NC Delegation Advances Federal Priorities in Washington

This week at the 2026 NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., North Carolina had one of the largest delegations in attendance, demonstrating our state’s strong commitment to federal advocacy and county collaboration.

Key policy sessions focused on property taxes, the rapid growth of AI and data centers, and the potential impacts of H.R. 1 on county governments and their respective budgets. Discussions highlighted the fiscal pressures counties face, infrastructure and energy considerations tied to data center expansion, and the importance of protecting local authority amid federal policy changes. Members met with Senator Ted Budd and staff from Senator Thom Tillis’ office to convey their concerns about recent federal legislation and its fiscal impacts on counties. Much of the congressional discussions centered on provisions in H.R. 1 that could strain county resources, and members stressed that delaying implementation of those provisions would enable counties to leverage resources more effectively and achieve stronger long-term benefits.  

The conference provided valuable insight into emerging national issues and strengthened relationships to ensure North Carolina’s county priorities remain represented at the federal level. Click here to view photos from the conference.