Vol. 44 No. 3 - Feb. 13, 2012

Featured Articles

Airport bill passes: long-awaited victory for NACo

After 23 extensions, the House-Senate Conference Committee has approved a four-year airport-aviation bill, H.R. 658, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act.

FHFA breathes new life into PACE energy program

After more than a year of stalling, the Federal Housing Finance Agency opened a 60-day public comment period on the future of Property Assessed Clean Energy programs in response to a court order in a case challenging FHFA rejection of PACE lending.

House, Senate moving on surface transportation bill

There has been a flurry of activity and controversy on the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill.

Call for new partnerships key topic of JPS Symposium

County officials from across the country explored local, state and federal intergovernmental partnerships and best practices at the 2012 NACo Justice and Public Safety Symposium, Jan. 25–28 in Fulton County, Ga.

Articles

Affordable housing benefits young scientist in pricey Suffolk County, N.Y. neighborhood

The homeless family of a top high school science student turned out to be just the right match for Suffolk County, N.Y.'s affordable housing program.

Oregon commissioner finds lost mushroom hunters

The Conne family thought they might die in the Oregon woods after becoming lost for days during a recent mushroom-picking trip.

State and Local Legal Center files briefs in two cases

NACo has signed onto two amicus curiae briefs recently filed by the State and Local Legal Center with the U. S. Supreme Court

County PIOs hit the drive-time airwaves in South Carolina

Richland County, S.C. has Facebook, Twitter and email covered, but its latest communications tool might have the greatest reach.

Bringing the library to mobile devices gaining popularity

In the digital age, it’s getting harder and harder to bring people to the local library. Thanks to a new breed of mobile apps, many libraries are moving beyond bricks and mortar, and onto their patrons’ tablets and cell phones.

Media resources available to counties celebrating NCGM

Counties are getting a good head start on making National County Government Month 2012 the most successful celebration yet in their communities.

NACo opposes another attempt to preempt local taxing authority

NACo and other local government groups submitted joint testimony opposing H.R. 2469, the End Discriminatory State Taxes for Automobile Renters Act of 2011, at a House subcommittee hearing Feb. 1.

Speakers added to Legislative Conference lineup

General Session speakers are being confirmed for next month’s NACo Legislative Conference, March 3–7, at the newly renovated Washington Hilton. The Opening Session Monday, March 5, will feature political pundits Tucker Carlson and Eleanor Clift discussing the 2012 election. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will also speak. Tuesday morning, March 6, featured speakers will be Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.), co-sponsors of bipartisan legislation, The Marketplace Fairness Act (S.1832), the latest Remote Sales Tax Bill.