NACA Members Advocate for County Priorities in Washington, D.C.
National Association of Counties Legislative Conference draws nearly 2,000 county leaders along with cabinet-level speakers, members of Congress.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NACA members joined nearly 2,000 county leaders from across the country for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference March 1-4. Over two general sessions, featured speakers included two cabinet secretaries along with members of Congress from both the U.S. House and Senate. Conference attendees shaped NACo’s legislative agenda, received updates on key federal policies, and advocated for county priorities on Capitol Hill.
Issues covered at the conference included tax and budget reconciliation, SALT and tax-exempt municipal bonds, disaster preparedness and management, artificial intelligence (AI), behavioral health, and the county implications of policies being implemented during the first 100 days of the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress.
NACA held another successful Idea Exchange at the conference with over 100 attendees (images below). We were glad to see a few of our sponsors in attendance as well! With standing room only, we had extensive discussions about some of the most pressing topics facing county professionals today.
The topics included:
Future of Work: We explored how county professionals can adapt to the evolving work environment, including hybrid and remote work models.
Federal Executive Orders: This covered various aspects such as Funding/Grants, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI), and Immigration. We delved into how these orders are impacting county operations across the nation and the strategies to navigate a constantly changing environment.
Municipal Bonds: We discussed debts financed by bonds, focusing on the challenges and opportunities they present for county financing and infrastructure projects.
The event was a great opportunity for county officials to share insights, network, and collaborate on solutions to common challenges. We look forward to continuing these valuable discussions at future Idea Exchanges.
On March 1st, our Institutional Partner, Mission Square Retirement, hosted the NACA Reception. A wonderful turn out with County Administrations from across the nation coming together to connect, engage new NACA members, and foster meaningful relationships. Events like this offer informal networking opportunities, allowing participants to build connections and strengthen professional relationships. The event was a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of fostering a supportive network within the public administration community.
Attendees also participated in a Federal Agency Expo, with over 60 federal program offices sending representatives to meet with conference participants and build intergovernmental partnerships.
The conference culminated in a Capitol Hill Day of Action, positioning attendees to advocate for county federal policy priorities.
During the four-day conference, attendees heard from speakers including:
Hon. Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Hon. Doug Collins, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Hon. Sam Graves, U.S. Representative (R-Mo.)
Hon. David Kustoff, U.S. Representative (R-Tenn.)
Hon. Johnny Olszewski, Jr., U.S. Representative (D-Md.)
Hon. Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator (D-Calif.)
Hon. Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator (D-Ore.)
“Federal policies have direct and long-lasting impacts on county governments and our residents,” said NACo President James Gore. “With a new administration and Congress fewer than 100 days in, NACo’s Legislative Conference is an essential opportunity to connect with our intergovernmental partners and advocate for county priorities that help our communities thrive.”
For more details about the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference, click here.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.