Senator Coons, Young introduce bipartisan legislation to create new AmeriCorps program aimed at reducing polarization

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Building Civic Bridges Act, to establish a pilot program through AmeriCorps that would empower local communities to address contentious civic issues and reduce polarization at the local level. The House companion bill was introduced by Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Andy Barr (R-Ky.)

“Our nation is more polarized than ever, and rebuilding public trust in our country starts with finding ways to address that issue,” said Senator Coons. “This bill will play a crucial role in strengthening civics locally and providing local communities with the resources needed to promote civic engagement. I am grateful to Representatives Kilmer and Barr for spearheading this bipartisan effort with us.”

“Amid growing polarization, civic engagement and debate are essential to maintaining the American spirit,” said Senator Young. “Our bipartisan bill will help bring Americans together to engage respectfully and constructively, promoting positive conversation and greater unity across the nation.”

Service Year Alliance is doubling efforts to make service years more accessible through innovations tied to the corps member experience and opportunities for individuals after their service, and by unlocking additional federal and state resources to grow the number of positions available each year.

Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Reduce Polarization and Support Community Bridge-Building

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the Building Civic Bridges Act (BCBA), bipartisan legislation to support communities in addressing sources of division by aiding local civic and community organizations. These efforts aim to confront contentious issues and, ultimately, bridge divides.

A January 2022 NBC News poll revealed that 70% of Americans believe the country’s deep divisions prevent it from addressing major issues, a significant increase from 45% in 2010. This growing polarization raises concerns about the stability of American democracy. The poll also found that 76% of Americans, cutting across party lines, see democracy and majority rule in the U.S. as being at risk.

The Bipartisan Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship has highlighted a discrepancy in the U.S. government’s approach to fostering social cohesion. While the National Endowment for Democracy invests millions overseas in civic bridgebuilding to strengthen democracy, similar efforts are absent in the U.S.

“While the Administration's budget request includes important milestones that Service Year Alliance has championed for years - like continuing to increase the living allowance and supporting more American Climate Corps members,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance, "it does not keep us on track to make service an integral part of growing up in America, where it brings people together across lines of difference, creates opportunities for young people, and solves our most pressing challenges at scale.”

At Service Year Alliance, we envision a future where a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — is part of growing up in America. To make this vision a reality, we need innovative leadership from all sectors - and in just the first few weeks of 2024, we’re excited to see governors across the country taking the lead.

In Utah, during the State and National Service Symposium, Governor Cox announced the One Utah Service Fellowship, a new program that will meet state needs and engage young people in service that prepares them for postsecondary success. This announcement was complemented by an op-ed alongside Service Year Alliance’s Board of Directors Co-Chair, John Bridgeland, Let’s Put Service at the Center of National Renewal,” and followed Governor Cox’s executive orders on service in the fall, which includes encouraging state agencies to engage employees in service.

In New York, Governor Hochul utilized the state of the state to call for the creation of a new Office of Service and Civic Engagement within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. This office will include a Chief Service Officer responsible for leading service and civic engagement efforts and launching the “Empire State Service Corps Program” in partnership with the State University of New York to connect students with opportunities to serve their communities. These actions will complement the work of the NY State Commission on National and Community Service and - we hope - engage the three Service Year Impact Communities working to bolster service years in New York City, Poughkeepsie, and Western New York.

Service Year Alliance applauds New York Governor Kathy Hochul for creating the new Office of Service and Civic Engagement. This action elevates service in the Empire State by prioritizing service within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and appointing a Chief Service Officer. The Chief Service Officer will lead service and civic engagement efforts and launch the “Empire State Service Corps Program” in partnership with the State University of New York to connect students with opportunities to serve their communities.

Just this week, Service Year Alliance, in partnership with America’s Service Commissions and More Perfect, released the State Innovations in National Service & Volunteering report, demonstrating how governors and state legislators can catalyze a wide range of innovations that help meet the needs of their states through service and volunteerism. “With this announcement, New York joins a growing group of states that recognizes the transformative impact service years have on communities and the individuals that serve," said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “We are thrilled to see Governor Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Delgado prioritizing service years and look forward to learning more about their plans for connecting New Yorkers to service opportunities.”

Service Year Alliance is pleased to share the State Innovations in National Service & Volunteering report, co-authored with More Perfect and America’s Service Commissions. This report showcases how state leaders are thinking differently about how they can deploy service as a strategy to meet pressing needs in communities. 

“In collaboration with our partners More Perfect and America’s Service Commissions, we are thrilled to lift up these state innovations in service,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “This report demonstrates how governors and state legislators can influence, implement, support, and catalyze a wide range of innovations that help meet the unique needs of their states. Whether responding to disasters, improving food security for individuals and families, supporting veterans as they transition to civilian life, or expanding the capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet community needs, states have significant roles in utilizing service as a solution. These are more than examples, they are the inspiration we need to imagine what could be possible if every state and territory took innovative approaches to expanding and improving service years to strengthen communities, transform lives, and fuel civic renewal.” 

WASHINGTON–“Service Year Alliance commends today’s announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Departments of Commerce, Interior, Agriculture, Labor, and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and AmeriCorps to work together to implement the American Climate Corps. This interagency collaboration is a promising and important next step in bringing the vision of the American Climate Corps to life. 

Cassidy, Bennet, Bacon, Larson Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Provide Tax Relief for AmeriCorps Volunteers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) reintroduced the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. This legislation would provide tax relief for AmeriCorps members who earn Segal Education Awards to help pay for higher education costs that they earn through their service. U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-CT-01) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) also introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“AmeriCorps members dedicate their time to national service for the betterment of their communities,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The least we can do to honor their service is not stick them with taxes that other Americans don’t pay.”

“In Colorado and across the country, AmeriCorps volunteers contribute to our communities and help improve the lives of our kids and neighbors through countless hours of service,” said Senator Bennet. “Congress should recognize their commitment and help them further their education without an unnecessary burden. I’m grateful to work with my colleagues to ensure the education assistance they earn is not unfairly taxed."