Video & Transcript Research : 'forwardable mail'
Page 182 of 500
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Reed Rubinstein, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of David Perdue, of Georgia, to be Ambassador to the Peopl Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I look forward to hearing how you will work to foster cooperation that advances American interests.
- Finally, if confirmed, I look forward to meeting with you in person.
- Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your comments and questions.
- Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to your questions.
- What do you make of this, and how do you see this going forward?
Keywords:
committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy
Summary:
The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And thank you for bringing this forward.
- I am willing to bring forward a floor amendment. Should this make it to the floor? Can we do that?
- I commend you for bringing it forward because we need to move forward with Something at this point.
- forward, Madam Chair.
- We do Thank Madam Chair Thompson for bringing this measure forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
HF2258 heard in House workforce, labor and economic development committee 3/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I commend you for what you're doing and look forward to it.
- And so I commend you for what you're doing and look forward to it.
- Thank you, Representative Johnson, for bringing this forward to both of your testifiers for your work
- to it it's you're doing and look forward to it it's another<00:08:38.800>
great <00:08:39.399> - And so thank you for the opportunity to bring this forward to you. I hope you support it.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee approves HF1346 2/26/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- them, I don’t want to belabor your committee, but we do have some testifiers so we can bring them forward
- The gist of the bill is really in subdivision 2 and forward.
- The gist of the bill is really in subdivision 2 and forward.
- thank you chair kisu forward thank you chair kisu tun<00:15:34.560>
uh <00:15:35.440>one - Chair, and look forward to working with everybody along the way to get this passed.
Keywords:
mandatory reporting, training requirements, child maltreatment, abuse detection, local welfare agency, child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Government Structure - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 11:00 A.M.
Government Structure
Transcript Highlights:
- But as of right now, it's why this bill has been brought forward.
- I think this is a good bill to bring forward.
- So I think this kind of helps us continue forward down that path.
- I briefly spoke with it and I forward.
- continue forward down that path. path. path.
Summary:
The committee took up several bills and committee substitutes, most of them described as cleanup or implementation measures tied to federal requirements. On SB 2623, Senator Sparks explained that the bill would create an apprenticeship advisory council needed to access federal Department of Labor apprenticeship funds; the committee adopted a reverse repealer and then passed the committee substitute. On the aging-related bill 2746, staff said it would update Mississippi statutes to reflect that the state is already the state unit on aging, clean up outdated language, and emphasize accountability for area agencies on aging; the committee passed it title sufficient do pass.
The committee also considered 2622, described as moving the state toward a one-door website for constituent access to state services and building on prior work to centralize data and services online. Senator Williams supported the direction as a way to improve virtual access to state government, and the bill was reported out on a do pass motion. The final item, 2673, was presented as a committee substitute creating a study committee to examine government structure and efficiency over the next year, with several planned meetings and participation from House committees and agencies; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out. The chair then indicated the remaining agenda items would not be taken up unless circumstances changed, and the committee rose and reported.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- look forward to.
- So, I think we'll look forward to partnering more on that.
- Come forward, identify yourself.
- So, please come forward. Thank you. Thank you.
- Code 680, please come forward.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So since Proposition 4 passed, the administration will be coming forward.
- So since Proposition 4 passed, the administration will be coming forward.
- Those are all, there are six that are moving forward.
- And so our thanks to you also for pulling forward.
- So we look forward to your work on those issues. Thank you. Good afternoon.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items.
Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting.
In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:53:43.200>
I help us move this project forward. I help us move this project forward. - So, um I think and move it forward.
- Um, and project forward more quickly.
- There's get the parties to move forward.
- Please do move forward. Keep it moving forward."
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several shoreline easement resolutions and a water-supply study resolution. For the easement measures, the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported each item, and testimony also came from affected landowners and community members. Members asked about why some easements were granted gratis to public agencies, with DLNR explaining that those cases involved public infrastructure such as stormwater management and did not require bonds or rent. For private properties, DLNR described the standard process of monthly rent during the legislative approval gap, followed by a one-time appraised payment for a 25-year easement once the appraisal is completed.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on shoreline erosion and whether hardened shoreline structures or seawalls were contributing to beach loss. On one measure, DLNR explained that a large sandbag shoreline structure was tied to a nearby boat harbor that had altered sand movement over time, causing flanking erosion on adjacent unarmored property. On another, DLNR said a wall built under a valid 1960s permit was originally a boundary or landscaping wall, but now functions as a seawall as the shoreline has migrated landward. Members raised concerns about fairness, public beach access, and whether adjacent owners should share costs, and DLNR responded that shoreline matters are handled parcel by parcel under existing statute.
