Video & Transcript Research : 'federally funded programs'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
November 2025 State Budget and Economic Forecast Presentation - 12/04/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They assume further easing of monetary conditions with the Federal Reserve lowering the federal funds
- <00:27:05.039>
Sort that group has 90% federal funding. - Sort that group has 90% federal funding.
- So, a lot of the money is federal funds, but we are responsible for managing those programs.
- He's cancelling projects and funding in Minnesota, projects we've paid for with our federal income tax
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Sustainable Fashion Program at Cups. Sustainable Fashion Program at House.
- funds then yeah there's a grant program it's there enough federal funds to cover all we think that there
- The federal government cut $11 billion in a program, and it actually—$1 billion was going to be cut from
- funding that's out there.
- Well, we hope to get our federal money back. You know how I said federal money back.
Summary:
The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call.
The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open.
Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/24/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, with the yearly trend of reduced federal funding and the unknown future of the federal emergency
- > funding<00:10:43.120>
and <00:10:43.279>the of reduced federal funding and the of - There's a lack of stable and substantial funding for local emergency management programs.
- The money that we get is a pass-through fund from federal grants.
- We apply to the state, but the grant funding source is federal.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (04/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- self-funding issues, there is funding there to provide matching funds from the federal government and
- self-funding issues, there is funding there to provide matching funds from the federal government and
- When you take federal funds, if you charge a fee to use that ramp, you have to track that fund, that
- funds that we have to go after to maintain our program.
- All those federal programs require matching funds.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2.
Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles.
Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, state funding programs are a key part of those efforts.
- and state funding programs that require domestic manufacturing.
- But most of our, our red tape is more the federal process. Um, expand state-backed funding.
- And so we've had this program for over 20 years and it hasn't been well funded.
- new technical, and, and also in addition, funding new technical assistance programs of the board.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Howard Lutnick, of New York, to be Secretary of Commerce. Jan 29th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- What happened two nights ago in the freezing of all federal funds?
- When Congress directs Federal agencies how to spend taxpayer funds, especially once those funds have
- Even before the OMB guidance was issued earlier this week, which halted federal funding, some in the
- administration advocated for drastically altering this program, clawing back funds already allocated.
- If the President asks you to cut an infrastructure program, will you cut the program?
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget 2nd Revision: HB1782 (Moore) laid over. Added to 3/4 A and B Full agenda Mar 3rd, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- House 3638, Oklahoma to participate in the federal summer EBT program beginning in the 2027 program year
- Representative, you mentioned losing federal funds.
- And then for clarity this program is specifically for rural healthcare programs, not direct funding to
- This was a federal program that was instituted by the federal government.
- Is that the overall goal, or are you trying to find matching funds from the federal government?
Bills:
HB1242, HB1250, HB1590, HB1752, HB1979, HB1983, HB2952, HB2961, HB2967, HB2973, HB2988, HB3031, HB3047, HB3052, HB3066, HB3086, HB3175, HB3177, HB3178, HB3240, HB3404, HB3429, HB3548, HB3638, HB3671, HB3704, HB3759, HB3831, HB3904, HB3920, HB3944, HB3969, HB3973, HB3975, HB3976, HB3978, HB3983, HB3984, HB4092, HB4118
Keywords:
HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty, special livestock sale, tax relief, farm products, rural economy, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Everyone knows, That we've been working on an alcohol excise tax to help raise funds for different programs
- program number up to 21.
- Several of our programs, like Roberta's House, have started to seek funding to invest in housing supports
- Additionally, we need continued funding, not only for the new sexual assault programs we've created,
- We now have this 1.5 million in one-time funding that's supporting all of these programs.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 15th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In Section 4, there's $200,000 in federal funds.
- Funding was added for temporary salaries, of which $77,756 is from federal funds and $18,744 is from
- federal funds, $18744 is from game and fish operating funds.
- This budget has no general funds and is mostly other funds with some federal funds.
- And the third thing they did was ongoing funding was added for federal intervention funding to provide
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum. It then took up a series of appropriations and policy bills, with the most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. The House approved amendments that shifted governance of the department and veterans’ home from ACOVA to the governor, citing concerns about ACOVA’s salary-setting actions and broader appropriation oversight. Members opposed to the change argued ACOVA had studied compensation and acted within its role. The amended bill passed 57-34, and the final bill passed 69-22 with the emergency clause carrying.
