logo logo
Donate
    • Membership
    • Donate
  • Social Justice
    • Racial Justice
    • Climate Justice
    • Disability Justice
    • Economic Justice
    • Health Justice
    • Immigration
    • LGBTQ+
  • Civic News
  • Nonprofit Leadership
    • Board Governance
    • Equity-Centered Management
    • Finances
    • Fundraising
    • Human Resources
    • Organizational Culture
    • Philanthropy
    • Power Dynamics
    • Strategic Planning
    • Technology
  • CONTENT TYPES
  • Leading Edge Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Webinars

Attorney General Races Threaten Nonprofit Oversight

Rick Cohen
October 29, 2010

October 27, 2010; Source: Washington Independent |The national preoccupation with the upcoming U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate elections means that sometimes the public is insufficiently attentive to electoral issues at other levels of government, particularly for governors (some predictions are that the Republicans will come out of the elections holding two-thirds of gubernatorial seats), state legislatures, and attorneys general.

Forty-three out of 50 attorneys general are elected rather than appointed, and 30 of them will be selected by the voters next month. Turnover of AGs could harm the efforts of states that earlier this month unanimously agreed to coordinate an investigation of mortgage servicers for their potentially fraudulent foreclosure practices. Turnover in the AGs offices could also result in shifts in state government oversight of nonprofit fundraising and accountability, as most AGs have charity officers charged with keeping an eye on nonprofit practices.

Not all state AGs have been energetic on nonprofit oversight, but some stand out out. Reasonably strong AGs with consistent, thoughtful—though when needed, muscular—nonprofit track records such as Lisa Madigan (D) in Illinois and Martha Coakley (D) in Massachusetts seem sure to retain their positions. Also Andrew Cuomo’s (D) seat in New York and Richard Blumenthal’s (D) seat in Connecticut seem likely to go to successors with priorities similar to the current office holders.

Sign up for our free newsletters

Subscribe to NPQ's newsletters to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from NPQ and our partners.

A number of AG seats could change hands with consequences for nonprofits however. Possible Republican pick-ups are California where current AG Jerry Brown (D) is running for governor and in Arizona where Terry Goddard (D) has come to the end of his term limit. Other seats that may change hands are in Ohio, Iowa, and Michigan—all states where current AGs have devoted attention and resources to issues of nonprofit accountability.

We tend to think of the Internal Revenue Service as the nation’s first line of protection for charitable assets, but it’s often state AGs who take on state-level charity oversight. In this election, many voters seem to hold, at least softly, the Tea Party’s criticisms of government activism. If these limited-government candidates for AG get into office, it could be bad news not just for state action against fraudulent lenders and servicers, but bad news for state enforcement of nonprofit-focused laws already on the books.—Rick Cohen

About the author
Rick Cohen

Rick joined NPQ in 2006, after almost eight years as the executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP). Before that he played various roles as a community worker and advisor to others doing community work. He also worked in government. Cohen pursued investigative and analytical articles, advocated for increased philanthropic giving and access for disenfranchised constituencies, and promoted increased philanthropic and nonprofit accountability.

More about: Nonprofit News

Our Voices Are Our Power.

Journalism, nonprofits, and multiracial democracy are under attack. At NPQ, we fight back by sharing stories and essential insights from nonprofit leaders and workers—and we pay every contributor.

Can you help us protect nonprofit voices?

Your support keeps truth alive when it matters most.
Every single dollar makes a difference.

Donate now
logo logo logo logo logo
See comments

You might also like
“Unrig the Game”: Learning from Women of Color in Leadership and Social Movements
Holly Jonas
For Black Maternal Health, We Need Justice and Equity: A Conversation with Angela Doyinsola Aina
Rebekah Barber
A Group of Black Girls Commemorates Juneteenth by Walking in Harriet Tubman’s Footsteps
Rebekah Barber
In California’s Largest Landback Deal, the Yurok Tribe Reclaims Sacred Land Around Klamath River
Anita Hofschneider, Grist
Making Housing Affordable: How Government Can Finance Homes at Low Cost
Fernando Marti
New Study Shines a Light on the Impact of Donor-Advised Funds
Chuck Collins and Helen Flannery

Upcoming Webinars

Group Created with Sketch.
June 26th, 2:00 pm ET

From Performance Management to Mutual Commitment

Fostering a Culture of Joyful Accountability

Register
Group Created with Sketch.
July 24th, 2:00 pm ET

Organizing in Divided Times

The Relational Infrastructure We Need to Protect Democracy

Register

    
You might also like
Conservatives Attack Nonprofits on Capitol Hill
Isaiah Thompson
Glass-paneled exterior of the Microsoft building.
Microsoft Axes Free 365 Software for Nonprofits
Isaiah Thompson
US Capitol Building
Tax Provision Would Give Trump Administration Unilateral...
Rebekah Barber and Isaiah Thompson

Like what you see?

Subscribe to the NPQ newsletter to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

See our newsletters

By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from NPQ and our partners.

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Copyright
  • Donate
  • Editorial Policy
  • Funders
  • Submissions

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

 

Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.