Video & Transcript Research : 'equity'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability Aug 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So what else can we do to ensure equity, but also access because we... can we do to ensure equity, but
- You know, you're always looking through that lens of equity.
- I wanted to address some of that in the equity of that.
- The other remaining equity is either going to be self-funded from our development company or from equity
- We now need to bring in the remaining equity injection, usually from private equity, and that's going
Summary:
The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine California’s housing finance system, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for practical recommendations to the Legislature and Governor. Co-chairs described the committee as an educational and problem-solving forum focused on financing housing production, first-time homeownership, mixed-income developments, and affordability across the income spectrum. Witnesses from state agencies and the development sector were invited to explain how housing is financed and where the system is breaking down.
Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee/State Treasurer’s Office, CalHFA, and Related outlined the “capital stack” used to finance affordable housing, stressing that projects typically rely on multiple public and private sources, including federal and state low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental income. Speakers noted that affordable housing rents generally cannot support full project costs without public subsidy, and that recent federal changes—especially the expansion of the 4% and 9% tax credit programs and the reduction of the bond financing threshold for 4% credits—should allow California to finance substantially more units. CalHFA also described its homeownership programs, including My Home, Dream For All, and disaster-related mortgage assistance, as well as its multifamily lending and bond issuance programs.
Several witnesses and committee members emphasized that the system remains too complex, too slow, and underfunded. They pointed to the need for more state funding, a housing bond, a permanent funding source, and better coordination among agencies, while also citing recent streamlining efforts such as AB 434’s SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency reorganization. Members raised concerns about equity, access, missing-middle housing, gender and racial disparities, and whether current programs adequately serve extremely low-income households and those at risk of homelessness. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing; the discussion ended with committee members and witnesses agreeing that both funding and administrative reform are needed to increase production and improve affordability.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/27/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:41:06.880>
company notice to a private equity company notice to a private equity company - private equity-owned private equity-owned homes<01:47:53.360>
in <01:47:53.600>certain - issue of uh these uh private equity issue of uh these uh private equity companies<02:03:40.360><
- my understanding of a private equity my understanding of a private equity company<02:09:59.640><
- private equity private equity funds,<02:23:04.640>
private <02:23:04.880>equity <02
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- section of the Office of Health Equity.
- We are strongly opposed to the cuts with the Office of Health Equity, primarily the gender health equity
- Justice Fund and the LGBTQ Health Equity Initiative.
- We are strongly opposed to the cuts with the Office of Health Equity, primarily the gender health equity
- Justice Fund and the LGBTQ Health Equity Initiative.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis.
For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken.
EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Dec 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, we work real closely with the Office of Equity.
- EDGE stands for Encouraged Diversity, Growth, and Equity.
- So increasing the number of firms is important in contracting equity.
- I'm the special assistant to Director Matthews at the Office of Equity.
- Equity is for everyone.
Summary:
The committee heard a work session on voting access on tribal lands, beginning with a presentation from Dr. Chelsea Jones of the Brennan Center. She described barriers affecting Native voters and voters on tribal lands, including long travel distances to polling places and drop boxes, nontraditional addresses, unreliable postal service, language access, and limited broadband. Citing research, she said turnout on tribal lands trails turnout off tribal lands by about 10 percentage points nationally and about 10% in Washington, with larger gaps in some convenience voting measures. Members asked about the meaning of “lost votes,” the role of tribal leadership and community trust, and whether outreach by election officials and candidates could help; Dr. Jones emphasized that the study measured missed voting opportunities, not missing ballots, and that partnerships with trusted community leaders are important.
The University of Washington Elections Database then presented data on voter registration, turnout, signature challenges, curing, and ballot rejection for voters whose addresses fall within tribal reservation boundaries. The presenters said registration on reservations increased from about 107,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2024, turnout on reservations remained about 8 to 9 percentage points lower than outside reservations in recent general elections, and signature-challenge and rejection rates were generally low but somewhat higher in off-year elections. They reported that about 60% to two-thirds of signature-challenged ballots are cured, with cure rates similar inside and outside reservations, and that late return is the most common reason for primary ballot rejection while signature mismatch is the leading cause in general elections. A question was raised about USPS postmarking issues and how those might affect future data; the presenters said they plan to track return method and cure timing more closely.
