Video & Transcript : 'wage increases' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 4/29/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I fell behind on rent because health care wages don't match the cost of living.
- 00:10:46.079><c> because</c><00:10:46.959><c> health</c><00:10:47.200><c> care</c><00:10:47.519><c> wages
- </c> behind rent because health care wages behind rent because health care wages don't<00:10:48.240><
- Individuals should not be forced to leave their state due to inadequate wages for rent.
Summary:
Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley held a press event ahead of the House floor debate on the housing budget bill, focusing on funding for the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP). She described FHPAP as emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance that helps families avoid homelessness, and said the bill reflects a community effort to keep families stably housed across Minnesota, including in rural areas.
Jenny Larson, executive director of Three Rivers Community Action, testified that her organization administers FHPAP in a 20-county region and uses it to help renters and homeowners remain housed, maintain employment, and stay in school and community. She said the program is fiscally responsible, estimating it costs about $3,500 to resolve a household crisis versus as much as $45,000 to help a family recover after homelessness. Community members Mierra Allen, Ebony McMillan, and a written statement from Tamita Gaines described how FHPAP helped them avoid or recover from homelessness and maintain stability for their children.
The speakers also said the House housing bill includes broader housing investments, including funding for new housing units, housing infrastructure bonds, a challenge fund, and affordable/workforce homeownership initiatives, with attention to greater Minnesota. In response to questions, they said homelessness is not partisan, that current FHPAP funds are depleted, and that local providers use quarterly allocations and advisory committees to prioritize urgent cases. Momanyi-Hiltsley urged support for House File 2298 and said the program was a top priority because of limited funding and the need to prevent families from falling into homelessness.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- you'll see some of the job titles that have, um, turnover rates of up to 40% and 70% because their wages
- Since 2004, our state population has increased by 38%, and the average headcount of our state workforce
- One of the things that we've seen over the last several years is an increasing number of kids who are
- So maternal mortality continues to increase in Texas, especially among black women and non-Hispanic,
- And so I come to you today to ask you to, um, increase funding for programs like this for prevention
Committee:
House Appropriations - S/C on Article II
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- base increase aligned with inflation.
- The proposed base increases.
- Exactly. and increase revenues for those same increasing costs.
- It allows them to go and do wage increases, benefits, et cetera.
- and funding increases don't go to pad the reserves as they're at. make sure that tuition increases and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/17/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Can you tell me—I mean, this is a large increase. I think the chair said a $3 million increase.
- Can you tell me—I mean, this is a large increase. I think the chair said a $3 million increase.
- Can you tell me—I mean, this is a large increase. I think the chair said a $3 million increase.
- Was it a $2 million or $3 million increase? Uh, it's a $3 million increase.
- Was it a $2 million or $3 million increase? Uh, it's a $3 million increase.
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- to what HUD classifies as 60% of the area median income, and rents are adjusted year over year as wages
- He continued: "And rents are adjusted year over year as wages and income rise.
- He continued: "And rents are adjusted year over year as wages and income rise.
- And when we debate what kind of tax we might want to either increase or decrease, there's a lot of debate
- Should we increase or decrease the income tax or whatever?
Summary:
The Senate convened with 34 members present, later noting all 35 present, and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the March 24 journal. The body then moved through committee reports and messages from the House and Governor, referring a number of bills and memorials to committees, enrolling and transmitting several measures, and advancing to floor consideration of legislation. Among the early actions, House Bill 928 was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment, and multiple House and Senate bills were introduced, read, and referred to standing committees.
The chamber first took up House Bill 760 on reconsideration after it had previously failed on a tie vote. After debate over whether the bill would create an optional low-income housing tax credit program that supporters described as a workforce housing tool and opponents criticized as a tax shift and government-subsidized housing, the motion to reconsider passed 24-11. On final passage, however, the bill failed again, 15-20, and was returned to the House. The Senate also debated and passed Senate Bill 1397, which extends utility-style consumer protections to certain privately held wastewater systems; supporters said it addresses captive customers and stranded property, while opponents warned against expanding regulation. The bill passed 21-14.
The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1398, which returns Idaho to a presidential primary system and sets the primary for the Tuesday after the first Monday in May; supporters cited low caucus turnout and broader voter access, while opponents worried about shortening the campaign season. Senate Bill 1396 also passed as a cleanup measure repealing obsolete Pacific Fisheries Task Force language. In addition, House Bill 630, on airborne control of predatory animals, failed 6-28 after debate over whether the measure merely codified existing permit rules or could harm livestock protection efforts.
