Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson traveled to Washington D.C. as part of the National Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference earlier this month.

County officials from across the nation showed Congress and federal officials that county governments provide the tools for healthy, vibrant and safe communities, according to a news release.

More than 1,500 county officials attended the conference, from March 1 to 5, to represent the nation’s 3,069 county governments.

The main topic of the conference this year was transportation. Members of county organizations urged Congress to pass a multi-year surface transportation bill that provides long-term funding certainty for transportation infrastructure. A two-year surface transportation bill known as “MAP-21” which supports many county surface transportation priorities expires in September.

“Transportation resources are vital for Island County.  Whether it is support for ferries, transit or road maintenance, our federal partners need to understand the local impacts of their decisions,” said Price Johnson, in the news release.

“It’s important that Congress and federal officials hear directly from county officials about how we can work together to effectively serve the public.”

County’s membership and active involvement in NACo makes that not only possible but highly effective, she added.

Price Johnson also met with state congressional officials to discuss challenges and to work collaboratively to meet the needs of local communities.