The National Association of Counties (NACo) has compiled an executive summary of county highlights for President Biden’s FY 23 budget request.
The nation’s 3,069 counties play a key role in administering federal programs and services in our local communities. Counties build and maintain public infrastructure, transportation and economic development assets, provide criminal justice and public safety services, and protect the public’s health and well-being. Policies and programs established by the federal government help support and coordinate local efforts, and a strong partnership between all levels of government is critical to providing many of the programs and services on which America’s residents rely every day.
On March 28, President Biden released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget request outlining the administration’s proposal for federal spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2022. NACo’s analysis of the budget includes summary charts highlighting proposed cuts, eliminations or increases to key federal programs that are relevant to county governments and a section-by-section summary of the budget outlining items of note for county governments.
TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS FOR COUNTIES
Significant increases in programs supporting housing and economic development including a new $35 billion Housing Supply Fund, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Economic Development Administration.
- A $5 billion investment over the next decade to help states and counties administer child welfare reforms under the Family First Prevention Services Act , including through increased reimbursement rates and more programmatic flexibility.
- Doubles funding for Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies, which target additional federal K-12 funding to high-poverty school districts.
- Established a new $10 billion Election Innovation Grant Program, which would provide funding over the next decade for state and local election-related infrastructure.
- Elimination of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, a federal program that is used to reimburse state and local governments for the cost of incarcerating undocumented immigrants, currently funded at $234 million.
- Nearly $3.9 billion in increase investments for U.S. Forest Service wildland fire management activities
- Increased investments for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery services.
- Reform health coverage and makes major investments in the mental health workforce to address the mental health crisis.
- Over $68 billion to modernize, repair and improve the safety and efficiency of the nation’s network of roads and bridges.
- A $600 million investment to help deploy broadband infrastructure in rural communities.
Read the rest of NACo’s detailed analysis including major proposals of significance to counties.