Transcript Highlights:

• I pay a monthly fee for my garbage pickup. They can pay for their pollution.
• I pay a monthly fee for my garbage pickup. They can pay for their pollution.
• I pay a monthly fee for my garbage pickup. They can pay for their pollution.
• I pay a monthly fee for my garbage pickup. They can pay for their pollution.
• I pay a monthly fee for my garbage pickup. They can pay for their pollution.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay into it.
• So they're already paying for that.
• But if the business is going to pay for it, why does the business then have to pay this as well?
• You don't have to pay anything else.
• They were paying all along.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills in its final meeting, beginning with House Bill 200, which had previously been left on the table on a tie vote. The committee voted to bring it back and then approved it as amended on a 7-2 vote. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for complex rehabilitation technology devices and allowing up to two devices in a three-year period, received testimony in support and was advanced on a 9-0 vote. Members then heard House Bill 270, which would require certain public works projects to contribute to apprenticeship and training programs or the state apprenticeship fund. Supporters argued it would create a level playing field and strengthen workforce development, while opponents said it would raise costs, burden contractors without accessible apprenticeship programs, and hurt small businesses. An amendment to delay the effective date failed 4-6, and the bill was then approved 6-4. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax cleanup bill, was presented as a package of technical and policy updates, including rounding rules, fee changes, tax credit clarifications, and property tax collection adjustments; it passed 8-2. House Bill 108, a cleanup measure for watershed districts to address tax-levying authority after a change from elected to appointed boards, passed 10-0. House Bill 306, which limits facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth while exempting rural facilities, also passed 10-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 20, allowing Native American applicants to request a voluntary designation on driver’s licenses and ID cards with privacy protections, received supportive testimony from tribal and law enforcement representatives and passed 10-0. Finally, House Bill 309, expanding a special property tax valuation method to include electric power storage facilities, drew support from labor and energy representatives and passed 10-0. The chair closed by thanking staff and members and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the committee’s last of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any person who knowingly fails to pay the tax, pay the estimated tax, make returns, or supply information
• Dollars pay the budget, not percentages.
• If they're paying what they're what they correspond, no tendriamus If they're paying what they correspond
• the top 1% pay about 4.1%.
• The top earners already pay 37%, and now we're asking them to pay 9.9.

Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meaning that the people who truly can't pay more don't pay more, and the people who currently are paying
• </c> money to pay less. money to pay less.
• </c> increase meaning that they pay no more. increase meaning that they pay no more.
• </c><00:18:10.080><c> on</c> you pay on income and what you pay on you pay on income and what you pay
• </c> that's what pays into the pilot fund. that's what pays into the pilot fund.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're currently paying 46,942.
• I'm not paying enough, and my employers are not paying enough to fund our unfunded liabilities, which
• We pay for it, but we don't pay enough, unfortunately.
• pay into the fund.
• This would be tax exempt for their military retirement pay. Their military retirement pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want you to explain what happens when you pay minimum wage, you pay low wages, and then you train
• I think they'll pay the higher wage.
• Whether you pay $7, whether you pay $12, whether you pay $15, it will cause a ripple effect because it's
• Someone pays, you're paying them $15 an hour now. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.
• Yeah, but you pay insurance on that. The workers are paying, employers are paying for that.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on April 9 and first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeal process. The bill, presented as a collaboration between the Attorney General’s office and trial lawyers, would require additional medical evidence submitted on appeal to be sent back to the medical director for review before court review continues. Members discussed the 30-day turnaround for the medical director and whether the process would delay injured workers’ cases. After testimony from injured workers’ representatives and support cards from several business and labor groups, the committee adopted the technical amendments and reported SB 162 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage beginning at $12 per hour in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, the AFL-CIO, and a young witness from People’s Promise, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind costs of living, that many workers remain in poverty, and that the bill would help families, reduce reliance on public benefits, and improve economic stability. Opponents, including NFIB and small-business advocates, argued that the market should set wages, that the bill would raise labor costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or hiring, and potentially increase prices. After extended debate, the committee voted and HB 353 failed. The committee next considered Senate Bill 383 on the incumbent worker training program. Senator Bass and Louisiana Works officials said the bill would expand and make the existing program more flexible, increase available funding, shorten the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allow unused funds to roll over. Members focused on how the program would reach workers, how businesses and employees would learn about training opportunities, and how it would support workforce development in growing regions. Support came from business and economic development groups, and the committee reported SB 383 favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 382, which would repeal the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, described as the Senate version of a bill the committee had already considered. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the prior vote on the similar House version, and no final action on SB 382 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when we talk about technician pay— yeah, who determines the technician pay?
• The pay is the same, though.
• Our customers pay that rate, and the warranty pays that rate.
• Our customers pay that rate, and the warranty pays that rate.
• Their customer pay labor.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the argument that there's less pay the argument that there's less pay that's<00:14:54.600><c> not
• </c><00:22:12.159><c> to</c> don't have to pay union dues or pay to don't have to pay union dues or pay
• On top of that, we got more benefits like sick pay and mental health pay.
• She can pay for her own insurance.
• </c><03:56:04.560><c> this</c> I live in I pay an HOA fee I pay this I live in I pay an HOA fee I pay

