County Countdown – July 31, 2024

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.

Watch the video – a special edition featuring interviews from this year’s NACo Annual Conference – and explore NACo resources below.

At this year's Annual Conference, NACo's membership approved over 140 resolutions and platform changes. The American County Platform will drive our advocacy throughout the next 12 months.

Secure Rural Schools

National forest counties rely on Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments to provide critical services, including infrastructure, conservation, search and rescue, and fire prevention.

• We spoke with Stevens County, Wash. Commissioner Wes McCart, who introduced a resolution related to county road funding for forest health. Watch the video here.
• Learn more: Review background on this issue and learn how to take action here.
• Explore SRS data: NACo’s County Explorer tool allows you to browse county SRS profiles and other data.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program expands access to high-speed internet.

• We spoke to Lake County, Ill. Board Member Jennifer Clark, who chairs Lake County's Special Committee on Broadband. Watch the video here.  
• Policy advocacy update: The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 would provide $7 billion to keep the program operational – learn more here. 

Farm Bill

NACo remains engaged in evolving conversations about the 2024 Farm Bill Reauthorization.

• We spoke to Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur, vice chair of NACo's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering Committee. Watch the video here.  
• Get up to speed: Study up with this Farm Bill primer and discover key issues for counties.  

Election Administration

Especially in presidential election years, counties have a unique opportunity to advocate for resources to support election administration.

• We spoke to Santa Fe County, N.M. Clerk Katharine Clark, who sponsored a platform change and seven policy resolutions focused on federal support for county election administration. Watch the video here.
• Explaining the county role: Review and share this resource on federal election funding.