The County Countdown – October 23, 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 and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week.
2024 Appropriations
NACo urges Congress to finalize fiscal year 2024 appropriations without delay, to stave off a potential government shutdown.
- Making our voice heard: NACo sent a letter to congressional leadership detailing county priorities.
- Areas of emphasis include:
- Funding for behavioral and mental health programs
- The Community Development Block Grant program, HOME Investment Partnerships, and the Affordable Connectivity program
- Election security grants via the Help America Vote Act, and
- Full support for Payments in Lieu of Taxes and the extension of Secure Rural Schools.
Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Symposium
The LUCC Symposium, held this month in Orange County, Fla., offered a productive platform for county officials and our partners.
- County-led solutions: The symposium featured in-depth dialogues on disaster readiness and response, housing affordability, mental and behavioral health, and artificial intelligence.
- Survey: Were you there? Share your thoughts in the attendee survey!
Federal Grants
NACo supports the bipartisan Streamlining Federal Grants Act, introduced last month. The bill would facilitate more straightforward grant application processes for counties.
- Key takeaway: The legislation tasks the Office of Management and Budget with guiding federal agencies towards streamlined grant application processes.
- Support for counties: The legislation includes a special focus on aiding counties, particularly rural counties, in accessing grant opportunities.
Black Maternal and Infant Mortality
On October 16, NACo hosted an event on disproportionate Black maternal and infant mortality rates.
- A collaborative effort: County leaders, federal officials and thought partners identified actionable policy solutions to address this public health crisis.
- Catch up: Watch the recording here.
2024 NACo Legislative Conference
The 2024 NACo Legislative Conference is scheduled for February 10-13 in Washington, D.C.
- Join your peers: The conference convenes nearly 2,000 county officials to tackle federal policy matters impacting counties and citizens.
- 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.
NACo sends letter to congressional leadership urging prioritization of county activities in FY 2024 appropriations
NACo has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the FY 2024 appropriations process.
2023 Large Urban County Caucus Symposium
The 2023 NACo Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Symposium will gather county executives, governing board members and other senior elected officials alongside national thought leaders and partners in Orange County, Florida to identify urban challenges and elevate solutions through peer-to-peer information exchanges and national policy discussions.
Improving access to federal grants through the Streamlining Federal Grants Act
The Streamlining Federal Grants Act simplifies the grant application process for local governments to improve access to federal grant funding.
Breaking Down Silos to Address Maternal and Infant Mortality: Lessons from the Local Level
Join NACo for a briefing focused on innovative county solutions to address disproportionate Black maternal and infant mortality rates
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.
NACo submits comments on Census Bureau's proposed rule on the 2030 decennial census
On September 10, the U.S Census Bureau published a proposed rule to the 2030 Decennial Census that would create two new parts of the 15 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that among other changes would a) define “usual residence” that excludes foreign persons previously counted that are not U.S. citizens or lawful residents, and b) would eliminate any questions about race, ethnicity and sexual orientation from the census questionnaire used to enumerate the population. The proposed ruling outlines only 30 days for public comments, which are due on November 2.
NACo's Public Promise Procurement Awards National Cooperative Contract to Amazon Business
Competitively awarded contract gives counties and public agencies nationwide streamlined access to the Amazon Business marketplace, plus the opportunity to unlock category price ceilings after savings analysis.
Counties face tax structure question on data centers
While the property taxes on the land that data centers occupy can be significant, the value of the equipment inside is a substantial addition to the total value.
Data center legislation surges as states shift from incentives to oversight
NACo tracked 97 state bills that became law between 2024-2026 governing the new class of hyperscale facilities designed for generative AI and cloud computing.
Congress makes progress on data center legislation
NACo has endorsed data center-related bills aimed at providing electricity cost relief to ratepayers - the House's Ratepayer Protection Act and the Senate's American Affordability and Jobs Act.
County government veterans eye statewide, higher office
Dozens of current and former county officials are running for governor, lieutenant governor and Congress in 2026.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, November 5
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Supreme Court Preview for Local Governments: 2026 - 2027 Term
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the new Supreme Court term and what decisions local governments should watch.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, November 19
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, December 3
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, December 17
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
2027 NCCAE Presidents & Executive Directors Meeting
The National Council of County Association Executives (NCCAE) and NACo jointly host this meeting to provide county leaders from different states the opportunity to connect, engage with federal leaders in Washington, D.C., and connect county work with our nation's history.
Conference
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.
