Equitable Governance: 2022 NACo DEI County Convening, Strategies for Governing with Equity
The National Association of Counties hosted a full-day diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) county convening before NACo’s 2022 Annual Conference to discuss the importance of equity in governance and how to strategically align efforts at the county level. The convening brought together over 50 participants from over 20 counties who sent a team comprised of a DEI practitioner, county administrator and elected official. Throughout the convening, attendees discussed the unique challenges and opportunities they see in their distinct roles and explored how to advance the principles of DEI by considering community data differently. Equitable Governance: 2022 NACo DEI County Convening, Key County Roles, Opportunities and Strategies for Governing with Equity lays out key takeaways from the convening.
County News
County News Spotlight: DEI Strategies
FCC considers preemption of local authorities in broadband permitting process
Counties are partners in broadband deployment efforts – not barriers – and pursuing one-size-fits-all regulations will further burden progress towards closing the digital divide
U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee introduces 2026 Water Resources Development Act
On June 26, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee released text of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA). The WRDA legislation supports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by authorizing water resources studies and projects and sets policies for navigation, flood control, hydropower, recreation, water supply and emergency management for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). WRDA 2026 authorizes 131 new feasibility studies and 10 new construction projects.
Designation period opens July 1 for new Opportunity Zones
Counties active in the Opportunity Zone process are highlighting census tracts that are ready for work to begin and where local, state and national economic development priorities are aligned.
NACo joins letter calling on U.S. House to vote on surface transportation legislation
On June 15, NACo joined a letter calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a floor vote on the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act (H.R. 8870). The bill would reauthorize and reorganize federal highway and surface transportation programs for 5 years.
NACo testifies before Congress on national forest partnerships, urges long-term SRS reauthorization
Modoc County, Calif. Supervisor Ned Coe testified before the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture on behalf of NACo this week, making the case for stronger federal-county partnerships in national forest management — and urging Congress to act on Secure Rural Schools (SRS) reauthorization before the program lapses at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026.
Illinois county mental health center first in state to serve youth, adults
DuPage County, Ill. worked for nearly a decade to acquire the funding and public policy changes needed to create its Crisis Recovery Center.