Video & Transcript : 'Eastern Mediterranean' :
Page 18 of 136
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- later that that production was actually filmed in Romania, which, no offense to the Romanians, but Eastern
- There's one in Southern Kentucky we need to get over in Eastern Kentucky because we're losing a lot of
- There's one in Southern Kentucky we need to get over in Eastern Kentucky because we're losing a lot of
- </c><00:32:13.039><c> Kentucky</c> need to get over in Eastern Kentucky need to get over in Eastern Kentucky
- In fact, my mayor back there, Lawrence County, is actually about the only county in Eastern Kentucky
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, a measure on unemployment insurance fraud. The sponsor said the bill would create a clearer process for state unemployment staff to refer suspected fraud cases, especially smaller-dollar cases that may not draw federal attention, and would help protect employers and the integrity of the unemployment system. Testimony from Brian Sikma supported the bill as a common-sense anti-fraud proposal, but several senators raised concerns that suspending benefits during an investigation could unfairly burden claimants, especially if the claim later proves legitimate. The sponsor and witness said the bill was intended to allow quick adjudication and that benefits could be reinstated after review, and the sponsor noted the referral process would include identifying information and details about the suspected fraud. The committee then voted on the bill; it passed with favorable expression, 8-1, and was sent to the floor.
The committee then returned to Senate Bill 1, which would create a Kentucky Film Office and Film Commission and fund the office with a portion of the state transit tax and production-related fees. Senator Wheeler and invited guests described the bill as an economic development and tourism measure meant to expand Kentucky’s film industry, attract productions statewide, and build on existing tax credits. Witnesses, including Mary K. Po... and Misty Wrigley Miller, said a state film office would help market locations, provide a searchable database for producers, and make it easier for rural communities to compete for productions. They cited an economic impact study showing about $200 million in film-related economic activity in 2022, with additional ripple effects and tax revenue, and argued the office would help create jobs and workforce opportunities for Kentuckians.
Members generally praised the concept of Senate Bill 1 and compared Kentucky’s potential to Georgia’s film industry growth. Witnesses said Kentucky already has strong incentives but needs a dedicated office and commission to better promote the state and coordinate production activity. The discussion emphasized that the commission would help ensure a return on investment and that local crews and businesses would benefit from more productions. The transcript ends during continued discussion of the bill and questions from senators, with no final vote on Senate Bill 1 shown in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Economic Development, Pub. Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-10-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Campground projects in eastern Kentucky include installing new water and electrical utility services
- Our Eastern Kentucky State Park campgrounds were also appropriated $20 million for upgrades.
- Campground projects in eastern Kentucky include installing new water and electrical utility services
- Our Eastern Kentucky State Park campgrounds were also appropriated $20 million for upgrades.
- </c><00:32:18.880><c> 10</c> eastern Kentucky, we're managing 10 eastern Kentucky, we're managing 10
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy received an update from Kentucky State Parks and the Finance Cabinet on the status of major capital projects funded through recent legislative appropriations. Commissioner Mark Keelin, Deputy Commissioner Chris Perry, and Finance Cabinet/DECA representatives described progress on campground upgrades, utility and broadband improvements, building systems repairs, life-safety work, accommodations and hospitality renovations, pool and beach projects, playgrounds, golf course improvements, marina work, and wastewater upgrades across the state park system. They emphasized that Kentucky has 44 state parks and that the funding has supported completed work and projects still under construction or in design.
The presentation highlighted funding tied to House Joint Resolution 76, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. Parks reported roughly $72 million invested to date, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, including campground renovations at sites such as My Old Kentucky Home, Kin Lake, Carter Caves, Cumberland Falls, and others; broadband projects at several campgrounds; electrical grid resilience work at parks including Kentucky Dam Village and Kin Lake; and completed life-safety upgrades such as lock systems. Officials also noted pool and beach work, ADA improvements, lodge and guest room renovations, marina replacements, and wastewater plant upgrades. DECA said it currently manages 1,335 active capital projects statewide, including 149 for Parks, and credited additional project management capacity and regular coordination meetings for accelerating delivery.
