Transcript Highlights:

• The year saw the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives.
• operations for this location.
• But the operational burdens are growing as well.
• You know, we recently launched with our data analyst.
• They are operating from year to year.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we got to a point in early 2024 of launching our collaborative research initiative called
• And what that's really led us to after our first few years of operation is a complete database of a..
• . ...our first few years of operation is a complete database of affordable housing information.
• Actually, I guess we're coming up on two years soon enough since we've launched a dashboard publicly.
• The most recent one we launched in April in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council,

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with a presentation from Housing Navigator Massachusetts. Staff described the nonprofit’s mission to improve access to affordable housing through a free, 24/7 search tool and public data dashboards. They explained how the site distinguishes between rent-based-on-income units and fixed below-market rent units, how mobile vouchers such as AHVP and Section 8 interact with those listings, and what types of housing are included or excluded from the database. They also reviewed accessibility filters, supportive housing resources, and related state programs such as EOHLC resources and RAFT. Committee members asked about the organization’s funding, the availability of voucher programs, and whether the site tracks demand for accessible units or wait lists over time. Housing Navigator said it is primarily supported through the state, works closely with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and does not collect personal application data because it is not part of the application process. Staff said accessible units appear to be in high demand, but they do not have direct data on how many people are waiting or how many applications result from site visits. They also said they are working to improve data sharing, more frequent updates, and future research tools. Members discussed ways to increase public awareness of Housing Navigator, including sharing a one-page fact sheet or infographic through disability organizations, local disability commissions, independent living centers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability. The subcommittee also briefly discussed future goals, including inviting MassHealth to a January meeting, seeking regular updates on federal Medicare and Medicaid developments, reviewing the annual report’s recommendations, and possibly planning a future health equity event. The meeting ended with the introduction of new commission member Victoria Gill and a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are actively engaged in finalizing the operating relationships where we're sharing resources.
• And then some additional hospital operating funds.
• We launched our new outpatient ABA building, which was an ARAF-funded project.
• We've processed over 30,000 patient licenses since the launch. So, things are working.
• The operation went off without a hitch.

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• This center supports the MBTA ferry operations from the Hingham Shipyard as well.
• In fact, just last month, we launched a new online cost-estimating tool that makes it easier than ever
• A lot of our day job is working on the operating side of the budget, watching revenues come in.
• The gravel roads we cover out of our operating budget, which...
• The gravel roads we cover out of our operating budget, which Roads.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This center supports the MBTA ferry operations from the Hingham Shipyard as well.
• A lot of our day job is working on the operating side of the budget, watching revenues come in.
• It's not competing with those operating pressures, particularly on... ...not competing with those operating
• The gravel roads we cover out of our operating budget, which... of 1,761.
• The gravel roads we cover out of our operating budget, which Roads.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the Healey-Driscoll administration’s transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Administration officials said the bill would authorize more than $5 billion overall, including $1.2 billion for Chapter 90 over four years, $500 million for accelerated road and bridge repairs, $200 million for MBTA rail modernization and reliability, $200 million for transportation projects supporting housing development, $200 million for a new DCR parkway resilience and safety program, and reauthorizations for federal-aid highway projects, non-federal highway projects, municipal pavement, and Shared Streets and Spaces. They emphasized that the proposal is backed by Commonwealth Transportation Fund revenues, including registry fees, gas tax, and Fair Share surtax revenue, and said it would improve safety, reliability, housing production, and regional equity. Committee members asked about the four-year Chapter 90 authorization, the housing-related transportation funding, federal funding uncertainty, and how the MBTA money would support commuter rail electrification and regional rail. Administration witnesses said the multi-year structure would help municipalities plan and avoid more expensive deferred maintenance, that the housing funds would be flexible for infrastructure needs tied to development, and that the state is pursuing federal grants while relying on state-backed capital financing. They also described process improvements at MassDOT that have reduced project bid-to-notice timelines by 60% and said the rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurement, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and local officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth strongly supported the bill, saying the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile formula have made a major difference for small and rural communities and that four-year funding would improve predictability, project bundling, and cost savings. They cited local road, bridge, culvert, and gravel-road needs and urged favorable action. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to use it for broader transportation policy changes and new revenue tools, including possible reforms to TNC fees, regional pricing, and other funding mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It launched in 2014.
• And as the deputy director said, we're starting to launch CA Rise 2.0.
• As we launch CA Rise 2.0, we'll be sure to invite you and welcome you to that launch, and we'll be happy
• They might launch next year.
• To provide a quick review, the Cal Competes Tax Credit first launched in 2014.

