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.
- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to enhance child welfare systems, supporting prevention services and foster care.
- Reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration for the first time in 20 years, securing critical resources for county-level economic growth and job creation.
- The passage of an outdoor recreation package will expand access to parks, trails and public lands, enhancing quality of life for millions of residents.
- New federal funding for County Veteran Service Officers ensures counties can better serve those who have served our country.
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.
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.
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 Fairness Act signed into law
President Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Now accepting interim policy resolutions for the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference
Submit policy resolutions by February 5, 2025.
Related News
FEMA bill staffers offer insights into reform effort
NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force heard from staffers who helped shape a bill that would make dramatic changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
County Leaders Advocate for FEMA Act in Visit to Washington, D.C.
Nearly two dozen county leaders from 15 states are in attendance this week at a National Association of Counties (NACo) fly-in focused on disaster reform.
FEMA delays $11 billion in state disaster reimbursements
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently withheld roughly $11 billion in planned disaster reimbursements to 45 states, shifting the payments to fiscal year 2026 and marking a major change in how the federal government is managing disaster relief funding.
Upcoming Events
Modern Networks, Smarter Budgets: A County Leader’s Perspective
Join us for a fireside chat with Orleans County, NY, as they share how their team successfully transitioned from a traditional capital expense (CapEx) model to an operational expense (OpEx) model for network services.
When faced with rising maintenance costs and an expiring carrier contract, the county seized the opportunity to modernize its network and lock in predictable monthly costs. By bundling connectivity services with unified communications, they achieved immediate savings of over $124,000, eliminated recurring charges such as long-distance fees and third-party integration costs, and gained access to operational upgrades like call analytics and auto-attendants.
This shift not only strengthened financial planning through fixed monthly expenses but also freed up IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives.
Key takeaway: Rethinking your budget model can be just as impactful as upgrading your technology — delivering fiscal stability and enhanced services for your community.
Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress, November 13
Join NACo’s Government Affairs team for week twelve 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.
What to Expect from the Current Supreme Court Term: Cases Impacting Local Government
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the new Supreme Court term and what decisions local governments should watch.