Voting technology demonstration held

Always great when a NACo Achievement Award winner gets recognized in the home press.
Voting technology demonstration held

Prescription Card Saves Residents More Than $130,000
Calvert County, Maryland is helping its residents save money on their medicine costs, thanks to NACo's Prescription Discount Card Program.  

Santa Gets Scarcer as Cash-Strapped U.S. Cities Cancel Parades
This is the second Bloomberg/Business Week article to cite the new NACo economic status survey.

U.S. Senate kills locally-backed criminal justice commission
NACo supports the National Criminal Justice  Commission Act (S. 306) because a state and local government perspective is one of the itemized expertise areas. NACo feels that establishing the Commission will assist in improving the public safety, cost effectiveness, administration of the nation's criminal justice system. The legislation establishes a Commission which will undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system, encompassing federal, state, local, and tribal criminal justice policies and  practices, and make reform recommendations for the President, Congress, state, local, and tribal governments. The bill authorizes $14 million over two years.  

Study: Davis, Weber coping with the 'new norm' of economy
The Standard Examiner in Ogden, Utah wrote a good article about NACo's latest economic status survey, "Coping with the New Normal: An Economic Status Survey of Counties." He compared the findings of the NACo survey to the budget/economic conditins in Davis and Weber counties.    

Poll: Voters trust local government

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/64973.html

More than two-thirds of Americans have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in their local governments to handle local problems.

http://americancityandcounty.com/admin/nation-direction-wrong-20110829/

The September printed edition of American City and County magazine, a Penton Media Publication, reported on the findings of NACo's 2011 National Survey of County Elected Officials. The survey found that 62% of respondents said the nation is on the "wrong track," which is up from 59% in 2010.    

Congratulations to the Hennepin County, Min. Sheriff Department for receiving two NACo Achievement Awards. FOX-9 News in Minneapolis reports.

Marion County residents saved more than $77,000 from using the card in 2010.

Great story here in the State Journal (Charleston, West Virginia) on the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program saving the residents of Marion County $77,000 on their prescription purchases. The story includes an accompanying video/TV story by WBOY-TV, which is the NBC affiliate in north central West Virginia.

Drug discount card saves local residents more than $1 million

This story speaks for itself. Great job Somerset County, Pa.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal Appointed to Lead National Committee

The Santa Barbara Independent reports on President Eliason's appointment of Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal as chair of NACo's Environment, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee.

Chairman Bell named to transportation panel

Readers need to dig deep into the column, but the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell has been named to "a national transportation board where he will help shape federal transportation policies affecting local governments."

That would be NACo's Tranportation Steering Committee. President Eliason appointed Bell to one of five vice-chairperson positions.

NACo Appoints Members to Green Government Advisory Board

The "News Watch" feature of e.Republic's Digital Communities website reported on President Eliason's recent appointments to NACo's Green Government Advisory Board.

e.Republic, Inc. is the nation’s leading publishing, research, event and new media company focused on the state and local government and education markets.

Cape May County Wins National Association of Counties' 2011 NCGM Award

Great job Cape May County, N.J. for winning NACo's National County Government Month Award for most effectively raising county government awareness.

A Penny for Your Thoughts: News of Greater Falls Church

Fairfax County, Va. Supervisor Penny Gross, who is vice chair of NACo's Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee, does a nice job communicating to her constituents the value of participating in the NACo Annual Conference.

Johnson County, Kan. racks up several awards

Congratulations to Johnson County, Kan. for winning several NACo awards for outstanding governance as reported in the KCCommunityNews.com.

National survey lauds Dutchess County government for technological advancement

Congratulations to Dutchess County, N.Y. for being recognized for the 8th time as having one of the best county government websites in the country.

Doña Ana County's Website Named One Of Country's Best

We will be on the lookput for media coverage of the 2011 NACo Annual Conference in Portland, Ore. Here's something on Ana County's recognition for having one of the nation's best websites.