The House also passed Senate Bill 2001, the legislative branch budget, which funds the 2027 session, legislative staff, chamber upgrades, IT improvements, and salary adjustments for legislative leaders; the bill passed 62-29, but the emergency clause failed. Senate Bill 2019, the Career and Technical Education budget, passed 82-10 with emergency clause. Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget, passed 75-17 after discussion of data center migration, service automation, mainframe transition, ERP study, and DPI’s move from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Other measures passed included Senate Bill 2228 for rural grocery store sustainability grants, Senate Bill 2390 creating a rural catalyst community grant program, Senate Bill 2188 adjusting the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, and Senate Bill 2265 authorizing a veterans national cemetery grant and line of credit with added reporting safeguards.
Several House bills returned from the Senate were concurred in and then passed, including House Bill 1361 on mandatory minimum sentences for human trafficking offenders, House Bill 1017 for the Game and Fish Department, House Bill 1588 on firearms and dangerous weapons provisions, House Bill 1429 on harassment and stalking involving robots, House Bill 1591 on county fair resiliency grants, House Bill 1537 on service agreement protection for water projects, House Bill 1203 on edible medical marijuana products, and House Bill 1027 transferring administration of the State Fire and Tornado Fund from the Insurance Commissioner to OMB. The House also rejected a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2307, which dealt with library materials and obscenity-related restrictions, by a vote of 48-51. In addition, the chamber appointed conference committees on several House and Senate measures where concurrence had failed, and laid over Senate Bill 2340 for two legislative days.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
Federal <00:38:56.040>fund <00:38:56.359>grants adjustment to match Federal fund - We utilize the state funding for that, and then we seek grants and federal funding to do the actual program
- Federal funding and featuring we can get Federal funding and featuring it<02:35:00.000>
uh <02: - federal fiscal year that it's all potentially at risk. federal funding that could be um federal funding
- funds every Federal fiscal received the funds every Federal fiscal year<04:17:52.199>
that <04
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- in the line fund.
- , allowing line funds to also be used for preceptors, internships, and to increase enrollment, program
- for our health science programs.
- fund.
- , allowing line funds to also be used for preceptors, internships, and to increase enrollment, program
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills.
Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package.
The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Sep 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- state in a federal cybersecurity grant program and raises awareness of the program among local governments
- So FERPA is also a federal law, so that likely would be enforced by a federal agency.
- But...” “...FERPA is also a federal law, so that likely would be enforced by a federal agency.
- for program funding and the share of Washington's qualified lenders known as community development financial
- institutions that have received funds from this program.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload.
Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested.
The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel & Public Retirement (11-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, federal cuts have impacted our seed funding for this program.
- And without seed funding, we can't go after the federal dollars.
- Program funding outlook: There was no reauthorization of funds for additional imagery acquisitions or
- We have no state agency funding commitments for imagery or elevation acquisitions, and federal funds
- So, the program funding outlook is not great.
Summary:
The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings after a motion and second, then heard a presentation from Kent Annis and Boyd Sheerer of the Kentucky Division of Geographic Information on the state’s “KY from Above” aerial imagery and elevation program. The presenters described the program’s goals of creating openly accessible statewide imagery and elevation basemaps, reducing duplicative local and state spending, and supporting uses such as transportation, emergency response, utilities, broadband planning, property taxation, economic development, and education. They said the data is owned by the Commonwealth, distributed in the public domain, and has strong return on investment, with statewide ortho imagery coverage completed in 2022 and elevation phases completed or underway in multiple stages.
The witnesses emphasized that the program relies on cost-sharing among state, local, and federal partners and that a small state “seed” appropriation is needed to leverage larger federal contributions. They said about $300,000 a year in seed money could help secure additional federal funds, while a three-year imagery refresh cycle would cost about $5.7 million annually and storage/processing about $150,000 a year. They also noted that no subscription fee is charged for access, opposed charging for use of the data even by for-profit users, and said the program is intended as an economic development tool that avoids multiple entities paying for the same geography.
