Video & Transcript Research : 'continuing fund'

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MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Most of our funding is private donations and state-funded programs.
  • We need funding. We are a very small organization. We need funding.
  • When you fund grassroots organizations, you're funding trust, you're funding relationships, you're funding
  • This funding...
  • Teens continue to come to the club.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The commission on Violence Prevention Services Funding opened by explaining that its purpose is to examine how state dollars for gun violence prevention are being spent, whether they are reaching the right places, and how effective they are. Chair Marjorie Decker noted the commission was created through a legislative bill as part of a broader gun ownership package, and emphasized that the commission will produce recommendations rather than new law. The hearing began with a moment of silence for the National Day of Remembrance for homicide victims, followed by introductions from commissioners and staff. A series of community-based organizations testified about violence prevention, intervention, and survivor services. Emmanuel Williams of the Transformational Prison Project described work with incarcerated and returning youth and families, stressing lived experience, relationship-building, and the impact of budget cuts on travel, staffing, and programming; commissioners asked about his budget, caseload, and funding mix. Teresa D. Grigario and Antonio Gutierrez of Lynn Youth Street Outreach Advocacy said their work focuses on youth ages 12 to 24 in Lynn and Lawrence, with outreach at courts and shooting scenes, and argued that prevention is most effective when it starts early, includes family engagement, counseling, therapy, case management, food, and basic needs support; they said a million-dollar annual budget would help them expand. Ruth Rollins of We Are Better Together/Warren Daniel Hairston Project, speaking as a survivor, called for long-term flexible funding, trauma-informed care, and a community-informed database, and said her organization would ideally need about $2.5 million annually. Ruth Zakarin of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence explained that the commission grew out of listening sessions during the firearms-law update process and said the goal is to identify gaps, support grassroots groups, and address regional equity in resource allocation. Other testimony highlighted youth development, reentry, and survivor response as violence prevention. More Than Words described its job-training and supportive-services model for court-involved, homeless, foster-care, and out-of-school youth, citing high rates of graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and employment; a participant, Jorge, shared how the program helped him avoid adult incarceration and build a career in trucking. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute described its homicide-response and healing work, noting that it served more than 1,100 survivors in 2024, facilitated healing groups and trainings, and is seeking a permanent center in Dorchester; its leaders said the operating budget is $4.5 million and the desired budget is $8 million. The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs emphasized that gun violence is a youth health crisis and urged continued investment in after-school and out-of-school-time programs. UTEC called for multi-year, flexible funding, more training and networking support, and attention to nonprofit cost recovery, while Roca described its outreach to high-risk young people, strong outcomes, and major federal grant cuts that forced staff reductions. Portal to Hope discussed domestic violence and stalking services, the importance of on-site police-department-based advocacy, and the instability caused by funding restrictions. New North Citizens Council briefly underscored that violence prevention funding is needed to address poverty, lack of education, and mental health needs. State officials also presented on existing grant programs. Kevin Stanton of the Office of Grants and Research described the Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative and the state’s broader public safety grant portfolio, saying partnerships between law enforcement and community organizations are central to violence prevention and citing seizures of illegal firearms, narcotics, and suspected drug proceeds. Renee Contreras said the Shannon Community Safety Initiative is a national model built on nearly 20 years of sustained investment, with multidisciplinary collaborations in 25 communities and research partnerships guiding strategy and evaluation. Throughout the hearing, commissioners repeatedly asked about budgets, staffing, caseloads, and how organizations measure impact, and several speakers said they would follow up with written materials or additional data.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House bill aims to align transit, road projects and housing development 4/14/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so now that transit funding is more stable, especially the operational funding, we can start to think
  • pots of funding.
  • Commissioner Green continued: “Hennepin County spent years advocating for significant transit funding
  • long-term dedicated funding for transit. long-term dedicated funding for transit.
  • just needs to be a continued just needs to be a continued conversation.<00:31:46.400> And
Keywords: 1183, house
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026

Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:
  • would wipe out the existing fund.