Later, the Senate passed House Bills 631, 826, 585, 648, 773, 787, and 790. These measures dealt respectively with certificates of free sale for Idaho agricultural products, eliminating the Idaho Honey Commission, expanding inspection requirements to help speed housing-related permits, parity for oral cancer medication coverage, repeal of obsolete credit union and cemetery code sections, moving podiatry under the Board of Medicine, and allowing certified interior designers to sign certain nonstructural technical submissions. Several of these bills were described as cleanup or efficiency measures, while HB 648 drew especially personal testimony about the cost of oral chemotherapy. The Senate also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 31, honoring the late Lyndon B. Bateman, with members sharing personal recollections of his teaching, handwriting, and service. The day ended with additional committee reports, referrals, announcements, and a recess.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- During that same time period, the number of degrees awarded increased by 127%, with a 12% increase in
- From 2022 to fall of 2024, there has been a 13% increase in enrollment headcount, 17% increase in first-time
- The seven agencies received a combined increase of $179.1 million in GR and GRD funds, and an increase
- We want to cover the increased.
- increases.
Committee:
House Appropriations - S/C on Article III
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The number of I-9 inspections nationwide has increased tenfold, and the department has taken a more punitive
- Employee status comes with a lot of benefits: the right to join a union, access to the minimum wage,
- This legislation also requires data transparency for delivery network companies, not only on wages, but
- RideFlex has the potential to extraordinarily increase my independence.
- And over time, refusals started to increase. Happened once, okay, once, no big deal.
Summary:
The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak.
The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Four - Monday, April 20
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It guarantees every tax spender their biannual or annual increases in the amount of tax revenue they
- that we can make adjustments to this bill, get the language proper, and see to it that we're not increasing
- Because we're the third to worst state at doing it, which increases property taxes. The veterans.
- This is truly a workforce development type of bill because it's going to increase the opportunity for
- This is truly a workforce development type of bill because it's going to increase the opportunity for
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There are incredibly high-quality, high-wage jobs in manufacturing, occupations that are in demand now
- There are incredibly high-quality, high-wage jobs in manufacturing, occupations that are in demand now
- And that is to increase by about 8,000 square feet room to do cell culture, plant protein processing,
- So our job is we want to do fermentation, germination, to improve their quality, to end up increasing
- So by this way, we want ...increase end-use performance.
Summary:
The hearing of the Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation was held at UC Davis and focused on how alternative proteins can support California agriculture, the bioeconomy, and farmers. Opening remarks from UC Davis leaders and committee members emphasized the university’s food science, fermentation, and sustainability strengths, and the state’s prior investments of $5 million for UC alternative protein research and an additional $1 million for ICAMP. Members framed the topic as a way to grow new markets, keep more value in-state, and address climate, food security, and commercialization challenges.
The first panel featured Sana Beg of the Plant-Based Foods Institute, who argued that California agriculture and alternative proteins are complementary, not competing, and stressed that farmers are essential to the sector. She highlighted the need for ingredient processing capacity, technical assistance for growers, and predictable demand through public procurement, including schools, hospitals, and state facilities. Committee members asked about financing and market development, and Beg said guaranteed loans, grants, and state- and USDA-backed support could help de-risk investment and build the supply chain.
The second panel focused on research and development. Beam Circular described the circular bioeconomy in the San Joaquin Valley, including efforts to turn agricultural residues into higher-value products, build shared infrastructure, and expand workforce training. ICAMP and UC ANR described UC Davis-centered research, pilot facilities, and a proposed plant innovation center to bridge lab-scale work to commercial manufacturing. USDA researchers discussed using byproducts such as brewer’s spent grain, tomato pomace, lima beans, and chickpeas for new food ingredients. Members repeatedly emphasized the importance of public R&D funding, consumer acceptance, and food-grade scale-up facilities.
The final panel highlighted company perspectives from Optimized Foods and Blue Diamond Growers. Optimized Foods described using fungi fermentation to convert almond hulls, cocoa waste, and tomato pomace into protein-rich ingredients and stabilized nutrients. Blue Diamond outlined its grower cooperative model, sustainability practices, almond ingredient portfolio, and the Sacramento almond innovation center. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with discussion centered on research, commercialization, infrastructure, and market-building for California-grown alternative protein products.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Judiciary Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a reflection of natural increase in inflation since the last time the changes were made.
- It is a reflection of natural increase in inflation since the last time the changes were made.
- Doolin was recognized and said: “Our districts are facing increased costs.
- Our school district, our counties, have a property tax increase or property tax conversation.