Members asked about the funding request, the potential federal match, and whether the state should charge private companies for access. The witnesses explained that the requested amount was for aerial photography and LAR seed money, that federal funds would not cover aerial photography directly, and that the program already uses a cost-share model with 28 partners rather than subscriptions. They also clarified that imagery is refreshed every three years and elevation data on a longer cycle, with elevation prioritized because it supports accuracy for roads, water lines, and broadband planning. The presentation concluded with no formal vote on the program itself; after questions ended, the chair thanked the witnesses and adjourned the meeting.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Elder Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The fund will draw from various sources, including state appropriations, private contributions, federal
- through funding provided by you thank you so much With the expansion of this program through funding
- and provide an infrastructure for when funding is appropriated to the program.
- We also have funding, local funding for legal services, state funding, some other robust programs that
- We also have funding, local funding for legal services, state funding, and some other robust programs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning.
The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs.
A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Nothing has to come out of the general revenue fund. All be self-funded.
- programs.
- Lastly, what I would like to say is that your TCUP program is federally illegal, and you're lucky that
- federal level.
- funding.
Keywords:
hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (03/17/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The total amount of funding we have from federal refugee money and federal HUD housing money, and the
- The total amount of funding we have from federal refugee money and federal HUD housing money, and the
- , potentially resulting in the loss of federal funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the
- , potentially resulting in the loss of federal funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the
- , potentially resulting in the loss of federal funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the
Summary:
The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71.
The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation.
HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 23rd, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- You can see that all the programs we are assisting here involve our first responders, both in the federal
- We are the largest receiver of federal funds to provide immigration legal services that are congressionally
- Now, as those funds from the federal bill start to trickle down, it's $150 billion, with $45 billion
- I would like to understand how we could use state public funds to defend somebody who's acting as a federal
- funds, let's say county funds, to indemnify them.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 9th, 2025 at 03:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Next item is adjust-based funding for the highly rural transportation grant program.
- But in our long sheet, it's federal—it's all federal funding.
- It's federal funding.
- The next one is exemption of the federal state fiscal recovery fund.
- ...recovery fund, subsection 2 of Section 14 authorizes the continuation of unspent federal fund appropriation
Summary:
The committee took up Senate Bill 2025, the Veterans Home/Veterans Affairs budget, and worked through the long sheet line by line. Members discussed base payroll, salary and health insurance increases, FTE pool adjustments, IT rate increases, operating expenses, transportation grants, the PTSD service dog program, salary equity requests, temporary help/intern funding, a Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, accrued leave, and several one-time or carryover items including the Fisher House, document scanning, and veterans medical transportation. The committee also reviewed proposed policy language that would shift governance authority for the Veterans Home and Department of Veterans Affairs from the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs to the governor, and would remove board authority over salary-setting and related hiring powers.
A major portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the commissioner salary equity line and how the agency had shifted operating dollars to fund the commissioner’s current salary increase. After discussion with agency staff and Lonnie, the committee voted to remove the separate commissioner salary equity increase line and instead restore operating funding, ultimately setting the operating line at $50,000 above the prior amount rather than fully funding the executive request. The committee also approved funding for the Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, approved a carryforward/exemption for accrued leave, approved authority to accept $200,000 in federal transportation grant funds, approved the $500,000 transfers related to veterans homelessness, and approved the exemption language for certain federal/state fiscal recovery funds after discussing whether the funds were properly obligated.
On the governance amendment, members expressed concern about making a major policy change in an appropriations bill, but also frustration over the board’s salary actions. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment transferring governance authority to the governor by a 7-1 vote. The committee also approved a smaller amount for veteran service officer salary equity than requested, and rejected funding for temporary salaries and an intern. The chair then directed staff to prepare the amended bill for further action, with the committee planning to revisit it once the revised version was ready.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Press Conference 4/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:33.840>
programs <00:03:34.720>such support workforce funding programs such - support workforce funding programs such as<00:03:35.200>
the <00:03:35.440>EMT <00:03:36.080 - We have a lot of good programs that we need to fund to sustain this.
- Can you talk about the training programs that have been funded from last year?
- Where do the funds come from? How do we create a sustainable program?
Summary:
The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs.
Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits.
Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We certainly do fund, have grants that fund. programs in certain areas that are more heavily impacted
- Shuford, you'd mentioned that the state provides grants. to fund programs for education and awareness
- Medicaid is a jointly funded state and federal program. serving many Texans and we cover health care
- We also have other programs that we fund through general revenue outside of Medicaid.
- We do fund a considerable amount of prevention research. fund that through our research program.