Goodwill® works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work. The focus areas of the public policy agenda support Goodwill’s mission.
Category: Advocate
Trump’s Skinny Budget Fattens Defense; Squeezes Workforce Programs
The Trump Administration is due to release its FY 2018 “skinny” budget by mid-March, but we already know some of what it contains. It’s called a skinny budget because it lacks the full narrative of policy prescriptions found in the full budget.
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Take Action: Welcome Your Lawmaker to the 115th
If you’ve been paying attention to the “whirlwind of policy activity that has Washington insiders scrambling to keep up,” you may be working to keep up with it all as well. In addition to the new administration in office, a new Congressional session — the 115th Congress — has begun.
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Goodwill Testifies Before Congress on Serving Rural Communities in Poverty
This week I had the opportunity to work with Tammy Slater, CEO of Goodwill of Greater Nebraska (Grand Island, NE), as she testified before a Congressional subcommittee. Slater joined one other service provider and two researchers at a hearing on the geography of poverty. They provided committee members and the public with insights into the common themes and varying solutions to addressing poverty in urban, suburban and rural areas of the country.
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Help Us Protect Your Charitable Tax Deductions
Next week, leadership from Goodwill Industries International will join over 130 other nonprofits in meetings with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill as part of the Charitable Giving Coalition. The Charitable Giving Coalition represents a broad cross-section of nonprofit organizations across the country. The services provided by these organizations and their local members including Goodwill®, are
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Disruption Comes to Washington
Disruption as a concept in the corporate realm and other circles has been around for quite a while. It’s meant as a process to spur innovation and creative thinking and approaches to challenges new and old. Now, disruption has come to Washington—big time!
Connecting State Leaders with Goodwill®
As the Donald Trump presidency begins and his administration takes shape, there will naturally be a large focus on the federal government and the work of the executive and legislative branches. State and local governments are hard at work as well, and while issues are being debated in Congress over a long period of time, we should find more opportunities to engage at the state level.
Don't Leave Your Money on the Table
Last year more than 27 million eligible workers and families received over $67 billion with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). However, every year the IRS estimates that one out of five qualified taxpayers are leaving money on the table by not using the credit. On January 27, also known as EITC Awareness Day, those who qualify can receive help to keep that money in their pocket.
In 2017, Get Involved at Every Opportunity
The Goodwill Industries International government relations office is a couple of blocks away from the Capitol. As such, I’ve been able to watch the inauguration preparations unfold. As we advance Goodwill’s public policy agenda, we’ve been communicating with transition teams, following the confirmation hearings on the President-Elect’s nominees, and are preparing to meet with a number of freshman lawmakers. At the same time, we’ve reflected on successful engagement with the previous Congress and attended some final stakeholder convenings with the current administration.
A Preview of the 115th Congress
The 115th Congress was sworn in on Tuesday, in a warm ceremony. This post discusses some of the issues that legislators have begun working on immediately.
A Look Back on Our Accomplishments
‘Tis the season to be grateful, reflect on accomplishments, and plan for new opportunities. The Government Relations team at Goodwill Industries International (GII), is grateful for advocates like you. During the 114th Congress, our advocates sent more than 2,000 letters to lawmakers on important topics like funding for workforce development and job-training programs; support for people with barriers to employment including older workers, people with criminal backgrounds, and people with disabilities; and protecting charitable giving incentives.
Give Families an Economic Boost All Year
As the year comes to a close, many of us take the opportunity to spend time with friends and family and to help those around us. One way to help more people is by joining Goodwill® to support programs that boost economic stability for low-income individuals and families.