Committee members asked for a copy of the presentation and pressed the department for more detailed accounting of House Joint Resolution 56, including how much money remains, which projects are complete, and whether current appropriations are sufficient to finish the listed work. The department also requested a larger maintenance pool appropriation of $40 million for the next budget, arguing that routine and emergency maintenance needs across 44 parks exceed current resources and that preventative maintenance would reduce long-term costs. No votes were taken during the meeting.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And when we talk about the eastern part of the state, that is what we're going after.
- are looking for unique activities and opportunities, we pitch the ATV trails and opportunities in Eastern
- c><00:24:44.720><c> talk</c><00:24:44.880><c> about</c><00:24:45.520><c> the</c><00:24:45.679><c> eastern
- </c><00:24:46.000><c> part</c> and when we talk about the eastern part and when we talk about the eastern
- </c> trails and opportunities in Eastern trails and opportunities in Eastern Kentucky<00:26:00.799><c
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% Tourism Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund. Officials said Kentucky tourism is a $14.3 billion industry that welcomed more than 80 million travelers last year, supports nearly 97,000 jobs, and uses the fund solely for tourism marketing and promotion, not capital projects. They noted the fund received additional appropriations in the enacted budget and also supports several designated tourism-related initiatives.
Commissioner Mike Manet described how the fund is used for paid media, public relations, international marketing, cultural heritage promotion, website content, regional matching grants, research, trade shows, and travel expenses. He said the department spent $10.8 million on paid media in 23 markets in 2024, focused on seven tourism pillars, and used research and advertising ROI studies to guide spending. He reported 180 PR placements, 3.2 billion earned impressions, 3% growth in international visitation, and 12% growth in international spending to $257 million. He also highlighted the African-American Heritage Trail and said the regional matching funds program distributed $2 million to 87 local tourism commissions.
Members asked about the rise of AI in search results, how domestic and international visitor data are collected, how ad agencies are selected, and how regional matching funds are allocated. The commissioner said the department uses GPS-based and federal data, including National Travel and Tourism Office figures, and that ad agencies are chosen through an RFP process. Representative McDaniel raised concerns about bourbon tourism and Canadian visitation; the commissioner said Canadian travel is down significantly, bourbon-related visitation has softened, and the department is shifting more spending toward in-state and closer drive markets while emphasizing bourbon’s heritage story. Representative Fugate asked about eastern Kentucky tourism and ATV trails, and the commissioner said those trails are included in advertising, social media, and earned media efforts. No votes or formal actions were taken.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- be</c><00:34:37.079><c> um</c><00:34:37.520><c> had</c><00:34:37.760><c> in</c><00:34:37.919><c> Eastern
- </c> are going to be um had in Eastern are going to be um had in Eastern Kentucky<00:34:38.879><c> in
- One of the main things that we need in Eastern Kentucky is we need our creeks and rivers dredged and
- One of the main things that we need in Eastern Kentucky is we need our creeks and rivers dredged and
- One of the main things that we need in Eastern Kentucky is we need our creeks and rivers dredged and
Summary:
The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025.
A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work.
Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Saturday, January 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Eastern Standard Time.
- EASTERN STANDARD TIME.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I can't speak for the eastern side of the state. We have reciprocity with Texas.
- I can't speak for the eastern side of the. supposity with us.
- I can't speak for the eastern side of the state. We have retroprocessed with Texas.
Committee:
Senate Revenue and Taxation
Summary:
The Revenue and Taxation Committee met and first laid over House Bill 15.9 to the next meeting. The committee then unanimously advanced an executive nomination, James Burleson to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, after brief testimony from Sen. Pugh and Burleson’s comments about his private-sector, nonprofit, and community experience and desire to serve the state.
Members then considered several tax-related bills. House Bill 3986, expanding eligibility for the 24-month gross production tax exemption for wells completed using recycled water, passed 10-1 after questions about whether the change was retroactive. House Bill 3548, which would exempt small child-run businesses from certain taxes and permits up to a $1,000 gross-revenue threshold, passed 11-0 after questions focused on enforcement and adult involvement. House Bill 3661, removing the sunset on the forestry equipment sales tax exemption, passed 8-3 despite concerns about the lack of hard data supporting the incentive’s continuation.
