Strengthening America's Counties

America’s surface transportation system connects our communities and powers the national economy, yet its roads face a $684 billion funding gap over the next decade. This report dives into the data on this issue.

By showcasing how county governments provide vital behavioral health services and resources and by advocating for key mental health reforms—including repealing harmful exclusionary Medicaid policies, bolstering local crisis response infrastructure, supporting the behavioral health workforce, and ensuring mental health parity—we can effect significant change.

NACo partners with thought leaders, industry partners and philanthropic organizations to identify and elevate best practices in key areas of county responsibility. NACo programming enhances public understanding of county government and supports the learning and development of America’s county leaders.

On May 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act), a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize surface transportation programs through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for five years. After continuous advocacy from NACo, county leaders and coalition partners, the BUILD America 250 Act contains a number of key county priorities.

NACo’s ​2026 federal policy priorities​ outline counties’ shared federal agenda and serve as a roadmap for our collective advocacy on the issues most critical to county governments and the communities we serve.

This resource hub brings together data, analysis and tools to support county leaders in expanding housing access and affordability for their residents. 

On April 30, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) by a vote of 224–200. 

This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of proposed increases, cuts or eliminations to key federal programs in the president’s budget appendix for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 that are relevant to county governments and a summary of the budget outlining items of note for county governments.

This explainer breaks down what federal permitting reform means, why it matters for counties and what’s happening in Washington. 

This toolkit is designed to help county leaders understand four of the top county policy wins that NACo fought to include in the FEMA Act, explain how these provisions would impact counties and provide clear, actionable guidance on how counties can advocate for the bill’s passage.