The committee also heard support for a resolution creating a task force or study on desalination. DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management supported the intent but asked for more time to complete a comprehensive report, noting the work would require substantial staffing and coordination. The Board of Water Supply and CARES also testified in support, with CARES emphasizing future water-supply needs, cultural and historic preservation concerns, and the importance of coordinating with other agencies. DLNR said it would rely on existing studies and work with county agencies and the Department of Health. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Commissioner Kilshaw, thank you for bringing these projects forward.
- And then projects moving forward will be able to apply for up to 20. year um and then projects moving
- forward will be able to apply for up to 21 million if they have the justification so um hoping that
- They have to move forward with projects as soon as they can to capture the prices when they're low.
- They have to move forward with projects as soon as they can to capture the prices when they're low.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Program. After approving the March 9, 2026 minutes, the committee heard from Commissioner Andrew Kilshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce on two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a building addition and waterfront industrial improvements project, and a Workforce Training Center redevelopment project. He said both met program criteria and projected substantial state benefits, jobs, and high benefit-cost ratios.
Committee members asked about the projected jobs, the unusually high benefit-cost ratio, and the status of other port projects. Kilshaw and DOTD’s Molly Bergoin said the program has a backlog of more than $200 million, but the department is working through it, with some projects nearing closeout. They also said the annual request cap has been increased and that a tiered funding approach is being considered to help projects compete for federal dollars. Members expressed support for expanding investment in ports and for a statewide strategic plan.
Chairman Boriak moved to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 program. There was no objection, and the committee accepted the projects. The meeting then adjourned without objection.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Jan 31st, 2026 at 09:07 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- We look forward to reviewing the committee sub.
- Thank you very much for bringing this forward.
- I want to thank Senator Campos for bringing this bill forward.
- Thank you very much for bringing it forward. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
- Thank you very much for bringing it forward. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Keywords:
food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 13, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I look forward to working with you.
- I look forward to working with you all. So welcome, everyone.
- I look forward to working with you all, my vice chair, and everyone.
- But thank you for coming forward. I know how challenging that was for you.
- You can do it going forward, but why impede the ones existing?
Summary:
The committee first heard CS/HB 69, which would preempt local land-use decisions for presidential libraries to the state. The sponsor said the bill was intended to make it easier to site a presidential library in Florida. Members asked about whether the bill could affect nontraditional uses such as hotels or casinos, and the sponsor said it only addressed land-use and development-order decisions. There was no public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably 16-7.
The committee then took up CS/HB 289, “Lucy's Law,” on boating safety. The bill expands boating education requirements, aligns boating penalties more closely with driving offenses, prohibits false information in vessel accident reports, and requires certain nonresidents to obtain boating safety cards. An amendment requiring boating safety courses for those convicted of civil boating infractions was adopted. The committee heard emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s mother, who described the fatal 2022 boating crash that inspired the bill, along with support from industry and local-government witnesses. Members from both parties spoke in favor, emphasizing accountability, education, and enforcement. The bill passed unanimously, 25-0.
HB 7003, an open-government/sunshine bill, preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive business information submitted with applications to the Office of Financial Regulation’s financial technology sandbox. It drew no public testimony or debate and was reported favorably. HB 4007, a local bill for Martin County, capped reimbursement for inmate emergency health care at 110% of Medicare, mirroring the Department of Corrections standard; it also passed favorably after supportive public testimony.
The longest discussion was on HB 991, which would prohibit creation of new community redevelopment agencies after July 1, 2025, bar current CRAs from starting new projects or issuing new debt after October 1, 2025, and sunset existing CRAs by 2045 or their charter date, whichever is earlier. The sponsor argued CRAs have become long-lived funding vehicles used beyond their original anti-blight purpose and said local governments have other tools. Many members from both parties objected that CRAs remain important for affordable housing, small business support, infrastructure, and redevelopment in blighted areas, and several said the bill would harm ongoing or multi-phase projects. Three amendments were offered: one defining “new project,” one striking the new-CRA prohibition, and one striking the new-debt/new-project language; all were defeated except the first, which was adopted. Public testimony was split, with redevelopment groups, cities, and the Florida League of Cities opposing the bill and Americans for Prosperity supporting it. The committee did not reach final disposition in the portion provided, but the debate showed substantial opposition and concern about the bill’s impact on local redevelopment efforts.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I look forward to working with you all this session.
- And again, I'm grateful to serve under you, Madam Chair, and look forward to you.
- I'm looking forward to tackling that and looking forward to being on this committee. Thank you.
- We look forward to diving into these issues throughout the next several weeks.
- I look forward to working with each and every one of you.
Summary:
The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties.
The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation.
During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 24 February, 2026; 1:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- So I look forward to the summer.
