Policy Update & Call to Action

Policy Update & Call to Action: Inform Our State's Senators, Charitable Giving Incentives Matter to Nonprofits      On June 27, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) sent a  letter informing senators that the Committee will start consideration of a tax reform package with a "blank slate," meaning that it contains no deductions or credits, so Senators will have to fight to get their favored tax provisions re-inserted into the bill that is being drafted. The Committee leaders stressed that the legislation they are drafting on a bi-partisan basis will restore only those deductions, exclusions, credits, and other tax expenditures that: Help grow the economy Make tax laws fairer Effectively promote other policy objectives They've asked Senators to submit recommendations for provisions that meet these standards by July 26.    We are hearing that Senators are responding to the request for input with mixed views. Some may be submitting a list of priority tax provisions; others will likely provide a set of guiding principles for the Committee to follow; and still others apparently are refusing to send in anything out of fear that their submission will be made public. Virtually every lobbyist and interest group is clamoring for the attention of Finance Committee leaders, members, and staff. Some efforts to get their attention include submitting a sign-on letter and sending letters making the case for tax provision that affect their operations. NYCON has also taken steps in writing a letter to submit to the Senate Finance Committee for this "Blank Slate." We encourage members and nonprofits statewide to write your own letters to inform the Senate Finance Committee. Please feel free to use our letter as a template to model your own or weigh in as constituentsabout your work and the importance of the charitable giving incentive to your ability to solve problems in their communities share your stories with the National Council of Nonprofits Your stories will help us make clear to federal policy makers that the charitable giving incentive is unique from other tax deductions and credits and must be preserved in tax reform As always, thank you for your continued involvement with NYCON and for the tremendous work you are doing to make our communities strong and vibrant places to live and work. We truly appreciate your dedication and commitment. If you have any questions about this or any other public policy issue, please feel free to contact me. We look forward to working with you on these important issues.              Sincerely,               Doug Sauer, CEO             New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.    The Charitable Giving Incentive   Federal tax law currently encourages individuals to give to charitable organizations whose missions they support by providing an itemized deduction. Policymakers in Washington are focusing on how to reduce the federal budget deficit through spending cuts, entitlement reforms, and changes to the tax code. The President, Senators, Representatives, bi-partisan commissions, and think tanks have all put forward plans to address these issues, and many propose changing the charitable giving incentive in one way or another. No one knows the true impact that any of these proposals will have on the ability of charitable nonprofits to raise the resources needed to provide the programs and services that fulfill their missions. It is imperative that Congress make no changes to the charitable deduction that threatens the ability of nonprofit organizations to serve those most in need and to continue to strengthen our communities. Proud Member of  the National Council of Nonprofits

News from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

For the week ending July 14, 2013  A.G. Schneiderman & State Comptroller DiNapoli Announce Arrest of Not–For–Profit Executive in Five–Year Public Corruption Scheme Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Tuesday announced the arrest of a nonprofit executive accused of pocketing tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds intended for public services in New York City. The joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the State Comptroller–s office revealed that Van R. Holmes —— the president of the Young Leaders Institute, Inc. —— stole more than $85,000 by creating dozens of false records and forged documents which he filed with State and City agencies in order to obtain public money. DiNapoli: Binghamton Facing Fiscal Challenges, But Outlook Improving The city of Binghamton is grappling with high rates of unemployment and poverty, but its outlook is improving as it builds up reserve funds, according to a fiscal report issued Thursday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report is part of a series of fiscal profiles on cities across the state. DiNapoli: Lax Board Oversight Allowed Former Village of Old Field Treasurer to Steal Nearly $60,000 Poor oversight by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Old Field allowed its former Treasurer Andrea Brosnan to steal nearly $60,000 in village funds without detection, according to an audit released Wednesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The findings of the audit were shared with Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas J. Spota whose office charged Brosnan with second–degree grand larceny, first–degree falsifying business records, defrauding the government and official misconduct on May 22. Criminal proceedings are pending. DiNapoli: State Tax Receipts Down in June, but Overall State Fiscal Picture Positive Personal Income Tax and business tax collections were down in June compared to last year, but the state’s General Fund balance ended the month higher than anticipated, in part because of a $250 million regulatory settlement, according to the June cash report released Wednesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli Finds Questionable Charges for Rochester Special Education Provider The Norman Howard School, a Rochester–based special education provider, submitted more than $200,000 in improper charges over a three–year period, mostly for salaries that went to uncertified teachers, according to anaudit released Tuesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli Finds Budgeting Problems at East Ramapo Central School District Poor financial practices by the East Ramapo Central School District, including inaccurate budget estimates, have left the district with operating deficits for the past two years and could jeopardize future district operations, according to an audit released Friday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli: State Improperly Overpaid Oneonta Dentist $66,000 The state Department of Health improperly paid an Oneonta dentist $66,402 for 2,361 inflated or questionable Medicaid claims he submitted for unwarranted services, including “behavior management,” and dentures that were not delivered to the recipients, according to an audit released Monday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli Urges President Obama To Direct Federal Agencies To Adopt “Place Of Celebration” Standard For Recognition Of Same–Sex Marriages New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Friday released a letter to President Barack Obama calling on him, in light of the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, to direct all federal agencies under his control to adopt a marriage “Place of Celebration” standard. This would require federal agencies and programs to recognize all valid same–sex marriages, regardless of the current residence of the same–sex spouses. Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Friday announced his office completed audits of the Jefferson Fire District and the Town of Lagrange.

