesota House and Senate agreed to deadlines for bills during the 2011 session. This year's deadlines are unusual in making finance bills due before policy bills. more...