NACo sets legislative priorities for 2010
Surface transportation and aviation program reauthorizations, the inclusion of county priorities in any jobs creation package and in health care reform efforts, and a reduction of unfunded mandates are top legislative priorities in 2010 for the Washington-based National Association of Counties (NACo). NACo set its legislative priorities for the new year during its December board of directors meeting, during which board members also approved a $19.9 million budget for 2010.
Other 2010 legislative priorities include the repeal of the Three Percent Tax Withholding requirement; obtaining cosponsors for the Restore the Partnership Act (which would establish the National Commission on Intergovernmental Relations as a means of facilitating cooperation and coordination between all levels of government) in the House and the introduction of a similar bill in the Senate; promoting broadband deployment and adoption to provide and support county services; and preserving county revenues and pursuing new funding opportunities. The board also authorized spending $50,000 from the 2009 budget to challenge a Federal Communications Commission ruling that would limit counties from managing the placement and construction of cell towers.
NACo’s 2010 budget, effective Jan. 1, is approximately $300,000 less than the 2009 budget as a result of a variety of cost-saving methods. The association expects to end the year with a net surplus greater than the budget goal of $602,000. The new budget includes benefits and bonuses for the staff that are comparable to last year, but the amount for capital purchases decreased to $245,000 from $661,000 in 2009.
NACo’s board also approved guidelines for candidates for second vice president during the meeting. Read more about the NACo board of director’s actions in the December meeting.