Americans Regain Some Confidence in Newspapers, TV News

New Gallup survey says American's confidence in newspapers and TV news has rebounded slightly in the past year. But at 28% for newspapers and 27% for TV news, it's still pretty dismal.

When you read into the survey a bit, you can see that it's young people (18-29 year olds) who have very little confidence in the "old" media of traditional newspapers and television news.

County Leads in National Discount Drug Program

NACo Executive Director Larry Naake joined Montgomery County (Md.) Executive Isiah Leggett on June 20 to announce that county residents have saved more than $20 million on their medicine costs thanks to NACo's Prescription Discount Card Program. More info at www.naco.org under Programs & Services/Help Your Residents.

Hillsborough County Wins 2011 NACo Achievement Award

Bay News 9, a 24-hour local news channel serving the Tampa Bay area, reports on Hillsborough County, Fla. winning a 2011 NACo Achievement Award. Begun in 1970, the annual Achievement Award Program is a non-competitive awards program that recognizes innovative county government programs. More info on the NACo website.

Rep. King Statement on Senate Commerce Committee Action to Reallocate D Block for Public Safety

U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, cited NACo's support in his statement on Senate Commerce Committee passage of S. 911, which would reallocate the D Block communications spectrum to public safety.

Mercer Courthouse Clock Repaired

Nice story here (WFMJ-TV) about community cooperation as students raised money to help pay for renovation of the large county clock on top of the Mercer County (Pa.) Courthouse. The students raised more than $1,200 to pay for parts and two local businesses conducted the extensive renovations free of charge. Commissioner Ken Ammann said the savings to taxpayers amounted to $35,000. The clock had been inoperable for about a year and has now been repaired in time for the courthouse's 100th anniversary.

States, Counties Spar Over Medicaid 'Flexibility'

"Our mantra is, when states talk about 'flexibility,' that's flexibility to let someone else pay for it," says Paul Beddoe, associate legislative director for health and the National Association of Counties. "And we're going to be that somebody else."

Interesting blog post in Governing exploring the differece of opinions of block-ganting federal Medicaid monies to the states.

Senators decry Medicaid block-granting

Hugely successful NACo Rally on Capitol Hill last week to drum up support to preserve Medicaid. Many thanks to West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller for sponsoring the event with NACo. No fewer than seven United States Senators stood with members of NACo's Large Urban County Caucus. More in County News.

S.J. veterans spanning 7 decades honored by county officials

San Joaquin County, Calif. honored local veterans spanning seven decades during National County Government Month celebrations, as reported by Zachary Johnson, staff writer for the The Record newspaper in Stockton, Calif.

Houston County reunion event to honor area veterans

The Palestine Herald-Press reports today that in celebration of County Government Month, Houston County (Texas) is sponsoring a Veterans Reunion event at 5:30 p.m. today on the Houston County Courthouse Square in Crockett.

"We'll be serving up free burgers with all the trimmings to all our veterans," said Houston County Veterans Service Officer Fred Newtz, who is coordinating the event. "And we want to allow them some time just to visit with each other, renew old acquaintances, and make some new ones."

AP Analysis: US Economic Stress Eased In February

According to this Associated Press analysis, many counties are seeing some welcome economic improvement. "Thanks to lower unemployment and fewer bankruptcies, the nation's economic stress edged down in February as all but five states strengthened from January, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis." Unemployment declined or remained the same in more than three-quarters of the nation's 3,141 counties and in 43 states, the AP's Economic Stress Index showed. "Bankruptcies declined in more than half the counties and in 41 states. Still, foreclosures rose in more than half the counties and in 27 states.The AP's index calculates a score from 1 to 100 based on unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates," the article states. The average county's stress score in February was 11, down from 11.2 in January. A year ago, the average score was 11.8. Under a rough rule of thumb, a county is considered stressed when its score exceeds 11. The article also quotes NACo commenting on why state capital counties tend to be doing better than others.