The committee also received an overview of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. Staff reviewed the office’s history, the Centennial Accord, the Millennium Agreement, and related state-tribal frameworks, and GOIA Director Tim Rainan described the office’s role as a bridge between the state and tribal governments, including consultation, policy coordination, training, and convening work groups. He said GOIA now has six positions, is part of the governor’s executive cabinet, and is working on a statewide tribal relations training module and consultation handbook. In response to a question, he said tribal voting is not a major topic at the Centennial Accord but is discussed more extensively through ATNI. The committee then shifted to contracting equity, hearing from WSDOT, DES, OMWBE, and the Office of Equity. WSDOT described its race-neutral small business and veteran goals, mentorship and support programs, and its response to the federal suspension of the DBE program; DES discussed statewide contracting spend, the EDGE pilot for small construction firms, and efforts to improve procurement access; OMWBE reported growth in certified firms and about $371 million in state spend with certified firms in the most recent year, while noting ongoing impacts from federal DBE changes; and the Office of Equity outlined its broader work on agency consultation, dashboards, and systems change. No votes were taken.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm happy to start looking into how to replace private equity or what to do when we replace private equity-controlled
- What do we do about the private equity that is here?
- How do we stop future private equity from coming in?
- Another concern that I think is even more pressing is the private equity.
- On the comments related to private equity control of health care.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 6th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's to private equity, as you're saying that hospitals have the highest number of private equity hospitals
- Private equity is really evil and bad and so forth.
- I want to go really quickly to the private equity issue.
- Oh, one more thing: private equity.
- I don't think anyone's saying we should get rid of private equity or that private equity should get out
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- Amy Cortina with Unite LA and Digital Equity LA in strong opposition.
- Oscar Magana, Everyone On and Digital Equity Los Angeles, strong opposition.
- Flores Lagunas with Digital Equity L.A. and opposing this bill. Thank you.
- I'm Shaina England, Director of the Digital Equity Los Angeles Coalition, or DELA, and the Digital Equity
- , and we have become partners in the Digital Equity Los Angeles Coalition.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- So next we're going to go on to House 359, Senate 251, an act relative to health equity and community
- An act relative to health equity and community health workers.
- And the work CHWs do is directly linked to Health Care for All's mission to promote health equity and
- Control of health care services access to private equities.
- Before we decide to shut down any more services, what does equity and access look like?
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas.
Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- Climate and equity benefits.
- We're moving on to equity and low-income access.
- And that phase produced for Massachusetts formal equity...
- So equity in the Mass Save program actually has regulatory teeth.
- It's not just, oh, just go and do equity.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on the value of Mass Save, with opening remarks emphasizing that despite past criticisms the program has delivered major energy, cost, climate, and equity benefits. The chair cited large avoided system costs, strong benefit-cost ratios, and recent legislative changes that set emissions goals, restricted fossil-fuel equipment incentives, and increased focus on low- and moderate-income households. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney testified that Mass Save has weatherized hundreds of thousands of homes, reduced bills, avoided emissions, and that the current plan includes budget controls after the DPU ordered $500 million removed from the approved budget. She said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer the program was intended to reduce administrative costs and align with current implementation trends.
Members questioned Mahoney about what counts as marketing and administration, and she said the category includes traditional advertising as well as community-based outreach, customer resource centers, and other customer engagement work, much of it in low- and moderate-income communities. She said administrative and marketing costs are under 5% of the budget, while more than 80% goes to incentives and direct program delivery. Several witnesses then focused on workforce and contractor impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, creates careers, and supports thousands of jobs; both warned that budget cuts would reduce hiring, training, and work in homes and businesses. They also described a broad ecosystem of suppliers, trainers, and service providers that depends on stable program funding.
