Video & Transcript Research : 'community development'

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CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • community.
  • I'm the Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development for your California Community College Chancellor's
  • I'm the Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development for your California Community College Chancellor's
  • And I think the handshake that can happen is when the community colleges can develop the curriculum that
  • our community.
Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee hearing.
  • speculation or predatory actions using SB 9 in a predatory way from the developer community?
  • , there's nothing around them, then is it infill development if there's no community in existence?
  • , there's nothing around them, then is it infill development, if there's no community in existence.
  • And I think as we look at communities, I want to rebuild and not have developers swoop in and tear up
Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. SB 996 by Senator Padilla would let manufactured homeowners opt to title their homes as real property, with supporters saying this would improve access to conventional mortgages, consumer protections, and lower-cost financing. SB 866 by Senator Blakespear would require cities and counties to include homelessness-related information in their annual housing element reports, with supporters saying the bill would improve transparency, regional coordination, and accountability around homelessness funding and services. The committee also heard SB 1090 by Senator Perez, which would impose a temporary moratorium in Altadena on certain state housing density laws after the Eaton Fire. Supporters, including Supervisor Catherine Barger and many Altadena residents, argued the bill would protect fire survivors from speculative investors and give families time to rebuild and return home. Opponents argued the bill could limit tools that homeowners need to finance rebuilding and could reduce future housing production. After extensive testimony, the committee passed SB 1090 to the Assembly Local Government Committee on a 10-0 vote. SB 1388 by Senator Durazo would create an Affordable Housing Risk Reduction Program to help affordable housing providers reduce insurance costs through technical assistance and risk-mitigation support. Supporters said rising insurance premiums are threatening the viability of affordable housing developments and existing units. The committee also reconsidered and then voted on SB 1092, which was taken up only for reconsideration and final vote; after a split vote, the bill ultimately passed the committee. Final recorded votes showed SB 866 and SB 996 passing unanimously, SB 1388 passing with one no vote and one not voting, and SB 1092 passing 7-5 after reconsideration.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're in Rio Communities.
  • development strategy plan, how much community input has there been?
  • In our big 2040 conceptual plan for the community, when I got here, economic development had one page
  • When I think about economic development for rural communities, or semi-rural communities, I definitely
  • And that's really a big focus of community economic development around our state.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The community or the locality needs to identify suitable development sites, and then there needs to be
  • One of the interesting states that we've seen kind of develop a community engagement approach, and I
  • know we've talked about, that we've seen kind of develop a community engagement approach, and I know
  • This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects.
  • Community assessments, again, evaluate the potential for community impacts associated with energy development
Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Aug 14th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I got to use my education, so I did civic development for my home community.
  • The ICDBG, the Community Development Block Grants. Those funds are typically tied to regulations.
  • So, if a home is developed using NAHASDA funds, and, you know, maybe that whole community is 60% below
  • Again, these guys are the only housing developers in tribal communities.
  • I was with my home community and we were developing, or at least trying to negotiate products.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the interesting states that we've seen kind of develop a community engagement approach, and I
  • The community or the locality needs to identify suitable development sites, and then there needs to be
  • This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects.
  • This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects while creating a
  • Community assessments, again, evaluate the potential for community impacts associated with energy development
Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
  • The bill also requires the Department of Housing and Community Development, in consultation with the
  • The bill also requires the Department of Housing and Community Development, in consultation with the
  • for development within their community.
  • I represent the city of Redondo Beach as their community development director.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/18/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • community.
  • community.
  • health, workforce development, and housing through programs, services, community organizing, and collaborative
  • member a community and a Community member a community leader<00:53:04.680> but<00:53:04.799><
  • talking about development without talking about housing<00:54:28.599> a<00:54:28.760> community
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Jill Hutmacher, Director of Community Development for the City of Eagan, and I'm testifying here
  • Our members are the building developers, remodelers, and skilled trade partners who build the communities
  • of the community development.
  • out of<00:58:39.400> the<00:58:39.559> Community<00:58:40.000> Development<00:58
  • :41.000> thank<00:58:41.160> you of the Community Development thank you of the Community
Keywords: 1183, house
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2025