The committee also passed House Bill 4346, creating reciprocity for agricultural sales tax exemptions for neighboring states, after discussion about verification methods, fraud prevention, and whether the Oklahoma Tax Commission could track out-of-state buyers; the bill passed 8-3. House Bill 3075, the “Oklahoma Common Sense Act” dealing with a post-penny environment and giving agencies and political subdivisions more time to update point-of-sale systems, was amended to set an effective date of November 1, 2026, and then passed 11-0. Finally, House Bill 4273, clarifying that certain R1 university aerospace research employees qualify for an aerospace tax credit, passed 6-5 after debate over whether the credit could create a broader domino effect for other professors and fields. The chair announced the committee would likely meet again the following Monday for its last meeting of the year, and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Feb 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Rassan Paul, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts and one of the co-chairs
- I'll also say that the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts supports this legislation because it advances
- I'll also say that the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts supports this legislation because it advances
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Keywords:
ranked choice voting, instant runoff voting, RCV, Bedford, municipal elections, town offices, local option, ballot question, election reform, plurality voting, multi-seat elections, single-seat elections, town clerk, tie-breaking, ballot tabulation, Boston elections, voter preference, local government
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University and is a swift-water rescue instructor
- He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University and is a swift-water rescue instructor
- He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University and is a swift-water rescue instructor
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation (3-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- of achieving federal funding to make the whole line of four-lane highway, thus further opening up Eastern
- of achieving federal funding to make the whole line of four-lane highway, thus further opening up Eastern
- of achieving federal funding to make the whole line of four-lane highway, thus further opening up Eastern
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Joint Resolution 46, a county priority projects resolution. Members approved a committee substitute that added $1.47 million and included Butler, Carroll, Casey, Cumberland, McGoffin, Monroe, and Nicholas counties. The resolution was then reported favorably with a title amendment and an expression of opinion that it should pass.
The committee next took up House Bill 546, which creates the local assistance road program and related rules. The committee substitute moved $47 million from the state-supported construction program back to priority projects and amended the Transportation Cabinet budget to unlock I-69 funding tied to Garvey bonds. After discussion about continuing to refine the program, the committee approved the substitute, adopted a title amendment, and reported the bill favorably with an expression of opinion that it should pass.
House Bill 443 was then heard, extending the Hal Rogers Parkway from Hazard along Kentucky Route 80 to Perry and Floyd to support future federal funding and four-laning of the corridor. The committee reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. Finally, House Bill 783 was presented as a response to temporary tag fraud in auto sales, with testimony from Representative Jackson, Warren County Sheriff Brad Hightower, and the Kentucky Auto Dealers Association. Supporters said the bill adds enforcement tools, including felony penalties for serious violations and discretion for the Motor Vehicle Commission so mistakes are not treated the same as deliberate fraud. The committee voted to report the bill favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement.(7-1-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, that's kind of our eastern...
- And so, that's kind of our eastern... State task force. So just wanted to point that out.
- And so, that's kind of our eastern area. >> That's the Avon area. >> Yes, sir. Absolutely.
- And so, that's kind of our eastern area. >> That's the Avon area. >> Yes, sir. Absolutely.
- And so, that's kind of our eastern area. >> That's the Avon area. >> Yes, sir. Absolutely.
Summary:
The committee received a budget and program update from Kentucky Emergency Management on the state’s urban search and rescue buildout. Eric Gibson and Doug Hargrave said the legislature’s funding was used to create FEMA-type urban search and rescue capacity, including Kentucky Task Force 1 and 2, the incident support team, and the helicopter aquatic rescue/hoist team. They emphasized that the effort is not just equipment purchases but also training, credentialing, warehouse and training-facility development, canine program expansion, and coordination with local search and rescue agencies across the Commonwealth.
Gibson reported that the agency executed 99.4% of the $16.175 million appropriation by the end of the fiscal year and said the team met its readiness target ahead of schedule, with equipment already being deployed in recent flood response operations. He also said $500,000 per year was set aside for local search and rescue grants, with about $482,000 awarded to 29 teams in one year and $490,000 to 36 teams in the next, averaging about $20,000 per grant. Several members urged the committee to consider increasing support for local responders in future budgets, noting rising equipment costs and the importance of local teams as first on scene.
