Webinar: Measuring the “Digital Divide,” June 17
Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Webinar: Measuring the “Digital Divide,” June 17

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host a webinar to help state and local leaders understand how to identify and target the digital divide using federal data. NTIA, an organization within the Department of Commerce, will host an informational webinar on bridging the digital divide and how federal data can help local officials recognize what drives broadband adaption in their communities to better plan for the future. Hear a presentation from representatives of…

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June 2, 2020
Maryland Joins Multistate Coalition Opposing SNAP Cuts
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Maryland Joins Multistate Coalition Opposing SNAP Cuts

The coalition argues that cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would leave millions hungry when many are already struggling during the pandemic.  In a letter to Congress, Attorney General Frosh and 23 other state attorney generals expressed support for the HEROS Act which would prohibit the use of funds to implement three administrative rules aimed at cutting critically necessary SNAP benefits. As announced in a press release: In a letter to Congress, the…

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June 2, 2020
EPA Rule Change Limits States’ Ability to Block Pipeline Approvals
Energy / Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
EPA Rule Change Limits States’ Ability to Block Pipeline Approvals

Citing unnecessary delays, EPA issues new rule that weakens states' role in pipeline project approvals. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule that constrains the influence states have over pipeline approvals. The rule change targets the way states use section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, and the so called "veto power" that states enjoy over the approval of energy infrastructure projects. Previously, states had fairly broad authority to block…

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June 1, 2020
Administering an Election During the COVID-19 Crisis
Coronavirus / County News / Elections / NACo and Federal Issues
Administering an Election During the COVID-19 Crisis

The National Association of Counties (NACo) on Wednesday, June 3 will host a webinar to discuss the challenges of navigating an election amid a public health crisis. Here are the details: Administering an Election during the COVID-19 Crisis Date: June 3, 2020 Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Description: This webinar will discuss the challenges of navigating an election in the age of COVID-19. The webinar will include a focus on how states are planning…

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June 1, 2020
Public Schools Required to Share Federal Aid with Private Institutions
Coronavirus / County News / Education / NACo and Federal Issues
Public Schools Required to Share Federal Aid with Private Institutions

United States Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced that public school superintendents will be required to share COVID-19 rescue funds with private schools. The Maryland State Board of Education voted to continue with traditional disbursement of equitable services for nonpublic schools and students in accordance with Title I criteria.  In a letter to the Council of Chief State School Officers, DeVos announced that “there is nothing in the act suggesting Congress intended to discriminate between children based on…

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May 29, 2020
Frosh Joins Coalition Challenging Rollback to National Clean Car Standards
Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
Frosh Joins Coalition Challenging Rollback to National Clean Car Standards

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh is joining a lawsuit that challenges the Trump administrations rollbacks of national clean car standards. Frosh joins 23 other attorneys general and several other stakeholders in filing a lawsuit that challenges the vehicle fuel efficiency rollbacks issued earlier this year. When the Trump administration unveiled the anticipated rollbacks, Frosh remarked that the change "threatens the health of millions of Americans and will cause irreparable damage to our environment." At the…

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May 28, 2020
Frosh, State AGs Urge Congress to Dedicate More Funds for Broadband
Economic Development / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Frosh, State AGs Urge Congress to Dedicate More Funds for Broadband

The National Association of Attorneys General recently wrote to Congress, asking that they help close the digital divide by dedicating more funds to state and local governments. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for households to have adequate access to the internet. With telehealth, online learning, and teleworking becoming more prevalent, access to the internet is essential. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh along with 38 other attorneys general signed on to a letter urging…

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May 22, 2020
EPA Seeks Comments on Draft Water Quality Criteria
Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
EPA Seeks Comments on Draft Water Quality Criteria

EPA is asking for public comments on recently released water quality criteria recommendations for nutrients in lakes and reservoirs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued updated draft ambient water quality criteria recommendations for nutrients in lakes and reservoirs, and is seeking public comments.  EPA's criteria is non-binding, and acts as a resource for government agencies that work to mitigate the effects that excess nutrients have on water quality. The last approved criteria was…

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May 22, 2020
USDA Extends Flexibilities for Continued Meals for Students
eslfuntaiwan (CC0), Pixabay
Coronavirus / County News / Education / NACo and Federal Issues
USDA Extends Flexibilities for Continued Meals for Students

The United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service recently announced the extension of three waivers giving child nutrition program operators continue flexibility through the summer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waivers will extend school disticts' grab-and-go meal sites through the summer, allow parents to pick up meals for their children, and provide flexibility in when meals are serve in order to provide multiple meals at one pick-up- minimizing how many times families will need…

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May 22, 2020
EPA Launches Food Waste Management Grants
Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
EPA Launches Food Waste Management Grants

Federal grants of up to $300,000 are available to local governments for projects to reduce food loss and divert food waste from landfills. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking grant applications for projects that expand anerobic digester capacity. Keeping organic materials out of landfills by diverting food waste to anaerobic digestion has several benefits including a prevention of excess methane and carbon dioxide emissions, and reducing nutrient loss. EPA anticipates awarding up to…

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May 21, 2020
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