1. Outlook on Federal Programs COSCDA 2018 Program Managers Conference
March 13, 2018
We have a very symbiotic relationship with states—they created counties and delegate many of their responsibilities to us.
So, today’s session on intergovernmental collaboration is very timely.
How many of you saw the headline last week from South Dakota--Regulators regret tribe 'didn't come to the table' sooner.”
South Dakota regulators spend years planning a pipeline route, holding numerous public meetings, and only in the 11th hour, and out of the blue, did opposition come out of the woodwork.
Has that ever happened to anyone here at EPA? Have you worked for years on a regulation and tried, to the best of your ability to consult with impacted stakeholders, and, during the public comment period, were overwhelmed by opposition, even potentially from state and/or local governments who were concerned about implementation and potential costs?
Today’s session will hopefully give you a better idea about why that happens and what you can do, as EPA regulators, to change those odds.

2. Outlook on Federal Programs | About NACo
Founded in 1935, the National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.
Through NACo, county officials:
Advocate with a collective voice on national policy
Exchange ideas and build new skills
Innovate transformational county solutions
Enhance the public’s understanding of county government and
Exercise exemplary leadership in public service

3. Outlook on Federal Programs| Counties Nationally
Counties vary in population and land mass
The 144 Largest counties total 50 percent of the U.S. population.
70 percent of counties are considered rural with populations less than 50,000

4. Outlook on Federal Programs| Counties Nationally
Counties spend over $554 billion annually in total expenditures.
These expenditures include:
Over $80 billion in Healthcare; $58 billion in Human Services
Over $25 billion in economic planning and development
Counties own/maintain 45 percent of the nations roads; 40 percent of bridges and
1/3 of all airport and transit systems
Counties also employ 3.6 million county employees and
Provide service to 308 million county residents

5. Outlook on Federal Programs | NACo members
NACo has over 2300 member counties and over 1400 county officials serve on 10 policy steering committees that shape NACo policy and advocacy.
The 10 policy steering committees consider and adopt NACo policy resolutions which are then approved by NACo BOD and NACo members.
From these policies the BOD determine NACo’s overall Legislative Priorities:
For 2018 these include:

6. Outlook on Federal Programs | NACo’s 2018 Legislative Priorities
Promote County Infrastructure Priorities
Support the Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools Programs
Support Policies to Promote Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment and Justice Reform
Protect the Federal-State-Local Partnership for Medicaid
Work Toward a More Effective Definition of Waters of the U.S.
Support County Authority to Collect Existing Sales Tax
Support Programs that Assist Counties to Prevent and Reduce Poverty
Support a Comprehensive Long-Term Farm Bill Reauthorization

7. Outlook on Federal Programs | CDBG-HOME
Our number one priority is maintaining adequate funding for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and close second is HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program.
Enacted in 1974, CDBG provides block grant funding to state and local governments for community development programs. About 1200 city and county governments and all state governments receive funding directly. Counties utilize the flexibility of CDBG to partner with the private and non-profit sector to develop and upgrade local housing, water and infrastructure and fund human services programs.
About 200 county governments receive CDBG funding directly. Rural counties rely on state allocations to receive CDBG. A good state-local partnership is key .
For every $1.00 in CDBG another $4.09 in state, local, non-profit or private sector money is leveraged
Currently funded at $3 billion; CDBG has been cut by $1 billion since FY 2010 and eliminated in the Trump Administration’s FY 2018 and 2019 budgets. We support $3.3 billion for FY 2018 and 2019

8. Outlook on Federal Programs | CDBG-HOME
The HOME program, authorized in 1990, assists state and local governments with providing affordable housing for low-income families, 60 percent of HOME funds are allocated to 650 participating jurisdictions in counties, cities and regions and 40 percent to states. HOME funds can be used towards the acquisition, reconstruction and rehabilitation of housing.
Since 1990, HOME has invested $28.3 billion to help build and preserve more than 1.2 million affordable homes and to provide direct rental assistance to more than 324,000 families.
For every $1 in HOME, another $4 in public or private investment is leveraged
60 percent decrease in affordable housing units built or preserved through HOME
HOME is currently funded at $950 million, and has been cut by almost 50 percent since FY 2010; $1.8 billion in FY 2010.
HOME was also eliminated in the President’s FY 2018 and 2019 budget proposals. We support $1.2 billion for HOME.
The great thing for CDBG and HOME – both have bipartisan congressional support. So despite the federal budget proposals, Congress continues to fund these programs.

9. Outlook on Federal Programs | Homeless Assistance
Homeless Assistance programs
Under the president’s FY 2018 and 2019 budgets, grants would be funded at $2.4 billion, equal to the current FY 2017 level.
Calls for elimination of U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
Coordinates federal response to homelessness, working in close partnership with Cabinet Secretaries and other senior leaders across our 19 federal member agencies.

10. Outlook on Federal Programs | HUD Budget

11. Outlook on Federal Programs | Infrastructure
Trump Administration $1.5 trillion Infrastructure plan; $200 billion in new federal spending - leverage rest funding from PPPs
Includes $50 billion for Rural Infrastructure
No funding for housing related programs
Senate Democrats $1 trillion Infrastructure plan
Includes $62 billion for Neighborhood Revitalization, Lead Remediation, and Affordable Housing
Grants for HOME, CDBG, LIHTC

12. Outlook on Federal Programs | CDBG-HOME
Congressional budget agreement on federal spending for FY 2018 and FY 2019 which increase both Defense and Non-defense discretionary spending, optimistic there may even be increases for these key HUD programs.
Another area we are watching is regulations: Trump Administration’s focus on reducing regulations and streamlining processes:
HUD Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing – Assessment of Fair Housing Rule, delayed implementation of this rule.
If there are regulations related to these programs that COSCDA members think could be improved, now is the time to share these ideas with the Administration.

13. Outlook on Federal Programs | Advocacy
Other ways COSCDA members can assist…
Advocate for adequate and/or increased funding for these programs and/or share examples of why federal funding for CDBG/HOME important for your state’s economic development and growth.
It is good to hear from national orgs but important to hear from people implementing and utilizing these resources and that can articulate negative impact when these resources are reduced and/or eliminated is key.
Community Development Week – April 2-6, Take your member of Congress, local officials to view CDBG and HOME projects.

14. Outlook on Federal Programs| CD Week

15. Outlook on Federal Programs | CDBG-HOME
Appreciate our partnership.
On behalf of NACo, thank you.

16. Outlook on Federal Programs| Thank you!
Daria Daniel
Associate Legislative Director
National Association of Counties