The County Countdown – October 23, 2023
Upcoming Events
Related News
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.
Supreme Court declines emergency review of USPS mail-in ballot rule, leaving nationwide block in place
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision to allow the Trump administration to move forward with its Executive Order 14399 directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to compile official U.S. citizenship lists to be used in voter citizenship verification and the U.S. Postal Service to impose new mail-in ballot restrictions.
Census Bureau proposes permanent changes to 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 October 13.
Congress passes short-term funding bill, keeping the federal government funded through Dec. 11 and delaying OMB rule
The U.S. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend government funding through December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Unform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered.
Senate Funding Bill Delivers a Win for Counties, Delaying OMB's Uniform Guidance Proposed Rule
The Senate Appropriations Committee releases CR language to fund the government until December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Uniform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered, a major win for counties.
Streamlining Federal Grants Act: Improving Federal Grants Access for Counties
Federal grant programs represent significant funding opportunities for counties, but technical jargon and limited staff capacity make them especially hard for small and rural counties to access.
House advances SAVE America Act — counties urged to contact Senators now
NACo urges counties to reach out to Senators opposing immediate and unfunded changes to election administration in the SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296/S. 1383), which the House passed as part the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 8800).
Understanding the Proposed Rule on the Decennial Census and What it Means for Counties
Join us for an overview of the proposed rule with explanation of what is changing, how it could affect local government funding, and what counties need to know as the comment deadline approaches on October 13.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, October 8
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Public Promise Procurement Launches New Amazon Business Contract
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Learn how your county can access over 300 million products and hundreds of thousands of third-party sellers through this new, nationally solicited Amazon Business contract, featuring fixed-term price ceilings across eight categories to keep your everyday purchasing compliant and cost-effective.
This contract works alongside your county's existing Amazon Prime membership, not in place of it, and activates through your current Amazon Business account executive; no new relationships required. You'll also get tools to customize how your county spends, including the ability to prioritize local and in-state businesses.
Hear directly from Douglas County, Neb., the Lead Public Agency behind this solicitation, on how the contract came together and learn how NACo's member-governed, peer-reviewed process gives your county confidence in every purchase.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, October 22
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Countdown to LUCA: Practical Strategies for Local, Tribal and State Governments
Join us for the first webinar in a series focused on practical steps communities can take to prepare for effective census participation.
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.
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.
