Make it a goal to be part of goals process

Development of legislative goals package begins with proposals

By Kevin G. Leonard
Director of Government Relations

County commissioners can relate to state legislators, who are constantly bombarded by various groups with their own specific interests. In most instances those advocates represent a very specific segment of the population – this can make it hard for legislators to support their cause. This is not the case for the NCACC, and that is due in part to the Association's legislative goals process.

When an NCACC advocate visits a legislator or speaks on an issue at a meeting at the General Assembly, that legislator can be assured that behind that stance is broad support – making it easier to support the NCACC's position. As staff representing the NCACC, we can honestly assert that our adopted legislative goals process represents a consensus opinion of all the state's counties and the views of county elected officials across the state. This is a powerful statement and one that carries great weight in Raleigh.

Elected and appointed county officials are vital to making this process work so well. The process is designed to be open, inclusive and deliberative. It gives a chance for all 100 counties to have a voice in developing our next legislative agenda.

This month we kick off our biennial legislative goals process. The first step in that process – and one of the most important steps – is the submission of proposed goals.

Counties and NCACC affiliate organizations are invited to submit their legislative proposals to the Association through Sept. 15.

After that deadline, the NCACC's seven steering committees will begin the process of reviewing and debating the merits of each goal. Steering committees submit their respective goals packages to the Legislative Goals Committee, which will meet twice in November to assemble a complete package of goals for the Board of Directors to review in December. That set of goals will be forwarded to all counties, which will debate and adopt the Association's 2011-12 legislative goals package in January 2011.

For more information and to obtain the form for proposed goals, visit www.ncacc.org/legislativegoals.html. That Web page also includes a link to our 2009-10 legislative goals, which shows the types of issues covered during the most recent session.

Important things to consider as you think about submitting your proposed goals:

• You must complete the goals proposal form.
• Along with the form, submissions must include at least one of the following: a resolution approved by your county's Board of Commissioners, a letter from the Chairman of the Board on behalf of the entire board, or a letter of support from an affiliate organization.
• Proposed goals received on or before Sept. 15 will be referred to the appropriate steering committee for review and consideration.
• Proposed goals received after Sept. 15 will be sent directly to the Legislative Goals Committee for review.

The Association thanks you for your consideration and participation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact NCACC staff.

Director of Government Relations Kevin Leonard can be reached at (919) 715-4369 or kevin.leonard@ncacc.org.