Video & Transcript Research : 'unionization'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They are job creators, union employers, community leaders, and they are barely hanging on.
- They are job creators, union employers, community leaders, and they are barely hanging on.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives.
The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access.
The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The majority of our plants in California, specifically in Sacramento, are union plants.
- We have over a hundred union employees, the Teamsters, and we've been collectively bargaining with them
Summary:
The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended.
The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health Mar 20th, 2025
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health
Transcript Highlights:
- warnings about food additive bans by foreign countries, including Australia, Canada, and the European Union
- Um, but any changes made by one of these foreign countries or the European Union would require manufacturers
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Hearings (PM) Feb 6th, 2025
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Panama Canal and its impact on U.S. trade and national security, focusing on fees and foreign influence. Jan 28th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- to address our broken supply chains, whether it is a bridge collapse, a major global conflict, or unions
- The flow for commercial vessels, not into the United States, but to the European Union, is coming from
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 18th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They were playing with the big boys in Bixby and Union, and they overcame a lot of adversity this year
Bills:
HCR1006, SB1226, SB1239, SB1309, SB2132, SB1189, SB1344, SB1295, SB1355, SB1998, SB1330, SB1297, SB1338, SB1546, SB1378, SB1859, SB1333, SB1341, SB1377, SB1990
Keywords:
campaign finance, election spending, political spending, money in politics, constitutional amendment, Citizens United, free speech, ballot measures, elections, corruption, dark money, outside spending, foreign influence, special interests, corporations, unions, federalism, self-government, political equality, term limits
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 17th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Lauren Jackson, and I'm a senior at Oklahoma Union High School in Noatta, Oklahoma.
Bills:
SB843, SB1733, SB1476, SB1237, SB1410, SB1894, SB1272, SB1204, SB1721, SB1725, SB1735, SB1337, SB1339, SB1461, SB1975, SB1450, SB1458, SB1232, SB1238, SB1325, SB1209, SB1362, SB2072, SB1451, SB1540, SB1581, SB1535, SB1266, SB1927, SB1460, SB2084, SB2182, SB392, SB985, SB1265, SB1283, SB1441, SB1307, SB1425, SB1826, SB1365, SB1696, SB1870, SB1722, SB1639, SB715, SB716, SB182, SB609, SB169, SB134, SB1611, SB432, SB1407, SB2039, SB1356, SB1288, SB2019, SB1705, SB1878, SB2118
Keywords:
school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 072 Mar 27th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bar Association, the Colorado Creditors Bar Association, the Colorado Banking Association, credit unions
- uh we've had uh just about every unions uh we've had uh just about every kind<02:09:33.640>
of - Perfect Union tested this with ride-share drivers in Los Angeles.
- Perfect<02:14:59.960>
Union <02:15:00.680>tested <02:15:01.040>this <02:15:01.200- >
with Perfect Union tested this with Perfect Union tested this with ride-share<02:15:01.800><
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard announcements about committee meetings later in the day. The main floor action was a motion to place House Bill 1101, House Bill 1193, Senate Bill 118, and House Bill 1210 on the special orders calendar, which was adopted without objection. The House then moved into committee of the whole for consideration of House Bill 1101, a bill concerning criminal offenses related to critical infrastructure components and commodity metals.
During debate on HB 1101, the sponsor explained that the bill is intended to address theft of critical infrastructure such as street lights, RTD equipment, cell towers, and similar materials by targeting the scrap metal market where stolen goods are sold. The committee adopted amendment L004, which reorganized the statutory structure and aligned offenses more closely with the conduct involved; the sponsor said this reduced the highest charge level from an F5 to an F6 in some circumstances. Amendment L005, a technical correction to L004, was adopted. Several members raised concerns that the bill could unfairly burden scrap yards and legitimate businesses, while others supported the measure as a response to widespread infrastructure theft.
