AAC
DIRECTOR’S DESK Finally, our staff here at the AAC is also well respected. Tey
have earned it. Mark Whitmore, Lindsey French, Josh Curtis and Eddie Jones walk alongside each association as they put needed legislation together. Tey work with legislators and the Bureau of Legislative Research (BLR) to draft and file these bills. Our team drafts the language in most cases and presents the legislator and BLR with what would be a final, drafted copy. I know this level of detail is appreciated by all and makes for a smoother process. In addition to our staff that works directly with the leg- islators, I am proud to work alongside Christy L. Smith and Holland Doran. Their communication skills are im- peccable, and you all stay informed through their efforts. You also stay informed by my assistant Anne Baker, who is responsible for getting weekly legislative updates out to you and reported on our website. By the time the session ends, all these folks are worn to a nub, don’t want to ever see a bill again, but instead immediately begin communicating legislation to our member associations. In the end, this was the longest session I can recall at 107 days. And by the way, it’s not over. It “ended” in a recess so the legislators can return this fall for congressional redistricting. Tere is much to cover, and we will be attending your associa-
tion meetings through the summer to bring you up to speed on legislative changes. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call any of us.
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the money has begun flowing to counties. County Treasurers are in the process of utilizing the U.S. Treasury Department’s website to notify them of the proper bank account to transfer this money to. Te total amount of money given to counties for community investments is approximately $580 million — half now and half no less than a year from now. Te second big piece of news was the release of our first
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round of treasury guidance — a 150-page document called the Interim Final Rule for Fund Guidance. Remember, this will evolve, so we expect clearer guidance over time. Te AAC has been working to put together a panel of ex-
See “DIRECTOR” on Page 42 >>>
ith the close of the legislative session, our team has quickly turned our attention to the American Rescue Plan (ARP). In the last few days, we’ve hit two big milestones. First,
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COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2021
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