If you ever wonder about California ’s role in the National Association of Counties (NACo), just check out the March 29 edition of County News, NACo’s regular newspaper. It reads like a “Who’s Who” in California county government.

The edition featured a summary of the 2010 NACo Legislative Conference and other recent political events in Washington , D.C. There’s an article titled “NACo testifies on highway reauthorization,” focusing on Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, who chairs NACo’s Transportation Steering Committee.

There’s a series of photos that highlight California counties supervisors: Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss at the signing of the landmark health care legislation ( See County Voice post on March 23); Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal, who participated in the prestigious 2009 County Leadership Institute; Marin County Supervisor Susan Adams addressing her concerns to the national association’s Health Reform Committee; and San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, running from one legislative meeting to another, a stack of folders under his arm.

The publication is capped off by a President’s Report by NACo President and Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown.

California’s involvement – and influence – at the national level is alive and well. And as we face new challenges, both within Sacramento and Washington, D.C. , this involvement is more important than ever.