Human Services & Education Policy Steering Committee

On May 13, during the 13th Annual Infrastructure Week, NACo hosted a working group discussion titled “The Case for Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds” with Commissioner Eileen Higgins of Miami-Dade County, Fla. 

Counties support the full local flexibility of the E-Rate program and a continuation of funding to meet community needs for digital adoption and to close the homework gap.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) sent termination of funding letters to recipients of grants authorized under the Digital Equity Act.

Counties should continue to advocate for county priorities to be included in the final budget reconciliation bill. 

This week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee released draft bill text for a sweeping Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform package aimed at improving disaster response, streamlining aid and increasing local flexibility—reflecting many long-standing county priorities.

Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur told the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment that brownfields can present land use challenges and negatively affect property values, but can provide counties with an opportunity to revitalize their economies and communities.