County Countdown – January 14, 2025

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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.


Congress passes continuing resolution to fund the federal government

The U.S. Congress recently approved a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 14, 2025. 

  • County impact: This move ensures stability for counties that rely on federal funding for vital services like infrastructure, human services and public safety. 
  • NACo advocacy: We continue to advocate for a long-term funding solution to provide counties with the certainty needed for effective planning and program delivery.
  • For more information on the status specific of FY 2025 spending bills and county funding priorities, access NACo’s FY 2025 Appropriations Tracker.

Critical disaster relief funding secured

Counties are applauding the passage of legislation providing billions of dollars in disaster relief funding. This funding is essential to help communities recover from recent natural disasters while preparing for future challenges. 

  • Critical county role: Counties are at the forefront of disaster mitigation and response, and these resources bolster our ability to protect residents and infrastructure. 
  • More from NACo: NACo recently announced the formation of the Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force to modernize federal disaster policies, strengthen intergovernmental partnerships and enhance local disaster mitigation, response and recovery capacities.

Other key wins for counties

Counties are celebrating a series of other legislative victories that directly impact our communities. 

Social Security Fairness Act becomes law

President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. 

  • Fair treatment for public employees: This ensures that public employees, including many county workers, receive fair treatment in retirement benefits. 
  • County win: This is a major victory for the public workforce, supporting those who have dedicated their careers to serving our communities.

Register for NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference and submit your interim policy resolutions

Registration is now open for NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference, which will take place March 1-4 in Washington, D.C. 

  • Join nearly 2,000 county leaders for policy discussions, federal advocacy, and opportunities to meet with members of Congress and federal officials. 
  • Policy resolutions: NACo’s Interim Policy Resolutions Portal is now open, giving counties the chance to shape NACo’s federal policy priorities by submitting resolutions for consideration.

Featured This Week

Capitol
Advocacy

U.S. Congress passes continuing resolution to fund the government until March 14, 2025

The U.S. Congress passed a second Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown through March 14, 2025. 

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Press Release

Counties Applaud Passage of Critical Disaster Relief Funding

NACo today applauded Congress on county-specific provisions of the American Relief Act, 2025. In addition to ensuring the federal government remains open through March of 2025, the package includes $110 billion in disaster assistance for relief efforts across the U.S.

Social Security reform
Advocacy

Social Security Fairness Act signed into law

President Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision.

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Advocacy

Now accepting interim policy resolutions for the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference

Submit policy resolutions by February 5, 2025.

Related News

Jeff Davis, left, embraces homeowner Houston Rea, who suffered a total toss of his home, after a tornado tore through his neighborhood in Laurel County, Ky. Photo by Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
News

Deadly tornadoes pummel counties across the South

Southern Kentucky counties bore the brunt of a May 16 tornado outbreak, with at least 17 fatalities confirmed as of last week in Laurel County alone. 

The American flag waves in front of the US Capitol Building
Advocacy

U.S. House passes reconciliation bill: What it means for counties

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

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Advocacy

What Counties Need to Know: ARPA reporting requirements for program income

 On May 20, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) distributed a memo to counties that received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) dollars who had program income or reported $0 obligated on their recent program & expenditure reports. 

Upcoming Events

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Webinar

Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, June 12

Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week three of a biweekly series on key developments from the White House and Congress. Discussions will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties — from federal funding and regulatory changes to intergovernmental partnerships. Tune in for an inside look at how these evolving federal dynamics may shape county priorities, responsibilities and operations.

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Webinar

LUCA: Improving Census Data. Here’s How, Starting Now

The Census Bureau’s first operation in preparation for the 2030 census is the Local Update of Census Addresses, or LUCA, and it needs your help in updating its address list. Preparation starts now. States, local jurisdictions and tribal nations can identify areas with hidden and low-visibility housing, lots of in-fill and new residential developments; areas recovering from disasters; and areas with nontraditional addresses. 

In this webinar cosponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Cities, the International City/County Management Association and NACo, learn about the steps you and your partners can take now to get this critical census activity right! 

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Webinar

Impacts of Federal Action on Local Jurisdictions: A Conversation on County Administration

In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of county administrators as they unpack their local responses to the current federal and political environment and, ultimately, prioritize good governance and high-quality service delivery.