Overregulation can limit reach, effectiveness of U.S. charities

By BRETT ROWLAND

SQUARE STAFF REPORTER

(The Center Square) — Overregulation of charitable organizations can make it more difficult to get care to residents where they need it most, according to a new study from Philanthropy Roundtable, a Washington D.C.based organization dedicated to protecting philanthropic freedom.

The group’s analysis classified state regulations of charities into five categories: start-up regulations, annual reporting requirements, rules for paid solicitors, audit mandates and oversight regulations. Pacific Research Institute economist Wayne Winegarden wrote the report, The 50 State Index

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Continued from Page A1 to add items such as street lights when possible. Working with the residents in this area would be critical for any project because of the potential for loss of parking and to determine if light cast on adjacent properties even with Dark Sky standards would be a problem.

“Many residential buildings in Old Town are very close to the roadway and would, therefore, be very close to a new streetlight,” Mr. Ebeling said.

Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards told the News-Press, “I am very open to hearing residents’ concerns about the safety of our community, but I have not heard many — if any -— complaints about poor lighting on these streets in Old Town. I take the safety of our neighborhoods very seriously, and the city wants to do what we can to make sure our streets are safe for everyone…”

Mayor Pro Tempore Richards noted the city has made safety improvements in Old Town Goleta, including the 2020 completion of a project that added sidewalks and drainage improvements. Mr. Richards said the work ensured an accessible sidewalk on at least one side of the street.

“Without sidewalks, it was not uncommon to see parents pushing of Charity Regulations, for Philanthropy Roundtable.

According to the report, five states with the friendliest regulatory environment toward charitable organizations were Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Delaware and Idaho.

The report said the five states with the most burdensome regulatory environment toward charitable organizations were Connecticut, Mississippi, New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania.

“While some regulations are needed to foster accountability, what this new research shows is that too much regulation inhibits Americans’ ability to effectively support causes they care about as donations are swallowed up by regulatory burdens,” said Elizabeth McGuigan, the senior director of babies in strollers in the middle of the street. Now that every block has an accessible sidewalk, pedestrians have a safe place to traverse the neighborhood,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Richards.

“The city has already approved a project that will re-stripe a half-mile stretch of Hollister Avenue to add a designated Class II bike lane, which will significantly improve the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages,” Mr. Richards said. “This project is expected to be in construction by this summer and completed by fall. And finally, in terms of protecting the safety of persons and property, the city’s upcoming EkwillHollister Avenue. This project will include the replacement of the San Jose Creek Bridge, thereby reducing potential flood hazards for a significant portion of Old Town.”

Policy and Government Affairs for Philanthropy Roundtable.

“This paper advances our understanding of the impact of regulations on the charitable sector and can inform states looking to improve their regulatory environment to better support people in need.”

Obstacles can run the gamut.

“This study found a strong correlation between heavier regulatory burdens and a lower number of charities in a state. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable in these states may find less support in a more limited charitable landscape,” Ms. McGuigan said. “Those interested in starting a charity may run into insurmountable regulatory obstacles or smaller existing charities may be forced to cut back on meeting their mission in order

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To request the installation of additional street light poles in Goleta, submit your request to Michael Winnewisser, assistant engineer, at mwinnewisser@cityofgoleta.org. New light pole requests are confirmed through a local lighting analysis. If the analysis determines that a new pole is necessary to improve any lighting issues in the area, a new pole will be installed, according to the city of Goleta.

awareness that drivers have relative to pedestrians and bicyclists,” Mr. Ebeling said. “The city of Goleta acquired over 1,400 streetlights throughout the city from SCE. These 1,400 street lights have been retrofitted with LED fixtures, which provide better lighting in a more energyefficient way.” to comply with unnecessary red tape.”

Director Ebeling addressed concerns about Alondra, Nectarine, Mallard and Mandarin.

“The city only acquired a portion of the streetlights in Goleta. Old Town in particular has a large proportion of lights currently owned and maintained by SCE,” he said.

On Alondra, the city owns three of the five light poles — replaced with LEDs by the city of Goleta, Mr. Ebeling said.

Dr. Winegarden said more burdensome regulations require charities to spend more time, money and other resources complying with state mandates rather than fulfilling their missions.

“States with excessive regulations undermine the efficiency and effectiveness of the charitable sector,” Dr. Winegarden said. “States interested in making sure that charitable resources are available for those in need should streamline state regulations and eliminate the ones that are unnecessary or overly burdensome.” owned by SCE, according to Director Ebeling.

State regulations can vary significantly, but the environment is different for charities than for businesses.

Former Goleta City Councilman Roger Aceves talked about the lack of lighting.