  • Absent a continuously well-capitalized fund, whether California's electric utilities could remain creditworthy
  • catastrophe fund.
  • this, the wildfire fund.
  • But electricity customers should not be asked to continue to contribute more to wildfire funds.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:36 pm

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Fund, that will reach 94.
  • , and the FCC can continue to administer those funds using a percentage on long-distance telecommunications
  • The Sentencing Commission is primarily funded through general fund appropriations.
  • or they need to find some other source of funding so they can continue to provide services to their
  • Primarily funded through a mix of state general fund and federal dollars.
Keywords: 996, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • As you know, New Mexico has been covering SNAP benefits with $30 million in state funds, with that funding
  • This is key for managing funding and service continuity to the best of your ability during uncertain
  • State goals with funding.
  • Is there an existing fund, or would we have to create the fund? Would we have to put parameters?
  • Madam Chair, I think we have an ongoing fund, a recurring fund, that bracket.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-04-10

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you look at line 22, the general fund funding is $435,907,000.
  • A $4.5 million per year cap out of the fund.
  • I look forward to continued conversations with the committee about a mix of funding and policy proposals
  • They draw funding from the ATV Dedicated Account, a long-established fund created by the legislature
  • Please protect the funding necessary to continue Minnesota's environmental efforts.
Bills: HF2439
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • We urge you to continue these innovations that provide both targeted and additional funding for cities
  • To continue to lead both on Chapter 90 and on the need, and on presenting the need for MBTA funding to
  • We urge you to continue its funding, to continue its innovation, and I thank you very much for the time
  • As you've heard, and we'll continue to hear, the funding levels for Chapter 90 over the past few years
  • These additional funds would also allow Yarmouth to continue to partner with the Commonwealth in creating
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held its first hearing of the session on H. 53, Governor Healey’s Chapter 90 proposal to increase state funding for municipal roads, bridges, sidewalks, and culverts. Committee chairs outlined the hybrid hearing process and invited testimony from municipal officials, labor groups, regional planning organizations, contractors, and administration officials. Across the hearing, speakers consistently supported the bill, emphasizing long-deferred maintenance, inflation in construction costs, climate-related flooding, and the need for more predictable, multi-year funding so cities and towns can plan projects and take advantage of the construction season. The administration described H. 53 as part of a broader $8 billion transportation package, proposing to raise annual Chapter 90 funding from $200 million to $300 million for five years, with the additional $100 million distributed by road mileage to better support rural and small communities. They also highlighted $200 million for culverts and small bridges, plus other transportation investments, and said the five-year authorization would provide certainty for municipal capital planning. Municipal witnesses from places including Carlisle, Beverly, Granby, Hatfield, Newton, Nahant, Gardner, Beckett, and Yarmouth described local road and culvert backlogs, rising asphalt costs, and the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure on limited local budgets. Labor and industry witnesses from the AFL-CIO and MAPA said the bill would support good-paying jobs and provide stability for contractors and producers. The MBTA Advisory Board and regional planning representatives also backed the proposal, noting the connection between local roads and the broader transportation system. Committee members asked questions about the road-mile formula, culvert needs, asphalt costs, and the rationale for a five-year authorization. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/07/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It covers some really important funding that allows for the continuation of state government until we
  • President, Senator O'Mara, talks are continuing.
  • Will the sponsor continue to yield? >> Will the sponsor yield?