Members asked about staffing, coverage, and benefits. Gibson explained that the task force is a mixed workforce of full-time fire personnel loaned from local departments, professional service staff such as doctors and engineers, and temporary deployment staff, with workers’ compensation coverage provided through KYEM and/or home agencies depending on the arrangement. He also said local search and rescue members are not currently included in line-of-duty death benefits. In response to questions about coverage and deployment, he described the two task force locations as designed to keep resources within roughly 100 miles of every Kentuckian.
The discussion also turned to recent flood response and disaster recovery. Gibson said the state had mobilized up to 24 teams over the weekend, documented roughly 60 to 80 water rescues or assisted evacuations, and was seeing significant damage in counties such as Cumberland, Clinton, and Metcalfe, including agricultural losses. He said several counties were meeting FEMA public assistance thresholds and that the state was preparing a broader relief request that could include FEMA, SBA, and USDA assistance. He also updated members on efforts to claw back and reallocate unused “strained fiscal liquidity” funds by the statutory deadline, saying notices were sent and funds were redirected where possible to unmet local needs.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment. (6-18-26)
Economic Development & Workforce Investment
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, Eastern Kentucky might be a little bit different than Central Kentucky.
- We have a dedicated uh Eastern Kentucky.
- You know, Eastern needs of that region.
- Um, so, like SCED is a partner of ours in Eastern Kentucky, the Chamber, the overall Chamber.
- Um, so, like SCED is a partner of ours in Eastern Kentucky, the Chamber, the overall Chamber.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (1-28-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Another unique item is in Eastern Kentucky University, their efforts at getting in place an osteopathic
- Another unique item is in Eastern Kentucky University, their efforts at getting in place an osteopathic
- Another unique item is in Eastern Kentucky University, their efforts at getting in place an osteopathic
- University their Eastern Kentucky University their efforts<00:32:16.000><c> at</c><00:32:16.480><c>
- </c> be returned ultimately once Eastern be returned ultimately once Eastern Kentucky<00:32:36.000><c
Summary:
The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations.
Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities.
He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Transportation (6-3-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And, uh, you know, we've been on those tours in Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky, and, uh, I was
- </c><00:10:07.760><c> Kentucky</c><00:10:08.080><c> and</c> those tours in Eastern Kentucky and those
- tours in Eastern Kentucky and Western<00:10:08.720><c> Kentucky</c><00:10:09.200><c> and,</c><00:10:
- </c> cleared those in the flooding in eastern cleared those in the flooding in eastern Kentucky<00:37
- </c> impacted by the floods in eastern impacted by the floods in eastern Kentucky<00:37:53.760><c> and
Summary:
The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call, a quorum, and a briefing from Transportation Cabinet officials on the Cabinet’s response to severe weather and tornadoes in Kentucky, especially the May 16–17 storms that caused deaths and widespread damage in Pulaski and Laurel counties, with an additional tornado noted in Washington County. Secretary Jim Gray, State Highway Engineer James Ballinger, and District 11 engineer Chris Jones described how crews in all 120 counties were placed on alert, how roads were cleared of debris, and how KYTC coordinated with emergency management, law enforcement, local governments, and utilities to restore access and power. They reported major impacts on roads, signals, and other infrastructure, including the EF4 tornado path through Pulaski and Laurel counties, and said KYTC also helped with debris hauling, airport cleanup, and delivery of water and meals.
The officials gave specific recovery figures for Laurel County, including 1,800 loads of construction and demolition debris hauled, about 11,000 tons and 22,000 cubic yards removed, with roughly 50% of vegetative debris cleared at that point. They said all state roadways in Laurel County were reopened, the London-Corbin Airport was returned to flight operations by Sunday, and a transition plan was underway for Laurel County Fiscal Court’s contractor to take over debris operations. Gray also noted that KYTC had helped issue replacement IDs, licenses, registrations, and titles at no cost in disaster areas, and said the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund had raised nearly $1.5 million from more than 6,000 donors.
