Conference brought Chesco commissioners and Congress together

CHESTER COUNTY

Commissioners gather at counties conference in D.C.

WEST CHESTER All three Chester County commissioners attended a conference in Washington last week that focused on legislative issues facing county government.

More than 2,000 county officials attend the National Association of Counties' yearly legislative conference. Highlighting the conference were trips to Capitol Hill to tell legislators about counties' needs.

The Chester County delegation joined their counterparts in asking members of Congress for a more long-term transportation funding bill.

Workshop topics at the conference included economic-development partnerships, community engagement, county response to health crises, and U.S. Supreme Court cases that could impact local government. "We have had a lot of ideas come out of one of the conferences," said Terence Farrell, chair of the Chester County commissioners.

A prescription-drug discount program the county implemented a few years ago came from one such conference.

The National Association of Counties, founded in 1935, represents the country's more than 3,000 counties. It aims to help produce "healthy, vibrant, safe, and resilient counties," according to its mission statement. - Michaelle Bond