  • President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
  • Any funding for — addressed the rural healthcare transformation funding that, if we don't spend it by
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate met on May 6, 2026, approved the prior journal, and accepted a Rules Committee report advancing the government appropriations bill to third reading. The chamber then took up the tenth budget extender, which sponsor Senator Serrano said would keep state government operating through Monday, May 11 and contained $482 million in new spending, bringing the total across extenders to $20.3 billion. In questioning, Senator O’Mara and Senator Helming pressed Serrano for details on the reported $268 billion budget deal, policy outcomes, revenue raisers, and whether local governments, schools, and rural health programs would receive certainty; Serrano said final budget bills were not yet in print and declined to speculate on unresolved issues. The extender passed 60-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the North Tonawanda High School girls varsity basketball team, the Tappan Zee High School girls basketball team, and SUNY student Chriss-Ann Pryce. Members praised the teams’ state championships and Pryce’s academic and leadership achievements through the Educational Opportunity Program. The chamber then returned to legislation and passed a bill designating May 9 as Overdose Awareness Day in New York; Senator Fernandez said it recognized the harm of overdose and the need to continue funding harm reduction and recovery services. Additional bills passed included a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment measure, with Senators Murray, Rolison, Webb, and Ramos describing it as a tool to identify dangerous situations and prevent fatalities; a mental health insurance bill limiting step therapy/prior authorization for serious mental health medications, supported by Senator Fahy; and measures on education, real property tax, election law, general business law, kitchen incubator economic impacts, public buildings, state finance, and mental hygiene. Several bills drew recorded opposition, including the real property tax bill and the election law and general business law measures. The Senate concluded by adjourning until Monday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated legislative.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on HF1141 5/12/26

Transcript Highlights:
  • Housing Development Fund. Housing Development Fund.
  • within the Housing Development Fund. within the Housing Development Fund.
  • Housing Development Fund. Housing Development Fund.
  • Fund. Fund.
  • what the Housing Development Fund is what the Housing Development Fund is for.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The conference committee on House File 1141, the Omnibus Housing Finance and Policy Bill, reviewed the fiscal spreadsheet and policy language for the agreement. Staff explained the major funding items, including appropriations for greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured home park infrastructure grants, family homelessness prevention, supportive housing, a tenant hotline, and housing infrastructure bonds, along with a cancellation of unused Tyler settlement funds and a reallocation of Housing Development Fund earnings. Staff said the package was budget neutral over the forecast window. The policy walk-through also covered provisions on livestreaming Housing Finance Agency board meetings, limits on administrative retentions for new grant programs, restrictions and reporting on Housing Development Fund transfers and earnings, clarifying language for local public housing, an exemption related to lived-experience engagement, and access for legislative fiscal staff to agency accounting information. Members then considered several amendments. The A12 amendment, allowing certain local governments to invest long-term funds in housing-related investments, was adopted after a roll call showed support from all three caucuses. The A16 manufactured housing bill of rights amendment, which would have addressed park-owner practices, purchase opportunities, enforcement, and rent increases, was not adopted. The A18 amendment to allow additional flags in HOAs and other areas was also not adopted. The A17 amendment to limit private equity ownership of single-family homes to 100 units was not adopted. The A13 amendment to preempt local rent control was not adopted. Members on both sides said some of the rejected issues warranted further discussion in future sessions, while supporters argued they were needed to address housing affordability and ownership pressures. In closing discussion on the bill as a whole, members from both chambers praised the bipartisan process, the staff work, and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s collaboration. Supporters said the agreement would help build thousands of homes across the state, assist vulnerable Minnesotans, and improve transparency and accountability in housing programs. They also noted the bill’s mix of single-family, multifamily, manufactured housing, homelessness prevention, and policy reforms. The committee expressed intent to move the agreement forward to the House floor and ultimately to the governor.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Feb 9th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Continuing on with our guest introductions.
  • I rise in support of SB 106, which is the continued funding for Planned Parenthood because this debate
  • This funding is a literal lifeline to many.
  • As people, we continue to lift one another up.
  • We continue to lift one another up, but we also continue to have to lift up our brothers and sisters
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2026 at 09:09 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that corrective action fund does have money available for the agency to continue doing the work that
  • So that corrective action fund does have money available for the agency to continue doing the work that
  • us to pull that funding in to continue moving projects along.
  • funds.
  • I don't understand why we wouldn't continue to fund the litigation of the Rio Grande Compact.
