Unlocking Opportunity by Increasing Digital Equity
This webinar is available on-demand. If you have trouble accessing the recording, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
Closing the digital divide means more than building broadband infrastructure in areas that lack it-it also means closing the much larger gap of consumers who don't subscribe to broadband even when it is available. Billions in federal funding are now available to address these challenges. Despite this, disparities persist in the rates of broadband adoption that undermine opportunities for job training, access to health care, and economic growth. This presentation provided by Comcast will examine the roles county leaders will play in developing digital equity plans that address barriers to broadband availability and adoption and tap into broadband as a powerful tool for economic opportunity.
Watch Recording
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Speakers
Deborah Lathen
Paul Garnett
Rita Reynolds
Congress considers moratorium on state and local AI lawmaking: What it means for counties
The U.S. Senate’s reconciliation bill text includes a 10-year moratorium on state and local AI policymaking.
NACo Legal Advocacy: McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. V. McKesson Corporation
McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates, Inc. V. McKesson Corporation could make it more difficult for counties to challenge FCC orders, many of which have taken steps to preempt and curtail local authority by limiting counties’ abilities to manage their own right of way and assess fair market value permitting and impact fees on providers seeking to construct, modify or extend telecommunications infrastructure in their communities.
U.S. House passes rescissions package
On June 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) in a narrow 214-212 vote. The legislation would cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved federal funding, marking the Trump Administration’s first formal attempt to codify funding cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
NTIA releases new guidance on BEAD program funding rules
On June 6, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Policy Notice modifying the requirements outlined in the Broadband Equity Access Deployment (BEAD) Notice of Funding Opportunity.
County Countdown – June 3, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features sanctuary jurisdictions, the TAKE IT DOWN Act and more.
TAKE IT DOWN Act signed into law
The TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes federal authorities at the Federal Trade Commission to remove non-consensual intimate images from digital platforms
Proactively Defend Your Collection Rate: How Automation Makes It Possible
Join Leah Bezanson, Patient Revenue Supervisor at Minnesota Department of Human Services and Erica Gregory, SVP & GM, Revenue Cycle Management at Netsmart, for insights on how automation can help protect collection rates, enhance accuracy and improve data visibility.
NACo AI Central Regional Forum
The NACo AI Regional Forum series is convening local government elected officials, appointed officers, department heads, and staff across different geographical regions to provide an educational, hands-on symposium on the landscape of artificial intelligence.
Unity in Uncertainty: Thriving Through Turbulence
This training will focus on the current operating environment and emphasize core partnerships to identify opportunities and strengthen infrastructure security and resilience. Comprehensive partnerships and diverse perspectives can solidify and fortify operations during uncertain times.
NACo AI West Regional Forum
The NACo AI Regional Forum series is convening local government elected officials, appointed officers, department heads, and staff across different geographical regions to provide an educational, hands-on symposium on the landscape of artificial intelligence.
Featured Resource
County Tech Xchange
The NACo County Tech Xchange is an online portal designed to connect county CIOs, IT Directors, CISOs, and other county IT leadership. This portal provides valuable resources in a central location that counties can use to improve their overall technology infrastructure.