- um and how to move our state forward. um and how to move our state forward.
- What we're us a giant step forward.
- <00:27:07.440>
of <00:27:07.600>a It puts forward the development of a It puts forward - One is on that forward, um two things.
Summary:
Legislative leaders opened the hearing by focusing on statewide technology issues affecting agencies, including rising IT costs, cloud migration, cybersecurity risks, procurement delays, and the need for better coordination across government systems. They said the meeting was intended to hear from agency directors about current challenges and possible legislative solutions.
The ITS director described the state’s IT structure as decentralized but increasingly moving toward shared services. He highlighted recent legislative and executive actions on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, procurement modernization, and data sharing, including House Bill 1491, Senate Bill 2426, Senate Bill 2267, House Bill 958, and an executive order on AI. He said ITS has worked with large agencies on a cloud center of excellence, a procurement modernization advisory council, and a state data exchange, and noted plans for a master contract, potentially with OpenAI, that could be available to all public entities.
He also emphasized cybersecurity, saying the state is seeking a secure operations center and a broader “cyber maturity” approach after recent incidents. On procurement, he said the goal is to speed up purchasing while keeping it safe, and on optimization he pointed to potential savings from consolidating duplicate agreements, such as multiple Microsoft enterprise contracts. In response to questions, he said exceptions to centralization would be based on business and technical architecture and regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, CISA, or FERPA, rather than ad hoc decisions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/20/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- I know we're laying this bill over, so I won't get to move it forward with you, but I would love to know
- So thank you. forward and I too looked at it and said forward and I too looked at it and said holy<00
- bringing for bringing this bill forward bringing for bringing this bill forward um<00:10:22.160>
- <00:10:39.240>
thank bringing this bill forward thank bringing this bill forward thank you - and this ensures that this bill forward and this ensures that Minnesota<00:27:34.000>
remains
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Higher Education Funding Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- All institutions did bring forward, except for one, did bring forward a project.
- It does bring it forward one year for those who couldn't hear.
- Does it make sense going forward?
- So I appreciate that as we go forward, those incentives are very important for us.
- And looking forward to all those needs that your community needs, ...bets too.
Summary:
The Higher Education Funding Review Committee met to continue work on a draft higher education funding formula and related capital building fund changes. Lisa Johnson of the North Dakota University System updated the committee on the board’s developing policy for low-producing academic programs. She said the board is using a five-year rolling window, with thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, and that programs flagged in three consecutive review cycles would go to the board for review. Possible outcomes include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the policy would account for enrollment, program costs, workforce need, and programs that serve students outside their major. Johnson said the board would likely use an accompanying procedure to consider those factors. She also reported that about 200 programs could potentially be reviewed under current guidance, with 135 inactivated and 112 terminated, and said the process is intended to support quality and stewardship rather than simply cut programs.
Jamie Wilkie then reported on the Capital Building Fund. He reviewed the fund’s history, matching requirements, and use for extraordinary repairs, deferred maintenance, and some legislatively authorized projects. He said about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with roughly 78.7% going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Committee members pressed for updated information on how much deferred maintenance has actually been reduced, and several members said they wanted clearer reporting on the return on investment from new buildings versus repairs. NDSU representatives said the tier funding has helped significantly reduce deferred maintenance and allowed demolition and renovation work on campus. The committee also discussed the need for updated five-year facility plans and space-utilization information from the institutions.
The committee then began a section-by-section review of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and restructure the capital building fund. The draft would fund UND and NDSU differently from the other nine institutions, use fall enrollment rather than completed credits, add performance funding for completions in in-demand fields, create research incentives for UND and NDSU, and combine capital building fund tiers while changing matching requirements and eligible uses. Members raised concerns about the treatment of professional students, the use of CIP codes, incentives for waivers, and whether the formula should rely on more current data. The committee did not take final action on the draft during this meeting, but it continued detailed discussion and indicated more review would follow.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Tue Mar 24, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- But the intention is to move them all forward. So, for now, we are recessed. forward. forward.
- In the uh last hearing there forward.
- Please come forward. testify? Please come forward. >> Aloha<01:01:19.200>
chair. - intention is to move them all forward. intention is to move them all forward.
- We will move this forward conservation. We will move this forward as<02:04:29.679>
is.
Keywords:
conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, biodiversity, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F, state funding, public purpose, habitat restoration, predator-free sanctuary, ecosystem restoration, Zealandia, wildlife refuge
Summary:
The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard a long series of resolutions focused largely on waste reduction, energy planning, and environmental protection. Early measures included HR 12/HCR 10 on a permanent landfill host benefits program for Honolulu, HCR 148/HCR 157 on a demolition waste reduction working group, and HR 184/HCR 194 on a mattress stewardship program working group. Testimony on these waste-related measures was generally supportive from environmental groups and some individuals, while the Department of Health supported the mattress stewardship proposal. The Department of Health also commented that a proposed study on recyclable/biodegradable/compostable labeling was very broad and would require additional resources to carry out effectively.