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

February State Budget and Economic Forecast - 03/06/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • first have to appropriate those funds first have to appropriate those funds The<00:03:49.760>
  • This is transportation funding.
  • with Medicaid funding?
  • How about the rainy day fund?
  • How about the rainy day fund?
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • 20% of General Fund revenues.
  • This legislation does not create a Rainy Day Fund. It doesn't enhance the Rainy Day Fund.
  • All this does is create a Rainy Day Fund. All this does is create a Rainy Day Fund.
  • They thought they were passing a Rainy Day Fund, but they didn't get a Rainy Day Fund.
  • All items shall be continued.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:30 PM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Special funds.
  • As funding the increased funding.
  • <01:10:37.760> continuing point that we are continuing continuing point that we are continuing
  • level funding uh level. the base funding level funding uh level. the base funding level funding<
  • Um decreases in funding. Um decreases in funding.
Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation from a charter-school authorizer agency. Witnesses explained that the agency no longer receives the federal CSP grant, that a one-time $499,000 equipment grant was not recurring, and that in FY25 they also had no general fund appropriation. They said their special-fund revenue has grown but is not enough to sustain operations alone, especially because the money arrives once a year and the agency needs a cash balance in advance. Their budget request sought a mix of general and special funds, but the legislative budget recommendation stayed near the FY26 appropriation level. Members asked about salary growth and contractual spending; the agency said higher salaries reflected doctorate-level staff and a planned sixth position, while contractual costs covered technical assistance, consultants, CPA reviews, and outside legal support. The agency also said a pending bill, identified as House Bill 2, could significantly affect its operations and revenue. Members asked about Republic, and the agency said a peer report had just been released, the school had made operational changes, and progress was being made though questions remained. The Library Commission then presented its budget request. The outgoing director announced retirement and introduced the incoming director, and praised the agency’s recent federal and state audits with no findings. The commission asked to restore two headcount reductions in the budget recommendation, saying the positions were hard to fill because they require specialized librarianship credentials and that losing them would cost about $130,000. It also asked to restore federal spending authority in case IMLS funding became uncertain, and requested about $173,000 for a 5% salary progression pool because turnover had reached 35% and many employees were near the start step. Senators asked about the open positions and turnover; the commission said one position had been open 10 months, another about eight months, and some turnover was due to retirements. Mississippi Public Broadcasting then presented its request for an $18.153 million appropriation. The agency said it wanted salary progressions to retain staff, four new vehicles for engineering and transmitter work, and $522,000 in reappropriated digitization funds to continue a project that has digitized more than half its library holdings for online access. The director also highlighted programming and outreach, including a new food-focused show, a music program, live coverage of the National Folk Festival, a Medgar Evers documentary now in national distribution, and expanded radio programming. He said MPB reaches nearly 1 million TV viewers annually, has strong radio and app usage, and continues to provide required weather, Silver Alert, and Amber Alert notifications. He also described a partnership with the Department of Education using e-glass technology to connect teachers to classrooms lacking instructors, saying the program is already serving multiple districts and drawing national interest.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Using the grants as a primary vessel to deliver behavior health funding or any funding limited travel
  • This includes recognition that programs Program funding fulfills legal obligations, protection of funding
  • Second, we need stable and adequate funding.
  • These funding mechanisms allow us to leverage private funds as well so that we can further support our
  • Invest in equity resources and funding.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Jul 7th, 2025

Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the bill, the reconciliation bill, did not touch the funding—the federal funding for research.
  • But girls continue to use. continue to vape more and just have higher tobacco use rates in general.
  • funds.
  • we can continue getting insights and data to continuously inform our approach.
