NACo and Federal Issues Archives

SNAP Participation Declines as States Prepare for New Costs

SNAP participation continues to decline nationwide as states prepare for new financial responsibilities under recent federal changes, while Congress considers delaying some of the costs set to shift to states. According to a Stateline article, more than 5 million Americans have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since federal changes enacted last year, while Congress considers delaying some of the law’s new financial requirements for states. From the Stateline article: New data…

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September 24, 2026

County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Delays New Federal Grant Rules

Last week, Congress approved a short-term spending bill that keeps the federal government funded through December 11 while delaying a sweeping rewrite of federal grant rules. The delay gives counties additional time before the proposed changes to federal grant administration can take effect. The US House passed the Senate version of the continuing resolution on September 1 by a 370-48 vote, following the Senate’s 90-6 vote in August. President Trump signed the measure into law,…

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September 9, 2026

Broadband / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority

The Federal Communications Commission is considering new rules that could preempt local authority over broadband permitting, including project timelines, fees, and access to public rights-of-way. The FCC is considering new federal standards aimed at speeding up wireline broadband deployment. The proposal includes mandatory timelines for local approvals and potential limits on the fees local governments can charge providers. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is actively engaging with the FCC as the rulemaking moves forward.…

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August 26, 2026

Elections / Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Local Governments Sue DHS Over Election Rules Tied to Homeland Security Grants

Four local governments have sued the US Department of Homeland Security over new election-related conditions attached to federal homeland security grants, the latest challenge to requirements that have already raised concerns in Maryland. Harris and El Paso Counties in Texas, Nashville and Davidson County in Tennessee, and Columbus, Ohio, filed the lawsuit on August 17 in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The local governments argue DHS and the Federal Emergency Management…

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August 24, 2026

Read more about the article Federal Court Blocks FBI Headquarters Move, Reinstates Greenbelt Plan

Proposed FBI headquarters at the Greenbelt Metro site in Prince George’s County (Image courtesy of Prince George’s County)

County News / Economic Development / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Federal Court Blocks FBI Headquarters Move, Reinstates Greenbelt Plan

A federal judge has overturned the federal government's decision to relocate the future FBI headquarters to downtown Washington, DC, reviving Greenbelt as the leading site for the long-planned project. As covered in a Maryland Matters article, in a ruling issued on August 17, US District Judge Theodore Chuang found that the FBI and General Services Administration (GSA) acted unlawfully when they abandoned the previously selected Greenbelt site in favor of the Ronald Reagan Building in…

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August 18, 2026

NACo and Federal Issues / Summer Conference

Senator Van Hollen Connects With Counties at #MACoCon

US Senator Chris Van Hollen joined counties at the 2026 MACo Summer Conference for a sweeping discussion on federal decisions affecting county budgets, services, and communities across Maryland. From disaster response and health programs to transportation, broadband, cybersecurity, and elections, the conversation focused on what is happening in Washington and what it means for counties. Senator Van Hollen discussed the federal budget and the pressure federal decisions can place on state and local governments. Changes…

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August 17, 2026

County News / NACo and Federal Issues

Senate Continuing Resolution Delays OMB Grant Rule

A key provision in the Senate's FY 2027 Continuing Resolution would temporarily block the Office of Management and Budget from finalizing its proposed Uniform Guidance rule, preserving stability for counties while advocacy efforts continue. The US Senate's Fiscal Year 2027 Continuing Resolution includes language preventing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing its proposed changes to the Uniform Guidance through December 11. The provision also closes a potential loophole that could have allowed OMB…

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August 6, 2026

Read more about the article Federal SNAP Changes Leave 36,000 Marylanders Without Food Benefits

Maryland Department of Human Services Data Office

County News / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues

Federal SNAP Changes Leave 36,000 Marylanders Without Food Benefits

Data from the Maryland Department of Human Services offers a detailed look at how recent federal SNAP changes are affecting residents across the state. As in a Baltimore Banner article, nearly 36,000 Marylanders have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits since federal changes enacted through the HR 1 took effect, according to data from the Maryland Department of Human Services. SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, provides monthly food assistance to eligible…

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July 30, 2026

Courts / Elections / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive

Deep Dive: When Is a Bet Not a Bet?

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top policy issues of the day. Prediction markets have quickly moved from a niche forecasting tool into the mainstream, with users trading on elections, sports, government decisions, and world events. Their growth has opened a difficult legal fight over whether states may regulate them as gambling or whether federal commodities law leaves that authority almost entirely with…

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July 28, 2026

County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

US House Approves Permanent Daylight Saving Time

The US House of Representatives has approved legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, advancing a long-running effort to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes observed across most of the country. The Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139) passed the US House on a bipartisan 308-117 vote and now heads to the US Senate. Maryland's congressional delegation split evenly on the bill. Representatives Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, Kweisi Mfume, and Johnny Olszewski voted in favor,…

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July 15, 2026