The committee rejected amendment L006, which would have required buyers to know or reasonably know that material was unlawfully obtained, with the sponsor arguing it would increase liability and undermine negotiated protections for scrapyard dealers. Amendment L008, which sought to add a good-faith protection for legitimate businesses and reduce chilling effects on commerce, was also defeated after members said similar protections already existed in the bill. Amendment L009, creating an affirmative defense for documented commercial transactions and record-keeping compliance, was likewise rejected because members said the bill already contained a stronger affidavit-based safe harbor. Finally, amendment L10, which would have added a five-year repeal/sunset date for the bill, was debated at length but was not adopted; opponents argued criminal provisions should remain stable, while supporters said a sunset would allow review of the bill’s effectiveness and unintended consequences.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- HCR 2040 would prohibit school districts from working with labor unions in the same way that districts
- If you care at all about people being able to unionize and come together for their workers' rights, this
- I have here a report from the superintendent of Phoenix Union High School that says, I asked her, how
- He says Pastor brought home billions of dollars that created thousands of union jobs, and that naming
- Erpastor brought home billions of dollars that created thousands of union jobs for our community.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including a proclamation designating March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also recognized guests from several school districts and the Arizona Future Farmers of America. The chamber then moved through first readings and procedural motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of bills to additional Committee of the Whole sessions.
In the first Committee of the Whole, the House considered HB 2100 and HB 2103, both receiving technical floor amendments and due-pass recommendations. The chamber then took up HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. HB 2775 drew extended debate over whether Arizona should prohibit state and local enforcement of policies from international organizations such as the WHO, UN, ICC, IMF, WEF, and NATO; supporters framed it as a sovereignty measure, while opponents warned it was overly broad and could cut off useful best practices. HB 2833 focused on private-school student safety and mandatory reporting, with some members urging broader Title 15 coverage for private schools and others warning against regulating private schools further.
HB 2862, which addressed law-enforcement facial coverings, was amended after debate and a division vote on a substitute amendment; the substitute passed 29-20, and the bill then received a due-pass recommendation. HB 2995, the “Alex and Lydia Act,” addressed domestic violence and coercive control in family-court-related contexts and also received a due-pass recommendation. HB 4067, requested by county recorders, added voter-status categories to electronic poll books; supporters said it would help election administration, while opponents argued it could create an unfunded mandate and burden or confuse voters. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, with one later motion to alter the HB 2862 report failing 20-30.
In the Education Committee portion, HB 2040 passed easily, while HB 2093 sparked substantial debate over whether to repeal statutory requirements for mental health instruction in K-12 health education. Supporters said schools should focus on academics and that mental health care belongs with licensed professionals and parents; opponents argued the bill would remove life-saving instruction and support for students. HB 2313, dealing with educator work stoppages and political protests, also passed after debate over whether it would unfairly punish teachers and chill advocacy. HB 2423 passed with an amendment that trimmed reporting requirements, and HB 2478 advanced after a substitute amendment was defeated, the committee amendment was adopted, and an appropriations amendment was withdrawn. The session ended with the House continuing through the calendar after these due-pass recommendations.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 021 Feb 3rd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ><01:26:28.320>
and <01:26:28.480>that's <01:26:28.719>something more perfect union - and that's something more perfect union and that's something that<01:26:29.280>
continues <01: - Carrie Rodriguez of the National Parents Union, who visited Minnesota this week, remarked that you can
- Carrie Rodriguez of the National<02:43:41.600>
Parents <02:43:41.920>Union <02:43:42.240 - >
who <02:43:42.399>visited National Parents Union who visited National Parents Union who
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 006 on immigration. The resolution reaffirmed support for immigrant Coloradans, emphasized their economic and cultural contributions, and called for transparent, accountable federal immigration enforcement, including an end to masked or unidentified enforcement tactics and limits on actions near schools, clinics, courthouses, faith spaces, and other sensitive locations. It also urged humane federal immigration reform, stronger state transparency tools, and protection of First Amendment rights and peaceful protest.