Other witnesses addressed cost-effectiveness, affordability, and emissions. Anna Johnson of ACEEE said Massachusetts remains a national leader, with Mass Save returning about $2.80 per dollar invested, reducing peak demand, and lowering bills for participants, especially through weatherization and heat pumps. Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said the program is statutorily required to be cost-effective and has avoided billions in supply and infrastructure costs for all ratepayers, including nonparticipants, by lowering overall demand and peak prices. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that efficiency is the cheapest way to meet climate targets and that cutting the budget would force more expensive power generation. The hearing also featured testimony on equity and housing: Mary Wampo described historic under-service to renter-heavy and lower-income communities and said recent reforms, including designated equity communities and performance incentives tied to equity, are helping correct that imbalance; Brian Biot and James Collins of LEAN/ABCD described low-income delivery systems and wraparound services; Barney Heath and John Nannari said Mass Save incentives are essential to affordable housing, passive house construction, and keeping projects on time and on budget. The final witnesses highlighted Connected Solutions and electrification: Sunrun’s Bronte Payne said the virtual power plant program saved more than it cost and helps avoid peaker plants and grid upgrades, and Highland Electric Fleets’ Ben Sondaga said electric school buses can provide similar grid benefits while lowering transportation costs for districts.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Expanded college grant program, HF2090, considered in higher education committee 3/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, continued support for the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership will further advance policies
- that promote racial and educational equity across the state to secure the long-term stability of higher
- for the Minnesota education Equity for the Minnesota education Equity partnership<00:02:25.360><
- and I'm here to college race equity and I'm here to express<00:03:36.120>
our <00:03:36.360>- within Minnesota's higher race Equity within Minnesota's higher education<00:04:14.319>
systems - within Minnesota's higher race Equity within Minnesota's higher education<00:04:14.319>
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The problem that took place with the social equity program: there were 26 social equity licenses that
- One of my questions is: are there now only two social equity licenses working?
- been heavily highlighted how the social equity program had immense failures built into it.
- to return the social equity program to the people that it was intended for.
- They turned to equity partners.
Bills:
SB1071, SB1315, SB1317, SB1416, SB1493, SB1537, SB1542, SB1584, SB1626, SB1740, SB1751, SB1804, SCR1047, SCR1049
Keywords:
Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1071, which would repeal the statutory framework for the Arizona Rangers. The sponsor argued the bill was about accountability and transparency, citing concerns about missing training and firearms qualification records; Arizona Rangers representatives and several sheriffs opposed the bill, saying the Rangers provide valuable volunteer support and that the real issue was adding oversight rather than eliminating protections. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1071 a do pass recommendation, with members noting they expected amendments later.
The committee then heard SB 1315, requiring school districts and charter schools to maintain interoperable emergency communications with law enforcement and to submit annual affidavits confirming testing and compliance. Testimony from school safety officials and sheriffs emphasized the value of real-time communication during emergencies and the need for secure sharing of campus maps and floor plans; concerns about cost and information security were addressed by supporters. The bill passed unanimously, 7-0. The committee also advanced SB 1317, which appropriates opioid settlement funds for county reentry planning programs; sheriffs and association representatives supported it, citing reduced recidivism and jail populations, and it passed 7-0.
Several public safety and missing-children measures were considered next. SB 1416, as amended, revises missing child reporting requirements, adds runaway children back into reporting, requires faster photo and information sharing, and expands training requirements; advocates for missing children and law enforcement supported the compromise language, and the bill passed 7-0. SB 1740, which updates Turquoise Alert training and procedures, was also advanced 7-0 after discussion about statewide versus geographically targeted alerts and the need to keep alerts effective. Later, SB 1493, a strike-everything amendment affecting police officer termination appeals and fee shifting when an employer rejects a favorable administrative ruling, passed 5-2 despite opposition from chiefs’ representatives. SB 1537, renaming the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund and repealing its advisory commission, passed 5-2.
The committee also approved SB 1751 and SCR 1049, which expand execution methods to include lethal gas and firing squad and make firing squad mandatory in certain cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer; opponents raised constitutional, ethical, and practical concerns, while supporters framed the measures as aligning Arizona with other states and providing additional options. Both measures passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1542, which would create a framework and funding for MDMA research and treatment for PTSD in first responders and peace officers contingent on FDA approval, was heard with testimony describing promising clinical trial results and the need for Arizona research; the bill was then moved forward, though the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Joe and Teresa are going to talk about the CLPC and the Equity Center.
- I'm the director of the Community Living Equity Center.
- Equity for people who are receiving HCBS. Next slide, please.
- We encourage you to contact us at cL equity at brandyce.edu.
- So I'm also a member of the Health Equity Compact. So why don't you drop me a note?
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Monica Mitra introduced the institute’s work on disability health equity and long-term services and supports, and staff described several research centers focused on community living policy, disability and pregnancy, and parents with disabilities. The presentation emphasized participatory research, accessible dissemination, and the connection between health equity and access to home- and community-based services.
Joe Caldwell discussed the Community Living Policy Center’s work on Medicaid HCBS, the direct care workforce crisis, housing, and policy advocacy, including efforts related to the Money Follows the Person program and the Medicaid access rule’s interested parties advisory group. Sid Pickern highlighted a workforce study interviewing direct care workers, a forthcoming policy brief on the access rule, and housing research including Massachusetts’ Alternative Housing Voucher Program. Teresa Nguyen described the Community Living Equity Center’s focus on disparities in community living for people of color, especially a study on self-direction and community living outcomes, and asked for help recruiting participants.
