County Countdown – June 17, 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.
In this special edition, NACo has compiled resources – from analysis to toolkits – related to pressing issues in three key areas: budget reconciliation, executive actions and federal appropriations for fiscal year 2026.
Budget Reconciliation
Last month, the U.S. House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). The legislation now moves to the Senate, where changes to the text are anticipated.
NACo continues to closely monitor the budget reconciliation process, with a focus on key county priorities – including health care, social safety net programs, immigration policy, and the extension of provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Below are key resources and updates on these critical issues.
Budget Reconciliation Bill
- U.S. House passes reconciliation bill: What it means for counties | Advocacy Update
- U.S. Congress begins work on budget reconciliation process | Advocacy Update
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Medicaid
Tax Policy
- Counties and Tax Reform in 119th Congress | Toolkit
- Municipal Bond Advocacy Toolkit | Toolkit
- NACo releases new state and local tax (SALT) deduction data for 2022 showing why relief is necessary | Advocacy Update
Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization/Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)
- Support continued revenue sharing payments to National Forest counties | Policy Brief
- Sen. Wyden pleads for 'noise' on Secure Rural Schools renewal | County News Article
- U.S. Senate passes Secure Rural Schools reauthorization | Advocacy Update
- Provide Full Mandatory Funding for the PILT Program | Policy Brief
- Department of the Interior announces PILT funding total of over $621 million will be distributed to counties | Advocacy Update
Executive Actions
During the first few months of his second term, President Trump has issued a record number of executive orders, surpassing those of any previous president over the same time period.
NACo is closely monitoring these actions to assess their implications for counties. Read below for key updates and analysis.
Sanctuary Jurisdictions
- DHS releases list identifying sanctuary jurisdictions; Includes nearly 400 counties | Advocacy Update
- Impacts of immigration executive orders on local governments | FAQ/Webinar Resource
- Local government legal center immigration webinar | Webinar Slide Deck
Federal Funding Freezes
- Federal Funding Freeze Tracker | Tracker
FEMA Reform
- House draft bill text proposes FEMA reform package with major wins for counties | Advocacy Update
- NACo Intergovernmental Reform Task Force | Task Force
Broadband/Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
- NTIA releases new guidance on BEAD program funding rules | Advocacy Update
- NTIA terminates Digital Equity Act grants | Advocacy Update
Federal Appropriations
In parallel with the budget reconciliation process (which applies to mandatory spending and revenue) Congress is undertaking its annual appropriations process for discretionary spending, which began with the president's budget request.
NACo is tracking proposed increases, cuts and eliminations around key federal programs important to counties and advocating for the inclusion of county priorities in appropriations bills.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget
- Analysis of the FY 2026 President's Budget | Analysis
Advocacy Hub
Through NACo, advocate for county priorities in federal policy making. Find our latest advocacy toolkits, federal policy analysis and more.
Related News
White House to halt federal funds to jurisdictions using cashless bail
On August 25, the White House announced an EO ordering an end to cashless bail and threatening to suspend or terminate federal funds to jurisdictions that do not comply with the order.
White House issues Executive Order to change federal grantmaking process
On August 7, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” aiming to strengthen accountability, coordination and oversight in the federal grantmaking process.
NACo sends letter to congressional appropriations committees urging federal investments in county government activities
On July 9, NACo sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to adequately fund key federal programs of importance to counties in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 discretionary appropriations bills.
Upcoming Events
Understanding the Homelessness Executive Order: Federal Shifts, County Impacts and Next Steps
Join NACo on Tuesday, August 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET for a timely webinar outlining major changes to federal funding, grant conditions, and policy priorities that directly affect county homelessness programs, behavioral health systems and enforcement strategies.
The Big Shift and Cash Management - 5 Takeaways
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
The financial landscape for counties is evolving quickly, with rising costs, shifting federal support and growing expectations becoming part of everyday reality. This is what many are calling “the Big Shift,” a period that is reshaping how counties plan, prioritize and manage resources. In this webinar, Mike Ablowich, a seasoned public finance leader and Vice President at three+one, will share what the Big Shift means for counties today and five actionable strategies to help leaders remain proactive, confident and effective during this time of change. From strengthening liquidity management to using data to guide impactful actions, you will gain practical tools and insights you can put to work right away to protect your county’s financial health and unlock new opportunities, no matter how the environment continues to evolve.
This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.
2025 Federal-State Policy Exchange
The National Council of County Association Executives (NCCAE) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) will host the Federal-State Policy Exchange (formerly, the Knowledge Management Forum), August 27-29 in Cook County (Chicago), Ill.