Representative Joseph and Representative Brics spoke in strong support of the resolution, arguing that immigrants are integral to Colorado and that aggressive enforcement has caused fear, family separation, and harm in communities. They cited examples of alleged federal overreach and personal stories of affected constituents to argue for dignity, accountability, and reform. Representative Baron opposed the resolution as written, saying some parts were acceptable but others were too partisan; he offered an amendment that would emphasize legal immigration, federal authority over immigration enforcement, and a more bipartisan framing.
The amendment debate centered on whether the proposal was truly bipartisan and whether the resolution should be narrowed to focus on legal immigration and federal jurisdiction. Supporters of the amendment said it better reflected shared values and legal realities, while resolution sponsors rejected the changes and asked for a no vote. The transcript ends during continued debate over the amendment, with no final vote on the resolution or amendment shown in the excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <03:20:33.760>
Um, late December in the union leader. - Um, late December in the union leader.
- The first one is Union Standard ultra thin lubricated male latex condoms.
- The first<03:35:21.600>
one <03:35:21.840>is <03:35:22.160>Union <03:35:22.720>- > Standard<03:35:23.439>
ultra <03:35:23.760>thin first one is Union Standard ultra - > Standard<03:35:23.439>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, is there—do you know, did the governor or did you find any money to fund the other non-union parts
- for<01:10:37.840>
like <01:10:38.640>the <01:10:38.920>non <01:10:39.960>union - base increase for like the non union base increase for like the non union people?
- , and I'm a union fan?
- , and I'm a union fan?
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/21/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, my name is Alicia Grany, and I'm a staff attorney at the ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union
- Um, the American Civil Liberties Union is an organization devoted to preserving the rights and liberties
- 52.079>
American <00:13:52.399>Civil <00:13:52.720>Liberties <00:13:53.120>Union - ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union of<00:13:53.600
- Um, the American Civil Liberties Union Um, the American Civil Liberties Union is<00:13:58.079>
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- the House: House Bill 1207, relative to certain laws applicable to state-chartered banks, credit unions
- 11.240>
chartered <00:22:11.600>banks, <00:22:12.000>credit <00:22:12.320>unions - , state chartered banks, credit unions, state chartered banks, credit unions, trust<00:22:12.920>
- That was reciprocated in Pennsylvania and New York when the families of Union soldiers decorated the
- graves of Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/08/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the anti-monopoly director for Minnesota Farmers Union, which is a grassroots organization that's
- ,<01:36:23.440>
which <01:36:23.640>is <01:36:23.840>a Minnesota Farmers Union - , which is a Minnesota Farmers Union, which is a grassroots<01:36:24.520>
organization <01:36:25.400 - add to the premium increases already being experienced in the fully insured market by employers and unions
- In response, employers and unions will be forced to make difficult benefit decisions or pass on the higher
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/02/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have a testifier here, um, Gary Wertish from the Minnesota Farmers Union.
- > um, Gary Wertish from the Minnesota um, Gary Wertish from the Minnesota Farmers<00:04:02.640>
Union - I'm president of Minnesota Farmers Union.
- when they've had in what might be the worst months of their career. president of Minnesota Farmers Union
- I president of Minnesota Farmers Union.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 8th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- administrative roles, serving as principal for Almani High School and later superintendent of the Almaty Union
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journals, referred AB 1457 to Rules, and moved SB 1241 and SB 1422 to the inactive file. The chamber then took up two gubernatorial appointments: Tanya Pacheco Werner to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Board and Dr. Paulette Brown-Hines to the California Transportation Commission. Both nominees were presented by Senator Grove, noted as having been approved unanimously by the Rules Committee, and both were confirmed by floor vote, 34-0 and 36-0 respectively.
Senator Becker then presented SR 104, which recognizes healthy aging and longevity research as a public health and economic priority and encourages prevention, early intervention, and collaboration on aging-related research and innovation. Senator Weber Pierson spoke in strong support, emphasizing aging as a major risk factor for chronic disease, health inequities affecting communities of color, and the need for more diverse research participation. The resolution was adopted on a 35-0 vote.
