County Countdown – Nov. 4, 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.
Election Day 2024
The 2024 election is taking place this week. In addition to highlighting the critical county role in administering the election, NACo is closely monitoring pivotal races and will soon release an in-depth analysis on election outcomes and their impact on county priorities.
- Advocacy impact: Our analysis will help inform NACo’s approach in the upcoming Congressional lame duck session as well as advocacy strategies for the 119th Congress.
- Key stats: The county role in election administration is extensive in most states and localities, including funding and managing over 100,000 polling places staffed by over 630,000 poll workers.
New notice for the Emergency Rental Assistance program
On October 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Emergency Rental Assistance program grantees must repay funds disbursed due to fraud or unallowable expenses, despite Treasury’s prior encouragement to accept a personal certification from renters without additional documentation.
- About the program: The Emergency Rental Assistance program was authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act, providing direct funding to counties to assist families struggling to make rental and utility payments.
- County impact: Counties always act as trusted stewards of federal dollars and public money, but this new policy shift could severely impact our ability to provide housing assistance, as we may now need to divert resources from addressing housing affordability to repaying federal money administered in good faith.
- Taking action: NACo is urging Treasury to reverse this policy and is mobilizing counties to advocate for relief from potential financial penalties.
Direct pay extension for county clean energy projects
On October 11, the IRS announced an automatic six-month extension for counties and other eligible entities to file Form 990-T if they are making an elective payment election, or direct pay, to recover costs for clean energy initiatives in taxable years ending between December 31, 2023, and November 30, 2024.
- For example: Entities with tax years ending on December 31, 2023, and an original filing deadline of May 15, 2024, will now have until November 15, 2024, to file their elective pay claim.
- Background: The elective pay option, authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, allows counties to receive a refund equivalent to clean energy tax credits rather than the credit itself, supporting local investments in clean energy.
This week: Participate in Operation Green Light
Once again this year, NACo and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to join Operation Green Light for Veterans from November 4–11, 2024.
- By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported.
- Getting started: Need ideas for lighting your county up in green? Find suggested materials here.
- Outreach resources: Our Operation Green Light toolkit includes a resolution template, printable flyer, sample press releases, social media graphics and more.
Register today for the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference
Register now for NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference. Join nearly 2,000 county leaders March 1-4, 2025 in Washington, D.C. to focus on county federal policy priorities.
- Highlights: Attendees can participate in timely policy sessions, meet with members of Congress and interact with federal agency officials.
- Learn more: Visit the conference homepage to learn more and explore the full schedule.
Counties Extend Support for Election Workers Ahead of Election Day
As administrators of elections, counties manage 100,000 polling places, over 630,000 poll workers.
U.S. Department of the Treasury issues notice regarding ERA fraud repayments
On October 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General sent a joint notice to all grantees and subrecipients of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program stating that Treasury is requiring grantees to reimburse the agency or their own ERA programs for any ERA funds that were disbursed due to fraud or unallowable expenses.
IRS Announces Direct Pay Election Extension for Clean Energy Projects
The IRS has granted extensions to file Form 990-T for those making a Direct Pay election.
Operation Green Light for Veterans
During the week leading up to Veterans Day, counties shine a green light to show support for veterans, raise awareness of benefits available to them and call for action on federal policies that support veterans and their families.
2025 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.
New Law Brings Long-Sought Transparency to FEMA Disaster Reimbursements
A new federal law requires FEMA to publish a publicly accessible, interactive dashboard tracking all Public Assistance reimbursement requests, giving counties unprecedented visibility into disaster recovery funding.
Reflections on federalism at America 250
NACo CEO Matt Chase: "Counties are where federal and state policy stops being policy and starts being real. We are not a delivery mechanism for decisions made elsewhere. We are where American governance actually lives."
NACo joins letters calling on Congress to support water infrastructure funding and reauthorization
In April, NACo, alongside coalition partners representing local governments and water groups, sent two letters to Congress highlighting the importance of sustained federal investment in water infrastructure for counties and communities nationwide.
House clears budget resolution, advancing Reconciliation 2.0 to fund DHS and CBP
On April 21, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a party-line reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement and funding for agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution is the first step in a two-part process aimed at producing final legislation by June 1.
House passes the 2026 Farm Bill with key county priorities
On April 30, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) by a vote of 224–200.
EPA announces new PFAS education initiative for water systems
On April 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the PFAS OUT initiative to help water systems proactively tackle per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in drinking water. PFAS OUT is an outreach initiative that will connect water system managers with resources to better understand and tackle PFAS pollution ahead of upcoming regulatory deadlines.