Influence Federal Policy

Spotlight On:
Transportation Reauthorization


After failing to find the votes to adopt a transportation bill, last week the House passed a bill to extend current programs another 90 days beyond the current deadline of June 30.  This bill also includes language that would mandate a decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline and creates a vehicle for the House to conference with the Senate.

Transportation Authorization Update

Officials, Education Groups Push for ESEA Reauthorization

As a part of an ongoing effort to push for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind, NLC and nine national organizations sent a joint letter to Congress urging it to complete the long overdue reauthorization. Click above to view the letter sent to House and Senate leadership.

Cybersecurity—A Crucial Issue for Local Governments

A CitiesSpeak blog entry on bills under consideration, the public debate surrounding civil liberties and privacy, the role local governments play in ensuring citizens’ safety, and “key principles and values” Congress must consider in passing any cybersecurity legislation.

WEBINAR: Building a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network

On June 6 at 2:00 EDT, NLC will host a webinar, “Building a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network: What Local Leaders Need to Know,” featuring an overview from the Dept. of Commerce of the path to the network's creation and the role governments will play in making the network a reality. 

Supreme Court Ruling Reflects NLC Stance

In a win for local governments, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held last week in Filarsky v. Delia that “[a] private individual temporarily retained by the government to carry out its work is entitled to seek qualified immunity from suit under §1983.”