National Association of Counties Responds to State of the Union Address, Welcomes Bipartisan Call for Investing in America
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WASHINGTON – The National Association of Counties (NACo) responded to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address with the following statement from NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase:
“Counties support and echo President Trump’s call for bipartisanship and unity. The need to focus on governing over politics is clear. Counties prioritize results over partisanship every day, and we urge our federal counterparts to put an end to governing by crises.
“County officials need a reliable federal partner as we tackle complex national issues together, such as helping communities and residents left behind in our current economy. Our list is endless – from the growing substance abuse epidemic to widespread disaster recovery to rebuilding our infrastructure.
“We are on the front lines of serving our communities, providing key services like emergency 911, law enforcement, health, human services, community development, infrastructure and more. We need a steadfast federal partner to pursue our shared goals and seize the opportunities ahead.
“One of the greatest opportunities for bipartisan action at the federal level is reinvesting in America’s infrastructure. For counties of all sizes – rural, urban and suburban – infrastructure is at the top of our priority list. This includes advanced broadband, water infrastructure and workforce housing.
“Counties own and maintain 46 percent of all public road miles and nearly 40 percent of all public bridges. We are involved in operating 78 percent of all public transportation systems and a third of the nation’s airports.
“Delivering safe, dependable transportation infrastructure requires meaningful local-state-federal partnerships. We will work with our federal partners to preserve local decision-making, streamline federal regulations and secure direct federal investments in local infrastructure projects.
“America’s counties are strengthening our communities every day. We look forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration and Congress as we build stronger counties that result in a stronger America.”
To view NACo’s 2019 federal policy priorities, click here.