Video & Transcript : 'giant sequoias' :
Page 12 of 84
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Every dollar sent to the tech giants trades off with the dollar for schools, health care, and other essential
- This bill scraps that safeguard, letting tech giants skip the tax entirely with no upfront payment, no
- Safeguard cost this bill scraps that Safeguard letting<01:07:32.200><c> Tech</c><01:07:32.480><c> Giants
- </c><01:07:33.039><c> skip</c><01:07:33.520><c> the</c><01:07:33.680><c> tax</c> letting Tech Giants
- skip the tax letting Tech Giants skip the tax entirely<01:07:34.640><c> with</c><01:07:34.839><c> no<
Committee:
House Taxes
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 38 Apr 9th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- expand that program across the state of Oklahoma to make sure that people in McAllister and people in Sequoia
Summary:
The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey.
Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services.
No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- then send one. ...have no findings, audits have findings, what the findings are, and then send one giant
- We're not—there's no, nothing about a giant company, I'm trying to think of one, that would come in and
- of tacos together, the tacos are individually put together and then they're all combined into one giant
- taco, and everything has to be in the giant taco.
- And then they're all combined into one giant taco. Mr.
Summary:
The Senate convened, initially lacked a quorum, then established one and opened with prayer, pledges in English, Navajo, and Spanish, and the salute to the New Mexico flag. Members then moved through announcements and recognitions, including permission for cameras on the floor and gallery, and certificates honoring Santa Fe County Day and Soil and Water Conservation District Day. Senators spoke in support of both recognitions, emphasizing Santa Fe County’s history, cultural and economic contributions, and the conservation districts’ role in stewardship, agriculture, and conservation work across the state. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests, honorary lieutenant governors, student shadows, and seniors visiting the Capitol.
The Senate confirmed two State Investment Council appointments. Mary Patricia Roman was confirmed 31-0 after debate highlighting her decades of global investment experience, leadership in private banking, and service on the SIC investment committee. John F. Bingaman was then confirmed 32-0 for reappointment, with senators citing his finance background, prior service as governor’s chief of staff, and role in state economic and early childhood policy. Members also discussed his leadership on the council and the importance of strong management of the state’s permanent funds.
On legislation, Senate Memorial 3 passed 27-0. The memorial, developed with the Wild Friends civics and science program, invites state agencies to participate in an insect identification and education workshop with UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology and the Xerces Society. The Senate also received House messages and adopted several committee reports, including referrals and passage recommendations for multiple bills and memorials. Later, the chamber debated Senate Bill 145, which would consolidate certain federal audit reporting into a single submission and adjust audit requirements for smaller entities and acequias; supporters said it would streamline compliance without changing audit requirements, while opponents raised concerns about auditor business, oversight, and the risk of weakening scrutiny. The bill remained under debate in the portion provided.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- small businesses, it makes me wonder why we are being lenient and providing streamlined processes to giant
- streamline lenient and providing streamline processes<00:09:44.440><c> to</c> processes to processes to giant
- <00:09:46.480><c> corporations</c> giant corporations giant corporations um um um while<00:09:49.240>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- These breakthroughs can transform commerce, bring a giant infusion of wealth into rural America, and
- It is going to decimate my property value to have a giant building over my neighborhood and over my house
- Austin's rules, but this bill would overturn that and allow them to put a giant billboard literally 50
- I just do not want a giant billboard in my backyard.
Bills:
HB341 , HB791 , HB1564 , HB1695 , HB1722 , HB1729 , HB1772 , HB2003 , HB2954 , HB2989 , HB3084 , HB3134 , HB3135 , HB3309 , HB3611 , HB3679 , HB3727 , HB3832
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Media Availability 1/13/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- acrimony, and Republicans were mad that you did what you did, which was pass the unfinished business in a giant
- 00:25:30.760><c> a</c> was pass the unfinished business in a was pass the unfinished business in a giant
- 00:25:32.279><c> you</c><00:25:32.480><c> could</c><00:25:32.720><c> do</c><00:25:32.919><c> it</c> giant
- Bill and you said you could do it giant Bill and you said you could do it um<00:25:34.520><c> why</c
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 30th, 2026 at 09:51 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- A giant thank you to our staff.
- This was included last year in your giant behavioral health package.
- This was included last year in your giant behavioral health package.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- be able to stand before this body to reflect on the life of someone that we know in his legacy of a giant
- This giant that we know is Dr.
- Kelsey, Howard Thurman—these were deep thinkers, critical thinkers, but giants in their own right.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 13th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please stand up in the gallery, and members, please join me in giving these academic giants a round of
- Coach Bean was a giant in the Oakland and East Bay community.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, pledge, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors including Leadership Torrance participants, former Assembly Member Hector de la Torre, University of the Pacific President Christopher Callahan, and other higher education leaders. The body then approved the Senate journals and moved through the daily file and gubernatorial appointments. Three appointments to the Board of Behavioral Sciences were considered and confirmed, and a confirmation for the California Community Colleges Board of Governors was also approved. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 140, designating April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, with members speaking about research, advocacy, and the personal impact of the disease. Senate Resolution 92, marking California Holocaust Memorial Day, drew extensive floor remarks from multiple senators emphasizing remembrance, Holocaust education, antisemitism, and the need to confront hate and denial; the resolution was adopted unanimously.