  • the exit of the CDC funds.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Capital Investment - 01/21/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • funding mechanisms including funding funding mechanisms including direct<00:30:39.200> pay<00:
  • were ever out of funds to pay the debt service or if the general fund were ever out of funds to pay
  • Highway fund is kind of a discreete fund Highway fund is kind of a discreete fund that's<00:57:51.119
  • <00:59:38.319> to Highway fund were ever out of funds to Highway fund were ever out of funds
  • Legacy fund was allocated which funds Legacy fund was allocated which funds clean<01:42:56.599><
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Committee on Capital Investment held its first meeting of the 2025 session with members and staff introducing themselves and describing their priorities. Senators from both parties repeatedly emphasized the goal of passing a strong bipartisan bonding bill this year, with several members noting that local projects were delayed after no bonding bill passed the previous year. Chair Housley also said the committee would not meet later that week and previewed an upcoming presentation from MMB on federal funds. The committee then heard a presentation from MMB’s Leah Corey and Anna Ming on Minnesota’s federal funding efforts. Corey explained that MMB’s federal funds team coordinates state efforts to maximize funding from IIJA, IRA, CHIPS, and related federal programs. She said Minnesota has secured about $12.3 billion in federal funding so far, including roughly $3 billion more since the last presentation, supporting about 1,800 projects statewide. Most of the funding is going to transportation, roads, and bridges, with other major areas including clean energy and weatherization. She also highlighted an interactive public dashboard showing projects by region and noted that much of the data reflects funds flowing through the state enterprise. Corey also discussed state match programs that helped unlock federal dollars, including the IIJA discretionary match fund, the State Competitiveness Fund, and the Forward Fund. She said $180 million in state match has unlocked about $1 billion in federal investment through the IIJA discretionary match fund, nearly $17 million in state investment has unlocked nearly $90 million in federal funding through the State Competitiveness Fund, and $124 million for the Forward Fund has unlocked nearly $1 billion in federal and private investment. Members asked whether more state dollars could have brought in more federal funds; Corey said she was not sure, but noted the IIJA match fund is expected to run out in the coming months. The presentation also focused on direct pay tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which allow tax-exempt entities such as governments, nonprofits, school districts, and tribal nations to receive payments for eligible clean energy projects after they are completed. Corey said the state is building awareness and technical assistance around direct pay, including educational sessions and a tax expert resource. She also described Minnesota’s Green Bank, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, which is beginning to issue loans for projects such as community energy, nonprofit geothermal systems, and solar-plus-battery installations.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • is an increase of $24 million; an additional $20 million in continued funding for the Pathways to Careers
  • First, $100 million for the Pipeline Fund will continue to reward high-performing programs at our colleges
  • First, $100 million for the Pipeline Fund will continue to reward high-performing programs at our colleges
  • To continue that momentum, the budget provides targeted incentive and performance funds to expand opportunities
  • The funds are dispersed to the universities.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed education budget, which totals $32.5 billion overall and includes no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents. Officials highlighted major funding for financial aid and scholarships, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, veteran-related scholarships, EASE, Open Door, law enforcement/first responder programs, and workforce initiatives. They also emphasized increases for workforce education, Florida College System operations, nursing pipeline and line funds, and university operations, performance funding, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed post-secondary Guardian program, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, the Guardian program would offer flexible campus safety options, and the university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives. The committee then heard from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Testimony consistently focused on affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and allied health programs, dual enrollment, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several trustees highlighted strong nursing NCLEX pass rates, expansion of campuses or programs, and efforts to tailor education to regional workforce demands such as health care, construction, law enforcement, aviation, and hospitality. One appointee from Miami-Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by easing credit transfer and admissions barriers. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the full slate of confirmations as a block. A motion was made and the roll was called; the confirmations were approved favorably, with members voting yes and no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 4th, 2025

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Whether you want to continue funding or not.
  • to be funded.
  • Fund?
  • settlement funds.
  • Something like this, and starting to separate out and phase funding for projects, you know, we'd be continuing
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, please continue.
  • funding so we're we're shifting funding funding so we're we're shifting funding between<01:15:11.000
  • that funding available.
  • that funding available.
  • that funding available.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.