Press Release - Readout of the Council of Economic Advisors Listening Session with the National Association of Counties

Council of Economic Advisors Chair-designate Cecilia Rouse, and Members-designate Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey met this morning for a listening session with the National Association of Counties (NACo), the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. The conversation focused on the impact of COVID in local communities, and the importance of direct federal support during this critical time.

The CEA designates listened to NACo's membership concerns and discussed the impact of COVID-19 in communities across the U.S., and the critical role counties play in supporting local services and priorities, including infrastructure, workforce, housing, and health care. The CEA designates also emphasized the president-elect's commitment to rebuilding the country at the local level, including supporting local governments and helping build back better in their communities.

NACo membership in attendance included:

• Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George's County, Maryland
• Board Chair Alisha Bell, Wayne County, Michigan (Detroit)
• Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Parish Mayor, Orleans Parish, Louisiana (New Orleans)
• Executive Dow Constantine, King County, Washington (Seattle)
• Executive Laura Curran, Nassau County, New York (Long Island)
• Mayor Jerry Demings, County Mayor, Orange County, Florida (Orlando)
• Supervisor Zach Friend, County Supervisor, Santa Cruz County, California
• Judge/Executive Lina Hidalgo, Harris County, Texas (Houston)
• Commissioner Larry Johnson, County Commissioner, DeKalb County, Georgia
• Board Chair Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas)
• Executive Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County, New York (Syracuse)
• Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, County Comm., Palm Beach County, Florida
• Executive John Olszewski, County Exec., Baltimore County, Maryland (Baltimore)
• President Toni Preckwinkle, County President, Cook County, Illinois (Chicago)
• Supervisor Hilda Solis, County Sup. Board Chair, Los Angeles County, California