* political issues

Calling President Clinton's proposed tax on nonprofit organizations "crippling," association leaders descended on Congress in March to voice their vehement opposition. Under the provision in the Administration's fiscal year 2000 budget, taxes would be assessed on the income associations receive from interest, dividends, rents, and royalties. That means associations would pay about an additional $1.4 billion over the next five years, according to the American Society of Association Executives.