On third reading, the Senate passed AB 1389, an urgency measure ratifying a tribal-state gaming compact amendment with the Yurok Tribe, with no opposition and immediate effect. The chamber also received committee announcements about upcoming meetings of the Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee and the Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee. The session concluded with adjournment in memory motions honoring John Bean, Cynthia Brantley Pierce, and Detective Armando “Mando” Santana, each described as a significant community leader or public servant whose work and legacy were recognized by the Senate. The Pro Tem then announced the Senate would recess briefly and return for the next floor session on Thursday, April 16 at 9 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 13th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please stand up in the gallery, and members, please join me in giving these academic giants a round of
- Coach Bean was a giant in the Oakland and East Bay community.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayers and the pledge, and spent much of the early portion of the session on guest introductions recognizing visitors from Leadership Torrance, former Assembly Member Hector de la Torre, and several university presidents and academic leaders. The body then moved through routine business, including approval of the Senate journals and reading of several bills on the second reading file, before taking up gubernatorial appointments.
Three appointments to the Board of Behavioral Sciences were confirmed: Justin Hufft, Cali Rana Singhe, and Dr. Annette Walker. The Senate also confirmed Villian Corral to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. In each case, the appointing committee recommendation was noted and roll calls were taken, with the confirmations approved by the required vote margins.
On third reading, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 140, designating April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, with supportive remarks from several senators and advocates emphasizing research, awareness, and the lived experience of Parkinson’s disease. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 92, marking California Holocaust Memorial Day, with extensive floor statements from multiple senators on remembrance, education, antisemitism, and the importance of teaching Holocaust history. Finally, the Senate passed Assembly Bill 1389, an urgency measure ratifying a tribal-state gaming compact amendment with the Yurok Tribe; the measure and urgency clause both received unanimous support.
The session concluded with committee announcements and several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including honors for coach John Bean, Cynthia Brantley Pierce, and Detective Armando “Mando” Santana. The Pro Tem then announced the next floor session and the Senate recessed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 13th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And members, please join me in giving these academic giants a round of applause here on the Senate floor
- Coach Bean was a giant in the Oakland and East Bay community.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Andrew Governor, on behalf of the Padres, the Dodgers, the Giants, the Angels, the A's, and the San Francisco
- In fact, this bill brought the Giants and the Dodgers together.
Summary:
The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met on April 8, 2025, and heard three bills. AB 666 would designate Bigfoot as California’s official state cryptid, with the author arguing it would recognize North Coast history and support local tourism; there was no support testimony, one opposition witness said the bill was a distraction from more serious issues, and the chair ultimately held the bill for lack of a motion.
AB 1349 addressed speculative ticketing in the live entertainment market by requiring sellers to own or have a contractual right to tickets before listing them, along with disclosure, recordkeeping, anti-spoofing, and refund provisions. The author and supporters from music venues, artist groups, and sports organizations said the bill would protect fans and artists from deceptive resale practices and price gouging. Opponents from consumer and resale groups argued the measure was overbroad, could restrict legitimate resale and concierge services, and might favor primary ticketing monopolies. The committee members who spoke generally supported the consumer-protection goals, and the bill passed out of committee on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting.
AB 932 would require local education agencies that rent facilities to third-party youth sports clubs to provide gender-equitable access, closing what the author described as a loophole affecting girls’ club sports. Supporters, including the California Department of Education and youth sports advocates, said the bill would improve access for girls and address examples of unequal field and gym use. Opponents argued it could conflict with Title IX and raised broader objections to gender identity language in sports policy. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 vote, with three members not voting, and sent it to Judiciary.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- That blows a giant hole in the side of our budget, and it's very likely that whatever the budget deal
- </c> that's in one year that blows a giant that's in one year that blows a giant hole<00:26:32.520><c
- looking at session and so we could be looking at having<00:26:47.640><c> this</c><00:26:47.919><c> giant
- > blown</c><00:26:48.919><c> in</c><00:26:49.039><c> the</c><00:26:49.200><c> side</c> having this giant
- hole blown in the side having this giant hole blown in the side of<00:26:49.480><c> our</c><00:26:49.960
Committee:
House Taxes
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have skinks, and our skinks are probably about this long, so this is considered a giant skink for
- 02:37.480><c> size</c><00:02:38.360><c> and</c><00:02:38.519><c> the</c><00:02:38.640><c> cool</c> giant
- skink for its size and the cool giant skink for its size and the cool thing<00:02:39.000><c> about</
- </c><00:04:34.840><c> ears</c><00:04:35.199><c> to</c> smelling and sensing big giant ears to smelling
- and sensing big giant ears to help<00:04:35.800><c> them</c><00:04:36.759><c> hear</c><00:04:37.440>
Committee:
House Capital Investment
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Health Care Affordability, Select May 1st, 2026
Health Care Affordability, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- the ones that, We have far fewer health insurers, and now the majority of the ones that remain are giant
- And at United Health, Optum RX is the other giant that is a very big part of Optum, which is the other
- And at United Health, Optum RX is the other giant that is a very big part of Optum, which is the other
- You had small rural pharmacies, and you had big, giant pharmacies.
