Michael Matthews
Legislative Director, Community, Economic & Workforce Development | Veterans and Military Services Committee
About Michael Matthews
Michael is the legislative director for community, economic and workforce development. In this role, Michael staffs NACo’s Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee and works with county officials from across the country to set organizational priorities and policies for community, economic and workforce development issues that affect local governments. He also serves as the staff liaison to the NACo Veterans and Military Services Committee.
Prior to joining NACo, Michael worked for the Association for Career and Technical Education, Congressman Anthony G. Brown (D-Md.), and multiple political campaigns throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Salisbury University and a Master of Public Administration from Wilmington University.
HUD withdraws proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule
On January 16, 2025 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published in the Federal Register a withdrawal of a proposed affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) rule from February 2023. The 2023 proposed rule incorporated much of the framework of a 2015 AFFH rule and would have required program participants to submit an equity plan to HUD every five years.
Congress reauthorizes Economic Development Administration for first time in 20 years
The agreement, for the first time in 20 years, would reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Congress enacts federal funding for County Veteran Service Officers
On December 16, the U.S. House passed the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This omnibus-style legislation compiled several proposals that seek to modernize the delivery of healthcare, benefits and services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Congressional movement on flawed workforce reauthorization legislation
The U.S. House Education and Workforce and U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee leadership released their bipartisan, bicameral agreement to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) – A Stronger Workforce for America Act. Congressional leadership is now working to gain support for the negotiated bill text during the lame duck session.
House advances measure with resources for county veteran service officers
On November 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, on a bipartisan 389-9 vote, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), known as the Dole Act.
U.S. Department of the Treasury issues notice regarding ERA fraud repayments
On October 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General sent a joint notice to all grantees and subrecipients of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program stating that Treasury is requiring grantees to reimburse the agency or their own ERA programs for any ERA funds that were disbursed due to fraud or unallowable expenses.