“When I was on the Goleta City Council, I also served on Southern California Edison’s Government Advisory Panel representing our area,” he told the NewsPress. “While on the panel I was successful in providing leadership in the acquisition of many light poles. Once purchased, we began retrofitting with LED lighting. It was during this process that studies were conducted based on coverage and color.

“What was not looked at was the additional coverage in Old Town. The city needs to spend time and money to ensure that we have adequate lighting for public safety. This should be a priority,” Mr. Aceves told the News-Press.

Mr. Aceves served on the city council for 16 years before he was unseated in the November 2022 election by Luz-Reyes Martin.

The News-Press asked Director Ebeling what the timeline is for these improvements.

The News-Press asked Director Ebeling what the city plans to do concerning the lack of lighting.

“Street lighting improves pedestrian and bicyclist visibility and can increase the vision and

GARCIA CORONEL, Ubaldo

Ubaldo resided in Santa Barbara from 1960, until moving to Texas in 2022, due to illness to be closer to family. He was known for his love of hunting, going to the Santa Barbara swap meets, cooking at family barbecues, and Saturday breakfast with his friends at Litos. Even though he was born in Mexico, he considered Santa Barbara his home town. He will be fondly remembered and missed by all that knew him.

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On Nectarine, all three streetlights on this street are owned by SCE.

On Mallard, the city owns two of four light poles, replaced with LEDs by the city of Goleta.

On Mandarin Drive, all four streetlights on this street are anywhere, at any time, and for any purpose,” Attorney General Bonta said in a released statement. “The coalition of 16 attorneys general argue in the brief that New York’s restriction is one in a long line of government regulations designed to make gun possession and use safer for the public, and is a lawful exercise of states’ regulatory and police powers to enact such a law.”

California has some of the toughest gun laws but has already seen 30 fatalities and several serious injuries in six gun-related incidents since the start of the year. The nation as a whole, has had 43 mass shootings so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The appeal said that the default rule is in line with the preference of most New Yorkers and falls well within the rights of the state legislature to craft laws to protect public safety and property owners.

Opponents of the default rule see it as an infringement of Second Amendment rights. Gun related incidents have been quantified to cost the U.S $557 billion annually in an average of over 120 deaths per day. A report by the Center for Disease Control found that “Defensive use of guns by crime victims is a common occurrence, although the exact number remains disputed. Almost all national survey estimates indicate that defensive gun uses by victims are at least as common as offensive uses by criminals, with estimates of annual uses ranging from about 500,000 to more than 3 million, in the context of about 300,000 violent crimes involving firearms in 2008.”

The controversial rule should be upheld, the coalition argues, because it:

• Does not interfere with the exercise of Second Amendment rights. According to the coalition, the Second Amendment does not include the right to carry firearms on another person’s private property without their consent.

• Sets a default rule that protects public safety and at the same time preserves the rights of both property owners and gun owners.

• Helps the public identify those privately-owned businesses that permit the carrying of firearms on the premises.

• Is consistent with default rules that currently exist in other states.

“New York’s law empowers property owners to determine whether and under what conditions others can bring guns onto their property and ensures that gun owners abide by the wishes of property owners,” Attorney General Bonta said. “It does not interfere with the exercise of Second Amendment rights. We urge the court to overturn this decision. At a time when more Americans are dying from gun violence than ever before, states must be permitted to take commonsense actions to protect the public.”

“The remaining streetlights are still owned and maintained by SCE. Currently, SCE is undergoing its own LED conversion process, which would improve brightness to the existing light fixtures. No new poles are anticipated to be installed.” email: kzehnder@newspress.com

BOTTIANI, Nancy Ann (Atkins)

Nancy Ann Bottiani passed away on January 16, 2023, at the age of 96. Nancy was born to Eric and Laura Atkins on May 2, 1926. She was raised in Wisconsin and moved to Santa Barbara in her mid 20s where she met and married Carlo Bottiani. Nancy and Carlo enjoyed traveling, horseback riding and living on the family ranch; they were married for 54 years. Nancy loved to stay active and enjoyed China painting and any craft allowing her to use her artistic talents. She was preceded in death by husband, Carlo, daughter, Ann Marie Mizes, and brother, Tommy Atkins. She is survived by son, Charles Bottiani, daughter, Jean (David) Thompson, and grandchildren, Angelia Bottiani, Emily Bottiani, and Trey Thompson. She remained independent through the end of her life, and if asked, she would tell you her secret was walking, a little wine and chocolate!

Nancy was a proud and faithful member of St Raphael’s parish. A Rosary service will be held at St Raphael’s Catholic Church on Thursday, February 9th, at 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Calvary Cemetery on Friday, February 10th, at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome!