Video & Transcript Research : 'workforce development fund'
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AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- In terms of workforce, the workforce is needing very high-level training for mining now.
- So we really need to make an investment in American workforce.
- that there is a need to increase that mining workforce.
- And we have industry-funded outreach programs.
- And we have a network that really develops workforce across the state.
Bills:
SB1046
Keywords:
telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security
Summary:
The Committee on Science and Technology heard Senate Bill 1046, which would bar critical telecommunications infrastructure in Arizona from using equipment manufactured or owned by a foreign adversary, require annual certification to the Corporation Commission, impose civil penalties for noncompliance, and cut off state, local, or federal infrastructure funding for violators. Marina Macklin testified in support, arguing the bill responds to real national-security risks from China, citing examples such as Huawei, Hikvision, and other foreign-linked technology concerns, and saying states can act where federal efforts are incomplete or slow. Members raised questions about cost, timing, and whether the bill duplicates federal action; Macklin said the bill targets public procurement and that state action remains appropriate. The committee then voted 5-1 to return SB 1046 with a do pass recommendation.
The committee next received a presentation from Craig Luxbacher of the University of Arizona on mining technology and the state’s role as an innovation hub. He described university work on automation, microgrids, critical mineral recovery, tailings remediation, workforce training, and heat-stress protection, and said Arizona can help de-risk new mining technologies through research partnerships, training networks, and policy support. Members asked about microgrids, federal and state law changes, tariffs, workforce decline, AI, and how the Legislature could help; Luxbacher emphasized the need for coordinated training pipelines, incubators for mining startups, and support for pilot projects and processing capacity.
Jeremiah Pate, founder and CTO of Lunisand, then presented on subsurface imaging technology using georadiotomography. He said the system can image deep underground from airborne platforms, helping locate critical minerals, aquifers, tunnels, and hidden defense-related threats more quickly than traditional methods. Members asked about archaeological uses, mineral identification, water detection, whether similar companies exist, and defense applications. Pate said the technology is still developing but is unique in its field-practical airborne capability. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the chair and adjournment.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Development. Okay. Development. Okay.
- the number of positions and funding the number of positions and funding needed<00:10:03.760>
- , they're just general funds.
- , they're just general funds.
- the mental health care workforce. Okay. the mental health care workforce. Okay.
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several resolutions focused on workforce shortages and program development. STR 145/SR 117 would create a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; testimony from state agencies, labor groups, advocacy organizations, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, though some asked for broader representation and legal expertise. Members raised questions about prior studies, staffing estimates, and funding needs for administering a future program. The chair ultimately deferred decision making on this measure to March 28, 2025.
The committee also heard STR 55/SR 37 on reviewing the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention. DLIR supported the measure, while the Department of Human Resources Development supported the intent but suggested labor should lead the study. Industry witnesses described long inspection wait times, backlogs, and difficulty recruiting inspectors, and several said higher pay and training pathways were needed. The committee voted to pass the resolution unamended.
For STR 64/SR 49, which would establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, the department supported the concept but said resources would be needed and should be included in the budget rather than a resolution; the committee recommended deferral indefinitely. STR 67/SR 51, addressing hiring shortages in the public mental health care system, drew support from the State Council on Mental Health and others, with requests for amendments to ensure broader cooperation and added agencies. The committee moved the measure as a Senate draft with amendments. STR 63/SR 48, proposing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award, received support from DLIR, and the committee later recessed and reconvened for decision making on the measures.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:19.280>
could that a million dollars of funding could that a million dollars of funding - development programs, and mental health experts.
- And I will make a nod to my workforce.
- development account or fund.
- We've just had a little bit of a delay around the workforce development fund, which we're hoping to have
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- New businesses coming in or retention of current employees in terms of workforce development?
- Developers will go out of their way to fund those construction projects to improve off-site improvements
- <01:38:21.760>
fund <01:38:22.000>and finally the replacement fund fund and finally - <01:42:02.159>
is fund has this replacement fund is fund has this replacement fund is steadily - The admin fund<01:53:40.960>
pays <01:53:41.360>for fund pays for fund pays for some<01
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Aug 15th, 2025
Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, my name is Sandra Michel and I am with the Southeast LA County Workforce Development Board
- We have workforce development boards, and we're very proud of Silico and the work that you've been doing
- She wasn't able to come, but I want to take the opportunity through workforce development.
- I would expand state-funded work-study.
- Access to funding alone is not enough.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA-HRE, HRE Public Hearings 03-20-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
- We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
- We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
- We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
- We have more interest from the legislature, I think, than we've ever had in workforce development and
Summary:
The meeting covered several Senate resolutions related to the University of Hawaiʻi system, the East-West Center, and related education and workforce issues. On SCR 178 and SR 48, testifiers strongly supported the East-West Center, describing it as an important Hawaii asset that promotes cultural exchange, global citizenship, diplomacy, and ties to the University of Hawaiʻi. Speakers said the Center has helped train leaders and bring international connections and investment to Hawaii, and they urged continued funding despite federal cuts. The chairs then recommended passage with technical amendments, and both resolutions were adopted by the committees.
The committee also heard testimony on resolutions calling for audits of University of Hawaiʻi operations. On SR 32 and SCR 50, the University of Hawaiʻi said it supported the resolution and had already begun work on establishing a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the UH Maui campus, with additional staff available on Zoom to answer questions. On SR 160 and SCR 142, which sought a financial and performance audit of UH Mānoa facilities, UH Athletics said it already undergoes annual financial audits required by NCAA bylaws but not performance audits, and discussed its internal evaluations, contingency planning, and efforts to address concerns raised by student athletes and staff.
The committee then took up SCR 138 and SR 55, requesting a management and performance audit of the UH Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. Vice President Deborah Halbert and P20 Director Steve Shotz said they did not oppose the audit and believed it could provide clarity, while explaining that the office is relatively new and works collaboratively across campuses on articulation, transfer, grants, and workforce alignment. They described grant programs including Perkins, GEAR UP, preschool development, and data-sharing efforts, and said they are focusing more resources on teaching, health care, and skilled trades. The discussion also touched on SR 54, a proposed performance audit of the UH Foundation, where foundation representatives said they already undergo annual financial audits, acknowledged some donor communication issues, but emphasized improved stewardship and growth in fundraising over recent years.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Fund, or TPDF.
- <00:36:15.079>
Fund <00:36:15.359>or Development Fund or Development Fund or tpdf<00:36 - So funding for this program is self-contained, so the projects, the funding over 98% of the funding that's
- I appreciate just the ongoing investment that we are doing as the state to really create workforce development
- <00:48:33.400>
um know really create Workforce um know really create Workforce um development
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Preceptorship can strengthen workforce development and reduce staff turnover.
- Preceptorship can strengthen workforce development and reduce staff turnover.
- This proposal is part of our members' multi-pronged approach to improve health care workforce development
- This proposal is part of our members' multi-pronged approach to improve health care workforce development
- John Hoffman for the American Kidney Fund, and then we had a remote... ...Fund.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure.
Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 8, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bradus workforce Mary Perilitin Bradus workforce development<04:13:05.120>
division <04:13:05.520 - executive director of the Workforce executive director of the Workforce Development<04:15:52.960
to <04:35:26.879>get workforce development division um to get workforce development division- rest of them six of them workforce rest of them six of them workforce development<04:41:42.560><
- And this might be a question for the Workforce Development Division.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 18th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2016, we received our initial programs funding for workforce and entrepreneur.
- This is federally funded and operated through the local workforce boards and the Department of Commerce
- These grants are also federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act governor
- The Purple Star Workforce Development Board Recognition...
- And serving our veteran community, the Purple Star Workforce Development Board Recognition emphasizes
Summary:
The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits.
Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Health Service (3-18-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, a few years ago, the General Assembly created the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund.
- Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund.
- So, we would appreciate your support to amend the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Development Fund to include
- So, we would appreciate your support to amend the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Development Fund to include
- I've worked for workforce development and was involved in these scholarships and looked for many universities
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 510, which passed with a favorable expression by unanimous roll call vote and then received consent without opposition. The bill’s specific subject was not discussed in the excerpt, but the chair congratulated the sponsor after the vote.
House Bill 176, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser with testimony from Corey Meadows of the Kentucky Medical Association, would create a framework for insurers to offer waiver programs that reduce prior authorization requirements for health care providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to cut red tape and improve transparency, and noted that the language had been worked out with insurers. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill with favorable expression and then approved consent.
House Bill 266, sponsored by Rep. Peyton Griffee with testimony from Dr. Kelly Ellis of Eastern Kentucky University, would add audiology and speech-language pathology to the credentials eligible for the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. Supporters said these professions are critical to care across the lifespan and that their education and licensure requirements fit the fund’s purpose of retaining health professionals in Kentucky. The bill passed unanimously with favorable expression and consent, with Sen. Nemes briefly explaining his support based on workforce development experience.
House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer with testimony from McKenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, made cleanup changes to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council, added a caregiver council slot, and required the council to develop and distribute an early detection and diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. The committee passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression and consent. Sen. Mills explained his yes vote in memory of his father, who had Alzheimer’s disease.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I think Workforce Solutions also said they might need some funding to help with it.
- to fund them.
- They funded two.
- They had enough in their budget to fund two of them, and I funded two teachers through micro-funding.
- everyone in the state can see what kind of workforce development we're doing at the K-12 level.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we’re looking for some policy framework to give us authority to invest in workforce development
- One is with rural funding.
- And so we're looking for some policy framework to give us authority to invest in workforce development
- One is with rural funding.
- Again, this ties directly back into workforce development.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee took up several bills and agency priorities. SB 44, as amended, increased penalties for operating a vehicle with unauthorized red or blue lights and for obscuring a license plate, including new penalties for using, possessing, manufacturing, or selling license-plate obscuring devices. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill addresses widespread plate obstruction and enforcement problems; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 654, designating a railroad overpass in Starke as the Heroes Memorial Overpass, and SB 620, creating a Miami-Dade College specialty license plate with proceeds supporting scholarships and limited administrative/marketing costs.
The committee then considered SB 594, which would allow Florida deep-water ports to seek Fish and Wildlife Commission approval for no-anchoring/no-mooring buffer zones adjacent to port channels and turning basins. An amendment clarified the application process, review timeline, rulemaking, and enforcement. Port representatives supported the bill as a way to protect channels and commerce, while several boating and cruising advocates opposed it, arguing the 5,000-foot buffer was excessive, could create safety issues, and would displace anchored vessels without adequate alternative dockage. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on its 2025 legislative priorities, including stricter proof-of-address and identification requirements for vehicle registration, changes to tank vehicle and IFTA rules, a higher crash-report damage threshold, and electronic notice options. Secretary Perdue then outlined FDOT priorities focused on workforce development, research, rural road funding, small business participation, consistent traffic-control standards, modal infrastructure, transit accountability, spaceport support, advanced air mobility, and shifting some power-consumption revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund to offset electric vehicle impacts. No votes were taken on the agency priorities, and the meeting adjourned after members recorded additional affirmative votes on SB 44 and SB 654.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Housing Committee Meeting - 2025-04-08
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program also has a $10 million appropriation in the
- The Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development Program will receive a $3 million one-time appropriation
- And so the funds in that account will transfer into the general fund starting in fiscal 25.
- Greater Minnesota workforce development at a $10 Million increase and Greater Minnesota infrastructure
- The investments you've included in the Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development Program will
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , partners in community development, partners in community development, strengthening<00:20:23.200
- What was the amount of funding last year in the funding side of our committee?
- What was the amount of funding last year in the funding side of our committee?
- Minute Texas base funding. Minute Texas base funding. >> Okay. >> Okay.
- one-time funding. one-time funding.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House committee hears proposed workforce grant program to ease health care labor shortage Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, in general, we are investing workforce development funds on ensuring that people with barriers to
- But OJP has changed over time how those funds have flowed as they've developed expertise and how to best
- this healthcare workforce grant program. this healthcare workforce grant program.
- funds have flowed as they've developed funds have flowed as they've developed expertise<00:05:02.800
- Even if there's no funds, no funding for it, because then we then decide how much to put in, and then
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3732, with the author moving both the bill and two separate amendments. The DE1 amendment would create a healthcare workforce grant program to let the Department of Employment and Economic Development identify and fund healthcare workforce shortage areas, while the A1 amendment would establish an Office of Community Investment to provide strategic grant management and help align grants with legislative priorities. Both amendments were adopted, and the bill was laid over for later consideration.
The bill author explained that the healthcare workforce proposal is meant to address shortages that market forces alone have not solved, citing examples such as CNA training and rural oncologist recruitment. The Office of Community Investment was described as a way to improve grant oversight, set clearer goals, and strengthen collaboration between agencies and the legislature, drawing on the model of the Office of Justice Programs. Testimony from the Mong American Partnership strongly supported the healthcare workforce grant program, describing successful CNA and phlebotomy pathways, but also noting long waitlists and the need for flexible funding.
