County Countdown – March 5, 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.
1. Legislative Conference Wrap-Up
Thank you to all NACo Legislative Conference participants. We delved into pressing county issues and enhanced our collaborative efforts with federal leaders. Resources and session recordings are now accessible online.
- Engagement and advocacy: The conference facilitated productive discussions on timely topics like broadband, artificial intelligence, administering the 2024 election, disaster preparedness and strengthening intergovernmental partnerships.
- Finding resources: All conference materials and recordings are available on the Legislative Conference landing page.
2. Affordable Connectivity Program
The end of new enrollments for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) underscores the need for immediate legislative action to maintain this critical service, currently set to end in April.
- About the ACP: This program helps ensure more than 23 million households can afford reliable broadband service.
- Legislative action: NACo is advocating for the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act.
- In the short-term, we urge lawmakers to attach funding for this program to the upcoming appropriations legislation that Congress will consider in the coming weeks.
3. Highway Trust Fund
The Congressional Budget Office's projection calls for urgent attention to the Highway Trust Fund to ensure sustainable federal transportation funding.
- Changing dynamics: As gas tax revenues decline due to increased vehicle fuel efficiency and a growing number of electric vehicles, the size of the Highway Trust Fund is diminishing.
- Future planning: With the 2026 surface transportation authorization on the horizon, counties are seeking a comprehensive solution for the fund's longevity.
- County advocacy: Counties urge Congress to reexamine the fund and develop a permanent fix.
4. WOTUS Rule Analysis
NACo's regulatory analysis of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule highlights potential impacts on county water infrastructure management and policy.
- “Waters of the United States” is a phrase used in the Clean Water Act to determine which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction. However, that exact definition has been the subject of decades of litigation and legislation.
- Regulatory insights: Explore the implications of the WOTUS rule for local water policies through our new analysis.
5. Enhancing the 9-8-8 Lifeline
Since its launch in July 2022, the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received and routed about 8.6 million calls, texts and chats. These millions of residents hope to connect quickly with someone, usually a county service provider, who can help.
- What is geolocation: Unlike calls to 9-1-1, calls to the 9-8-8 Lifeline are routed by the caller's area code, not the caller's actual location. This can result in precious minutes lost when connecting a caller to the right services or simply failing to help that person at all.
- Legislative fix: Counties support the Local 9-8-8 Response Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to expedite the process by connecting callers to their nearest call center.
2024 NACo Legislative Conference
The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.
Support the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024
Urge your members of Congress to support the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 to provide $7 billion in funding for the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program and keep the program operational throughout the remainder of 2024.
New CBO projection shows Highway Trust Fund status continues to worsen without congressional action
In February, the Congressional Budget Office released an updated 10-year baseline projection for the federal Highway Trust Fund that shows the fund will continue to decline significantly over the next decade without action from lawmakers.
The Conforming Rule: The Waters of the United States
The definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) directly impacts county governments as owners and operators of local infrastructure.
Support the Local 9-8-8 Response Act
Urge your members of Congress to support the Local 9-8-8 Response Act. Introduced by Sens. Alex Padilla and Thom Tillis and Rep. Tony Cárdenas in the 118th Congress, this legislation would seek to improve access to and accuracy of the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by requiring calls and messages to be routed by the call center geographically closest to the caller, rather than by area code.
County Countdown – March 19, 2024
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Treasury Department highlights important resources ahead of annual ARPA Recovery Funds P&E Report deadline on April 30
Annual Project and Expenditure Reports are due to the U.S. Treasury Department on April 30 for all counties, parishes and boroughs that received ARPA Recovery Funds.
U.S. Supreme Court establishes clear test for classifying private social media use as state action
On March 15, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 9-0 ruling in Lindke v. Freed, which together with O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier focused on the question of whether and when a public official’s use of a personal social media constitutes “state action” governed by the First Amendment.
NACo releases Legislative Analysis of President's FY 2025 Budget Request
Read NACo's comprehensive breakdown of the President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025.
USDOT announces availability of $1.2 billion through Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program
On February 21, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of $1.2 billion through the Safe Streets and Roads for All competitive grant program in Fiscal Year 2024 for transportation safety planning or construction projects.
FCC appoints county leaders to Intergovernmental Advisory Committee
On March 12, the Federal Communications Commission announced new members to the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, including its appointment of the seven county representatives.
Insights from the Reaching Rural Initiative - Navigating Leadership, Innovation and Community Impact in Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Rural Communities
The Reaching Rural Initiative is co-sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Justice Institute.
What’s In It for Rural? Analyzing the Opportunities for Rural America in IIJA, CHIPS and IRA
This webinar will provide insights from that analysis, which will include an examination of some of the key parameters and requirements that rural counties will have to navigate to access these resources.
Advancing Crisis Communications: Highlighting Models of 911/988 Collaboration
Panelists will discuss progress, challenges and lessons learned from advancing their communities’ crisis response systems.
Counties Securing the Nation’s Elections: Handling The Rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence
During this tabletop webinar, NACo members will hear from experts on these new challenges and how counties can be proactive in addressing them this election cycle and beyond.