County Countdown – January 28, 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.
The first 100 days
President Trump and Vice President Vance were sworn in last week. Since then, the Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders addressing immigration, energy and the economy, among other issues with implications for counties.
- NACo event series tracking first 100 days: To educate county leaders on how these policies may impact local governments, NACo has launched a weekly series on the administration's first 100 days.
- Next session: The next webinar in the series is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29. Click here to register.
Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force fly-in
NACo’s Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force, a group of 28 county leaders with wide-ranging experience, is meeting in Washington, D.C. this week.
- Task force goals: The task force, launched late last year, has goals to help modernize disaster policies, enhance disaster resilience and strengthen intergovernmental partnerships.
- Advocacy efforts: Task force members will take advantage of this week's fly-in to highlight counties' critical roles in disaster response and long-term recovery in meetings with Congress and federal partners.
SALT deduction profiles released
NACo has released new profiles showing the impact of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap on counties and residents.
- Why it matters: The $10,000 SALT cap, set to expire December 31, 2025, limits tax deductions and impacts funding for essential county services.
- Call to action: Counties urge Congress to restore the full SALT deduction, ending a double standard that taxes homeowners differently from businesses and landlords and preserving critical services.
Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools
The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program remains unfunded after not being included in funding bills passed at the end of 2024.
- Why it matters: SRS provides essential funding to over 700 rural counties for services like education, infrastructure and fire suppression.
- What’s next: As SRS funds are depleted, NACo encourages county leaders to advocate for reauthorization to prevent budget shortfalls in timber counties.
Medicaid and counties
Since being signed into law in 1965, the Medicaid program has helped counties provide support to residents who are unable to afford medical care.
- County contributions: Counties contribute to Medicaid in 24 states and the District of Columbia.
- Intergovernmental partnership: Counties work with Congress to strengthen Medicaid, ensuring access to high-quality care while responsibly managing taxpayer dollars. Counties stand ready to partner with federal leaders to improve the nation’s health system.
NACo Membership Series: First 100 Days, Week 1
NACo is launching a new membership series to provide timely updates and analysis on key developments during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. These calls will focus on policies and actions that directly impact counties, including federal funding, regulations and intergovernmental partnerships. Join us to stay informed on how these changes may shape county priorities and operations.
Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force
As disasters intensify across the country, county governments play a crucial role on the frontlines of emergency management and recovery. With a commitment to advancing federal policies that foster collaboration between counties, federal agencies and other intergovernmental partners, the Task Force builds on years of county-led efforts to enhance disaster policies and practices, driving improved outcomes nationwide.
NACo releases new SALT deduction resource
Counties urge Congress and the Administration to restore the full SALT deduction to restore fairness in taxation and preserve essential local services
Related News
USPS rule to restrict mail-in ballots makes its way through federal courts after ruling by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision to allow the Trump administration to move forward with its Executive Order 14399 directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to compile official U.S. citizenship lists to be used in voter citizenship verification and the U.S. Postal Service to impose new mail-in ballot restrictions.
U.S. Forest Service seeks comment on proposal to rescind 2001 Roadless Rule in National Forests
Roadless Rule
On August 20, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. The rule prohibits road construction, reconstruction and most timber management on almost 45 million acres of National Forest land, and its repeal would give federal forest managers significant flexibility to manage forests in accordance with local need.
U.S. Forest Service reopens Resource Advisory Committee nomination process
On August 13, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it was reopening the nomination process for Resource Advisory Committee (RACs) that direct certain funding from the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. County elected officials are eligible and encouraged to apply to serve on a RAC by November 12, 2026.
Upcoming Events
NACo Public Health Leadership Academy Information Session
This webinar will review the key information applicants should know to apply to the second cohort of NACo's Public Health Leadership Academy.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, September 10
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
More Choices, Stronger Counties: Introducing NACo Public Promise Insurance Supplemental Benefits
- Dental
- Vision
- Life
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Care
- Worksite (Critical Illness/Accident/Hospital/Cancer)
- Pet
- An overview of the Supplemental Benefits Trust structure and how it works
- Details on each available line of coverage
- How MetLife and Trustmark will support implementation and ongoing administration
- Next steps for counties interested in participating
- Chris Blanchette, National Director, Public Promise Insurance, National Association of Counties