Members discussed the importance of locating training opportunities in greater Minnesota and in communities with workforce gaps, so distance and travel barriers do not limit access. Several legislators said the proposal would help create good-paying jobs, strengthen healthcare access, and support overworked healthcare workers. The bill’s sponsors also emphasized that codifying grant programs can speed up future funding decisions and improve accountability, and they said the measures would return for further consideration in a few days.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (12-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- similar supportive resources, workforce similar supportive resources, workforce development<00:16
- /c><00:16:12.480>
workforce childcore resources, workforce childcore resources, workforce development - 00:19:10.000>
funds, <00:19:10.799>and <00:19:11.039>workforce opportunity act funds - training and workforce development.
- training and workforce development.
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well.
Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk.
Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Mar 12, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 30
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- something This budget also includes $1.45 million annually for healthcare workforce development,
- critical infrastructure, the Kay Momi development project, and an infusion of funds to both the rental
- critical infrastructure, the Kay Momi development project, and an infusion of funds to both the rental
- critical infrastructure, the Kay Momi development project, and an infusion of funds to both the rental
- critical infrastructure, the Kay Momi development project, and an infusion of funds to both the rental
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (7-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And so as part of that, also, we're the main provider of workforce development opportunities throughout
- And so as part of that, also, we're the main provider of workforce development opportunities throughout
- And so as part of that, also, we're the main provider of workforce development opportunities throughout
- And so as part of that, also, we're the main provider of workforce development opportunities throughout
- And so as part of that, also, we're the main provider of workforce development opportunities throughout
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:55
Approval of Minutes 00:02:01
Information Items 00:02:10
Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:02:20
A. A. Eastern Kentucky University 00:02:48
B. B. Kentucky Community and Technical College System 00:15:21
C. C. Kentucky State University 00:31:43
D. D. Morehead State University 00:41:44
E. E. Murray State University 01:01:56
F. F. Northern Kentucky University 01:16:09
G. G. University of Kentucky and Hospital 01:25:00
H. H. University of Louisville 01:42:52
I. I. Western Kentucky University 01:56:17, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call establishing a quorum. The committee then approved the prior meeting’s minutes. Members were reminded to silence cell phones, and the chair noted an informational item on capital plan amendments made by state agencies during the latest revision period before moving to university capital plan presentations.
Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden outlined EKU’s enrollment growth, strong Kentucky student retention, and signature programs in nursing, occupational therapy, criminal justice, education, manufacturing engineering, and aviation. EKU’s main capital priorities were a new health innovation project to support a proposed osteopathic medical program, including a $50 million escrow requirement until accreditation; a collaborative center for health innovation to address outdated health sciences facilities; a $5 million startup request for an air traffic control program; aircraft upgrades for the aviation fleet; and continued asset preservation funding. In response to questions, EKU said roughly 40% of the new health facility would be dedicated to the medical school, with shared simulation space for multiple health programs, and that aviation maintenance needs are currently being met through KCTCS partners but could be expanded if demand grows.
KCTCS representatives then described the system’s scale and capital needs, noting service to 107,000 students, extensive dual credit and workforce training, and a network of 342 buildings across 70 campuses. They said prior legislative support, including $277 million in asset preservation and $90 million released for approved projects, had helped with safety, roofs, energy efficiency, and campus security. Their current priorities include about $30 million for systemwide safety and security upgrades, renovations tied to consolidation and footprint reduction under Senate Joint Resolution 179, and broader asset preservation needs estimated at roughly $300 million to $325 million. Members discussed the need to preserve and expand skilled trades training, and KCTCS said its plan includes construction trades and flexible, multiuse facilities that can adapt to changing workforce needs. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes, and the presentations concluded with questions and discussion only.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Primary & Secondary Education & Workforce Development (2-17-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Development to order.
- And I did notice in '18 when the funding increased, has the program developed more problems since then
- And I did notice in '18 when the funding increased, has the program developed more problems since then
- And I did notice in '18 when the funding increased, has the program developed more problems since then
- And I did notice in '18 when the funding increased, has the program developed more problems since then
Summary:
The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs.
The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency.
Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.