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our pay is still a burning issue, both how much we are getting paid and the transparency.
• Our pay is still a burning issue, both how much we are getting paid and the transparency.
• Like, have you seen your pay increase? Do you know the impacts of that legislation?
• It's about the fair pay that they are supposed to get. I mean, there is enough work out there.
• It's about the fair pay that they are supposed to get. I mean, there is enough work out there.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Dave Ramsey said, they can pay the stupid tax, right?
• You still have to pay your taxes.
• You need to pay this. Most of the time, it's their fault. They pay it. No problem.
• Pays over $100,000 in property taxes a year. $100,000.
• And so these people are paying hundreds of dollars in fees when they did everything right to pay their

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ARE PAYING AN OFFICER A VERY HIGH SALARY RELATIVELY TO THE OTHER JOB WHEN YOU GET WE ARE PAYING AN
• INCREASES AND STARTED RAISING THEIR PAY AND COMPETITOR STARTING RAISING THEIR PAY AND WE HAVE SLIP BACK
• THE PART WE HAVE TALKING ABOUT PAY. PAY IS ALWAYS THERE.
• WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO GET PAY RAISES.
• ONE THING WE WOULD SAY IS, WE WOULD WELCOME A PAY STUDY.

Transcript Highlights:

• 15% of the cost and the local would pay 15% and the state would pay the 85%.
• </c><00:12:40.000><c> 15%</c> they would have to pay 15% they would have to pay 15% of<00:12:42.720><
• 15% and the state the local will pay 15% and the state would<00:12:49.200><c> pay</c><00:12:49.360><
• </c> would pay the 85%. would pay the 85%. it<00:12:51.920><c> in</c><00:12:52.079><c> in</c><00:12:52.560
• </c> forced to use their co-pays as well. forced to use their co-pays as well.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't pay state tax, income tax, on a They don't pay state tax, income tax, for public servants,
• aren't paying an income tax, to people with disabilities To retirees who currently aren't paying an
• They will pay more in any service.
• Every time they ask for a pay raise, somebody said something about a pay raise.
• We don’t want to pay you $15 an hour. We don’t want to pay you $30 an hour.

Summary: The Missouri House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior House journal, and numerous guest introductions, including a tribute to Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. Latanya Collins-Smith during Women’s History Month. The chamber then took up House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, which would place on the ballot a constitutional change to gradually eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax and allow the legislature to broaden the sales tax base to services if needed. The sponsor and supporters framed the proposal as a long-term tax reform that would let Missourians keep more of their earnings, spur economic growth, and ultimately let voters decide the state’s tax structure. Supporters argued that no-income-tax states have stronger growth, more business relocation, and better population trends, and said the resolution includes triggers and revenue-neutral safeguards, including protections for school funding and local governments. Several members said the measure is only a referral to the voters, not an immediate tax change, and emphasized that the plan is designed to phase out the income tax only as state growth allows. Opponents countered that the measure would ultimately require a large sales tax increase on goods and services, shifting the burden onto working families, seniors, renters, and low-income Missourians, while threatening public schools, services, and tax-credit-supported nonprofits. They also criticized the ballot language as misleading and warned that the fiscal impact could be as high as an $8.5 billion revenue loss. Members debated comparisons to Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, and Kansas, with supporters citing those states as evidence that lower or no income taxes can attract growth, while opponents said Missouri’s economy, tourism, and budget structure are not comparable and that the Kansas example shows the risks of tax-cut experiments. The sponsor and several allies repeatedly stressed that the proposal is a constitutional amendment for voters to decide, not a final legislative tax hike, and said the plan is different from Kansas because it uses triggers and a defined path to zero. The transcript does not show a final vote on the resolution in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay about a seventh of the swipe fee we pay here, and yet 60% to 65% of their credit card spending
• Businesses don't know what they're paying, and consumers certainly don't know what they're paying in
• If a consumer is paying via credit card, we also have to pay a swipe fee, obviously on that.
• We don't pay the clerk or the server $9.70; we pay them the $10 that was tipped.
• Pay 47% of all fraud associated with debit cards. Consumers pay 20%.

Bills: HB245, HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• I keep paying them back.
• Who pays for that?
• They paying, you plan. Yeah. Gotcha. I don't understand how you actually pay for this.
• They paying, you plan. Yeah. Gotcha. I don't understand how you actually pay for this.
• Insurance doesn't pay for massage therapy. It also doesn't pay for that holistic care.

Bills: HB79, HB437, HB646, HB1089, HB1099, SB173, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476

Keywords: carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're paying that staff, paying for the equipment, paying for the upkeep of the material of the units
• </c><00:12:20.720><c> equipment,</c><00:12:21.440><c> paying</c> staff, paying for the equipment, paying
• </c><00:22:55.600><c> for</c> and make them pay for and make them pay for it
• </c> would should pay to pay their fair cost. would should pay to pay their fair cost.
• You have to pay people have to pay more.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ' pay.
• First, pay providers a fair wage.
• challenges mentioned earlier with having to pay a staff member, having to pay rent, having to pay for
• That's nearly a $400 co-pay that families have to pay to me to meet my current tuition.
• And for subsidy families, it means they'd need to pay a co-pay of $1,100.