- Hamas didn’t just wage war abroad; it built cover, cash flow, and credibility inside the United States
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with several probate, civil rights, and claims measures. Senators Burgess’s SB 326 on curators of estates was explained as a modernization of probate law; an amendment narrowing the bill was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably 10-0 after limited public testimony, including opposition from Ray Contreras. Burgess’s SB 1096, clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, also passed unanimously 11-0. The committee then approved several claims bills, including SB 28 for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, SB 6 for a child injured after DCF’s handling of abuse allegations, SB 18 for the estate of McKenzie Navarre against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata against FDOT, and SB 2 for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV, with votes ranging from 10-1 to 11-0 and mostly no debate or opposition.
The committee also took up trust and family-law related bills. Leader Berman’s SB 786 created a nonjudicial process for closing uncontested trusts and discharging trustees; after a technical amendment and testimony from Ray Contreras raising notice concerns, it passed 11-0. President Gates’s SB 50 expanded veterans’ courts statewide, drew broad support from veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations, and was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Simon’s SB 538 standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and homeschool students; after multiple amendments on homeschool eligibility, fees, and coach compensation, it passed 11-0 with support and opposition from education-related groups. President Gates’s SB 1004, aimed at consumer protections in the sale of dogs and cats, also passed unanimously after testimony from humane organizations.
The committee then considered broader policy bills. President Pro Tem Brodeur’s SB 1366 on claims against the government proposed raising sovereign immunity caps and adding CPI adjustments; local government, hospital, and school representatives supported the Senate’s lower-cap approach while warning against the House version, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Jones’s SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, as amended, would let head coaches provide limited personal support to student-athletes and require reporting of assistance; it passed 10-0. Senator Grohl’s SB 1178 on foreign influence and foreign countries of concern drew extensive supportive testimony from national security witnesses and was reported favorably 11-0 after a technical amendment and withdrawal of another amendment. Finally, SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles prompted substantial debate and public testimony over domestic terrorism designations, Sharia law references, due process, and free speech concerns; the committee had not yet completed final action on that bill when the transcript ended.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 21st, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- That lot fee can increase, and they basically get almost trapped in these homes, and, you know, we're
- It also increases the amount of damages resulting from a crash that need to be reported from the $500
- currently in statute to $2,000 to keep up with the increased cost of what it is today to actually repair
- How are they supposed to handle the these increasing requests and time for the people who work at the
- The bill aims to increase the annual fee for the existing Florida wildflower specialty license plate
Keywords:
reemployment assistance, fraud prevention, eligibility verification, Department of Commerce, benefit disqualification, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration, license plate fees, annual use fees, Florida DHSMV, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, deauthorization, financial reporting, nonprofit organizations, college license plates, university license plates, veterans plates, law enforcement plates, Fraternal Order of Police
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Ashley Mallor: Or without an increase in Chapter 70 funding.
- increase of 3% for the district towns.
- Up-and-coming costs like increased transportation funds, paying a living wage to all staff.
- So we're going to be asking them to do small increases.
- I suspect if anything, the amount of non-need-based aid will have increased a lot because of the increase
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators.
A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs.
Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually.
School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
- of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
- of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
- of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
- </c><00:59:28.880><c> for</c> workforce and earn a working wage for workforce and earn a working wage
Committee:
Senate Education
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I mentioned, you know, the increase in peer support specialists.
- I hope to be before you in future years with an even increased percentage. I mentioned the 40%.
- To be before you in future years with an even increase percentage.
- They're increasing their wages. They are achieving their dreams.
- They're increasing their wages. They are achieving their dreams.
Committee:
Senate Ethics and Elections
Summary:
The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no.
The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model.
Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Apr 3rd, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- About their AI usage, which would increase transparency and accountability.
- Small business margins face a double taxation, which does increase the cost of goods. Mr.
- The only thing that was really higher than that... ...was the wages I paid my employees.
- These bills would increase...
- Swipe, these bills would increase swipe fee competition and transparency.
Bills:
SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/24/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- They can increase capacity when producing those high-need products.
- And do it or 10,000 increase in canopy.
- </c> out there and we're going to increase out there and we're going to increase it.<00:52:36.800><c>
- We just increased that to $23 per pack in January of 2026.
- We just increased that to $22 per pack.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee (7-17-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, fiscal increasing year-over-year.
- tied to rate increases approved by the General Assembly, reimbursement rate increases?
- tied to rate increases approved by the General Assembly, reimbursement rate increases?
