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Friday, February 18, 2005

SBA Launches New Faith-Based Initiative Center
The U.S. Small Business Administration had created a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to help religous and community based nonprofits learn about and access SBA-backed programs and loans. As part of the program, the all current grants recipients have extended theor programs to faith-based organizations that focus a significant part of their program on aiding small businesses.

They are already developing workshops, training seminars and open houses in an effort to increase outreach to these groups.

The question remains whether this really helps faith-based groups. Were the grants open to faith-based groups previously? What are the regulations that would prohibit a faith-based organization from applying for one of the grants? And, the biggest question of all, is there enough money to go around?

While the administration touts the faith-based initiative as a way to ensure faith-based organizations access to funding, in many cases, the new budget proposing cutting the very funds that the organizations would apply for.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 01:23:26 PM

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Challenge to a Religiously Based Vocational Training Program
A federal lawsuit filed today by two civil liberties groups challenges taxpayer-funded religious instruction and job discrimination in a vocational training program for inmates in Bradford County, Pa.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania say federal funding of the Firm Foundation program at the Bradford County Correctional Facility violates the Constitution by funneling public money to a program that proselytizes and hires only Christians. Over 90 percent of the budget for the program comes from federal, state and local funds.

For more information.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 05:38:28 PM

WIA Markup retains faith-based discrimination
There was great debate today during committee markup on the WIA bill.

On the Scott-Van Hollen-Woolsey amendment, debate lasted almost two hours and was very spirited. Ultimately, the amendment was defeated 19-23. Among dems, Miller was not present for the vote, and Barrow voted no.

On the McCarthy amendment that would require WIA-funded employers seeking to use the exemption in H.R. 27 to indicate on job applications that applicants might not be hired on the basis of merit, the amendment was defeated 17-27. Among the dems, Miller, Owens, Holt and Hinojosa were not present for the vote, and Barrow noted no.

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 05:34:06 PM

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