Transcript Highlights:

• on staying out of operations.
• What was once a collection of locally owned, locally operated, mom-and-pop hotel operations in cities
• What was once a collection of locally owned, locally operated, mom-and-pop hotel operations in cities
• They are now almost exclusively hotel operators.
• They are all over. locally operated mom-and-pop kind of hotel operations in cities all over this country

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen safety rules and certification for artificial stone fabrication shops to reduce silica exposure; AB 2499 (Gibson) would require Cal/OSHA to develop heat-illness protections for incarcerated workers and staff in correctional facilities; AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline the disbursement of state and federal workforce funds; AB 2646 (Krell) would establish a minimum wage floor for certain agricultural workers; AB 2227 (Connolly) would tighten licensing and bond requirements for farm labor contractors and add default-judgment procedures for wage claims; AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for alleged REIT interference in hotel operations; AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts and other updates; AB 2634 (Zbur) would prioritize labor-management partnerships in High Road Training Partnership grants; and AB 1888 would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for work under the Safe Home Grant Program. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create California’s approval process for short-term Pell-eligible workforce programs. The committee also took up several consent items, including AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682. Most bills were described as aligning state programs with federal law or improving worker protections and program quality, while opponents generally raised concerns about costs, administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, or reduced oversight. Testimony was largely split along labor and industry lines. Supporters included labor unions, legal aid groups, workforce boards, and affected workers or family members, who emphasized heat illness, wage theft, silica exposure, poor prison conditions, and the need for higher-quality training and retirement access. Opponents on several bills, especially those affecting agriculture, REITs, and workforce administration, argued the measures would increase costs, create uncertainty, or duplicate existing law. On AB 2227, committee members engaged in extended discussion about Labor Commissioner delays and whether the bill’s default-judgment and bond provisions would meaningfully help workers. On AB 1869, members and witnesses debated whether the bill created new standards or simply improved enforcement of existing REIT rules. The committee voted to pass all of the measures heard, generally with motions to do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Several bills were held open for absent members during the meeting, and later add-on roll calls recorded additional ayes, moving the bills out of committee. The meeting concluded after the consent calendar was approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS THAT WE ARE LAUNCHING INNOVATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS.
• WE ARE LAUNCHING NEW PROGRAMS.
• YOU LAUNCH THE EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS, PRE-APPRENTICESHIPS, AND ERAP GRANTS.
• WE LAUNCHED THIS THAT THERE WERE 64 COMPLETERS EMPLOYED.
• FIRST OF IT'S KIND TO EMBED A COLLEGE CAMPUS DIRECTLY ON A MUNICIPAL PUBLIC WORKS OPERATION SITE.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've launched a series of non-credit conferences.
• So since it's launched in 2022, we've engaged over 80 school districts.
• Epic Fury, the same individuals that are operating in theater as we speak.
• This gap is not just operational; it is a compliance risk. I don't know.
• This gap is not just operational; it is a compliance risk.

Summary: The subcommittee first noted that item one on the Imagination Library update was being pulled pending review of newly received receipts, invoices, and backup documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance. The chair said the committee would continue reviewing the materials and later determine whether additional oversight and accountability measures are needed regarding taxpayer funds and implementation of the program. The main discussion focused on the California Community Colleges budget request. Chancellor Christian described strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery and asked the Legislature to fund 3% enrollment growth, change the funding formula to use the highest of the three years rather than a three-year average, and remove the 10% growth cap to avoid unfunded FTES. She also urged support for the Governor’s proposals on COLA, deferral repayment, the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, and Calbright College, while adding requests for AI literacy funding, a Rebuild L.A. workforce effort, veterans services, and support for the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about high district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and enrollment fraud; Christian said reserves are complex but should be addressed district by district, and that identity verification and AI tools are being used to prevent fraudulent enrollments. Finance and LAO staff then reviewed the student-centered funding formula and enrollment growth proposals. DOF said the Governor’s budget fully repays $408.4 million in deferrals, provides a 2.41% COLA, and includes funding to cover current-year apportionment costs; LAO recommended prioritizing those proposals but suggested beginning enrollment growth funding in 2026-27 rather than revising the current-year target. Chris Ferguson said most districts are growing, that 54 of 72 districts would benefit from a formula change favoring current-year enrollment, and that unfunded growth remains a concern. On facilities, staff explained that deferred maintenance needs are about $2.2 billion, with projects prioritized by life safety, modernization, and capacity needs. The final item was Calbright College. President Menon said Calbright serves more than 6,200 adult learners statewide, with strong completion and wage gains, and asked for the Governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing increase. She and staff emphasized Calbright’s flexible, competency-based model, its partnerships with employers and other colleges, and its role in serving working adults and caregivers. LAO questioned the proposed funding level and recommended moving Calbright onto the student-centered funding formula in the future to better tie funding to enrollment and outcomes, while Calbright argued its structure is different from traditional colleges and needs separate treatment. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we're trying to get through the operational phase of launching them and then see thereafter what's
• </c> trying to get through the operational trying to get through the operational phase<00:22:43.000><
• ><c> then</c><00:22:44.600><c> see</c> phase of launching them and then see phase of launching them and
• </c><00:26:14.679><c> budget</c> Lottery commissions operating budget Lottery commissions operating budget
• </c><00:30:58.639><c> in</c> one is sports betting launching in one is sports betting launching in Massachusetts

