Capital Loop - Feb. 20, 2017

Congress revokes BLM Planning Rule in win for counties

The Senate voted to strike down a Bureau of Land Management rule (BLM Planning 2.0 rule) that county officials say would have diluted county input into federal land management and hinder local government consultation and collaboration with BLM. Previously passed by the House, the measure now goes to President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law. NACo joined with more than 60 other groups of public lands stakeholders to strike down the Planning 2.0 rule. Read more

 

NACo testifies on county role in disasters

Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee member Nick Crossley testified before a House subcommittee on the role of counties in protecting the nation from natural and manmade disasters and the importance of federal support for local emergency management agencies. Crossley, director of emergency management and homeland security in Hamilton County, Ohio testified  March 16 on behalf of NACo and the International Association of Emergency Managers, a NACo affiliate.

NACo supports PILT, SRS in House testimony

Valley County, Idaho Commissioner Gordon Cruickshank testified before the House Natural Resources Committee’s Federal Lands Subcommittee to discuss innovative infrastructure ideas for the National Park Service and Forest Service. Cruickshank’s remarks, March 16, focused on the key role of counties in building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure and the importance of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs in supporting county infrastructure priorities, particularly for public lands counties.

NACo advocates strengthening USDA rural programs in next farm bill

It is imperative that the Department of Agriculture strengthen its Rural Development programs in the next Farm Bill, Commissioner Bob Fox of Renville County, Minn. recently told the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit. Fox emphasized that the upcoming farm bll is critical to the vitality of underserved communities and to the positioning of rural America to compete in a global economy. Read more

Labor Department announces $12 million to transition homeless vets into jobs

The Labor Department recently announced it has $12 million available for the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program. Housing and Urban Development estimates there are nearly 40,000 homeless veterans across the country. The new funding is available to counties for efforts that help transition vets back into the workforce. Grant amounts are capped at $500,000 and do not require matching funds. Read more