State Advocacy

It is essential that members of the Legislature and Administration understand the impact of policy decisions made in Columbus. CCAO engages with policy makers, the media, stakeholders, various community organizations, and the public about county government and the effect proposed legislation would have on counties.

CCAO Budget Priorities Card

CCAO has produced our Budget Priorities pocket card the policy team will use for legislative budget meetings. The pocket card contains the Association's budget priorities but is not an exhaustive list of items that the Association will advocate for inclusion in the operating budget

136th General Assembly Budget Priorities

136th General Assembly Budget One-Pagers

CCAO has produced one-page advocacy documents for our members on the Association's priorities in the 136th General Assembly's Operating Budget. Each document has the Association's budget request on the policy area and suggested talking points for members. We encourage you to customize the talking points to fit the circumstances of your individual county! These will be updated as the budget process continues, so please check to see if you have the most recent version! Notification of updates will be included in Statehouse Report.

Child Welfare Advocacy Document Documents Updated: April 10, 2025 Indigent Defense Advocacy Document
Jail Funding Advocacy Document Next Gen 9-1-1 Advocacy Document Child Care Advocacy Document

 

County Advocacy Toolkit

The Toolkit is the product of work with the CCAO Legislative Advocacy Task Force and is intended to serve as a helpful touchpoint as CCAO members advocate on behalf of their county and the Association with state leaders.

Download the Toolkit here!

County Activity on Policy Issues

The CCAO and member counties are active at the General Assembly to help educate the legislature on how bills could affect counties and to provide a first-hand prospective on issues pertaining to county government. The link below will take you to an archive of testimony offered by both CCAO staff members and county commissioners (both on behalf of the Association and on behalf of their individual counties) on a variety of bills during the 135th General Assembly.

Learn More

Legislative Platform

The CCAO Legislative Platform is the Association's comprehensive legislative advocacy document, guiding Association staff on advocacy issues. Read it here!