ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
America's nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees are on the frontlines of the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. As the country emerges from the pandemic and grapples with the toll it has taken on our citizens, counties are responding and rebuilding. At the same time, many counties are still confronting significant workforce shortage pressures at a time with growing, critical resident needs.
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America's workforce, addressing the nation's behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
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NACo Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act
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County Investments of American Rescue Plan Recovery Funds
Endangered Species Committee convenes to exempt Gulf energy projects from Endangered Species Act requirements
On March 31, the Endangered Species Committee convened a meeting to discuss a national security exemption to Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements for energy exploration and extraction projects in the Gulf. The Committee, which had only previously gathered 3 times since 1978, voted unanimously to grant the exemption.
Congress examines reforms to endangered species management
On Mar. 18, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Work held a hearing examining how to improve implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The hearing follows several legislative proposals to reform endangered species management that recently advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
White House Releases Budget Request for FY 2027: Top Highlights for Counties
On April 3, the White House released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget request, outlining the administration's proposals for budgetary spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. The President’s budget requests cutting non-defense discretionary funding by 10 percent, or $73 billion. This budget proposal reflects the administration’s priorities but is unlikely to be passed in its current form and will need to be approved by Congress to be implemented.
FEMA Announces Funding Opportunity to Help Mitigate the Impact of Disasters
On March 25, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $1 billion in funding through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to support disaster mitigation and recovery efforts.
CMS announces new funding opportunity to promote holistic health innovation
On March 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Make America Healthy Again – Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence (MAHA ELEVATE) Model.
Policy Insider – March 30, 2026
NACo's Policy Insider is your weekly update on federal policies, funding decisions and legislative activity impacting counties nationwide.