The committee then took up several energy-related resolutions. HR 192/HCR 202 would create a task force on Hawaii’s future energy pathways, and HR 194/HCR 204 would ask the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a comprehensive analysis of cost reductions and financial risk. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered support or comments on these measures, with environmental and industry groups also submitting testimony. Members questioned the Energy Office and PUC at length about errors in prior analyses, competitive bidding, and whether utility proposals could proceed through waiver processes; the PUC said any proposal would still be reviewed and that it generally prefers competitive bidding, while the Energy Office said some issues were being characterized differently and would follow up on waiver standards.
Additional measures addressed data centers, liquefied natural gas, and utility oversight. HR 196/HCR 206 would convene a working group on the impacts of large data centers, and HR 197/HCR 207 would require conditions before the PUC approves LNG-related costs; testimony on LNG was split, with supporters urging caution and opponents arguing LNG should not be pursued. HR 193/HCR 2003 sought a written status update on implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, and HR 191/HCR 201 and HR 33/HCR 33 dealt with sewage and wastewater issues, both drawing support from environmental and community groups. The committee also heard strong support for HR 141/HCR 149 on Red Hill remediation meetings and HR 190/HCR 200 on reassessing military PFAS cleanup decisions; the Board of Water Supply testified in support and described ongoing PFAS testing and concerns beyond Red Hill. The transcript ends as the committee moved into decision-making, with the chair indicating a recommendation to pass HR 12/HCR 10.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:24:27.360>
and if we should move forward with that. and if we should move forward with - <00:30:38.480>
Um, forward to getting to present. Um, forward to getting to present. - other comments that have come forward. other comments that have come forward.
- they do not have um uh the a way forward they do not have um uh the a way forward to<01:16:48.159
- So, it current law and goes forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:31.720>
and thank you for bringing this forward and thank you for bringing this forward - to all the mandates that come forward. to all the mandates that come forward.
- and the bill does not move forward. and the bill does not move forward.
- applaud you for bringing this forward applaud you for bringing this forward and<01:15:29.040>
- . forward. forward.
Keywords:
trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/11/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:19:40.280>
so assume rate of return going forward so assume rate of return going forward - point will stay at 1.7 but going forward point will stay at 1.7 but going forward it<00:25:44.640
- Good to see all of you and looking forward to meeting with, or excuse me, looking forward to working
- to meeting with or excuse me forward to meeting with or excuse me looking<00:51:09.160>
forward - is our earnings assumption going forward is our earnings assumption going forward we<00:58:10.480
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/16/2026 - Finance Advisory Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So what can we expect going forward?
- So what can we expect going forward?
- That will be the big question going forward.
- We do think that exposes us to some risks moving forward.
- And that'll keep the economy going forward more than anything.
Summary:
The Finance Advisory Committee received an update on the state revenue forecast and broader economic conditions. Staff said the April forecast was more cautious than January’s, citing greater uncertainty from the Iran conflict and other macroeconomic risks. Available general fund resources for the four-year period were revised down from $577 million in January to $378 million in April, with no change to expenditure estimates. George Hammond of the University of Arizona then presented on the national, state, and local economy, emphasizing risks from geopolitical conflict, tariffs, federal policy uncertainty, labor supply constraints, and elevated housing costs. He said Arizona job growth had been weak and driven mainly by health care, while inflation in Phoenix remained moderate but shelter and consumer commodity prices were still elevated. He also noted that population growth is increasingly dependent on net migration as natural increase slows.
Panelists generally echoed the cautious outlook. Liz St. Clair said Arizona’s near-term revenue outlook still had some support from tourism and a strong spring season, but rising fuel costs and the duration of the Middle East conflict could pressure discretionary spending and revenues. Jim Rounds argued the economy was likely headed for a soft landing, though he warned that federal borrowing, inflation, workforce shortages, and energy reliability remain concerns; he also criticized leaving the Rainy Day Fund unused. Danny Court said the housing market remains under pressure on the ownership side, while rental supply and industrial demand have been relatively strong, and he noted sticky inflation and immigration declines as additional risks. Doug Walls explained that large employment benchmark revisions were affecting Arizona’s job numbers, and said the latest report showed slower but more balanced growth, though labor force declines and a higher unemployment rate were concerning. Lorenzo Romero added that business activity appears resilient in the low-hire, low-fire environment, but warned about debt burdens, uneven wage growth, and ongoing uncertainty. No votes or formal actions were taken.