Lauren Bixby demonstrated the community living data dashboard, which compares adults who need LTSS with those receiving Medicaid LTSS using ACS and TMSIS data. She explained that the dashboard can be filtered by state and demographics, but noted major race and ethnicity data gaps for Massachusetts and other states. Commissioners praised the dashboard and the institute’s work, asked questions about data sources and the 1115 waiver, and discussed possible connections to the Health Equity Compact. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with an invitation for follow-up, including a forthcoming direct care workforce brief and the institute’s October 28 lecture.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Housing Sep 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- of equity do families end up having?
- And in a limited equity co-op, you have to look at it holistically.
- and your equity is based on a simple interest on that amount.
- and your equity is based on a simple interest on that amount.
- You get your investment back plus any equity gained.
Summary:
The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations.
The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices.
Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It looks like the Office of Health Equity overall took a decline of 50%.
- of Health Equity.
- Health equity, including the complete elimination of the gender health equity section and the complete
- We are strongly opposed to the cuts to the Office of Health Equity, primarily the Gender Health Equity
- Justice Fund and the LGBTQ Health Equity Initiative.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We open with equity, how we Center this system in equity, supporting choices of people with developmental
- First, the recommendation to clearly define equity.
- the lens of equity.
- We can talk about it in equity of outcomes.
- So, there's lots of ways we could measure equity.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- you want to be color blind, and you get rid of all of the offices that actually help you achieve equity
- And then today was just another example by destroying diversity, equity, inclusion, or any semblance
- of that sort, you have said that in Texas it's okay not to care about diversity, not to care about equity
- Get people all worked up to make sure that we don't have an initiative to have diversity and equity and
- Get people all worked up to make sure that we don't have an initiative to have diversity and equity and
Summary:
Senate Democratic Caucus leaders held a press availability to criticize Senate Bill 689, the DEI bill they said had passed and would roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Texas government. Chair Carol Alvarado opened by saying colleagues had raised serious concerns and that the bill would set the state back. Senator Royce West argued Democrats had offered a better approach, including a complaint-review process through the Texas Workforce Commission and real penalties for discrimination, but said the majority rejected meaningful enforcement and left only “hollow words.”
Senator José Menéndez said claims of a purely merit-based, color-blind system ignore systemic discrimination and the need for offices that support equity and inclusion. He said the bill sends a message that Texas does not care about diversity or inclusion and noted that an amendment to create real consequences for discrimination was defeated. Senator Borris Miles warned that DEI had been demonized without evidence that public hiring was based only on DEI rather than qualifications, and said minority- and women-owned business programs and protections for disabled veterans businesses could be put at risk.
Senator Nathan Johnson added that the Senate had just confirmed Justin Berry to the T. Cole position while emphasizing merit, which he called contextually inconsistent. He described the debate as “misdirected passion,” saying lawmakers should focus on more serious problems rather than efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in government offices. No votes or other formal actions were taken during the remarks, which ended with questions from reporters.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/18/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:28.800>
port exposure in our public Equity port exposure in our public Equity port - We are an equity-heavy portfolio.
- We are an equity-heavy portfolio.
- We are an equity-heavy portfolio.
- <00:32:47.720>
markets we're asked if we think Equity markets we're asked if we think Equity
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to make clear the bill is not an attack on private equity generally in health care.
- But as private equity and health care has been growing in the health and dental sectors by five-fold,
- different from any other corporate form, that in California and nationwide, private equity transactions
- Years ago, I partnered with private equity investors in my pediatric practice, thinking that it would
- The American Investment Council represents private equity and private credit firms that invest and help
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/18/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:19.520>
fund For this reason, private equity fund For this reason, private equity fund - , is currently owned by private equity, is currently owned by private equity, that<00:03:46.560><
- Lynch, and KKR, private equity giants, Lynch, and KKR, private equity giants, for<00:04:06.560>
$33 - <00:07:52.639>
demons We will not let private equity demons We will not let private equity - private equity. private equity.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- recently purchased by a private equity recently purchased by a private equity firm.<01:02:05.200
- It is always private equity clients.
- Um, we need to private equity.
- Um, we need to private equity.
- economy, these outofstate private equity economy, these outofstate private equity billion<01:36:
Keywords:
HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords