The latest from Covenant House ... Johnson Amendment ... NYC contracts
Lyndon B. Johnson Image by Shutterstock, illustration by Zach Williams
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is bringing in a familiar face. He announced the appointment of Hydra Mendoza as the new deputy chancellor for community empowerment, partnerships and communications at the New York City Department of Education in an Aug. 6 press release. She previously served as deputy chief of staff for education and equity for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office, and came to know Carranza when he led the San Francisco Unified School District.
“In this newly created role, Mendoza will oversee the divisions of Family and Community Empowerment, communications, external affairs, intergovernmental affairs, and translation and interpretation services, and lead the DOE’s work to empower families and communities, while increasing awareness of and support for key policy issues,” according to the release.
A new bill before the U.S. House of Representatives aims to incentivize charitable giving. This would happen through the creation of “Flexible Giving Accounts” to enable taxpayers to earmark part of their pre-tax income for charities. The bipartisan bill was introduced by three lawmakers from each party, according to an Aug. 3 press release.
“Every day in this country, charities are changing lives and improving communities,” said Congressman Mike Gallagher, a Republican co-sponsor of the bill, in the press release. “By empowering more Americans to set aside their hard-earned money each month, tax-free, for charitable giving, this bipartisan bill would incentivize a culture of everyday philanthropy that in turn would deepen and diversify the country’s giving pool.” He continued: “Flexible Giving Accounts are an opportunity for Americans to invest in their own neighbors and communities, and one we should take full advantage of for the good of the country.”
Read the full text of the bill here.
Covenant House is trying to push people onto the streets. An Aug. 20 event aims to bring supporters of homeless youth to sleep rough for one night as part of a solidarity/fundraising event. More details are available here.
The Johnson Amendment lives to be fought over another day. The U.S. Senate passed legislation last week that did not include a rider passed by the House that would have undermined restrictions on the political activity of nonprofits. The two bills now have to be reconciled before a final version goes to President Trump for his signature. But Tim Delaney, president of the National Council of Nonprofits – and an outspoken critic of abolishing the Johnson Amendment – expressed relief in an Aug. 1 press release.
“It is refreshing to see our elected officials choosing to press pause on partisan bickering to pass an appropriations bill without a controversial and corrupting policy rider that would have politicized charitable nonprofits, houses of worship, and foundations,” Delaney said in the release. “We hope this common-sense approach can be carried into the conference committee. We have just witnessed an example of the system working when partisan interests are set aside. This is precisely why the longstanding Johnson Amendment must be maintained and why the House-passed version of this bill must be rejected in conference.”
Information on how to comment on the legislation can be found by clicking here.
The New York City Administration for Children’s Services will be protecting itself with a bit more web security. A post in the City Record states that the agency is inking a $72,174 deal with Source IT Technologies of New Canaan, Conn., for “Macafee (sic) Software.” The Department for the Aging is looking for three vendors capable of providing rides to seniors ages 60 and older, as well as people with disabilities 18 years and older, according to the City Record. The contractors will provide on-demand rides for these clients both through a mobile app dispatch and telephone systems.
Nonprofits that operate at a more industrial level can pursue a contract with the city Economic Development Corporation. The agency is looking for organizations that can “acquire, construct, and/or renovate industrial real estate,” according to the City Record. An Aug. 21 deadline looms.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has awarded a $128,540 contract to Heartshare Human Services of New York. The money will fund mental health services for adults and adolescents. A $132,239 contract with Community Healthcare Network will fund an infant mortality reduction initiative.
Send your press releases, photos, and word of your latest happenings to reporter Zach Williams at zwilliams@nynmedia.com.