The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) in Phoenix, Arizona has made protecting vulnerable populations and improving quality of life in their region one of their top priorities. This includes being a leader in keeping people safe from and ending domestic violence. MAG’s efforts have been ramped up this fall during Domestic Violence Awareness Month through…
The Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is seeking comments and will be hosting several listening sessions across the country to help inform future funding priorities and strategic direction. Mandated by Congress to develop a long-range plan every five years, NIDILRR is committed to incorporating input…
Pressure is building to change the way Congress funds the cost of fighting wildfires. Senators of both parties have joined the White House in urging action during the lame-duck session aimed at providing a more stable financing mechanism for wildfire suppression. Under current policies, the Forest Service must pull money from other programs each year…
Today, the CDBG Coalition sent a letter to House and Senate leaders thanking them for their leadership and support of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and $3.0 billion in formula grants for CDBG in the FY2017 Transportation-HUD spending measure. The coalition asked for continued support for this level of funding in the final…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new salary test for exempt employees is set to take effect December 1, raising the salary level to qualify for certain white collar overtime exemptions from $455 per week to $913 per week. However, two lawsuits filed on September 20 might delay or even stop the rules from taking effect.…
Did you know that domestic violence is an alarming and pervasive problem in our country? The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey data reports that on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the US. Over the course of a year, that equals…
We have confirmed that USDOT is reopening the docket and granting the many requests for extension of the comment period on the MPO Coordination Rule. It will be a 30-day extension, which will begin once the announcement appears in the Federal Register possibly later this week. The new deadline is likely to be mid-to-late October.…
The Water Research Foundation applauds passage of WRDA and thanks the many organizations that helped the cause. NARC was part of this effort in June – Click HERE to read the letter. WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwired – September 15, 2016) – On behalf of a diverse coalition of organizations representing the drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, flood risk…
Preparing our communities for disasters and emergencies is essential for minimizing loss and ensuring swift recovery. Transportation services are a crucial aspect of emergency planning and petroleum is often in short supply when a disaster strikes. The Initiative for Resiliency in Energy through Vehicles (iREV) is addressing the challenge of these disruptions by developing resources…
NARC is working with the Energy Efficiency Codes Coalition (EECC) and local governments nationwide to alert you and your jurisdiction to an opportunity to vote for more efficient buildings in this fall’s 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) update. The IECC is the basis for the energy code in over 40 states and thousands of…
As the first cases of the Zika virus were identified in the contiguous United States, it is important for regions and elected officials to understand the virus and ways they can educate and prepare their communities. A map showing where in the United States cases of the Zika virus have been reported to ArboNET, a…
By: McKenzie Bradford, NARC Intern At last week’s 4th Urban Waters National Training Workshop sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Pentagon City, panelists reaffirmed an idea that seems obvious yet is often overlooked by public officials and local community members alike. Water is vital to more of our daily needs than we realize…
By: McKenzie Bradford, NARC Intern Last week, large crowds flowed continuously through Capitol Hill’s Cannon House Office Building for the 19th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum. The event featured a total of nine panels in which speakers exemplified the breadth of renewable energy and energy efficiency companies and organizations…
Washington, DC (July 14, 2016): The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) recently celebrated its 50th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Salt Lake City, Utah and elected its 2016-2017 leadership. For over 50 years, NARC has served as a national voice for a regional approach to problem solving through cooperative action across the boundaries of individual local…
Washington, D.C. (July 12, 2016) – The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) presented its 2016 General Achievement and Leadership Awards at its 50th Annual Conference and Exhibition Gala Dinner in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 28th. Unique to this year, NARC created a story map to invite you to learn more about each award…
Last week, NARC joined with other local government organizations calling on Senate leaders to bring up the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) S 2848 for debate this summer. The $9 billion bill authorizes flood protection, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was adopted by a Senate panel last…
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its highly anticipated and controversial overtime pay rule which will go into effect on December 1, 2016. DOL last updated the regulations in 2004. The new rule focuses primarily in updating salary and compensation levels needed for executive, administrative, and professional employees to be exempt from…
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 9, 2016) – The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) and Esri, the world leader in geographic information systems (GIS), are proud to announce their partnership to bring a wide range of resources to NARC members. Working with Esri, NARC will be able to develop maps and applications that will allow the…
A post by Sarah Reed More widespread access to broadband service in smaller, rural communities has significant economic benefits for both rural and urban areas, according to a new study from the Hudson Institute entitled The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband. The report finds that economic benefits are dispersed more heavily towards urban areas, with…
Earlier today, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released on its website a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing national performance measures regarding performance of the National Highway System, Freight Movement on the Interstate System, and the CMAQ program. (Note that this is an advanced copy of the NPRM; the official version will…
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