Welcome to NACo News Watch — the official media relations blog of the National Association of Counties. We observe and analyze media coverage of the nation's 3,068 counties and NACo so you don't have to.
Another success story to tell about the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program. This time from Brazos County, Texas. As reported here in the Bryon College Station Eagle, Brazos County officials announced that the program has saved their constituents over $1.2 million in prescription drug costs.Terrific savings for a county of about 155,000 residents.
The county has distributed the free card for three years as a result of its membership in NACo.
"This is one of the greatest projects that we as commissioners and we as citizens in Brazos County have been involved in," said County Judge Randy Sims.
Will County, Ill. employees warmed some hands and hearts with their recent mitten drive. According to the Herald News (Joliet, Ill.), County Executive Larry Walsh said he is proud of the success of the mitten drive and the generosity of the county’s employees.
“It has been a difficult year for the county and many of our residents,” he said. “Our employees are always willing to lend their support. A warm hat and gloves are important this time of year."
The San Jose Mercury News reports that "Contra Costa County firefighters have put together 350 new bicycles this year to be given out to low-income children in the annual Bikes for Tykes program.
"Fire Capt. Gil Caravantes said today says every year for the past 20 years, firefighters have spent their pre-Christmas off-duty time assembling bicycles and tricycles at fire stations throughout the county for the program."
This year, all 270 firefighters helped put the bikes together.
Capt. Caravantes said the fire district chose to give out bicycles because "as we all know, as a kid growing up, your bicycle was your first sense of freedom."
Very interesting development reported here on Poynter.org (a blog from the Poynter Institute -- the parent company of the St. Petersburg Times) regarding the New York Times decision to scrap its social media editor position. Like so many county officials (and NACo staff for that matter), news media organizations have been struggling to figure out just how to make the most of social media communications tools available. NACo along with its affiliate organization the National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) has held several webinars and workshops about social media strategies for county officials. The truth is, none of us have figured this out yet. But I was intrigued by this quote in the Poynter piece by New York Times Social Media Editor Jennifer Preston whose position is being eliminated by the newspaper:“Social media can’t belong to one person; it needs to be part of everyone’s job,” Preston said. “It has to be integrated into the existing editorial process and production process. I’m convinced that’s the only way we’re going to crack the engagement nut.”I think the same hold true for counties. A County Director of Social Media position is probably not workable. But county officials and departments with public communications responsibilities should at least begin to consider how Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media sites and technologies can help fill the communicatons void between the county and the communities they serve.
Many coutnies are doing a terrific job with social media. Our task ahead is to try and determine what works and what does not work for counties and communicate those lessons to other counties.
Stay tuned.
NACo's fellow Big 7 government organization - the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) released its latest report today on the state budget situation. We all know it's been bad for years for many states and downright desperate in a few. But, as reported here by Pew Center on the States' online publication stateline.org., things may be getting a tad better.
"While tax revenues seem to be stabilizing after years of poor receipts, at least 15 states still must close budget shortfalls totaling $26.7 billion in the current fiscal year," stateline.org reports. "Next fiscal year, 35 states face deficits as the federal stimulus expires and the strain on social services, particularly Medicaid, goes up."
NCSL's report says Illinois faces the largest proportional shortfall of any state in the current year, at $13 billion, or 47 percent of its overall budget. Other states with substantial mid-year gaps include Missouri, New Mexico and Texas.
Not reported: when states are desperate to fill budget gaps, burdens often shift to counties.
NACo Executive Director Larry Naake co-authored this piece which was published in The Hill's Congress blog regarding the Build America Bonds program. NACo argues that Build America Bonds have been a success. They have brought new investors to the municipal market and have increased demand for traditional tax-exempt bonds so that market works better. NACo, along with the Bond Dealers of America, the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, and the National Association of Bond Lawyers are urging Congress to refine and extend the Build America Bonds program.
Congratulations to Catawba County, N.C. and Humboldt County, Calif. who were selected to receive the 2010 County Government Wireless Broadband Award. Chosen from applications submitted from across the Unites States, these counties were recognized for unique proposals regarding the planned use of wireless broadband technology to enhance communications across county government. The awards program is a partnershuip with Motorola Solutions.
Important story for counties here in NACo's County News regarding what the new 112th Congress will mean for long-standing and vital county programs funded from from Capitol Hill. NACo's Legislative Affairs Department details exactly what's at stake for programs such as PILT, various justice programs, and transportation funding. Must read.
Here's a terrific story by Steve Schultze of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Milwaukee County's efforts to use less precious resources and save taxpayers' money through innovative green government efforts. The county has reportedly saved $800,000 in energy costs since last year. The article mentions a recent NACo "Green Government Initiative" survey. If you missed our survey, you can check it out at www.naco.org in the Media Center's Features section.
Jim Philipps is NACo's Media Relations Manager. He has worked in media and government communications inside and outside of Washington, D.C. for nearly 20 years.