Committee:
House Health Care Affordability, Select
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Updating outdated county government IT systems prioritized under Minnesota House bill 4/14/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- reasonable accommodation requests and ergonomic assessments for eligibility staff. ...and they had two giant
- for eligibility staff and they'd<00:29:14.840><c> have</c><00:29:15.080><c> two</c><00:29:15.320><c> giant
- </c><00:29:15.679><c> monitors</c><00:29:16.440><c> and</c> they'd have two giant monitors and they'd
- have two giant monitors and um,<00:29:17.400><c> their</c><00:29:17.640><c> laptop</c><00:29:18.360>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Press Conference 4/24/25
Transcript Highlights:
- So we are talking about giant programs.
- So we are talking about giant<00:20:25.120><c> programs.
- ><00:20:26.559><c> I</c><00:20:26.640><c> mean</c><00:20:26.880><c> and</c><00:20:26.960><c> I</c> giant
- Healthcare I mean and I giant programs.
Summary:
Sen. Erin Maye Quade, Rep. Esther Abad, and other Minnesota DFL legislators held a press event focused on responding to Trump administration and federal Republican actions that they said threaten health care, education, housing, public health, and other state services. Speakers argued Minnesota must not make “false trade-offs” between core services and should instead protect programs like Medicaid, school funding, disability services, nutrition, and public health by raising additional revenue and closing tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations.
Rep. Abad and others outlined possible revenue options, including a fifth-tier income tax, a corporate rate match, closing tax exemptions for luxury items and second homes, a social media tax, and ending data center tax exemptions. They said these measures would not fully replace possible federal cuts, but could help mitigate harm and preserve services. Several speakers also criticized Republican opposition to tax increases and said the state should ask wealthy taxpayers and corporations to contribute more.
Testimony from Olivia Dylan, a laid-off Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist, described the impact of federal public health funding cuts and MDH layoffs on outbreak response, nursing home support, lab work, and tribal public health. Sean Leaden of SEIU Local 284 described low pay and staffing shortages among hourly school workers and said underfunding has hurt students and employees. Sen. Doran Clark and Rep. Emma Greenman framed the issue as both a budget and democracy question, arguing that federal cuts and attacks on public programs undermine self-governance and community well-being. In response to questions, speakers said Minnesota cannot fully backfill expected federal Medicaid losses, but can use state tools to reduce harm and should press Republicans to identify what services they would cut instead.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (02/20/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- “Just wondering why, if the bills are so similar, 234 has a giant fiscal note and 236 is not an FN bill
- similar</c><00:56:35.200><c> 234</c><00:56:36.200><c> has</c><00:56:36.400><c> a</c><00:56:36.640><c> giant
- </c><00:56:37.119><c> fiscal</c> are so similar 234 has a giant fiscal are so similar 234 has a giant
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 5/6/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- community with a symphonic orchestra, the many beautiful lakes, rivers, and park areas we hold dear, giant
- community with a symphonic orchestra, the many beautiful lakes, rivers, and park areas we hold dear, giant
- Dear, giant candy stores, shopping malls, the largest freshwater lake in the country, a substantial ski
- </c><01:32:45.040><c> Uh</c><01:32:45.600><c> but</c> which are now giant companies.
- Uh but which are now giant companies.
Keywords:
workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Jul 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a predatory one that drives up profits for giant Wall Street banks and drives up costs for small
- It's a predatory one that drives up profits for giant Wall Street banks and drives up costs for small
Summary:
The Special Legislative Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what was described as its last public hearing. Chair Paul Feeney opened by noting the commission’s mandate under Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024 and explained that members would continue working on a final report after the hearing. The meeting featured testimony from banks, payment industry groups, restaurant advocates, convenience store representatives, and others, with repeated discussion of interchange fees, surcharging, fraud, and federal preemption issues.
Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, and the Electronic Payments Coalition, argued that state-level interchange restrictions would disrupt a global payment system, create compliance problems, and likely apply only to a small share of transactions because of federal preemption. They emphasized consumer and merchant benefits of cards, the role of banks in absorbing fraud losses, and recent federal and state developments, including Illinois litigation, OCC and NCUA actions, and a settlement that they said would give merchants more flexibility. Several witnesses also suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation for tax collection and modernizing Massachusetts’ surcharge ban.
Restaurant and convenience-store advocates took the opposite view, saying swipe fees are a major burden on thin-margin businesses and that merchants should not pay interchange on sales tax or gratuities that are not their revenue. Mass Restaurants United and individual restaurant owners described severe financial strain, rising costs, and the need for transparency and relief. NACS supported swipe fee reform and argued that current fees are excessive and inflationary. A few members questioned witnesses about whether industry should share more of the burden and about the feasibility of changing the current system.
No votes or formal policy actions were taken. The chair said the commission would meet again to discuss a draft framework and final report, and members of the public were invited to submit additional written testimony before the commission concludes its work.