Biden: American Rescue Plan key to pandemic recovery for counties
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County NewsBiden to Legislative Conference attendees: "County officials have a partner in my administration."... "I know there’s a lot to do, I really do, but I know we can do this together — Republican, Democrat, we can do this together.”Biden: American Rescue Plan key to pandemic recovery for counties
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County News Article
Biden: American Rescue Plan key to pandemic recovery for counties
With the passing of the American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden’s message to county officials was clear: Help is here.
The $350 billion allocation to state and local governments is the most significant investment in county and local governments in the history of the country, Biden told NACo members Wednesday, March 24 during the 2021 Virtual NACo Legislative Conference.
“It comes with flexibility to address your specific needs,” he explained.
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Watch Biden's address to NACo
County officials have a partner in his administration when it comes to fighting the pandemic, improving the economy, reopening schools, rooting out systemic racism, tackling the climate crisis, budgeting and continuing essential services, he said.
“You’ve heard me say before as a former councilman that I know what a hard job you have,” he said. “Your work is often the basis on which people either have faith or don’t have faith in their government because you’re the direct contact.”
The American Rescue Plan puts the country on a path to reopen schools safely and quickly, support small businesses in counties and cut child poverty in half as well as provide the resources needed to beat the pandemic including for vaccines, vaccinators and vaccination sites to allow every adult to be eligible for a vaccine by May.
“So that on July 4, we can begin to declare our independence from this virus, a true Independence Day,” Biden said.
Biden recently appointed economist Gene Sperling, who is experienced in implementing major government initiatives, to oversee the implementation of the American Rescue Plan. Biden said relief will arrive quickly, equitably and efficiently.
He also referenced his Build Back Better Recovery Plan, which he said his administration will continue to work closely with counties on the long-term investments in infrastructure, broadband, and in other areas.
“I know there’s a lot to do, I really do, but I know we can do this together — Republican, Democrat, we can do this together,” he said. “I want to thank you all for doing what your communities and your country needs so badly because you’re right there, you’re among the first government responders.”
Biden to Legislative Conference attendees: "County officials have a partner in my administration."... "I know there’s a lot to do, I really do, but I know we can do this together — Republican, Democrat, we can do this together.”2021-03-24County News Article2021-04-02
With the passing of the American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden’s message to county officials was clear: Help is here.
The $350 billion allocation to state and local governments is the most significant investment in county and local governments in the history of the country, Biden told NACo members Wednesday, March 24 during the 2021 Virtual NACo Legislative Conference.
“It comes with flexibility to address your specific needs,” he explained.
See More
County officials have a partner in his administration when it comes to fighting the pandemic, improving the economy, reopening schools, rooting out systemic racism, tackling the climate crisis, budgeting and continuing essential services, he said.
“You’ve heard me say before as a former councilman that I know what a hard job you have,” he said. “Your work is often the basis on which people either have faith or don’t have faith in their government because you’re the direct contact.”
The American Rescue Plan puts the country on a path to reopen schools safely and quickly, support small businesses in counties and cut child poverty in half as well as provide the resources needed to beat the pandemic including for vaccines, vaccinators and vaccination sites to allow every adult to be eligible for a vaccine by May.
“So that on July 4, we can begin to declare our independence from this virus, a true Independence Day,” Biden said.
Biden recently appointed economist Gene Sperling, who is experienced in implementing major government initiatives, to oversee the implementation of the American Rescue Plan. Biden said relief will arrive quickly, equitably and efficiently.
He also referenced his Build Back Better Recovery Plan, which he said his administration will continue to work closely with counties on the long-term investments in infrastructure, broadband, and in other areas.
“I know there’s a lot to do, I really do, but I know we can do this together — Republican, Democrat, we can do this together,” he said. “I want to thank you all for doing what your communities and your country needs so badly because you’re right there, you’re among the first government responders.”

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Video
President Joe Biden Addresses #NACoLeg
President Joseph R. Biden offers remarks during the general session at the 2021 NACo Virtual Legislative Conference.
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Reports & Toolkits
Strengthening Local Economies through the Recovery Fund: Executive Summary
NACo's report examines how counties are leveraging American Rescue Plan resources to support communities and rebuild the economy, even as the pandemic continues to affect jobs, public health, housing, and more. -
Reports & Toolkits
American Rescue Plan Resource Hub
In March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 authorized the $350 billion State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund), which provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to every county in America. -
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader urges U.S. Treasury to specify capacity building for competitive federal funding opportunities as an eligible use of Recovery Funds
On March 6, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Department to allow American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to be used to fund capacity building investments in order to access new competitive federal funding opportunities.
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Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues.</p>
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President Biden releases FY 2024 budget request that includes county priorities
On March 9, 2023, President Biden released his fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request outlining the administration’s proposal for federal spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024. -
Blog
U.S. Senate Majority Leader urges U.S. Treasury to specify capacity building for competitive federal funding opportunities as an eligible use of Recovery Funds
On March 6, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Department to allow American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to be used to fund capacity building investments in order to access new competitive federal funding opportunities. -
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Treasury releases Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund payments to eligible consolidated city-county governments
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Reports & Toolkits
Strengthening Local Economies through the Recovery Fund: Executive Summary
NACo's report examines how counties are leveraging American Rescue Plan resources to support communities and rebuild the economy, even as the pandemic continues to affect jobs, public health, housing, and more. -
Reports & Toolkits
American Rescue Plan Resource Hub
In March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 authorized the $350 billion State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund), which provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to every county in America.
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