DiNapoli finds more wa$te by special ed. provider Theft of member item cash alleged Bronx Rebranding Itself for Middle–Income Families

Honor an Outstanding Board Member

2013 Michael H. Urbach, CPA, Community Builders Award Now Accepting Nominations Submission Accepted through August 23rd, 2013 Sponsored by the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)   Left to right: Doug Sauer, NYCON CEO; Allen Fetterman, CPA; William F. Berardi, CPA, 2012 Urbach Award Recipient; Ellen Kotlow, NYCON Board President The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) are pleased to announce this call for nominations.    The award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, former partner of Urbach, Kahn and Werlin, former NYS Commissioner of Tax and Finance and Chair of the State Employees federated Appeal, and board leader of a number of charities. This award is in recognition of the important role, talents and leadership that a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State can provide as a board member for community-based charities.   Award Criteria & Submission  Candidates must: Be a CPA in good standing and a member of NYSSCPA   Have served as an Officer on at least 3 different charitable 501c(3) community-based nonprofits with service as President/Chair at least once   Have demonstrated exemplary board leadership resulting in significant and positive organizational impact including, but not limited to, financial turn-around, growth, and/or organizational re-structuring; and   Preference will be given to nominees whose board leadership accomplishments have been with community-based charities  Nominations addressing the candidate's qualifications must be received by August 23rd, 2013.  Nominators are strongly encouraged to address the qualifications related to the four (4) criteria mentioned above and to include at least three (3) letters of support from the charities who have benefited from the candidate's volunteer leadership.  To Nominate a CPA:  Email your submission to Melissa Currado at mcurrado@nycon.org or mail two (2) packets of nomination materials to: Urbach Community Builders Award Committee, NYCON, 272 Broadway, Albany NY 12204. For more information, visit NYCON on the web at www.nycon.org or contact us via phone at (800) 515-5012.    Announcement & Presentation  Craig Sickler, CPA receives the Urbach Community Builders Award at the 2006 Annual Meeting The 2013 award will be formally presented at the Annual Member Meeting of NYCON slated for the afternoon of October 10th, 2013at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York.  The Luncheon will take place during CAMP FINANCE, a two-day retreat that provides the very best in knowledge, skill and strategy sessions for nonprofit staff and volunteer leaders.     In honor of the late Harold Mandel, a CPA who worked for Urbach, Kahn & Werlin in Albany, NY and retired in West Palm Beach, FL, the 2013 Urbach Honoree has the privilege to award one (1) nonprofit executive of their choice a Camp Finance scholarship in Hal's name.  In 2009, Mr. Mandel's family accepted a posthumous Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award in his honor. Thank You to Our Supporters! NYCON and NYSSCPA would like to recognize The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Regionfor their grant contribution towards the Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award. Past Urbach Award Honorees Lew Kramer, CPA and Doug Sauer,  NYCON CEO 2012 William F. Berardi, CPA Kingston 2011 Thomas D. Weddell, CPA; Newburgh 2010  Edward S. Mucenski, CPA; Potsdam    2009  Lewis "Lew" Kramer, CPA; Chappaqua    2008 Mel Zachter, CPA; Staten Island       2007 Eugene H. Fleishman, CPA; Poughkeepsie 2006  Craig Sickler, CPA Kingston  2005 Paul Battaglia CPA, Batavia Co-sponsored by The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants 　 www.nysscpa.org

WWNYTV: Jump-Starting the Economy Through the Arts

Jump-Starting The Economy Through The Arts

Story Published: Jul 5, 2013 at 11:58 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 5, 2013 at 11:58 AM EDT 

North county cultural leaders are looking to find ways to help the region. 

Representatives from the North Country Arts Council, the Clayton Opera House and about 20 other groups sat down recently with state officials to look at ways to jump-start the economy through the arts.

State officials say the sky's the limit.

"What can't we get aligned with," said Lisa Robb of the New York State Council of the Arts. "The world is our oyster."

"We can work with arts organizations, we can work with municipal government, we can work with higher education, K-12 education, veterans."

Watertown was one of several stops for state officials. It's part of an initiative spearheaded by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

Via WWNYTV (link).
Video on linked page.