Members praised KYTC staff as first responders and thanked them for their quick response and coordination. Several legislators recounted local impacts in Washington, Pulaski, and Laurel counties, including blocked roads, rescue challenges, looting concerns, and the scale of property damage. One member asked how KYTC inspects bridges and infrastructure after disasters to check for hidden damage, and officials said the process depends on the event and can include bridge inspections and checks of tall infrastructure such as light poles. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the discussion.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas for many observers, particularly members of the Iranian diaspora and broader Middle Eastern
- aspiration for peace and self-determination, and whereas Washington State is home to vibrant Middle Eastern
- areas where density is not the big concern, particularly when we talk about some of the places in eastern
- When we talk about some of the places in eastern Washington, when you talk about a frontier county, I
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Recognizing the gentleman from the Eastern Shore. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
- Thank you, Madam Speaker. >> The gentleman from the Eastern Shore. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
- </c> >> The gentleman from the Eastern Shore. >> The gentleman from the Eastern Shore.
- Caucus announcements recognizing the delegate from the Eastern Shore. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. >>
- Caucus announcements recognizing the delegate from the Eastern Shore. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker. >>
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It's my privilege today to introduce a couple of special guests from Eastern Idaho.
- I'd like to have them stand: President Lori Barber and Amy Brumfield, both from the College of Eastern
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- rail in the state, but in order to justify the investments we need to bring rail back to central and eastern
- rail in the state but in order to justify the investments we need to bring rail back to central and eastern
- Washington to bring pass. the investments we need to bring rail back to central and eastern Washington
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, and Vandalia Women's Eastern is vacant right now. That's two.
- In 2017, the Eastern District of the Eighth Circuit ordered that hormone replacement therapy...
- So that was in 2017 in the Eastern District.
- Are you aware of any additional litigation in the Eastern District of Missouri since 2017?
- Any additional litigation in the Eastern District of Missouri since 2017?
Committee:
House Budget
Summary:
The committee first heard the Missouri National Guard’s FY 2027 budget request in House Bill 2008. Brigadier General Bob Payne outlined the Guard’s dual state and federal mission, recent deployments and state activations, counter-drug work, and the need to maintain readiness and aging armory infrastructure. Members questioned several items, including a proposed internal auditor position required by statute, a World Cup-related NDI, the use of general revenue versus other funds, and a federal match for base operations support at Rosecrans Airport. The presentation then shifted into executive session, where the committee reviewed a House committee substitute and several amendments. One amendment to fund the Missouri State Fair’s Great American State Fair participation with ag and tourism funds was rejected, while an amendment reducing $50,000 in House and Senate legal contingency funding was adopted. Another amendment directing budget information to all committee members rather than only chairs was rejected. The committee then adopted the substitute and voted House Bill 2014 do pass by a 24-0-1 vote.
The committee next took up the Department of Corrections FY 2027 budget in House Bill 2009. DOC described a new CERT stipend increase, a reduction in the Office of Director’s Staff, and several core items including professional standards, federal funds, community treatment programming, education grants, population growth pool, restitution payments, human services staff, telecommunications, general services, fuel and utilities, food purchases, food service, staff training, employee health and safety, overtime, adult institution staff, institution E&E, wage and discharge, and individual institutions. Members asked about the CERT stipend, PREA allegations, education funding, restitution payments, the population growth pool, the working capital revolving fund, food service costs, overtime, retention, warden turnover, the prison nursery, and the use of inmate canteen funds. DOC said CERT members are full-time employees who volunteer for additional duty, that staffing has improved but remains a challenge, that the food service increase reflects the end of inventory credits and inflation, and that the department generally spends non-GR funds first when possible. Discussion also turned to whether DOC facilities could be repurposed for pretrial or mental health populations; DOC said it is legally limited to post-sentence inmates and that staffing and labor-market constraints make reopening closed facilities difficult.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (2-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, I'd like to welcome my intern from Eastern Kentucky University, Miss Cassidy Martin, back there
- State University has served as a light to the mountains for first-generation college students from Eastern
- c><00:29:29.919><c> Kentucky</c><00:29:30.919><c> uh</c><00:29:31.080><c> since</c> students from Eastern
- Kentucky uh since students from Eastern Kentucky uh since it<00:29:31.519><c> originated</c><00:29:32.360
- /c><00:31:14.880><c> of</c> not dim the light to the region of not dim the light to the region of Eastern
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 305, which would clarify and expand a healthcare workforce bill to explicitly include physician assistants and dietitians in efforts to address shortages, especially in rural areas. Rep. Fleming said the change was intended to help with Medicaid-related needs such as diabetes care and noted a decline in dietitian internship applications. Rep. Roarx supported the bill, emphasizing the value of dietitians in helping patients make practical nutrition changes. The bill received a unanimous favorable expression, 14-0, and was reported to the House floor.
