Sen. Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, has introduced legislation that would make the estate tax permanent and at levels that are already in effect this year, reports Government and Politics Watch, The Chronicle’s online column.

Plus:

• Independent Sector, a coalition of charities and foundations, has issued a statement saying that President Obama’s proposal to limit some charitable deductions to help finance a plan to reshape the country’s health-care system presents a “Solomon’s choice” for the charitable world.

• The national-service bill passed by the Senate last week relaxed restrictions on lobbying and other political activities that were adopted by the House of Representatives, easing the concerns of nonprofit advocacy groups.

• More than a quarter of the grant money awarded last year by donor-advised funds held at community foundations supported basic social services, such as hunger-relief and health-care programs, according to a new survey. The survey was designed to strengthen support for the funds among members of Congress.