URBAN PANHANDLING LAWS HURTING NON PROFIT FUND RAISING

USA Today - Communities seeking to prevent panhandlers from venturing into streets are stirring controversy with bans that also prevent people from approaching vehicles to ask for charitable donations. The ordinances' advocates say they must apply to everyone to ensure safety and preclude legal challenges, but groups such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association say such bans hurt fundraising. "It's popping up all over the country" and is "a huge issue for us," says MDA spokesman Bob Mackle. Firefighters raised $28.5 million this year. When Dallas passed a panhandling ban that included charity solicitations, MDA collections dropped from $260,000 to less than $50,000. The Texas Legislature voted to exempt firefighters, who raised $270,000 this year, Mackle says.