The committee then considered House Bill 427, which would create statewide 60-credit-hour transfer pathways for high-demand bachelor’s degree programs under the Council on Postsecondary Education. Rep. Grossl explained the bill is meant to prevent students from losing major credit when transferring between KCTCS and four-year institutions, using nursing as an example. Questions focused on rigor, dual credit, how high-demand programs would be selected, and the July 1, 2026 implementation date; the sponsor said CPE and faculty would map curricula and align standards. The Kentucky Student Rights Coalition testified in support, saying the bill would help students complete degrees faster and make credits count toward majors. HB 427 also passed unanimously, 14-0, with favorable expression.
The committee then took up House Bill 424, as amended by a committee substitute. Rep. Tipton said the substitute removed language allowing up to six-year contracts and instead set up a process for four-year contracts and periodic performance reviews for faculty, including presidents, at public postsecondary institutions. He said the bill is intended to give universities clearer authority to remove underperforming employees and be more efficient with taxpayer dollars. Several faculty witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it would erode tenure protections, create arbitrary performance standards, and harm recruitment, retention, and academic freedom. The committee adopted the substitute and heard testimony, but no final vote on HB 424 is shown in the transcript excerpt.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses May 7th, 2026
Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses
Transcript Highlights:
- College, and we have campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, and a number of educational sites around the eastern
- Again, we are here to represent partners that support over 150 communities across eastern Massachusetts
- from the Boston Foundation, Bethiah Carter from the Give Black Alliance, and Ron Dorsey from the Eastern
- My name is Ron Dorsey, and I'm the President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation, also the former
- Should the Commonwealth move this act through to passage, Eastern Bank and the Eastern Bank Foundation
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its final hearing of the session on H. 5187 and S. 3022, the Enough Act, which would create a grant program to support place-based, cradle-to-career anti-poverty initiatives in high-need communities. Chairs Andy Vargas and Sen. Adam Gómez opened the hearing by thanking committee members and stakeholders, and several lawmakers, including Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Rep. Antonio Cabral, described the bill as a bottom-up approach that would let local organizations, schools, and community partners direct resources where they are most needed. They emphasized that poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, and chronic absenteeism are interconnected and that the bill is intended to build local “backbone” infrastructure rather than fund isolated programs.
A series of educators, school leaders, and nonprofit advocates testified in support, including leaders from Chelsea Public Schools, Bunker Hill Community College, Strategies for Children, AFT Massachusetts, United Way, the Boston Foundation, the New Commonwealth Fund, Give Black Alliance, Eastern Bank Foundation, and the Greater Boston Food Bank. They argued that schools alone cannot overcome the effects of concentrated poverty and pointed to research showing that children arrive at school already affected by poverty-related gaps. Several witnesses described existing local efforts in Chelsea, Boston, New Bedford, Springfield, Haverhill, and Lowell, and said the Enough Act would help coordinate services, align data and goals, and strengthen community voice. Some also noted that the bill could leverage philanthropic and private investment and cited Maryland and Harlem Children’s Zone as models.
The hearing also featured testimony from Harlem Children’s Zone CEO Kwame Owusu-Kesse and founder Jeffrey Canada, who said the model has shown that sustained, coordinated supports can reduce the role of luck in children’s outcomes and should be scaled in Massachusetts. Committee members asked about sustainability, funding, and how the bill would interact with existing efforts such as community schools, the Student Opportunity Act, and McKinney-Vento homelessness supports. Witnesses responded that the bill would complement those programs by creating a broader, community-led framework and that long-term sustainability would require public, philanthropic, and private support. No vote was taken during the hearing.