Government & Regulation

Sekulow's Firm Steered Millions in Donations to Family Members
June 29, 2017 at 12:04 pm

More than 15,000 Americans were losing their jobs each day in June 2009, as the U.S. struggled to climb out of a painful recession following its worst financial crisis in decades. But Jay Sekulow, who is now an attorney to Donald Trump, had a private jet to finance. His law firm was expecting a $3 million payday.…

IRS Investigating Charity Funded By Pharma Companies: Where Are the Funds Really Going?
June 29, 2017 at 11:27 am

The Internal Revenue Service is conducting an investigation into the tax-exempt status of the charity called Good Days. Good Days—formerly known as the Chronic Disease Fund—is a nonprofit organization that aids in providing expensive drugs for cancer and multiple sclerosis, among other diseases to patients who cannot afford to...

Dentists Accuse Delta Dental of Violating Nonprofit Rules
June 22, 2017 at 12:21 pm

A group of dentists at odds with the Massachusetts' largest dental insurer are accusing the company of violating nonprofit rules and engaging in anticompetitive behavior, and they’re asking Attorney General Maura Healey’s office to investigate. The dentists detailed their complaints against Delta Dental of Massachusetts in an 11-page letter to Healey, penned by their lawyer, James…

Employees Taking Leave: Third Circuit Adopts New Defense That May Impact Employee FMLA Claims
June 13, 2017 at 12:08 pm

The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides qualified employees of both nonprofit and for-profit companies up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to deal with a “serious health condition” or to care for certain family members with a “serious health condition.” In most instances during a period of FMLA qualified leave, an employee’s job is protected and their employment cannot be terminated...

Collaboration Is Key: Coping With the New Administration
June 8, 2017 at 12:37 pm

The fundraising industry deserves kudos for the collaborative spirit in which we have always worked, and I hope that it trickles up to other institutions as an effective way to counter the dismantling of our agencies, free speech and democracy as we know it...

Trump Expansion of Abortion ‘Gag Rule’ Will Restrict $8.8B in US Aid
May 19, 2017 at 11:10 am

President Trump’s executive order to block U.S. aid to groups abroad that counsel or provide referrals about abortion went into effect Monday and will restrict nearly $9 billion in foreign health assistance. The rule, which has reproductive-rights advocates reeling, is significantly broader than similar bans in place intermittently since 1984. Those past actions were limited…

GOP Nonprofit Launches $2M Campaign Thanking Obamacare Repeal Backers
May 5, 2017 at 2:09 pm

American Action Network, a nonprofit with ties to House Speaker Paul Ryan, will spend $2 million over the next 11 days in 21 districts running TV ads to thank House Republicans who voted for the GOP's Obamacare repeal bill Thursday. The ads will thank only members who voted for the legislation. Vulnerable members who voted…

Trump Official Freezes Michelle Obama’s Plan to Fight Childhood Obesity
May 5, 2017 at 9:38 am

After only six days on the job, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue moved to stall one of former first lady Michelle Obama’s signature accomplishments: Stricter nutritional standards for school breakfasts and lunches, which feed more than 31 million children. Speaking at Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg, Va., with Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Patricia Montague of…