CCAWV President McCormick and I just returned from Washington DC, attending NACo's Presidents' and Executive Directors' annual conference, along with about 75 others from across the nation. We met with key congressional staff, internal affairs staff in the White House and updates from NACo's top executives.

The Governor 's work group for Justice Reinvestment meets on January 22nd for final policy recommendations on the jail and prison overcrowding issues. Policy recommendations will be in three areas, 1) Strengthening Community Supervision; 2) Improving Accountability; and 3) Reducing Substance Abuse. CCAWV is a participant on the working group and will keep you posted. During January interims, the Government Organization committee discussed proposed legislation that would continue the current

Municipal Home Rule pilot project until July 1, 2018 and expand it from 4 cities to 8 cities. All current ordinances enacted prior to July 1, 2012, will remain in effect, except tax ordinances. Tax ordinances will be null and void. It also prohibits any future ordinances that create, modify or amend pensions, retirement plans, annexation, or state or federal crimes and punishment. No action was taken on the draft legislation because they did not have a quorum. Further discussion is delayed until February interims.