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November 3, 2023


News


Overview: The CCUSA social policy team spent part of the week commenting on proposed rules from federal departments and evaluating recent legislation introduced in Congress in terms of its effect on the Catholic Charities ministry (See below).

Interview of CCUSA's new president and CEO: Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of CCUSA, participated in an interview with America magazine ([link removed]) about her first months leading the national office of Catholic Charities. Robinson mentions her recent visit to Catholic Charities agencies near the southern border, her views on leadership, and the application of synodality in her work, among other topics. Read the interview ([link removed]).

Economy: In the week ending October 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 217,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 210,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 210,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 207,500 to 208,000.Based on today's unemployment report, the pace of job gains weakened more than anticipated in October, indicating a shift after the robust hiring momentum observed during the summer months.U.S. employers added only 150,000 new non-farm payrolls last month, marking a significant slowdown from a downwardly revised figure of 297,000 in September, and falling short of expectations set at 180,000, according to the US Labor Department.The unemployment rate ticked up from 3.8% to 3.9%.

Help for nonprofits: CCUSA signed a letter with other nonprofits in support of the Streamlining Federal Grants Act (SFGA). The bills in the Senate and House (S. 2286/H.R. 5934) seek to improve the effectiveness and performance of federal grants and cooperative agreements, simplify the application and reporting requirements, and facilitate greater coordination among federal agencies responsible for delivering services to the public. Notable for nonprofits, the bill promotes consultation with charitable organizations and governments and calls for improving services delivered to communities and organizations that historically have been unable to access federal grants or cooperative agreements. Furthermore, the bill promotes the implementation of workforce development programs by recognizing the importance of a well-trained workforce and the need for federal agencies to provide training and assistance to potential grant applicants. Based on past experience dealing with federal grants, and many comments from member agencies, CCUSA knows how cumbersome current application processes and reporting requirements are in most federal grant programs. The SFGA would be a very positive step forward in simplifying those, and member agencies would have a more streamlined process to seek federal grant opportunities.

Living Wage-Overtime Exemptions: CCUSA submitted comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ([link removed]): Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees published by the U.S. Department of Labor on September 8, 2023. The proposed rule would increase salary levels for exempt full-time salaried workers and highly compensated employees.CCUSA has advocated for the right of every worker to receive a living wage sufficient to provide support for a family. However, how the proposed rule would affect employers is also an important consideration. CCUSA recommends considering regional cost of living differences, increasing the salary threshold in stages, allowing organizations to renegotiate multi-year grants and contracts, and providing guidance to nonprofits to understand the application of future changes.

Immigration and the Children's Court Act: Congress introduced a bipartisan and bicameral bill, the Children's Court Act, which CCUSA supports with the addition of some improvements. The act would create a separate immigration court process for children fighting their deportation in immigration court. Defending against deportation is a difficult process for adults, let alone children. Unfortunately, many children go through this process without an advocate or without fully comprehending the process or its implications. This bill would establish procedures to help children understand the proceedings appropriate for their developmental stage. Judges and attorneys handling such cases would be required to undergo training in child development, psychology, and welfare. Further, the bill mandates the appointment of a Child Advocate to determine the best interest of the child, akin to a family court at the state level. The bill is not perfect and has room for improvement. Still, CCUSA supports its introduction and pledges to collaborate with Congress to improve it. Read CCUSA's letters to the House and Senate leaders ([link removed]).

 

Trivia

Q. Daylight saving time ends this Sunday at 2 a.m. when we will turn our clocks back to 1 a.m. What is the origin of daylight saving time in the United States?

Please send your answers to All Saints' Day was formally started by Pope Boniface IV ([link removed]), who consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs on May 13 in A.D. 609. Boniface IV also established All Souls' Day, which follows All Saints.

 

Connections

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