2020 NACo Advocacy Center

BACKGROUND

Visit NACo's COVID-19 resource hub to learn more.

Prior to adjourning for August recess, Congressional leaders and the administration failed to reach an agreement on a fifth COVID-19 relief package. Four relief packages had previously been enacted in response to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the latest relief package signed into law on April 23. Talks for a fifth relief package fell short as negotiators were unable to reach a compromise between the House’s “HEROES Act” and the Senate and Trump Administration’s “HEALS Act.” Throughout negotiations, counties urged federal leaders to work together and provide county governments with direct and flexible funding to counties of all sizes to further assist in mitigating the virus, protect the public’s health and restore the economy. For more information, visit NACo’s COVID-19 Pandemic Federal Policy News & Resources webpage.

COUNTY INTEREST

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, county governments and our residents are faced with devastating health and economic impacts. Counties remain on the frontlines of our nation’s ongoing local public health emergency response and overall public safety efforts. Led by 40,000 elected county officials and a workforce of 3.6 million public servants, America’s 3,069 counties support over 1,900 local public health departments, nearly 1,000 public hospitals and critical access clinics, more than 800 long-term care facilities and 750 behavioral health centers. As counties respond to the current health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to massive budgetary impacts for county governments and local taxpayers, with as much as $202 billion in lost revenue and increased expenditures through FY2021. Due to a drastic decrease in revenue, counties will continue to see a decline in local government jobs, impacting county run services. As of March 2020, local governments saw a decrease of 2.1 million jobs. 

TALKING POINTS

• As the nation's counties to grapple with this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, county governments are on the front lines, working to fulfill our vast frontline responsibilities, including essential public health, public safety and protective services for children and seniors.
• Counties invest directly in small businesses, broadband, public health, schools, nonprofits and more to serve residents and help the U.S. economy recover. Combined, counties nationwide invest $134 billion in infrastructure, $103 billion in education, $62 billion in human services and $102 billion in health and hospitals. Additionally, over 90 percent of counties engage in economic development initiatives and 99.7 percent of business establishments in counties are classified as small businesses.
• Led by 40,000 elected county officials and a workforce of 3.6 million public servants, America’s 3,069 counties support over 1,900 local public health departments, nearly 1,000 public hospitals and critical access clinics, more than 800 long-term care facilities and 750 behavioral health centers.
• NACo research finds that the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to massive budgetary impacts for county governments and local taxpayers, with as much as $202 billion in lost revenue and increased expenditures through FY2021.
• As the U.S. economy continues its slow, uneven recovery, the local government sector continues to lag behind. Local governments saw a decrease of almost 1 million jobs lost since March due to declines in revenue.
• As Congress and the administration work towards a COVID-19 relief pack, we urge our federal partners to ensure that counties of all sizes have access to additional direct, flexible funding to fight this pandemic, rebuild the economy and strengthen our communities.

TWEETS

Congress and the administration must act NOW and pass legislation that provides additional direct, flexible funding for counties of all sizes to fight this pandemic, rebuild the economy and strengthen our communities. [@YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS]

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FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

• Find your U.S. Senators here.
• Find your U.S. House member here.

BACKGROUND

Current federal law prohibits the use of federal funds and services, such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), for health care provided to inmates of a public institution – a category that includes our local jails. The policy, known as the Medicaid inmate exclusion policy (MIEP), was originally enacted in 1965 under the Social Security Act and intended to prevent state governments from shifting inmate care costs to federal programs. However, this practice has had an unintended consequence of cutting off federal health benefits to local jail inmates who are awaiting trial and presumed innocent Click here to view a policy brief for more information.

COUNTY INTEREST

Counties own and operate 91 percent, or 3,100, of local jails across the country, which see approximately 10.6 million individuals pass through each year, with an average length of stay of 25 days. Although two-thirds of those detainees are pre-trial and presumed innocent, current federal law prohibits Medicaid and other federal safety net programs from paying for their medical care, leaving counties responsible for the full cost of inmates’ health care, rather than the traditional federal, state and local partnership for safety-net services. NACo has created a toolkit and drafted a comprehensive report detailing the impact of this policy on county jails, inmates, and local communities, with relevant policy recommendations.  

