2013 Legislative Preview

1. 2013Legislative Preview Sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor Media Sponsor

2. Henry Bogdan Maryland Nonprofits Public Policy Director 2013 POLICY PRIORITIES

3. Protect Resources for Vital Human and Community Services After years of inadequate or reduced state funding, many health and human services important to nonprofits now face a major threat from decisions or indecision on critical federal budget and tax issues. Federal actions may have a substantial negative impact on state finances and the state and national economies, as well as on federal funds directly available for human service programs. Some proposals would all but eliminate any charitable giving incentives.

4. Protect Resources for Vital Human and Community Services American Taxpayer Relief Act made some permanent or short term ‘fixes’ in tax provisions, but put off the major decisions on spending cuts These will be in addition to “caps” – i.e. long term reductions – in domestic $’s in the 2011 Budget Control Act “Pease Act” provisions (reducing deductions for upper incomes) were in the 1990’s through 2005, but there may be more threats to giving incentives.

5. Protect Resources for Vital Human and Community Services Take Action Now: Contact Your Federal Representatives – and Your State Legislators (who will have to prepare for or react to federal actions) – and Your County Officials (at the end of the line) who have to adjust to whatever the Feds and State do!

6. Health Care Access • Federal Rules are still coming down, and decisions will be made throughout 2013 affecting the coverages available and the operation of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange • Nonprofits must stay engaged to see that as many Marylanders as possible get access to adequate and affordable health care, and • That nonprofit employers’ needs are dealt with in the transition from the ‘small group’ program to the State’s exchange.

7. Transportation Funding Transportation Trust Fund will soon lack adequate resources to maintain our existing infrastructure – with no funds for major planned transit projects Many of those we serve are being further disadvantaged by inadequate or too costly transit system Lack of new resources are a potential threat to funding for ‘general fund’ needs – health education, training, social services, etc

8. Reform State Agency Procurement • Our legislative efforts in 2012 created a new state council to push procurement reforms forward • The State Council includes four of our nominees as representatives of the provider community. • Supporting those representatives and providing information and recommendations to the council will be a critical part of making changes to save resources for the state and providers, and to improve services to Marylanders.

9. Fair Access to Housing • We continue to work with the coalition supporting the Maryland Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act (“HOME”) to ban discrimination in housing based on the renter’s or purchaser’s source of income. • Housing is critical in improving the lives of most of those the nonprofit sector serves • Many people receiving benefits as veterans, for disabilities, or simply government or private rental assistance are denied equal housing opportunities.