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that was the lens we took while developing the economic development recommendations at the LFC.
  • in our community.
  • and our rural communities.
  • communities.
  • of belonging to their community.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (02/20/2025)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:28.720> Fund communities that the Community Loan Fund communities that the Community
  • Can you tell me which communities have minimum parking requirements for residential development?
  • community.
  • community in an investor owned Community community in an investor owned Community it's<02:11:49.639
  • their community.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome to the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
  • Department of Housing and Community Development, back to the Legislature with recommendations on whether
  • All right, we are reconvening here of the Housing and Community Development Committee.
  • for development within their community.
  • I represent the city of Redondo Beach as their community development director.
Summary: The committee heard a long housing agenda with several bills presented before quorum was established. AB 1725, as amended, would require disclosure of nearby oil wells and methane monitoring issues in a specific district; the author and community witnesses described serious health and safety risks in Vista Hermosa Heights, while the California Apartment Association, California Building Industry Association, and California Chamber of Commerce opposed, arguing the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead fix abandoned wells directly. AB 2110, a local finance tool to create tax increment districts for workforce housing for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, drew no witnesses in support or opposition and was presented as a way to help workers live closer to jobs. AB 1732 would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects; UC and several housing and labor groups supported it, while housing advocates raised concerns about amendments affecting existing 100% affordable housing exemptions. AB 1771, amended into a study bill, would direct HCD to report on the long-standing resident manager requirement for apartment buildings with 16 or more units; the rental housing industry supported studying the issue, while the chair emphasized the need to consider tenant protections and the impact on current resident managers before changing the law. The committee also heard AB 2185, which would direct state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better support factory-built housing; it drew broad support from housing, labor, technology, and local government groups, with no opposition. AB 2748 would delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing developments, keeping the prior 40% standard through 2035; supporters said the higher standard would add significant costs and threaten project feasibility, while clean air and transportation advocates argued the code changes are modest, important for equity, and should not be rolled back. Members split along those lines, with some emphasizing housing production and others urging more public subsidy for EV infrastructure rather than delaying the code. SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot, received extensive support from housing organizations, local governments, labor, and business groups, but Habitat for Humanity and the Los Angeles mayor’s office asked for specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing; the bill was ultimately moved to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, with members noting ongoing negotiations over funding priorities. Finally, AB 1740 would create an urban multimodal community designation for Santa Monica, allowing local approval of certain low-impact coastal-zone activities—such as some housing, bike and bus lanes, outdoor dining, and building changes—without Coastal Commission review. The author and Santa Monica officials said the bill would reduce delays and uncertainty for infill housing and local economic recovery while preserving protections for sensitive coastal resources; supporters included housing, business, and city groups. The Coastal Commission and environmental organizations opposed, saying the bill would carve out broad exemptions, weaken public access and appeal rights, and bypass the local coastal program process that Santa Monica has not completed. Committee members debated the Commission’s role, with some criticizing it for opposing legislation and others arguing the bill was a common-sense way to modernize coastal permitting. A motion and second were made on AB 1740, and the bill was left pending with the committee’s action to be taken when appropriate.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

Joint Committee on Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • This tool would be especially important with the uncertain future of community development block grants
  • We develop plans related to site plan review, and almost every conceivable mechanism of helping our communities
  • The on-ramp to development in economically distressed rural communities, therefore, is longer and more
  • We also developed, and this is what Mass Law Reform does all the time, community legal education materials
  • One of the primary arguments against additional residential development in communities has been that
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome to the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses.
  • I'm here today to discuss H. 303, which is an act of remote community development planning.
  • to do comprehensive community development planning within their community across certain areas of land
  • their own community development plan or regional development plan, which would include new housing opportunities
  • their own community development plan or regional development plan, which would include new housing opportunities
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses held a brief hearing on several housing and planning bills. Testimony focused on Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 313, which would update Chapter 40R smart growth zoning incentives and double municipal payments for adopting qualifying zoning districts, and Senate Bill 177, a technical correction to Chapter 40S so starter-home districts created under Chapter 40Y would also qualify for school cost reimbursement. Benjamin Fierro, representing the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts, strongly supported the bills, arguing that the current incentives are too modest, that starter homes are needed for young and first-time buyers, and that the school reimbursement fix is necessary to align the statutes. Nally Soto of the Massachusetts Housing Coalition also supported the bills, saying the higher incentives would help municipalities approve more housing and address the housing shortage. Representative Kassner testified on House Bill 303, a remote community development planning bill modeled on Executive Order 418. She said it would restore and expand statewide comprehensive planning for land use, transportation, housing, open space, infrastructure, and climate resilience, with regional planning agencies playing a key role. Committee members asked about how Chapter 40S reimbursement is calculated and how the planning bill would interact with existing regional planning commissions. One member also spoke in support of the housing bills and described local challenges with affordability, land costs, and compliance with the MBTA Communities law. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed testimony after a final call for additional witnesses and announced that the committee would continue working on the bills and hold one more hearing in September on additional measures and late-filed bills. The committee then adjourned by motion and second.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Sep 4th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Community Development Director for the City of Aztec.
  • This is a fantastic development for our community.
  • Some of the other things that touch on, real quickly, is retail-specific community development for.
  • I have some good experience in the economic development and community development areas, and I'm excited
  • development at the expense of economic development.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 9th, 2026 at 02:06 pm

Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a member of the Statewide Affordable Housing Coalition, the Santa Fe Community Development Commission
  • facilitate the development of... ...communities that would facilitate the development of infrastructure
  • In our community, the city and the counties come together to help us, the developer, put in the infrastructure
  • It's actually helped my community from stopping that type of quote-unquote development, which is not
  • It's actually helped my community from stopping that type of quote-unquote development, which is not
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the interesting states that we've seen kind of develop a community engagement approach, and I
  • The community or the locality needs to identify suitable development sites, and then there needs to be
  • This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects.
  • This supports the growth and development of local businesses and community projects while creating a
  • Community assessments evaluate the potential for community impacts associated with energy development
Keywords: 908, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • My recollection is that you're right about Minnesota being in the forefront of developing community solar
  • My recollection is that you're right about Minnesota being in the forefront of developing community solar
  • My recollection is that you're right about Minnesota being in the forefront of developing community solar
  • My recollection is that you're right about Minnesota being in the forefront of developing community solar
  • My recollection is that you're right about Minnesota being in the forefront of developing community solar
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We may want to consider partnering with community colleges and four-year universities to develop focused
  • My community is in many communities.
  • Community is in many communities.
  • The reason we talk about economic development as the creation of wealth through which community benefits
  • , everything from community colleges to economic development councils to chambers of commerce, etc.
Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

No NDAs for municipalities 3/11/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • land development, and so development, land development, and so on, on, on, um,<00:01:53.640> that<
  • their communities. their communities.
  • Developers come to small or rural communities with false promises of permanent jobs and tax revenue.
  • Developers come to small or rural<00:13:11.000> communities<00:13:11.760> with<00:13:12.080
  • the developments will look like. the developments will look like.
Keywords: 1183, house