My Turn: For a humane tax reform

As our legislators debate implications of a tax overhaul, I hope they remember that nonprofits serve a triple bottom line, all subsidized by donations: they deliver programs in a fiscally balanced, cost-effective manner, their double bottom line makes programs accessible to serve those less fortunate, and their triple bottom line is achieved when those they reach contribute to society.

Civil society depends upon healthy nonprofits and philanthropy is an essential ingredient. Charitable contributions, therefore, should be incentivized and encouraged for events like Spectrum’s Sleep Out, COTS Walk, and United Way fund drives. Otherwise, the fragile social safety net will further unravel and be more costly to state coffers long-term. I urge our representatives, senators, and governor to consider the marginalized and disenfranchised whose very lives are at stake in this fiscal debate.