- <00:37:34.720><c> we</c><00:37:35.040><c> see</c><00:37:35.440><c> from</c> increases we see from increases
- </c> Every year on the wait list increases Every year on the wait list increases the<01:04:32.319><c>
Summary:
The committee opened by adopting its mission and priorities for reviewing Kentucky’s 1915(c) home- and community-based services waiver wait lists, including evaluating current capacity and bottlenecks, comparing other states’ practices, and considering a tiered priority system based on urgency of need. The chair also announced that, although public comment was not on the agenda, the committee would allow 30 minutes for comments and asked speakers to keep remarks brief. He noted that public comment would not continue in the smaller subcommittees after this meeting, but could still be made at the larger MOAB meetings or by email.
Department for Medicaid Services officials Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock then gave a detailed overview of Kentucky’s waiver programs: the acquired brain injury waiver, ABI long-term care waiver, home and community-based waiver, Model 2, Michelle P. waiver, Supports for Community Living waiver, and the newly approved child waiver. They explained each program’s eligibility and level-of-care requirements, described funded, filled, allocated, reserved, and available slots, and said the state had already added new slots from House Bill 500. They emphasized that available slots can coexist with a wait list because of reserved slots for money-follows-the-person transitions, emergency slots, annual slot churn, and waiver-year reconciliation. They also reported that the unduplicated wait list total was 18,948, and gave current wait-time figures by waiver, noting that the numbers change constantly.
Members asked about how level-of-care determinations are made, whether all people on the wait list have been assessed, and whether undocumented individuals appear in the counts. The department said full level-of-care assessments are done only when a person is moving off the wait list into a reserved slot, and that only Medicaid-eligible individuals can reach the wait list. Senators and representatives also pressed on the meaning of “churn,” why slots cannot be reissued immediately when someone leaves, and whether people who receive even a small amount of service keep their slot for the rest of the waiver year under CMS rules. Officials said that once a participant receives service during the waiver year, the slot generally cannot be reassigned until the next waiver year, even if the person later disengages.
The department also presented county distribution, annual member growth, average total cost per member, and total annual waiver expenditures, saying fiscal year 2025 closed at about $1.8 billion in waiver services. In response to questions, officials said they would provide additional churn data for other waivers, including Michelle P., and would look into the average wait-time calculations requested by members. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:07:45.879><c> in</c> January 1 probably a 50% increase in January 1 probably a 50% increase in
- <00:16:12.399><c> in</c> increase in increase in absenteeism<00:16:14.319><c> before</c><00:16:14.720
- </c> already starting without any increases already starting without any increases to<01:14:37.880><c
- increase in absences.
- </c><01:19:27.600><c> our</c> our substitutes they've increased our our substitutes they've increased
Summary:
The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects.
Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST.
Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 16th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- No increase in the cap, and the cap is administered by MNERD.
- Our average wage is about $40 an hour, and our customers represent a wide range of income levels.
- fiscal impact analysis, is that it doesn't raise the total amount in the budget, but what it does is increase
- One of the reasons that the use of this is also for small business and small ag is that it increases
Committee:
House House Taxation & Revenue
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to the highest minimum wage in the country, or passing policy that increased health care coverage to
- And frankly, we needed to increase the resources to those very programs.
- So in my time in office, in the decade that I've served, we've increased that spending toward...
- In my time in office, in the decade that I've served, we've increased that spending toward our social
- continued to advocate for increasing the salaries of our teachers.
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and prayer, then proceeded to a ceremonial floor session honoring departing members. After the roll was called and a quorum established, the body moved through tributes to members leaving the Assembly, with remarks focused on their service, district priorities, and personal relationships built across party lines. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on in the portion provided, though the Majority Leader gave notice to remove SB 259 from the inactive file and the chamber suspended Rule 118A to allow guests on the floor and at members’ desks.
Members were recognized in turn, with colleagues praising Stan Ellis for his science-based approach and work on water issues; Damon Connolly for environmental, housing, labor, and transportation work; Jackie Irwin for technology, cybersecurity, gun violence prevention, and implementation tracking; Jasmine Baines for her medical background, rural health advocacy, and work on fentanyl and emergency response; Esmeralda Soria for Central Valley agriculture, housing, water, and hospital recovery efforts; Avelino Valencia for tribal issues, cryptocurrency, and cultural advocacy; Diane Dixon for bipartisan work on public safety, e-bike safety, foster youth, and coastal protection; and Tom Lackey for his public safety record, CHP background, and reputation for honesty and bipartisanship.
In their own remarks, the departing members reflected on the honor of service, thanked staff and family, and emphasized relationships, constituent service, and the importance of continuing public service in new roles. Several noted upcoming transitions to the Senate or other offices, while others said they would continue serving their communities outside the Assembly. The tone throughout was celebratory and reflective, with repeated emphasis on collaboration, district advocacy, and the personal bonds formed during their time in the Legislature.