• LiveBlog – Independent Sector, Public Policy, Tuesday, November 11, 2008

    November 11, 2008 // 1 Comment »

    Public Policy and the New Administration Q&A

    Not hopeful for an effective lame duck session. Some have said that we need to ban the idea of the first 100 days with the issues this country is facing. Can you speak to this?

    Nicholas Giordano: This transition is unprecedented – economic situation, two wars and general economic problems.

    300 executive branch positions need to be filled. The top cabinet positions will be filled quickly so that when Congress goes back into session, the nomination proceedings will go pretty quickly.

    Do you think the Bush Admin right now is ready to step aside? What indications?

    Nicholas: Pretty positive. President Bush has gone forward and made sure money was put aside to for a seamless transition. Named internally those who will be responsible for policy transition. They seem to have all pieces in place. There will be some bumps, but the prospects are good.

    What is the best way to get ideas into the transition team?

    Nicholas: All transition team personnel have been announced so there are great access points. The change.gov platform is great for people to get information and jobs. However, getting information directly to the people responsible is the best way.

    What changes can we expect with the House leadership?

    Nicholas: This leadership has shown the ability to control the agenda to a great degree. Not much will change with the pickup of the 20+ seats. This will further embolden them. Pelosi and the team has been good in controlling the agenda. I would expect more of that. Leadership change will occur since Rahm Emanuel going to the white house. The ratio in the committees will change a bit. The democrats will have more flexibility in the caucus
    in general. There is less a concern for the need of republicans to push things through.

    SHIFT

    Some questions about defining the non profit community there have been some discussions about whether charities engaging with the poor are the only effective non profits, but public policy non profits are essential in that process.

    Nicholas: Mr. Rangel has talked a lot of time taking about the corporate tax code and reform. This will be essential. Also the Ways and Means committee will be influential in the fiscal policies.

    Senate Finance Committee: Sen Grassly has been proponent of more regulation of charitable organizations. Rised questions about university endowments and whether hospitals are providing sufficient community benefit, but he has also had a close colleague in Sen. Boccas who has shared concerns but has great interest in the share of non profits.

    Efforts in creating an increase in Philanthropy. What is the outlook for further investigations and what will be Mr. Grassly’s role going forward?

    Over the last two years the issues, the chairman Boccas and Sen. Grassly has not been aligned. Chairman Boccas in the caucas is looking make an effort to be bipartisan. The will also be responsible for the tax issues and health care reform issues so from his standpoint there will be several important priorities.

    Posted in 2008 Election, Conferences