State Activities

The Oregon Legislature adjourned last Friday after rebalancing the state budget without making big cuts. Thanks in part to a better-than-expected state revenue forecast, decoupling the state’s tax code from selected federal tax deductions, and shifting funds from selected programs to other programs. The Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services did receive most of the funds they requested to implement the new federal requirements for SNAP and Medicaid.

Nonprofits are navigating the different government responses to federal funding restrictions. Some governments at the local level are choosing to accept federal funds and adjusting their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies while others are maintaining them. This has left nonprofits with conflicting compliance requirements from different government funders.   

Nonprofits are being asked to comply through certifications and representations attached to federal funding that flow to local government. At the end of that flow of funds is the community itself. Deeply tied with the community are the thousands of nonprofits that administer the services funded by those governments.  NAO is reaching out to state and local governments to encourage coordination on their DEI policies as new or continuing contracts and grants are awarded to nonprofits. We will keep you updated on any developments. See the Resources below for guidance from Oregon DOJ.