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and CFO Jim Durus. McIntyre said the Lottery has more than tripled its return to the Education Trust Fund since 2011, from $62 million to $207 million in FY 24, while keeping expenses relatively flat over time. He explained that the Lottery operates like a business, is heavily audited, and that the governor’s budget raises the FY 26-27 revenue estimate to $185 million, up about $12 million annually from prior estimates. He attributed FY 24’s unusually strong results to record Powerball sales driven by a spike in billion-dollar jackpots tied to higher interest rates, and said scratch tickets still make up most gross sales, though Powerball is the highest-margin product. Members questioned the Lottery about the difference between gross revenue and profit, the steep rise in operating expenses, and the reasons for requested budget increases. McIntyre said the main drivers were payroll, benefits, advertising, added regulatory responsibilities from expanded gaming, and a new Salesforce customer-tracking system. He also described requested capital needs, including an outdated security system, building access and ADA improvements, and upgrades to the front office for employee safety. He said the security system is still running on an old Windows 7-based setup and that the requested upgrade would modernize cameras and add redundancy. The discussion also covered staffing and gaming expansion. McIntyre said the Lottery has 84 employees including three commissioners, with 13 funded vacancies, and that it plans to fill positions as two new gaming rooms come online in Rochester and Derry. He said the Lottery’s revenue estimates were revised upward because sports betting in Massachusetts had less impact than expected and historic horse racing machines have been more profitable than forecast. He also explained the governor’s proposal to shift historic horse racing toward slot-style machines, saying the physical machines would look largely the same but the content and math would change, and that the state’s revenue share would increase under the proposal. No votes were taken; the committee mainly asked questions and received explanations about the Lottery’s budget and revenue assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so we're just asking to launch.
• </c> to cover costs for staff and operating to cover costs for staff and operating beyond<02:17:51.359
• </c><02:33:27.840><c> The</c> operations are federally funded. The operations are federally funded.
• </c> $111,000 grant will allow us to launch $111,000 grant will allow us to launch or<02:56:40.160><c
• </c> this placed a strain on our operations this placed a strain on our operations and<03:20:22.640><

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the summer of 2025, however, shortly after the new online benefit delivery system was launched, this
• Month after month since the launch of the new system, they've had to make historic numbers of decisions
• its performance with respect to a number of timeliness metrics has worsened significantly since the launch
• . four times as long as DUA's average of 17 days prior to the system launching.
• Jessin Beck, Director of Marketing Operations. So maybe not on... Do we have any remote...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Chairs and members noted the hearing was in hybrid format and limited to this one bill. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski testified in support, saying they filed the bill after seeing many constituent cases involving delayed or difficult unemployment claims, especially for seasonal workers and others facing housing and financial instability. They argued a commission could review claim data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to make the system more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services also testified in favor. Attorneys described representing many low-income workers whose claims were delayed for months after the launch of the new online DUA system, often leaving them in limbo while trying to pay bills. They cited examples where claimants were denied or delayed due to issues that could have been resolved more quickly, and said the new system has contributed to major backlogs. They reported that DUA’s non-monetary issue backlog more than doubled, separation issues tripled, and hearings appeals grew to more than 12,500 pending cases, with average appeal times far above required timelines. They said the commission could help identify root causes and systemic fixes, and suggested the bill might be improved by giving the commission more time to report. Committee members generally praised the bill’s intent and the filers’ collaboration. Several members shared their own experiences with constituent unemployment cases and emphasized that people should not have to contact legislators to get claims processed. Some asked whether the commission should include broader stakeholder representation, such as business groups, MassHire, staff, and people with direct claims experience, and whether its scope should be widened. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair concluded the meeting after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the summer of 2025, however, shortly after the new online benefit delivery system was launched, this
• Month after month since the launch of the new system, they've had to make historic numbers of decisions
• its performance with respect to a number of timeliness metrics has worsened significantly since the launch
• . four times as long as DUA's average of 17 days prior to the system launching.
• Jessin Beck, Director of Marketing Operations. So maybe not on... Do we have any remote?

