County Countdown – August 12, 2024
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Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Watch the video above and explore NACo resources below.
With Congress in August recess, NACo’s County Countdown will take a hiatus until lawmakers return in September.
Federal Appropriations
Before the congressional August recess, the House advanced 5 of their 12 appropriations bills, while the Senate Committee marked up 11 of 12 funding bills. After the recess, Congress will work on passing a funding bill before the government’s fiscal year ends on September 30, 2024.
- Why it matters: A strong, reliable intergovernmental partnership is necessary for counties to deliver essential, often mandated services. NACo encourages county leaders to meet with members of Congress during the recess to advocate for county priorities in the next funding bill.
- Tracking tool: NACo has launched an interactive appropriations tracker to help counties monitor the process.
American Rescue Plan Act Deadline
The obligation deadline for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds is the end of this year. ARPA invested $65.1 billion in direct aid to counties.
- Key dates: Counties must obligate these funds by December 31, 2024, and fully expend them by December 31, 2026.
- NACo support: NACo’s ARPA Resource Hub offers technical assistance, webinars, white papers and analysis to help counties meet the deadline. NACo will also host a series of webinars leading up to the obligation deadline.
Recompete Pilot Program
Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced $184 million in funding for six Recompete Pilot Program applicants.
- About Recompete: The Recompete Pilot Program awards – authorized under the CHIPS and Science Act – aim to create renewed opportunity in economically distressed communities through good-paying, high-quality jobs and improved access to the workforce.
- County achievement: One of the six winners was Clallam County, Wash., which will receive $35 million to revitalize the natural resources industries in Washington's North Olympic Peninsula. NACo applauds this success and advocates for flexible, locally-driven programs like Recompete.
U.S. Supreme Court
NACo is preparing for the 2024–2025 U.S. Supreme Court term and its impact on counties.
- Looking ahead: NACo will file amicus briefs in at least five cases during the upcoming Supreme Court term. County officials can explore case summaries to understand the issues at stake and how NACo is advocating for counties.
- Past term review: NACo recently hosted a webinar reviewing the 2023–2024 Supreme Court term. Stream the webinar and stay updated on future Supreme Court decisions through NACo’s Supreme Court Advocacy Hub.
2025 Appropriations Tracker
The NACo 2025 Appropriations Tracker provides counties with a comprehensive overview of the federal appropriations process, tracking the progress of key spending bills and offering insights on how these will impact county funding and services.
American Rescue Plan Resource Hub
In this resource hub, find stories of counties investing these resource to support our residents, technical assistance in implementing these programs in your county and our latest analysis and research.
White House names county finalist for new Recompete Pilot Program funding
On August 5, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced $184 million for six Recompete Pilot Program finalists. The Recompete Program, enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, was created to provide renewed opportunity in economically distressed communities through good-paying, high-quality jobs and improve access to the workforce for Americans.
Related News
House T&I Committee passes bipartisan FEMA reform package with major wins for counties
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act
CMS announces grant awards to improve the continuity of care for justice-involved individuals
On September 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $106.5 million in state planning grants aimed at improving healthcare continuity for individuals transitioning from incarceration.
FCC opens comment period on modernizing the nation's alerting systems
On August 11, the FCC issued a request for public comment on the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, to determine if alternative regulatory approaches would better maximize the usefulness, effectiveness and resiliency of the public safety systems.
Upcoming Events
New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification
Join the BRECC National Network to learn how coal counties are diversifying their economies through increasing housing supply, providing innovative workforce development opportunities and revitalizing downtowns.
Securing Coverage: How Counties Can Navigate Cyber Insurance Hurdles
Safeguarding counties from cyber attacks in today's complex digital environment is a formidable challenge, especially when faced with tight budgets, limited resources, and the competing demands of diverse stakeholders. Cyber insurance offers a crucial safety net, but many counties find themselves grappling with the affordability and management of such coverage.
Join us for an exciting discussion with experienced county leaders as we uncover the hurdles governments face in securing cyber insurance. We will explore the evolving cyber threat landscape and reveal how a comprehensive cyber insurance assessment can offer practical solutions to bolster defenses and streamline coverage acquisition.