Gubernatorial Candidates Discuss Their Agendas for Nonprofits

The Chronicle recently sent surveys to all major-party candidates in the 37 states that are holding gubernatorial races this year, asking how their proposed policies and programs would affect nonprofits in their states.

Between now and Election Day, we will post their responses on our Web site.

Today, you can take a look at the replies from:

C.L. “Butch” Otter, the Republican governor of Idaho, who is running for re-election. Mr. Otter discusses his success in getting legislation passed this year to enhance a state tax credit for charitable donations to schools, universities, libraries, museums, Idaho Public Broadcasting, and the Idaho State Historical Society. The law also expands the credit to apply to several state agencies that help people with disabilities as well as the Idaho Commission for Hispanic Affairs.

Peter Shumlin, a Democratic state senator who is running for governor of Vermont. Mr. Shumlin says the state government needs to better manage its financial relationship with nonprofits. “State government has tended to off-shift services to nonprofits, and not always with a clear definition of the divison of labor,” he writes. “But if we expect nonprofits to do the work of government then we must fund them appropriately.”

Coming on Monday: the reply of John Hickenlooper, the Democratic mayor of Denver who is running for governor of Colorado.

If you would like to help ensure that the candidates in your state respond to our survey — or have any information about how the governor’s race in your state could affect nonprofits — please contact Suzanne Perry at suzanne.perry@philanthropy.com or (202) 466-1228.