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Red Tape Commission Hears Non-Profit Concerns

Recommendations presented at July 19 hearing

updated 7/21/11

Read the recommendations:

Executive Summary including list of media contacts

On July 19, on behalf of a coalition of non-profits and provider organizations across the state, the Center for Non-Profits presented a joint statement and recommendations to a Trenton hearing of the Red Tape Review Commission chaired by Lieutenant Governor Guadagno. The hearing, the second of three public hearings to be held by the commission this year, focused exclusively on small business and non-profit concerns.

Among the items highlighted in the testimony:

the need for better communication among government agencies and increased input from non-profits and providers in developing policies and solving community problems;
the myriad problems with contracting;
duplication of monitoring/compliance requirements;
the vast amount of reporting and filing that must be done manually rather than electronically;
the need for more easily available plain-language online summaries of the laws and regulations governing non-profits;
the antiquated and confusing legalized games of chance (bingo/raffle) requirements; and
NJ Division of Consumer Affairs’ pre-proposal #2011-001, which would impose onerous donor designation requirements on many charities.

The Red Tape Review Commission was created to review and streamline burdensome regulations and government policies that have a negative impact on New Jersey businesses. With our partner advocates, the Center has been working to advance the philosophy that non-profits – an important contributor to the economic engine of the state – are just as vulnerable as for-profit businesses to the effects of duplicative, unnecessary government policies and regulations. While many government policies are necessary, many others are needlessly burdensome and siphon precious resources from core programs and services that benefit the people of New Jersey. In response to our requests, the commission has broadened its focus and is exploring ways to ease the burdens on non-profits.

We thank all who shared their experiences and recommendations with us for use in developing the joint report and recommendations. Your stories helped to drive home in real terms how red tape issues affect non-profits. The Lieutenant Governor, commission members and commission staff expressed a keen interest in the stories that you provided.

We will continue to follow up with the Commission, the Legislature and other appropriate channels to pursue these recommendations. In the meantime, please continue to provide your input to us. Share with us any problems that you may be experiencing in complying with New Jersey government regulations, policies or contracting procedures, as well as your specific recommendations of where red tape could be reduced or where streamlining could prove beneficial. Examples could include:

onerous contract application or reporting requirements;
duplicative or administratively wasteful monitoring procedures;
needlessly contradictory requirements between various state offices or departments;
ways in which technology could boost effectiveness and efficiencies;
ways to streamline fund raising or games of chance regulations;
and many others.

You can share your feedback with Linda Czipo at the Center at 732-227-0800 or via email at

lczipo @ njnonprofits.org. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can share your story and ask that your name not be used publicly.

Your views will aid our immediate and long-term efforts to strengthen non-profit/government partnerships in New Jersey.

Join Us! Click here for membership information.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The Center’s advocacy, communications and technical assistance services would not be possible without the direct support of Center members. If your organization is a dues-paying member, we thank you for your support and involvement which help to sustain this work.

If your organization is not currently a member, we encourage you to explore the many benefits of membership at www.njnonprofits.org/memship.html . Membership is a sound investment in your organization and in New Jersey's non-profit community for the people of our state.

Simply put, the more members we have, the stronger we can be for you. Dues start at just $65/year; please join today. Thank you!

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