Capital Loop - Feb. 20, 2017

NACo advocates for county transportation priorities at infrastructure hearing

NACo Central Region Representative Cindy Bobbitt, chair of the Grant County, Okla. Board of Commissioners, testified before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. She emphasized counties’ vast transportation infrastructure responsibilities, noting that county infrastructure plays a critical role in moving freight and other goods to market. Read more here 

 

115th Congress considers repeal of ‘Cadillac tax’

The tax on employer-sponsored health coverage, which takes effect in 2020, would impose a 40 percent tax on coverage that exceeds thresholds established by the Affordable Care Act. Read more here

House passes resolution disapproving BLM’s Planning 2.0 rule

NACo expressed concern that the federal Bureau of Land Management’s Planning 2.0 rule, as written, could dilute county input into land management decisions and hinder local government consultation and collaboration with the agency. Read more here

House moves to eliminate federal agency that protects election security

The Election Assistance Commission Termination Act would eliminate an independent, bipartisan agency tasked with helping states secure voting systems and making sure voting machines cannot be hacked. Read more here

Bill introduced to stop EPA Risk Management Program rule update

The revisions to the rule contain several significant changes, including modifying third-party compliance audits, coordination with emergency response agencies and information-sharing with the public. Read more here

OMB releases guidance on Trump order to reduce federal regulations

The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs issued clarifying guidance for federal agencies on President Trump’s executive order requiring that two regulations be removed for each new regulation issued. Read more here

Trump administration pushes for Dakota Access Pipeline

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the final easement permit needed to complete construction on the 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), allowing construction to begin immediately. The decision came just two weeks after President Trump released a January presidential order that instructed all federal agencies involved with the DAPL project to accelerate the review process. A court challenge is pending. Read more here