Some questions for candidates

 ·        What do you believe is government’s role, specifically state government’s role, in funding for health and human services for vulnerable children, families and adults?  What are the key values that will guide you in your decision making and voting about government’s role, if elected?

 ·        What is your assessment of the recent cutbacks in funding for critical health and human services safety net programs, enrollment caps in areas like child care and health care?  Should some or all these budget cutbacks be restored?  How would you restore these cuts?

 ·        What do you think of current tax structure? Should it be reformed to provide for stability, economic development and adequate revenues for health and human services?  What is your view of the current tax exemptions and personal and corporate income taxes?  Would you propose to do tax reform if elected and if so how would you go about it?

 ·        What do you think government’s role should be in addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness, health care, and family violence and providing a safety net for families?  How would you approach these social and health concerns if elected?

Consult Valuable Resources About How To Do Nonprofit Advocacy Legally

Rights of Non-Profits to Do Advocacy

Election Resources - Know the Rules FROM INDEPENDENT SECTOR

(http://www.independentsector.org/election_rules )

·         “Although 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations cannot engage in partisan political activity and are limited in the amount of lobbying they can do, they are permitted to engage in a variety of nonpartisan voter education and voter participation projects. Such projects may include public education, advocacy on controversial policy issues, and efforts designed to increase voting by disadvantaged or excluded groups in society.  “Know the Rules” describes some of the types of election-related activities 501(c)(3)s can engage in and provides an explanation on the general rules that apply in this area. The materials presented on these pages concentrate mainly on section 501(c)(3) organizations that qualify as public charities with some attention to private foundations, and 501(c)(4) groups.

SOME PARTICULAR EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES ALLOWED AND PROHIBITED

Working for the election of a particular candidate, whether at the federal, state or local level, is strictly prohibited for 501(c)(3) organizations and is cause for the organization to lose its tax-exempt status.  Employees, members or officers of 501(c)(3) organizations are not prohibited from participating in a political campaign, provided that they say or do everything as a private citizen and not as spokespersons for the organization or while using the organization's resources.

Examples of activities that are permissible for 501(c)(3) organizations:

·         Nonpartisan voter registration drives that educate the public about the importance of voting. These activities cannot be biased for or against any candidate or party.

·         Educating all candidates and political parties about your organization's issues.

·         Inviting candidates to meetings or to public forums sponsored by the nonprofits.  The invitation must be extended to "all serious candidates."

Examples of activities that is not permissible for 501(c) (3) organizations:

·         Endorsing or opposing a candidate.

·         Making any campaign contribution.

·         Coordinating activities with a candidate.

Center for the Lobbying in the Public Interest www.clpi.org. and National Council of Non Profit Associations  http://www.npaction.org/resources/Election_tool_kit2.pdf

Advocacy Toolkits for Nonprofits

• Advocacy Toolkit: Building Policy Capacity - (National Council of Nonprofits)
• Speak for Yourself Advocacy Toolkit - (Colorado Nonprofit Association)
• Civic Engagement Tools and Checklists from the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network
• Resources from the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI)
• Advocacy Tactics
  
• Finding and Using Data
• Working in Coalitions
• Know the Legislative Process and Players
• Lobbying Tactics
• Writing a Letter
• Personal Visits with a Legislator
• Presenting Legislative Testimony