Gubernatorial Candidates Speak Out on Nonprofit Issues

COLORADO

John W. Hickenlooper, Democrat, mayor of Denver

On what he would do to help nonprofits:

I will work to ensure prompt payment to nonprofit and faith-based organizations that receive contracts with the state government, reducing burdens on organizations and delays in the services they provide.

My administration will seek partners in philanthropy to address issues of critical importance to the most vulnerable sectors of our society. We will also work with these foundations to promote program-related investments as a way of getting more dollars into the community.

CONNECTICUT

Tom Foley, Republican, businessman

On helping nonprofits through hard times:

For too long, state government has used cutbacks in social-service programs to balance the state budget. This must be brought to an end. It would be my intention to do more with nonprofits to help reduce the cost of providing services rather than cutting services. This should result in an increase, not a decrease, in the participation of nonprofits in providing state services.

HAWAII

Neil Abercrombie, Democrat, former member of Congress

On whether the state should have a position or office to help nonprofits or promote volunteerism:

The closest thing Hawaii has to a government office dedicated to helping nonprofits and encouraging volunteerism is the Office of Community Services, which is buried in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. As configured currently, the office is unable to be the liaison to community-based organizations that it should be.

Hawaii needs a higher-level initiative focusing on innovation, community building, and relationship management between government and the nonprofit sector. The reconfigured office could also advocate for the nonprofit sector at the state legislature.

IDAHO

C.L. (Butch) Otter, Republican, current governor

On policies he has put into place to benefit nonprofits:

During the 2010 legislative session, I passed legislation to enhance a state tax credit for charitable contributions for individual and corporate taxpayers who make monetary donations to public and nonprofit private schools and universities in Idaho, Idaho Public Broadcasting, Idaho State Historical Society, and Idaho libraries and museums. The bill also expanded the state entities eligible to receive the tax credit to include [a commission on Hispanic affairs and several bodies that deal with people with disabilities]. For individual taxpayers, the tax credit remains equal to 50 percent of the contribution but now can be applied to up to 50 percent of the taxpayer’s total Idaho income-tax liability, rather than 20 percent.

VERMONT

Peter Shumlin, Democrat, state Senator

On what the state should do for nonprofits:

Fund them. State government has tended to off-shift services to nonprofits, and not always with a clear definition of the division of labor. But if we expect nonprofits to do the work of government, then we must fund them appropriately. We must not threaten these public-private partnerships. But we also must be sure that these organizations are well managed and hold staff accountable, with an emphasis on improvement and excellence.

We need to be creative. For example, are there ways that nonprofits in a region could all chip in on the core things that every business has to have and to do? Can we pool some of those costs? Can state government help facilitate that sort of effort?

Note: Full text of responses from all candidates who submitted them in reply to a Chronicle of Philanthropy questionnaire are available here. The Chronicle will continue to post their views throughout the campaign season.