FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2009
CONTACT: Jim Philipps
202-745-2124 (Press Room at hotel)
jphilipps@naco.org
Stimulus package, economy, take center stage for NACo’s 2009 Legislative Conference, March 7-11
More than 2,000 county officials to Restore the Partnership with Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Therecently-enacted $787 billion economic stimulus package will be the main focus for more than2,000 elected and appointed county officials from around the country during the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2009 Legislative Conference, March 7-11, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Featured guest speakers include U.S. Department of Homeland SecuritySecretary Janet Napolitano, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd.
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, contains several provisions and billions of dollars critical to the nation’s counties and their residents. Facing shrinking revenues and increased demand for public services, many counties are struggling to close large budget shortfalls. The stimulus bill, NACo believes, will play a central role in helping to create jobs and spur economic recovery across the country.
“NACo is committed to Restore the Partnership between the federal government and America’scounties,” said NACo President Don Stapley, supervisor, Maricopa County, Ariz. “The stimulus bill is a welcomed and historic first step by the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress toward that goal. It is our intention to continue to build on this early success on behalf of our shared constituents during NACo’s 2009 Legislative Conference.”
During the five-day conference, county officials will learn more about what is in the stimulus package and how they can best utilize the federal resources. They will participate in educational workshops to explore strategies to cope with the economic downturn back home. Workshop titles include: Safe Investments and Deposits; The Neighborhood Stabilization Program; Housing Stimulus and the New Congress; The Economy, Wall Street and Main Street - Impact on the Public and Counties; Maximizing Funding Opportunities for Your County in the New Farm Bill; NACo’s Prescription Drug Discount Card Program: Best Practices to Help More County Residents During Tough Times; Leveraging One Stop Centers to Address Unemployment; and Connecting Social Services with the Communities You Serve.
County officials will discuss 2009 Key Legislative Priorities and county programs, meet with members of Congress and hear from prominent national leaders and commentators.
Confirmed featured speakers include:
- Chuck Todd, NBC News’ Chief White House Correspondent and Political Director
(Opening General Session, 1:30-3:30, Monday, March 9)
- Valerie Jarrett, White House Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison
(Opening General Session, 1:30-3:30, Monday, March 9)
- Secretary Shaun Donovan, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(General Session, 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, March 10)
- Secretary Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Energy
(General Session, 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, March 10)
- Secretary Ken Salazar, U.S. Department of the Interior
(General Session, 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, March 10)
- Secretary Janet Napolitano, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(Members luncheon, 12:15-2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 10)
Information about other guest speakers is available upon request.
Other business at NACo’s 2009 Legislative Conference
NACo’s 11 steering committees will meet during the conference to review and make recommendations on issues and legislation important to counties and communities. The issues that the committees cover include justice and public safety, agriculture and rural affairs, taxes, environment and energy, telecommunications, economic and community development, healthcare, human services, education, labor and employment, public lands, and transportation.
The policy development process initiated by the steering committees leads to the publication of the American County Platform, which NACo uses as a guide to deliver the county government message to the administration, Congress and the American public.
In addition to the steering committees, NACo has organized caucuses -- the Rural Action Caucus and the Large Urban County Caucus -- to perform targeted advocacy efforts focused on specific needs of large urban counties and rural counties.
Members of the working media must present credentials at the Press Room, located in the Taft Room (Mezzzanine Level), to obtain a NACo Press Badge. For more information about NACo or the conference beginning Saturday, March 7, contact Jim Philipps at the Press Room at the hotel at 202-745-2124 or jphilipps@naco.org.
###
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,068 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public's understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money. For more information about NACo, visit www.naco.org
|