Counties air nuclear concerns in wake of Japan’s quake

An important story by NACo County News Senior Staff Writer Charles Taylor on the earthquake that damaged a Japanese nuclear plant, raising concerns in many of the U.S.'s 107 "nuclear counties."

Chatham County, Ga. celebrates NCGM

WSAV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Savannah, Ga., reports on a special Chatham County National County Government Month event: "Take a Soldier Fishing Day." Ten anglers volunteered their boats and expertise and conducted a catch & release bass tournament with local wounded soldiers.

Local-government group concerned about Ryan budget

With members of NACo's Rural Action Caucus in town this week lobbying Congress and federal agencies on NACo's legislative priorities, NACo sent a letter to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen voicing NACo's conerns about Ryan's "budget roadmap" released Tuesday. “We believe that deficit reduction should not be accomplished by shifting costs to counties, imposing unfunded mandates, or pre-empting county programs or taxing authority,” said Larry Naake, NACo’s executive director. The letter was reported by The Hill, a widely read Capitol Hill newspaper. Click here to read the April 5 NACo letter.

OUR VIEW: Drug card a winner for county

Here is a terrific editorial in The Gadsden (Ala.) Times on the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program. Etowah County residents are now taking advantage of the free, money-saving program as a result of the county's membership in NACo.

New website provides information on health, social services programs

NACo President Whitley introduced "TarrantCares" at a news conference Wednesday. As reported by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, he described the new website as a "constantly changing, living site" where consumers can securely keep personal medical records, access service directories and get information on diseases, medications and other topics. The article says Whitley pushed to bring the site to Tarrant County, Texas because it will give people direct access to health information. "I saw it as an opportunity for people really to take responsibility for their own health," he said. "They can search the Internet when they have a health challenge and don't know where to go."

Students shadow county employees through 9th Annual Cumberland County Government Day

A popular way many counties celebrate National County Government Month is holding "county official of the day" events. In Cumberland County, N.J., they do it in a big way.

During the county's 9th Annual Cumberland County Government Day, county officials allowed 64 eighth-grade students from local schools to learn about county government and explore career options by "shadowing" county employees for a day.

Said one student quoted in the The News of Cumberland County:

“I’m hoping to learn how government plays a part and helps out,” said Brenda Zeck of Cumberland Christian School. “I want the inside scoop.”

Bernalillo County to honor veterans

National County Government Month is in April. Counties across the country are announcing their plans. This year's theme is, "Serving Our Veterans, Armed forces and Their Families." Bernalillo County, N.M. has several events planned under the veterans theme.

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference

Here are the prepared remarks U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered during the Opening General Session of the 2011 Legislative Conference.

The highlight of the speech from NACo's perspective was when he praised NACo for our policy on indigent defense.

"In what must now become a nationwide effort to bring systemic, not incremental, reform to our justice system, I am proud to count each of you as partners. So many of you – both as individuals and as an association – have called attention to our country’s indigent-defense crisis. You’ve worked to ensure that the unique needs of rural communities are part of the national conversation. And you have been champions of bringing innovative and creative solutions to this problem. In this work, I’m grateful for your contributions."

Mullen Urges Communities to Assist Returning Troops

"Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed hundreds of participants at a meeting here of the National Association of Counties, which provides essential services to the United States’ 3,068 counties." - Cheryl PellerinAmerican, writing for the Armed Forces Press Service.

State, local lobbyists push to save programs from budget ax

NACo officers met with the editors and writers of The Hill newspaper last Friday. Here's an article they produced as a result, highlighting the fact that counties are arguing to Congress that the scrifice needed to reduce the deficit should be shared across the board - including Medicaid, Medicare and defense programs - and not fall on domestic programs.

Holder supports prevention for youths over courts

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder gave a speech today during the Opening General Session of the 2011 NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. He focused on juvenile justice issues. Media attending the session included CBS News, NBC News, CNN and the Associated Press. Here is the AP story.

NACo Kicks Off Legislative Conference in D.C.