Bills: H5188

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We should all want state programs to operate and function as intended and within expected costs.
• </c> enjoy these businesses operate enjoy these businesses operate differently<00:22:15.640><c> than<
• With that in mind, MBP strongly urges the following steps before launch.
• Number two: thoroughly test and audit the technology before launch. MEnure?
• Minnesota is in the top three or four states being the most costly to operate in.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to Item B2, Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations.
• I'm Mary Franklin, the director of the Division of County Operations for the Department of Human Services
• You know, this is my second launch with electronic licensing, and it was the largest launch for our agency
• You know, this is my second launch with electronic licensing, and it was the largest launch for our agency
• And it was the largest launch for our agency, for the number of active licenses.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• While the initiative has just recently launched, it has already...
• decisions to ensure that they can still launch that program.
• The staff understand the operational realities, the compliance requirements, and the risks.
• I wonder if part of this rationale is to support the refinery operations in-state production.
• I am the Senior Director of Operations at the Phillips 66 Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex.

Transcript Highlights:

• DUA launched the claimant experience of its multi-year modernization project following the 2024 launch
• And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 56% of the
• And so the operating budget provides the operating subsidies to pay for staff, salaries, insurance, so
• Operating investment.
• That's just our operating dollars.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing in Barnstable opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs about the importance of holding Ways and Means budget hearings on the Cape, especially given the region’s seasonal economy and infrastructure needs. The committee then heard testimony from Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones on the governor’s FY27 budget proposal. She highlighted funding for workforce programs including the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, registered apprenticeship, YouthWorks, reentry workforce programs, and services for young adults with disabilities. She also discussed MassHire career centers, the MassHire Innovation Project, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance modernization effort, noting improved call wait times and claims processing, but acknowledging continued challenges and federal funding uncertainty. Members asked about job-seeker barriers such as child care, housing, and transportation; domestic outmigration of young workers; youth work permits; unemployment insurance costs and the COVID assessment on employers; and the state’s unemployment rate and UI trust fund solvency. Jones and Undersecretary Josh Cutler explained the difference between workforce training funds and the unemployment trust fund, described the statewide trigger that extends unemployment benefits from 26 to 30 weeks when regional unemployment averages 5.2 percent, and said the administration is reviewing the trust fund with labor and business stakeholders. They also said the administration is trying to preserve front-line DUA staffing while shifting resources to customer service and adjudication, including a Friday adjudication pilot and seasonal hires. Senators and representatives also pressed the administration on regional equity in workforce funding, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, which was described as serving a large rural area with fewer resources than other regions. Administration officials said they are reviewing MassHire funding formulas and modernizing the system with a policy committee and state workforce board input, but did not offer an immediate fix. The committee also heard that early childhood education apprenticeships are expanding quickly, with state funding leveraged to secure federal grants and support new Grow Awards. The hearing then moved to the Executive Office of Economic Development, where Secretary Eric Paley outlined House 2 proposals for economic development, including support for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, workforce partnerships, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, AI, small business assistance, tourism, and tax incentives. Undersecretary Leila D’Amilia followed with testimony on consumer affairs and business regulation, describing funding for consumer protection, banking oversight, occupational licensure, and public safety inspections.

Transcript Highlights:

• on staying out of operations.
• What was once a collection of locally owned, locally operated, mom-and-pop hotel operations in cities
• They are no longer locally owned and operated hotels.
• They are now almost exclusively hotel operators.
• A violation of these rules can... ...or indirectly manage or operate properties.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, there was still ongoing litigation after that, but it got to operate.
• </c><03:03:59.439><c> pretty</c> that the TVA was operating pretty that the TVA was operating pretty
• cadence out of Vandenberg Air Force Base to allow for more launches that are launching satellites for
• > uh</c> more launches launches that are uh more launches launches that are uh launching<04:14:20.560
• purposes</c><04:14:24.199><c> and</c><04:14:24.439><c> launching</c> national security purposes and launching

Transcript Highlights:

• DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS YOU SEE AS THEY OPERATE IN A DISASTER.
• WE HAD THE MOST SPACE LAUNCHES IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
• LAST YEAR WE HAD ROUGHLY 93, THIS YEAR WE'RE ON TRACK TO HAVE 153 LAUNCHES AT THE SPACEPORT.
• WE HAVE 12,000 LANE MILES THAT WE OWN AND OPERATE AND MAINTAIN.
• IF YOU LOOK AT THE RATIO OF OPERATING BUDGET VERSUS TOTAL BUDGET, IT'S SITTING AT ABOUT 7%.