County Countdown – Nov. 6, 2023
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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 on some of the top issues we're covering this week.
1. New House Speaker
The clock is ticking towards the November 17 deadline to avoid a federal government shutdown, and newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson is pivotal to the negotiations.
- The county perspective: NACo is advocating for continuity of federal funding to avert operational disruptions for counties.
- What you need to know: Review key points for counties in the event of a federal government shutdown.
2. Veterans and Military Services
Counties reinforced our commitment to veterans through a dedicated advocacy fly-in, rallying for the passage of critical veteran support legislation.
- CVSO Act: NACo's Veterans and Military Services Committee joined forces with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers to champion the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act.
- Why it matters: The act would unlock federal funding for County Veteran Service Officers, who in 29 states help veterans secure over $50B annually in VA benefits.
- Operation Green Light: Show support for veterans and their families today to November 12 by participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans.
3. Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus
Amid rising concerns about mental health, the congressional Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus has emerged as a key group with direct implications for county-level services.
- Policy commitments: The caucus champions mental health legislation, aiming to improve service access and dismantle stigmas.
- Local solutions: NACo endorses policy initiatives that enhance counties' capacity to provide comprehensive mental health services.
4. BEAD Program Toolkit
NACo's new BEAD toolkit will guide counties through broadband funding and deployment strategies.
- About the BEAD Program: The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program earmarks over $42 billion for the expansion of high-speed internet to locations without adequate service.
- Toolkit for counties: NACo's toolkit offers resources and information for county leaders, including guidance in navigating the state challenge process to prioritize areas for broadband investment.
5. NACo Legislative Conference
The 2024 NACo Legislative Conference is February 10–13 in Washington, D.C.
- Convening leaders: The conference draws nearly 2,000 county officials looking to advance our federal policy priorities.
- Highlights: This year’s conference will include policy sessions, opportunities to engage with members of Congress, and robust interactions with federal agency representatives.
- Register today to secure early bird rates and hotel availability.
What Counties Need to Know When a Government Shutdown Happens
Counties are calling on our federal partners to work in a bipartisan way to keep the federal government fully operational. As intergovernmental partners, any budget uncertainty at the federal level creates uncertainty at the local level as counties administer federal programs on the ground.
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.
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
(2023-2024) Counties increasingly handle direct mental health service. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing developed reports and united county leaders to address the mental health crisis through key policy priorities.
BEAD Program Toolkit for Counties
This toolkit is intended to guide counties on the key deadlines, pertinent resources, and other initiatives that are critical under the BEAD and DEA programs.
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.
USDA announces $44 million in rural broadband connectivity grant opportunities for FY 2026
On May 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced available grant funding under the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Earlier this month, USDA also released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for FY 2026. In total, $44 million is available in financial assistance between these two programs.
In Memoriam: Unfunded mandate reform bill sponsor Dirk Kempthorne
As a freshman senator, Dirk Kempthorne passed a law making it more difficult for Congress to impose the costs of mandates on state and local governments.
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.
Counties eye potential Medicaid reimbursement remedies
Increasing the number of beds in mental health treatment facilities eligible for Medicaid reimbursement would empower counties to do more to help their residents.
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."
Grassroots Advocacy Series: Unlocking Tools to Tell Your County Story
This session will highlight how county leaders can leverage NACo tools and resources to effectively engage in federal advocacy.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, June 4
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Leveraging Opioid Settlement Funds for Housing Supports: Strategies for Counties
This webinar will highlight practical strategies for using opioid settlement funds to support housing initiatives at the local level.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, June 18
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
From Concept to Impact: How Counties are Successfully Evaluating the Use of AI
AI is transforming county government, but responsible adoption requires more than enthusiasm. In late 2025, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) partnered with CAI to tackle a critical question: how can counties objectively evaluate AI tools for cost, security, data protection, and real-world fit? The answer became the GovAI Trustmark, a first-of-its-kind AI certification framework built by and for county government, launched in the spring of 2026. In this NACo webinar, the practitioners who were part of the workgroup will share the process in building this online evaluation dashboard and how it can work for counties nationwide.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, July 2
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.