TALKING POINTS

• Counties invest $176 billion in community health and justice and public safety services each year, including the entire cost of medical care for all detainees in the local justice system
• Counties operate 3,100 local jails that see approximately 10.6 million individuals pass through each year with an average length of stay of 25 days
• Although two-thirds of those detained in jails are pre-trial and are presumed innocent, due to federal law, counties bear the cost of medical care for all arrested and detained individuals

TWEET

Congress must act NOW and pass legislation to amend the Medicaid inmate exclusion policy [@YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS]

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EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. House Energey & Commerce Committee
• U.S. Senate Finance Committee

Surface Transportation Reauthorization

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

Broadband Infrastructure

BACKGROUND

Congress is working towards a long-term surface transportation reauthorization, as the current law – the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (P.L. 114-94/FAST Act) – expired on September 30, 2021. This historically bipartisan bill includes significant policy and funding provisions to improve and enhance the nation’s transportation systems. Including highway and bridge construction and maintenance, highway and motor vehicle safety, public transportation, rail, hazardous materials safety and research, technology and statistics program. To learn more about county transportation infrastructure priorities, click here.

COUNTY INTEREST

Counties play a critical role in the nation’s transportation system, owning 45 percent of all public roads and building and maintaining 38 percent of the National Bridge Inventory. Counties operate 78 percent of all public transit agencies and 34 percent of public airports that connect residents, communities and businesses with the global economy.

TALKING POINTS

• Counties play a critical role in the nation’s transportation system, owning 45 percent of all public roads and building and maintaining 38 percent of the National Bridge Inventory.
• Counties directly support 78 percent of all public transit agencies and 34 percent of public airports that connect residents, communities and businesses with the global economy.
• Any new infrastructure legislation or administrative action should accomplish the following goals:
  • Establish a strong federal-state-local intergovernmental partnership that maintains local decision-making
  • Allocate direct funding for locally owned infrastructure
  • Preserve the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds
  • Streamline the federal permitting process
  • Ensure the long-term certainty and solvency of the federal Highway Trust Fund

TWEET

Counties play a critical role in the nation’s transportation system. Congress MUST include direct funding for locally owned infrastructure in any new infrastructure package [@YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS]

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EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means
• U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
• U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
• U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
• U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

BACKGROUND

Congress is working towards a two-year Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization bill, as the current law – the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-270) – expired on September 30, 2020. WRDA bills authorize water resources studies and projects and set policies for navigation, flood control, hydropower, recreation, water supply and emergency management for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.  This legislation is usually passed on a biennial basis and addresses county interests related to ports, inland waterways, levees, dams, wetlands, watersheds and coastal restoration. Counties often partner with the Army Corps to strengthen local infrastructure. To learn more about county water infrastructure priorities, click here.

COUNTY INTEREST

As major owners, users and regulators of water resources and systems with the responsibility for funding 95 percent of all local public water infrastructure needs, counties and other local governments are directly impacted by the policies and funding authorized under WRDA. Counties invest $134 billion annually in the construction of infrastructure and the maintenance and operation of public works, including public water systems and water infrastructure projects.

TALKING POINTS

Counties are major owners, users and regulators of water resources and systems with the responsibility for funding 95 percent of all local public water infrastructure needs

Any WRDA legislation should include the following county priorities

• Improve consultation with local governments on projects
• Extend Section 404 permits from five to ten years
• Reauthorize the State Revolving Loan Fund, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund
• Unlock the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
• Revise the process to assess benefits of federally funded water infrastructure projects
• Increase funding for the use of natural infrastructure to mitigate the risk of storms and flooding and improve resiliency
• Support research into harmful algal bloom prevention and mitigation
• Increase funding for publicly owned dams and levees
• Invest in transboundary water and sewage infrastructure along U.S./international borders
• Fund continued education and scientific studies on ocean acidification

TWEET

Counties play a critical role in building and maintain the nation’s water infrastructure. Congress MUST include county priorities in WRDA [@YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS]

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EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS

BACKGROUND

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, Americans are relying on dependable, high-speed internet to perform their job or attend school in a virtual setting. Counties are strongly committed in advancing broadband deployment and accessibility while preserving local decision-making. However, there are federal and state efforts to prevent local governments from serving as effective stewards of public property, safety, and welfare. 

