Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek (in the center of the far row) attended multiple sessions of the National Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference in February.
Washington, DC – Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek joined nearly 2,000 county leaders from across the country for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference February 21-24. Over two general sessions, featured speakers included senior administration officials along with members of Congress from the U.S. House of Representatives. Conference attendees shaped NACo’s legislative agenda, received updates on key federal policies and advocated for county priorities on Capitol Hill.
“The National Association of Counties ensures that county-level issues – transportation, Federal disaster policy, housing, cybersecurity, energy, workforce development and more – are discussed and taken seriously at the highest levels of the Federal government,” Potosek explained. “Our direct participation in these conferences means we have a chance to be heard and talk to Federal representatives far beyond New York.”
Potosek learned about pending legislation and how other counties are handling AI, the water and electric use of data centers, and proposals to eliminate of property taxes.
Over the course of the four-day conference, he also heard from speakers including:
• Hon. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary
• Hon. Lee Zeldin, U.S. EPA Administrator
• Alex Meyer, Deputy Assistant to the President; Director, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Hon. Tom Emmer, Majority Whip, U.S. House of Representatives (R-Minn.)
• Hon. Sam Graves, U.S. Representative (R-Mo.); Chairman, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
• Hon. Glenn “GT” Thompson, U.S. Representative (R-Pa.); Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture
• Hon. Andrea Salinas, U.S. Representative (D-Ore.); Co-Chair, Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus
• Hon. Bruce Westerman, U.S. Representative (R-Ark.); Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources
Attendees also participated in a Federal Agency Expo, with nearly 50 Federal program offices sending representatives to meet with conference participants and build intergovernmental partnerships.
The conference culminated in an Advocacy Day of Action, positioning attendees to advocate for county federal policy priorities.
“I am very glad our County Manager was able to attend this important gathering,” affirmed County Legislature Vice Chair Luis Alvarez, who serves on multiple NACo committees. “I was there myself, learning about immigration issues and the priorities of our Rural Action Caucus, on which I sit.”
“Federal policies have direct and long-lasting impacts on county governments and our residents,” said NACo President J.D. Clark. “NACo’s Legislative Conference is an important opportunity for county leaders to strengthen relationships with our intergovernmental partners, tell our county story and advocate for county priorities that help our communities and residents thrive
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. www.naco.org.
