The County Countdown – October 23, 2023
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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 and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week.
2024 Appropriations
NACo urges Congress to finalize fiscal year 2024 appropriations without delay, to stave off a potential government shutdown.
- Making our voice heard: NACo sent a letter to congressional leadership detailing county priorities.
- Areas of emphasis include:
- Funding for behavioral and mental health programs
- The Community Development Block Grant program, HOME Investment Partnerships, and the Affordable Connectivity program
- Election security grants via the Help America Vote Act, and
- Full support for Payments in Lieu of Taxes and the extension of Secure Rural Schools.
Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Symposium
The LUCC Symposium, held this month in Orange County, Fla., offered a productive platform for county officials and our partners.
- County-led solutions: The symposium featured in-depth dialogues on disaster readiness and response, housing affordability, mental and behavioral health, and artificial intelligence.
- Survey: Were you there? Share your thoughts in the attendee survey!
Federal Grants
NACo supports the bipartisan Streamlining Federal Grants Act, introduced last month. The bill would facilitate more straightforward grant application processes for counties.
- Key takeaway: The legislation tasks the Office of Management and Budget with guiding federal agencies towards streamlined grant application processes.
- Support for counties: The legislation includes a special focus on aiding counties, particularly rural counties, in accessing grant opportunities.
Black Maternal and Infant Mortality
On October 16, NACo hosted an event on disproportionate Black maternal and infant mortality rates.
- A collaborative effort: County leaders, federal officials and thought partners identified actionable policy solutions to address this public health crisis.
- Catch up: Watch the recording here.
2024 NACo Legislative Conference
The 2024 NACo Legislative Conference is scheduled for February 10-13 in Washington, D.C.
- Join your peers: The conference convenes nearly 2,000 county officials to tackle federal policy matters impacting counties and citizens.
- Highlights: This year’s conference will include policy sessions, opportunities to engage with members of Congress, and robust interactions with federal agency representatives.
- Register today to secure early bird rates and hotel availability.
NACo sends letter to congressional leadership urging prioritization of county activities in FY 2024 appropriations
NACo has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the FY 2024 appropriations process.
2023 Large Urban County Caucus Symposium
The 2023 NACo Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Symposium will gather county executives, governing board members and other senior elected officials alongside national thought leaders and partners in Orange County, Florida to identify urban challenges and elevate solutions through peer-to-peer information exchanges and national policy discussions.
Improving access to federal grants through the Streamlining Federal Grants Act
The Streamlining Federal Grants Act simplifies the grant application process for local governments to improve access to federal grant funding.
Breaking Down Silos to Address Maternal and Infant Mortality: Lessons from the Local Level
Join NACo for a briefing focused on innovative county solutions to address disproportionate Black maternal and infant mortality rates
2024 NACo Legislative Conference
The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.
U.S. Congress passes continuing resolution to fund the government until March 14, 2025
The U.S. Congress passed a second Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown through March 14, 2025.
Congress sends Social Security reform bill to President's desk
The U.S. Congress passed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act which would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision.
County Countdown – December 16, 2024
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Local Workforce Stakeholders Urge Congress to Revise Workforce Reauthorization Legislation
On behalf of the nation’s counties, cities, towns and villages, NACo, the National League of Cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors issued the following statement regarding the bicameral draft agreement to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, titled A Stronger Workforce for America Act:
NACo Legal Advocacy: City of Seattle et al. v. Kia/Hyundai
The question at hand in City of Seattle et al. v. Kia/Hyundai is whether or not the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard preempts state tort claims brought forth by local governments alleging that Kia and Hyundai’s failure to install “reasonable” anti-theft technology constitutes negligence and public nuisance.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Perttu v. Richards
Perttu v. Richards has implications on the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) and could increase the amount of Section 1983 inmate-initiated cases against county jails that reach federal court, ultimately resulting in counties having to expend resources on frivolous lawsuits.
Conference
2024 NACo Legislative Conference
The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.
