Economic Development / NACo and Federal Issues
Treasury Releases Notice of New Opportunity Zone Regulations

The U.S. Department of Treasury has released notice of new regulations for Opportunity Zones. Route Fifty reports: The economic development initiative has been in a lengthy ramp-up phase since it was created as part of the 2017 federal tax overhaul. Treasury released an initial set of draft rules last fall that were seen as a big step forward, but left significant issues unaddressed. The article notes the proposed new regulations appear to help open up the flow of…

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April 18, 2019
Federal Health & Human Services Has Resources for Your County, Citizens
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Federal Health & Human Services Has Resources for Your County, Citizens

The US Department of Health & Human Services offers a range of services designed to help state and county agencies in service delivery. Many social service programs - notably Medicaid and "Welfare" (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) - are driven by federal funds and support. Counties in Maryland may benefit from offerings of the regional office of the Department of Health and Human Services. Recently-appointed Regional Administrator Dr. Martha Okafor is seeking to build partnerships…

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April 17, 2019
FCC Announces ‘Rural Digital Opportunity Fund’ to Boost Broadband
Business Affairs / NACo and Federal Issues
FCC Announces ‘Rural Digital Opportunity Fund’ to Boost Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a $20.4 billion "Rural Digital Opportunity Fund" to help expand high-speed broadband access to rural areas. Route Fifty reports that the FCC expects the fund to help provide “up to gigabit-speed” of broadband connection to four million homes and small businesses: The lack of high-speed internet access in many rural areas is a big issue for federal lawmakers, as well as local officials, who have said it has…

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April 16, 2019
Congressional Members Form Black Maternal Health Caucus
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Congressional Members Form Black Maternal Health Caucus

As reported on The Hill, Representatives Lauren Underwood from Illinois and Alma Adams from North Carolina have formed the Black Maternal Health Caucus. The goals are to bring awareness and action to the issue of the high number of black women who die due to pregnancy-related causes in the U.S.: The U.S. has a higher rate of maternal deaths than any other developed country, with 26.4 deaths per 100,000 births. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60 percent of these…

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April 10, 2019
NACo Releases Affordable Housing Toolkit
County News / Housing and Community Development / NACo and Federal Issues
NACo Releases Affordable Housing Toolkit

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has released an Affordable Housing Toolkit for counties. In 2016, over ONE-THIRD of all households were overburdened by housing costs. This phenomenon does not exist solely in large counties; rather, medium-sized and small counties in every region of the country are also struggling with unaffordable housing costs. Fortunately, each county is uniquely equipped with its own set of tools to help residents find housing they can afford. NACo's Affordable Housing Toolkit…

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April 4, 2019
MD Complete Count Committee Commences; Census Grants Awarded
County News / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
MD Complete Count Committee Commences; Census Grants Awarded

Exactly one year to the day from the 2020 Census the first meeting of the 2020 Maryland Complete Count Committee (CCC) was held. The meeting kicked off with a presentation and training from the U.S. Census Bureau on the importance of the census, the need to get the message out so that every Marylander is counted, and the gameplan for getting it all done over the course of this next year. A lot of resources…

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April 1, 2019
Conduit Street Podcast: “Spring Cleaning” Policy Roundup
Agriculture / County Budgets / County News / Education / General Assembly News / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Conduit Street Podcast: “Spring Cleaning” Policy Roundup

MACo has made the podcast available through both iTunes and Google Play Music by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast. You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website. Useful Links Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Budget Conferees Reach Compromise on Spending Plan Previous Conduit Street Coverage: County and Legislative Leaders Push for Build to Learn Act Previous Conduit Street Coverage: $15…

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March 29, 2019
Lessons in Resilience from Florida Counties
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works
Lessons in Resilience from Florida Counties

Route Fifty offers a webinar on resilience featuring speakers from State and local governments in a state that faces frequent natural disasters. Route Fifty, a national source of government news offers a free webinar on resilience with speakers targeted for local government listeners. From Route Fifty: State and local governments across the country are increasingly facing challenges building communities resilient to the physical, social and economic changes taking shape both regionally and nationally. Tune in…

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March 29, 2019
Purdue Pharma Settles Opioid Lawsuit with Oklahoma Attorney General
Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Purdue Pharma Settles Opioid Lawsuit with Oklahoma Attorney General

Purdue Pharma LLC, the maker of OxyContin, has reached a settlement with the Attorney General for Oklahoma over a lawsuit in which the state alleged that Purdue, as well as other opioid manufacturers, contributed to the deadly opioid crisis through deceptive marketing practices. It has not been confirmed whether the other defendants in the lawsuit will settle as well. Reuters reports: The settlement with Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter came just weeks before Purdue, owned…

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March 26, 2019
NACo Urges Counties to Comment on New WOTUS Rule
Agriculture / Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
NACo Urges Counties to Comment on New WOTUS Rule

A National Association of Counties (NACo) policy brief (2019-02-25) urged counties to comment on the recently proposed "Waters of the US" (WOTUS) definition under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). NACo urged counties to provide comments on how the proposed rule will affect county infrastructure, such as road ditches, flood control channels, bridge projects, stormwater drainage systems, and wastewater facilities. Comments are due by April 15. A water way designated as a WOTUS is subject…

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March 22, 2019
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