In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed regulations restricting local authority in the deployment of 5G wireless networks, putting public health and safety at risk. Specifically, the FCC order constrains local governments to a narrow application approval timeline – effectively preventing local governments from conducting necessary procedures such as providing open public comment periods as well as historical preservation and environmental reviews.

Concurrently, county governments in 22 states are restricted from making critical investments in local broadband networks due to state-imposed bans and restrictions. These barriers are preventing local governments from effectively and efficiently addressing the challenges of this public health pandemic and looming economic crisis. NACo  supports the Accelerating Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communties Act of 2019 (H.R. 530 / S. 2012) and the Community Broadband Act (H.R. 2785 / S. 3649) which would remove these barriers and empower communities to provide connectivity solutions during this critical time.

COUNTY INTEREST

Connectivity issues continue to plague counties across the United States. Approximately 19 million Americans lack access to even basic broadband services. Connectivity is imperative for economic competitiveness in the 21st century. From e-commerce and the gig economy to distance learning and tele-health facilities — county residents’ daily lives are increasingly reliant on a certain level of connectivity. Counties must fulfill our responsibilities as trustees of public property and as protectors of public safety and health during the deployment process.

TALKING POINTS

• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, Americans are relying on dependable, high-speed internet to perform their job or attend school in a virtual setting.
• Counties rely on providing access to affordable high-speed internet as an essential element for long-term economic development.
• Counties are strongly committed in advancing broadband deployment and accessibility while preserving local decision-making. However, there are federal and state efforts to usurp local control of broadband deployment.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed regulations restricting local authority – and the will of the people – in the deployment of 5G wireless networks in neighborhoods across the country.
• Twenty-two states have imposed restrictions or outright bans preventing local governments from investing in local broadband infrastructure.
• NACo supports the Accelerating Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communities Act of 2019 (H.R. 530 / S. 2012) and the Community Broadband Act (H.R. 2785 / S. 3649).

TWEET

Congress MUST pass the Accelerating Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communities Act of 2019 (H.R. 530 / S. 2012) and the Community Broadband Act (H.R. 2785 / S. 3649) to protect local authority over public property and rights of way. 

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EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
• U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE AND TRANSPORTATION

Background

NACo supports restoring full mandatory funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which compensates public lands counties for untaxable federal land. NACo also supports extending the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program as a transitional funding mechanism until the federal government fully implements a sustainable, long-term forest management program with adequate revenue sharing for forest counties and schools.

County Interest

Over 1,900 counties (61.6 percent) in 49 state states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands benefit from PILT and SRS. These counties rely on PILT and SRS to support critical county services, including law enforcement, search and rescue, fire protection, forest maintenance, education and transportation infrastructure.

TALKING POINTs

Payments in Lieu of Taxes

• The PILT program provides payments to counties and other local governments to offset losses in tax revenues due to the presence of substantial federal land within their county.
• Because local governments are unable to tax the property values or products derived from federal lands, PILT payments are necessary to support essential, mandated local government services such as education, emergency services, transportation infrastructure, law enforcement and health care in over 1,900 counties.
• Without predictable mandatory funding, PILT will remain a discretionary program subject to the annual appropriations process.

Secure Rural Schools

• If not reauthorized for FY 2021 and beyond, the expiration of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination (SRS) Act at the end of FY 2020 will create budgetary shortfalls for over 700 rural counties across the United States. When the authorization for SRS lapsed in FY 2016, federal forest payments to counties decreased by over 80 percent on average.
• Ask your member of Congress to pass legislation that provides adequate forest revenue sharing payments to counties and promotes active natural resource management for the stability and well-being of forest counties and communities. NACo encourages Congress to act quickly to reauthorize the SRS program, a critical safety-net for forest counties, and improve federal forest management practices.
• While the Senate and House of Representatives continue to discuss options for funding the SRS program, NACo urges leadership in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle to work together to enact a long-term, sustainable solution, such as S. 1643.

TWEET

The administration and members of Congress MUST support long-term predictable full funding for PILT in FY 2021 and beyond [@ YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS]

Congress should act NOW and reauthorize the SRS program, a critical safety-net for forest counties, and improve federal forest management practices [@ YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS]

POST ON FACEBOOK

Click here to post about PILT on Facebook. Click here to post about SRS.

EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
• U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Video Background

Background

NACo supports efforts that recognize and respect the unique roles and responsibilities of counties as essential partners — not just stakeholder — in our nation’s intergovernmental system of federal, state, local and tribal government officials. Consistent and meaningful engagement and consultation between

intergovernmental partners is vital in the development and implementation of effective policies, programs and regulations. NACo urges Congress to pass the Restore the Partnership Act (H.R. 3883 / S. 2967) and the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act (H.R. 300 / S. 3689) to increase transparency to reduce regulatory burden, foster intergovernmental dialogue and unite all levels of government in supporting our unparalleled system of federalism. For more information, click here.

County Interest

Counties are responsible for a wide range of issues, including public infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, economic development, criminal justice and law enforcement, and many others. While some of these responsibilities are unique to counties, in many cases we work with our state and federal partners to achieve optimal solutions. We often serve as co-regulators with our state and federal counterparts. While policies and programs established by the federal government are intended to guide and coordinate efforts, they are ultimately implemented and enforced at the state and local levels. When the cost of unfunded mandates outweighs available funds at the local level, counties often have to make difficult budget choices on services needed in their communities.

Talking Points

• Federalism is an important feature of our governmental system, and it is important that all levels of government work together to solve our shared challenges.
• Reconstituting the Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) would help shine a spotlight both on areas of potential improvement as well as examples of successful collaboration.

Tweet

Congress must pass the Restore the Partnership Act (H.R. 3883 / S. 2967) and the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act (H.R. 300 / S. 3689), which will help strengthening the federal, state and local partnership.

Post on Facebook

Click here to post about this issue on Facebook.

Email Your Members of Congress

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

Find Your Members of Congress

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means
• U.S. Senate Finance Committee

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the landscape of the 2020 election cycle. America’s counties traditionally administer and fund elections at the local level, overseeing more than 109,000 polling places and coordinating more than 694,000 poll workers every two years. Beyond these traditional requirements, counties are now grappling with even more costly election-related challenges from providing additional voting options, keeping polling locations clean and complying with social distancing mandates.

NACo supports federal policies that provide flexibility for local decision making and increased federal investments in the nation’s elections system. Furthermore, NACo supports a consistent, predictable and dedicated federal funding stream to assist counties with meeting the significant federal requirements already imposed on local governments administering elections and additional federal resources to meet current challenges local elections officials face due to COVID-19.  We also support efforts by Congress and the administration to combat cybersecurity threats in a way that is inclusive of county election and technology officials. For more information, click here.

COUNTY INTEREST

Administering and financing elections is an essential role and major responsibility for counties nationwide. Between the 2016 and 2018 general elections, county jurisdictions process over 73 million registration forms. In the 2018 general elections, more than 109 million voters, or almost 91 percent of voters nationwide, cast their ballots with jurisdictions where counties administer and coordinate elections.

Along with administering elections, county officials work tirelessly to preserve the integrity and security of America’s elections. Local governments protect against hacks to voter rolls to alter data and attempts to remove election information from county websites. Counties hire and train poll workers to ensure they are well equipped to assist voters and protect against voter fraud or other security risks. Additionally, election officials are prepared for a wide range of “hard security” challenges at polling locations, including mitigating natural disasters, following protocols for an active shooter or fire and other emergencies. Voter fraud in America is essentially non-existent due in large part to the efforts and actions taken by county election officials every single day.

TALKING POINTs

• As administrators and financers of our elections, counties work to ensure our elections are safe, fair and secure.
• Counties oversee more than 109,000 polling places and coordinating more than 694,000 poll workers every two years.
• Beyond traditional election requirements, counties are now grappling with even more costly election-related challenges from providing additional voting options, keeping polling locations clean and complying with social distancing mandates.
• Counties need consistent, predictable and dedicated federal funding stream to assist local elections officials with meeting the significant federal requirements already imposed on local governments administering elections.
• Counties urges federal lawmakers to protect local control over election administration and oppose mandates and specific requirements regarding equipment, procedures and personnel responsibilities.

TWEET

Congress MUST pass legislation that provides consistent, predictable and dedicated federal resources to help counties administer fair and secure elections and additional federal resources to meet current challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

POST ON FACEBOOK

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EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

NACo has created an email template to get you started. Click here to download and use the links below to find your committee members.

FIND YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Relevant Committees with Jurisdiction (Find Your Member):

• U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
• U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION
• U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
• U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS