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
Federal agency partnership creates new emergency alert for missing persons with autism
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. announced the development of the National Autism and Endangered Person Alert Initiative.
U.S. Forest Service begins revision process for regulations on road and trail closure in National Forests
On August 21, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it is moving forward with plans to revise the 2005 Travel Management Rule, which regulates how USFS plans which roads and trails are open to the public. Revising the Travel Management Rule is an important step that will increase public access to National Forests and help connect forest communities. As part of the rulemaking process, USFS is seeking public comment on its proposed revisions. Counties have until September 23 to submit comments on the agency’s initial action.
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.
Counties Call on Congress to Advance Federal Disaster Reform During National Preparedness Month
To mark National Preparedness Month, counties are urging Congress to advance a set of federal disaster reforms so counties can better respond to and recover from disasters.
Counties Eligible for $787 Million in DOT PROTECT Grants to Build Disaster-Resilient Surface Transportation
Counties are eligible for federal PROTECT grants that fund projects engaged in building surface transportation systems that are resilient to weather events natural disasters.
USPS rule to restrict mail-in ballots makes its way through federal courts after ruling by Supreme Court
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.