POLICY AND PUBLIC INTEREST
The letter highlights the role nonprofits have played to support communities during the pandemic and the challenges they have faced as a result of the economic downturn
On January 22, 75 national nonprofits sent a letter to President Biden and congressional leadership urging them to recognize the unique role of charitable nonprofits in providing pandemic relief and economic recovery by enacting solutions tailored to the needs and realities of these organizations that are devoted to serving the public good.
The letter highlights the role nonprofits have played to support communities during the pandemic and the challenges they have faced as a result of the economic downturn – growing demand for services with declining revenue, the loss of nearly one million jobs, crippling unemployment insurance bills, and more.
The undersigned nonprofits urge Congress and the Administration to:
1. Provide Nonprofit-Specific Grants, Forgivable Loans, and Refundable Tax Credits for All Nonprofits: While some nonprofits were able to participate in some of the relief programs established in 2020, many of those programs were designed primarily for for-profit businesses and excluded too many charitable organizations that are providing essential services. Nonprofits with more than 500 employees have not been eligible for PPP or other grants or forgivable loans. Restrictions based on previous employee size and gross-receipts declines in the Paycheck Protection Program and the Employee Retention Tax Credit do not make sense in the nonprofit context. Nonprofits frequently employ large numbers of part-time employees and, unlike for-profit businesses, demand for nonprofit services and the resulting costs of operating during a pandemic have far exceeded normal levels, without a similar increase in revenues to keep pace. Indeed, nonprofits are frequently asked to provide additional services without corresponding increases in resources. Further, it is a fundamental feature of nonprofit economics that nonprofit boards are averse to taking on loans to cover…
CURRENT EDITION
WEATHER
TODAY
RH
FINANCIAL
Construction Industry Council Hails ‘Responsible and Responsive’ NYS Budget
The Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley Inc. is hailing Gov. Andrew M.
Women Continue to Break the Glass Ceiling on Public Board Appointments
As we reflect on the challenges we faced and opportunities 2021 brings, the Women Business
U.S. Mayors Applaud President Biden’s Day One Action on DACA, Other Immigration Provisions
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden took executive action on a host of priority issues, including significant changes to America’s immigration system long called for by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). The president has reinstated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects…
Inauguration Day: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris Sworn Into Office – LIVE STREAM
The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced additional participants and American heroes who will be highlighted during “Celebrating America,” the capstone prime-time program for the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris to celebrate the beginning of a new national journey toward an America united.
During the primetime…
NCJP Calls on U.S. Department of Justice to Hold Local Law Enforcement Agencies Accountable to Report Officers Who Participated in the U.S. Capitol Attack
After a day spent honoring the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the National Coalition of Justice Practitioners (NCJP) calls on the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) to hold law enforcement agencies accountable for harboring officers who participated in the insurrection…
Mayors Call on Congress to Pass Biden Plan for Direct Aid to All Cities
American mayors are rallying behind President-elect Biden’s new plan to end the pandemic and save the American economy by providing direct fiscal relief to all cities— large, medium, and small—and boosting support for America’s vaccination program. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage communities and cause economic suffering, the…
Black and Hispanic/Latinx Americans Less Confident in Ability to Access COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments and Healthcare Than White Americans
A new Quest Diagnostics Health Trends™ study finds that Black and Hispanic/Latinx Americans are nearly two times as likely as White Americans to say their access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and healthcare, once available, is worse than other racial/ethnic groups.
The study, titled COVID-19: Magnifying Racial…
Biden authorizes Defense Production Act to boost vaccinations, fight COVID
The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on President Biden’s decision to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to address vaccine and PPE shortages.
“The Teamsters applaud President Biden’s decision to invoke the Defense Production Act to help accelerate the production of personal protective equipment and the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As shortages arise across the country, bold and decisive action must be taken to ensure every American receives the vaccine as soon as possible. We must also prioritize PPE production so that our essential workers receive the critical gear they need on the job. Our members are proud to be doing our part to distribute the vaccine and stand ready to help end this pandemic.”
Statement from Connected Nation Chairman & CEO Thomas W. Ferree applauding the designation of Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chair of the FCC
Thomas W. Ferree, Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation, released the following statement on the designation of Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC):
“We applaud President Biden’s designation of Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chair of the FCC. As a commissioner at the agency, she has been a tireless champion for the expansion of broadband access to all Americans and has been a passionate voice on behalf of the most disconnected and overlooked among us. Her advocacy for the improvement and preservation of the E-rate Program has meant, as our Connect K-12 data indicate, dramatically better connectivity for our nation’s schools over the past five years.
“Beyond that, she has been a staunch advocate for policies that will help close the ‘Homework Gap’ for students that have no access at home, as well as for the long-awaited improvement of the FCC’s broadband maps, which guide where federal dollars are invested to improve access. While there is still much work left to be done, we look forward to her leadership of the agency and to working alongside her to ensure that every American has access to fast, affordable broadband service.”
American Primary Aluminum Association Calls for the Preservation of the Section 232 Aluminum Tariffs
The American Primary Aluminum Association (APAA) in a letter congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on his upcoming inauguration, called for unity in our country, and urged the incoming Biden Administration to maintain protections for America’s primary aluminum industry. APAA member companies stand ready to work with…
Latinx Voters Confident About Incoming Biden Administration; Pandemic & Economic Recovery Among Top Priorities
According to a new poll released, ahead of the January 20th inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Latinx voters are confident in the incoming administration. Still, they want the pandemic brought under control, and the economy rebuilt today from Voto Latino and Change Research.