The 2011 NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. kicked off this weekend. Some 1,500 county officials from across the country are participating. The NACo officers got started a few days early. Pictured here are (from the left) NACo 1st VP Lenny Eliason, President Glen Whitley, 2nd VP Chris Rodgers, and Immediate Past President Valerie Brown. They were meeting Thursday with the editors and writers of Governing magazine.

Counties officials to address jobs and economic recovery at NACo Legislative Conference

Jobs and the role of county governments in the economic recovery will be the primary focus for more than 1,300 elected and appointed county officials from around the country participating in NACo's 2011 Legislative Conference, March 5-9, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

During the five-day conference, county officials will hear from national leaders, consider policy resolutions on federal issues affecting local government, and meet with administration officials and members of Congress.

Confirmed featured guest speakers include: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder; Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Admiral Mike Mullen; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan; Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.); House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair John Mica; House Natural Resources Committee Chair Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), and MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough.

Dog Puts Victims at Ease in Courtroom

Nice story here in our own County News by staff writer Charlie Ban on a county courthouse dog program which helps young victims cope with the stress of court proceedings.

Local government officials appointed to Obama's oil spill workgroup

Gulf coast county and parish officials remain concerned about the long road ahead to economic and environmental recovery as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In particular, they are concerned about gaining full reimbursement from BP for local tax revenue losses associated with the spill.

American City & County magazine reports on the latest.

Counties to government: Careful when cutting deficit

NACo leadership has sent letters to President Obama and Congress cautioning them not to focus exclusively on domestic spending as they work toward addressing the deficit.

The letters outlined four key points counties are urging the president and Congress to consider while addressing the deficit:

• The budget deficit cannot be resolved by only cutting domestic, non-military discretionary programs;
  
• Federal assistance to state and local governments will help mitigate further layoffs;
  
• Federal investment in state and local infrastructure produces private sector jobs; and
  
• Deficit reduction should not be accomplished by shifting costs to counties, imposing unfunded mandates, or preempting county programs or taxing authority.

News of the NACo letters were reported by Lisa Lambert of Reuters.

Aid to states absent in State of the Union address

In this brief yet pointed commentary on the president's State of the Union address last night, Stateline.org's John Gramlich spells out the situation ahead for state and local government in terms of looking to the nation's capital for assistance with budget shortfalls. Stateline.org is a fine online news organization from The Pew Center on the States.

Onorato to talk on energy efficiency

Beginning today, NACo is holding its two-day 2011 County Forum on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Los Angeles County. The forum is bringing together 55 county officials and staff from around the country to share best practices in county energy efficiency efforts and explore emerging technology and financing options.

Forum sessions will explore innovation in the use of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and best practices in county energymanagement.

Technology advances and financing options available to sustain energy programs were alsodiscussed.

The program features a variety of speakers including keynote speakers Zev Yaroslavsky, supervisor, Los Angeles County, and Dan Onorato, county executive, Allegheny County, Pa.

Cutting-edge power plant coming to Sonoma County

Here's some good "green government" news out of Sonoma County, Calif.

According to the Press Democrat, "County of Sonoma officials are set to unveil Tuesday a cutting-edge power plant seen as a key project in the effort to slash the county's greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs."

NACo Immediate Past President Valerie Brown is quoted in the article. She was asked if the project was still worth the cost since original energy cost-saving estimates were $80 million and have since been revised to about $40-$50 million.

"Quite honestly, if it was a $5 million savings, it would still be a good investment," said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Valerie Brown. "It's worth it because you're doing the right thing."

How many calories in that burger? Now the whole country will know

Great column in the Pasadena Star-News by Patty Fisher about Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, who serves on NACo's Health Steering Committee.

Supervisor Kniss recalls her experience last year representing the nation's counties during President Obama's health reform bill signing ceremony and how she learned that it contained a provision requiring that chain restaurants list nutritional information on their menus similar to an ordinance she championed in Santa Clara County in 2008.