Summary: The California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its first hearing to examine the state of child care access, affordability, and provider compensation. Chair Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and other members described child care as essential infrastructure for working families and the economy, noting that costs are unaffordable for many households and that providers are underpaid. Early testimony came from a San Francisco parent, Quinn Chung, who described the difficulty of finding safe care and the financial and career sacrifices caused by lack of child care, and from Tuolumne County provider Anita Viscini, who detailed her monthly costs, low margins, and the need to work weekends and teach CPR classes to make ends meet. Assemblymembers also emphasized the crisis in rural communities and the need for a long-term strategy. The first policy panel featured Jennifer Troia of the California Department of Social Services, Laura Pryor of the California Budget and Policy Center, and Alexa Frankenberg of Child Care Providers United. Troia said the state has nearly doubled child care funding in five years, expanded subsidy slots, and reached a new tentative three-year agreement with providers that includes cost-of-living adjustments, stabilization payments, and continued work on an alternative rate methodology and single rate structure. Pryor argued that despite funding gains, child care remains too expensive, only a fraction of eligible children receive subsidies, and provider wages remain far below comparable jobs, worsening racial and gender inequities. Frankenberg said the tentative agreement is progress but not enough, calling for a true cost-of-care system, fair wages, paid time off, better support for emergency and nontraditional care, and stronger integration of family child care into the mixed-delivery system. Members asked about why the crisis persists, how the alternative methodology will work, how family fees and sliding-scale help are being used, and why middle-income families still struggle. The panel said the problem reflects long-term underinvestment, a broken market, and a system that still leaves many families without access. The committee also heard an economic panel from Ashley Hoffman of the California Chamber of Commerce and Sarah Bone of the Public Policy Institute of California. Hoffman described employer child care benefits and public-private partnership models in other states, including shared-cost programs and local chamber efforts. Bone said child care costs reduce family financial security and labor force participation, especially for mothers of young children, and estimated that if mothers of young children worked at the same rate as mothers of older children, more than 80,000 additional women could be in the workforce each year. In the final panel, parent and provider advocates, including Jennifer Greppie and Black Californians United for Early Care and Education co-founder Keisha Doyle, argued for fully funding child care, ending waiting lists, protecting culturally affirming care, and addressing racial inequities and private equity’s role in the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with, we talk about technician pay. Yeah. Who determines the technician pay right now?
• I pay that internal. My sales department pays my service department that internal rate.
• I pay that internal. My sales department pays my service department that internal rate.
• Our customers pay that rate, and the warranty pays that rate.
• Our customers pay that rate, and the warranty pays that rate.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted House Committee Substitutes, then passed several bills by roll call vote. HCS for House Bills 1746 and 1769 was adopted and then voted do pass by 10-0. HCS for House Bill 3005 was adopted and passed 10-0 after the sponsor explained it removed a sentence requiring specific local review boards in library appeals processes. HCS for House Bills 1717 and 1643, dealing with alternative therapies, passed 7-2 with two present. HCS for House Bills 2817 and 2961 passed 8-1 with two present. HCS for House Bills 2035 and 2350 passed 10-0 with one present after a brief question about statutory citations. HCS for House Bills 1887, 2361, 1913, 2862, and 2321, a combined bill package, also passed 10-0 after members discussed digital depiction language and written victim request provisions. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1914, which would change Missouri’s franchise law on warranty and recall reimbursement for auto dealers. Rep. David Castile presented the bill as a fairness measure, arguing manufacturers should pay dealers market-rate labor and parts reimbursement and that current warranty work often loses money for dealers and hurts service access. Supporters, including several dealers and technicians, said manufacturer time guides underpay warranty work, that the bill would help retain technicians, and that current appeal processes are cumbersome and time-consuming. They described large gaps between warranty and customer-pay labor times and said technicians often invest heavily in tools and training. Opponents, including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Toyota, General Motors, Ford, and business groups, argued the bill would raise costs for consumers, amount to a large increase in dealer compensation, and interfere with existing contracts. They said manufacturers already provide a process for requesting additional time, that most requests are approved, and that warranty work remains a profitable captive source of business for dealers. Several witnesses also argued the bill would not directly raise technician wages because technicians are employed by dealers, not manufacturers, and suggested broader competition or allowing independent repair shops instead. The hearing featured extensive questioning about recall versus warranty work, labor time guides, documentation requirements, and whether the legislature should be involved in these franchise disputes.

Transcript Highlights:

• pay.
• pay.
• pay.
• pay.
• pay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not like, oh, I just want to pay more taxes, but I'm going to go pay the taxes for my property, right
• money to pay for the tax.
• Keep in mind if they didn't pay sales tax, they're still going to have to pay sales tax.
• He will pay his... He'll show the bill of sale. He will pay the sales tax on the $10,000.
• I'll pay the fine and I'll move on.

Keywords: 959, house, all