2008 Public Policy Initiatives and Priorities

Policy Initiatives
(Maryland Nonprofits will lead advocacy efforts for these proposals)

Require Disclosure of Reductions in State Services

Maryland's state budget process is a significant challenge for advocates, the public, and even legislators to influence, or even understand. The proposed budget itself is unavailable to the public and the media until a week after the legislative session begins - and the only opportunity for comment is at budget ‘hearings' that are normally completed seven weeks later.

The proposed budget is normally accompanied by documents highlighting new or increased spending, but it is extremely difficult to identify what may be missing - where the funding for programs, or the level of services, is being reduced from the prior year. No such report is now provided, and the information is difficult for even legislative staff to examine.

Our proposal would require a separate listing of reductions in funding or services from the budget approved for the current year to be included in the executive's budget documents. 

Study the Spending and Needs of State Programs

When the state budget for the current year was adopted it left serious gaps in program services and funding, with growing waiting lists, or in some cases no access to the services.  Since then the Governor and legislature have cut hundreds of millions of dollars from funding for next year, and more cuts will be identified when the budget is submitted.

We need a serious evaluation, by a public-private commission, to determine the adequacy and quality of state government services in Maryland. This commission should examine the extent of the need for services the state is already supposed to be providing or funding, whether existing state or state-supported programs are adequately meeting these needs and their intended goals, how well current systems for evaluating program effectiveness are functioning, and whether more or less funding is required to provide the services and quality of life needed for the future of the state and its people.

Review State Contracting Practices

Many important state services are delivered on behalf of state agencies by nonprofit organizations. Service providers among our members continue to report that service delivery, and their financial stability, is often hindered or reduced by inconsistencies and other problems in the contracting process itself. Delays in issuing RFP's and approving contracts, as well as in making payments, together with unnecessary or obsolete procedures and paperwork, all combine to have a negative impact on people being served by nonprofit and other small providers of human services. We propose a study by a task force that includes representation from service providers as well as the involved state agencies and legislative committees.

Seek Funding For Nonprofit Capacity Building

Managers and staff of nonprofit organizations, including those that primarily deliver state services, need access to training, technical assistance and other help and guidance on effective management and ethical and accountable governance.  Federal and state programs already provide such services to for-profit businesses.  Maryland Nonprofits will continue to seek state funding to support increased management and organizational capacity training and technical assistance services to nonprofit organizations. Our legislation would create a program in the Department of Business and Economic Development to support organizations that provide these services throughout the state.

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For information, contact Henry Bogdan, Public Policy Director, at 410-727-6367 ext. 18.

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