Is Health Care Reform an Issue for Michigan Nonprofits?

Is health care reform an issue for your nonprofit? Michigan Nonprofit Association says yes and nine out of ten responding nonprofits to our recent health care survey agree. MNA and the Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University assessed how the current health care system is affecting nonprofits as employers. You [...]

Struggling in a Tough Economy?

Everyone is. Tough economic times, especially here in Michigan, are taxing on nonprofit resources. gthe lack of available funds, rising gas prices and employee burnout make it tough to cope. Regardless of the challenges, there is hope and there are helpful resources available. Ryan Dinkgrave from the State News published an interesting article highlighting some [...]

Myths About State Budget Deter Michigan’s Progress

Check out the Michigan Fiscal Responsibility Project’s op-ed in Tuesday’s Detroit Free Press. http://www.mitaxtruth.com/media.php. The op-ed tackles many myths about the state budget, including the myth that state spending is out of control. Kyle Caldwell is a co-author of the op-ed. MNA is a member of the Michigan Fiscal Responsibility Project.
Submitted by Erin Skene

Politics and Hard Decisions

The Governor’s State of the State address will take place later this month, later she will present her budget, and the Michigan Legislature is looking at the revenue estimates and bills calling for fixes to the Michigan Business Tax. In other words, the state budget debate hiatus is over.
Thursday, I joined my colleagues in [...]

Expanded Sales Tax on Services Repealed, Replaced by MBT Surcharge

On Saturday, the Michigan Legislature and the Governor repealed the expanded sales tax on services that went into effect that morning. The revenues that the state expected to collect from the expanded sales tax, about $614 million during the first (partial) fiscal year and approximately $750 million in subsequent fiscal years, will now be brought [...]

Sick of Us Talking About the State Budget Crisis?

I wish that I could say that the state budget crisis will be solved tomorrow. However, as you’ve already heard the budget that was recently passed is a step in the right direction but it doesn’t solve the structural deficit. Meaning that we will be facing additional cuts in the future. Also, as I write [...]

State Budget Passes

The Legislature officially passed the state’s FY 2007-2008 budget at about three o’clock this morning. We’ll be posting more details on our website over the next couple of days about how the individual department budgets break down. www.mnaonline.org/statebudget.asp.
Submitted by Tiffany Aurora

Don’t Get Lost in the Smoke

Once again, we stand at the doorway of another potential government shut down. While we are assured that progress is being made, it’s hard to judge the veracity of those assurances when the discussions are between a select few behind closed doors. Regardless, even if we are fortunate to avert a government shut [...]

A great tool for staying updated on State Policy

Let me preface this by saying that I’m fully aware not all of our readers are policy junkies. But for those of you who are…and for all of us, since we’re all affected by state policy at different levels every day…
Here’s a website that you can visit on a regular basis to get a feel [...]

Can Nonprofits Support or Oppose Legislative Recall Efforts?

We’ve been receiving phone calls from nonprofits across the state about the various recall efforts being launched against members of the Michigan legislature who recently voted in favor of increased revenues for the state. The most common question is whether or not 501(c)(3) nonprofits can be involved in recall efforts (voicing either favor or opposition [...]