The new research – which polled 1,029…
Dallas-Based Healthcare Distributorship and Consultancy Medcillary Responds to Congressional COVID-19 Chaos
Seventy-four-year-old New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has tested positive for coronavirus, days after being in a protective lockdown with other lawmakers inside the U.S. Capitol. She and others believe they contracted the virus after some members refused masks while sheltering in place and even reportedly mocked those who…
No One Who Swears an Oath to Uphold the Constitution Should Escape Accountability
American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes yesterday’s House passage of the impeachment resolution and reiterates our unqualified condemnation of the actions of President Donald J. Trump, which, by any measure, run counter to the democratic values we hold dear, and disqualify him from continuing to occupy the highest office in…
National Taxpayer Advocate Delivers 2020 Annual Report to Congress
National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Erin M. Collins today released her 2020 Annual Report to Congress, focusing on the unprecedented challenges taxpayers faced in filing their tax returns and receiving refunds and stimulus payments during a year consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also finds that a roughly 20…
Biden picks 1st transgender person for Senate-confirmed post
By Michael Bentley / Newsdesk EditorThe Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) applauds President-Elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Dr. Levine is a longtime public health leader and fearless advocate for health equity and the rights of transgendered individuals in the U.S.,” says Janet Hamilton, Executive Director of CSTE. “Throughout her career, Dr. Levine has led with expertise, dedication, and urgency. Her leadership and knowledge will help us meet the extraordinary challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and ethnic disparities, and pursuit of health for all.”
CSTE congratulates Dr. Levine on her nomination and encourages a quick confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
MORE ARTICLES
NATSO Urges Senate to Confirm Pete Buttigieg as U.S. Secretary of Transportation
A Multicultural America Ushers in Joe Biden as 46th President of the United States
Capitol Counsel Expansion Accelerates
Following the 2020 elections, and at the dawn of a new Congress and Administration, advocacy powerhouse Capitol Counsel is set to add three new partners to its health care and tax policy practices.
John Jonas and Martha (Martie) Kendrick join Capitol Counsel from the law firm, Akin Gump, where they…
Kentucky Plant Begins Destruction of Next Inventory of Nerve Agent Weapons
A Bechtel-led plant in Kentucky has successfully begun destroying its next batch of chemical weapons, bringing the nation closer to its goal of eradicating the national stockpile by 2023.
At the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in Richmond, a 155-millimeter artillery projectile filled with VX nerve agent was robotically…
O’Connor Institute For American Democracy Constitution Series Spotlights Brown v. Board of Education
The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute For American Democracy will present its next free, online Constitution Series: Equality and Justice for All public forum on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. The complimentary webcast will feature Cheryl Brown Henderson, one of the three daughters of the late Reverend…
Mr. Buttigieg recognizes the important role that Federal infrastructure policy plays for local businesses and communities
On behalf of the more than 2,000 member locations of NATSO, the national association representing the truckstop and travel plaza industry, urged the U.S. Senate to quickly confirm Pete Buttigieg as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
NATSO looks forward to partnering with Mr. Buttigieg on the Biden Administration’s infrastructure initiatives and goals.
NATSO is encouraged that the Biden Administration considers infrastructure investment as a key driver of economic and job relief and one of its top priorities.
“NATSO is ready to work with Mr. Buttigieg on an array of transportation issues, including the need for long-term, sustainable highway funding and the need to support policies that encourage off-highway businesses and communities to thrive and evolve,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “Fundamental to this effort is maintaining existing policies that prohibit commercialization of Interstate rest areas and the longstanding ban on tolling existing Interstate Highways.
“NATSO is also eager to work with Mr. Buttigieg on policies that further encourage private-sector investment in alternative fueling infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging, to more quickly bring alternative fuels to market,” Mullings said.
NATSO’s members encompass a nationwide network of fuel retailers crisscrossing the American landscape that are making significant investments in…
EDITOR'S
CHOICE
A Multicultural America Ushers in Joe Biden as 46th President of the United States
US Food and Drug Administration Extends its 40-Year Partnership With SAS
SAS, the leader in advanced analytics, will extend a 40-year partnership with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand its capabilities in natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities through the SAS® Viya® platform in support of the FDA’s mission as an essential public health…
2021 Defense Bill Will Help US Army Reduce Accidents, Save Lives and Precisely Deliver Sensitive Payloads
There are two notable firsts in the 2021 defense bill, which will help the US Army reduce accidents, save lives, and precisely deliver sensitive payloads:
- The world’s first Rescue Litter Stabilization Systems will be included in Blackhawk H-60 helicopters to instantly and autonomously detect and adjust for complex factors…
U.S. Department of State: Honduras Reduced Drug Traffic by 83% in the Last Six Years
The International Narcotics Control Strategy Reports of the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs revealed that during the administration of President Juan Orlando Hernández, drug traffic through Honduras was reduced by 83%.
The Honduras ambassador to the United States and former coordinator of the security Cabinet, Luis…