The Senate also heard remarks introducing guests from USC, UC Berkeley, the Buck Institute, the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives, Retro Biosciences, California Chronic Care Coalition, LeadingAge California, and AgingBio, in connection with the healthy aging resolution. Committee announcements followed, and members then offered adjournment-in-memory tributes for Larry Vane of Pacific Palisades and David Sandell, an educator and former Air National Guard member. The session concluded after those memorials, with the Senate set to reconvene on June 11, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation May 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, hospitality training academy, training Angelenos for unionized careers; California Opportunity
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation met with a quorum present and took up a vote-only agenda. After public comment, including testimony from Edward Hasbrook of the Identity Project opposing the DMV state-to-state Real ID proposal and related data-sharing concerns, the committee moved through multiple blocks of budget items in Parts A, B, and C covering labor, public safety and judiciary, and transportation. Staff recommendations were adopted on each set of issues, with several roll calls passing unanimously and others passing with one no vote or one member not voting.
Before adjournment, members highlighted issues they want to continue pursuing in negotiations for the final budget. The chair raised concerns about the Real ID state-to-state system, privacy, and sharing Californians’ driver data, and also urged continued support for rehabilitation programming and expansion of the wildfire mitigation grant program. Senator Durazo emphasized the need for funding for justice-system programs, trauma recovery centers, public defenders, CDCR-based community programming, and more sustained workforce training investments. Senator Seyarto focused on transportation funding for inland regions, court capacity and Prop. 36 implementation, and workforce development tied to business attraction and changing labor needs.
The chair thanked the consultants, sergeants, administration staff, and public participants, and asked members to submit additional comments in writing so they can be reflected in the record and considered in ongoing budget negotiations. The subcommittee then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee May 18th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and members, Sarah Flachs, California Federation of Labor Unions, in strong support.
Summary:
The Senate committee heard AB 1768, authored by Assembly Member Brian, which would allow Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County voters to consider a local sales tax increase to help replace health care and safety-net funding lost to federal cuts, including impacts tied to H.R. 1 and Medicaid reimbursement reductions. The author and supporters argued the bill simply gives local voters the authority to decide how to respond to clinic closures, staffing shortages, and projected losses affecting Medi-Cal, CalFresh, hospitals, and community health centers. Support came from the California Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Professional Firefighters, SEIU California, Teamsters California, the California Federation of Labor Unions, electrical and pipe trades groups, AFSCME California, and Contra Costa County.
Opposition came from the cities of Glendale and Burbank, and several senators raised concerns that the measure would increase taxes and burden residents already facing high costs of living. Senator Seyarto argued the state should address its own spending and questioned whether the federal government was truly responsible for the funding shortfalls, while Senator Choi said the proposal would add to taxpayers’ burdens and could set a precedent for other local tax requests. Supporters responded that the bill does not impose a tax itself, but only permits county voters to decide whether to approve one.
Senator Arreguin moved the bill for a due pass recommendation to the Senate floor. The committee approved the motion on a 5-2 vote, with the bill passing out of committee and being placed on the Senate floor.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, if you're saying, well, hey, we need high union-paying jobs... ...it doesn't match with reality
Summary:
The committee first called the roll, established a quorum, and then heard Senate Bill 1553 from Senator Curtis Gregory. The bill is aimed at national defense and reshoring critical supply chains to the United States, including pharmaceuticals and critical minerals/materials used in defense and manufacturing. Gregory said the Senate had added clarifying language tying eligible materials to federal critical-material and FDA lists.
Supporters testified that the bill could help Missouri compete in sectors now dominated by foreign producers, especially China and India, and could strengthen national security by encouraging domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and critical minerals. Witnesses from Jost Chemical, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the API Innovation Center, Doe Run, and Associated Industries of Missouri emphasized the difficulty of competing with subsidized foreign supply chains, the importance of transferable tax credits, and Missouri’s existing industrial base. Several witnesses noted that grants would be harder to administer and that federal support or price stability may still be needed for large-scale projects like mines.
No one testified in opposition or for informational purposes. The committee then moved into executive session and voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1553, with nine ayes and zero nays.