Video & Transcript Research : 'higher learning access'
Page 192 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And so there's difficulty for us allowing them access.
- Is this public benefit fund a fund that can be accessed by ...benefit fund, a fund that can be accessed
- Okay, moving on to higher ed...
- Moving on to higher ed, you can see a total across both the higher education department and higher education
- Diego, do you have anything on higher ed? Mr.
Summary:
The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking.
Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult.
The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (11-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So adults, the wage levels are higher.
- Um Commerce to access and find.
- <00:58:09.760>
to that may not otherwise have access to that may not otherwise have access - You say a small access to capital.
- They just have higher priorities.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:58
Putting Young Kentuckians to Work: First Year Update 00:04:06
Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative 00:21:59
Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership 00:57:15, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the October minutes, and heard first a progress report on the state-funded “Putting Young Kentuckians to Work” initiative. Workforce leaders from Cumberland Workforce Development Board and Kentucky Works said the HB 1 funding has allowed them to contract with all 10 workforce boards and build new pipelines with high schools, area technology centers, school districts, and community and technical colleges. They reported an end-of-year goal of 3,600 job placements, with 218 placements reported as of October 2025 and enrollment numbers continuing to rise. Testimony emphasized that the program is aimed at disconnected youth and high school seniors, that federal WIOA funds are too limited to support this work alone, and that the flexible state funding has enabled short-term training and placements in fields such as welding, CDL, and CNA. Members asked about barriers to implementation, wage levels, and services for students with disabilities; presenters said the main challenge was building school relationships and that wage growth should improve as students gain more skills and credentials.
The committee then received an update on the Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington explained that the General Assembly previously provided $250,000 for a consultant to develop a statewide talent attraction and retention strategy, and that more than 13 organizations across the state support the effort. Development Counsellors International described its research process, including statewide stakeholder engagement, and said the goal is to create a Kentucky talent value proposition that combines job opportunities with quality-of-place messaging. They reported that Kentucky faces a shrinking labor force and a projected national worker shortfall, while internal research found 47% of working-age respondents could consider leaving the state within two years because they are not confident in career opportunities. At the same time, they said 96% of surveyed higher education students would stay if offered a full-time job, and 72% of employers expect to expand staffing in the next two years. The presenters said they are moving from research into messaging and an action plan, and that the strategy should be customized and measurable rather than one-size-fits-all.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Aug 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- level of care, the higher level of capability, the higher level of legal and statutory authority can
- We'll probably move to higher ground, maybe not. I don't care.
- But on site, there is higher ground.
- Hopefully, you can get to a roof access. That's it.
- Hopefully, a lot has been learned from this.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 22nd, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So I was on, on this committee and enjoyed it very much, got to learn a term that I'd never heard before
- Well, when I learned about justice involved veterans, this is one of those bills that I filed and all
- One is a higher-level review that we, that we, um, want another decision review officer in the VA, a
- Because there's something called the Equal Access to Justice Act, which is a federal fee fee-shifting
- But at the Court of Appeals, the way to get compensated is the Equal Access to Justice Act.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- It is accessible to the public in that it is written in plain language.
- If you noticed on the access road off of 28, yes, housing is going in there now.
- And then after Maggie will be David Gauthier from Mass Access. Thank you. Can you hear me?
- I'm the president of Mass Access, here to speak in favor of S 1454, An Act Relative to PEG Access and
- Let’s all sit around a table and say, hey, let’s learn from best practices.
Summary:
The committee opened its hearing with procedural remarks, including a strict three-minute testimony limit, livestream instructions, and a July 1 deadline for written testimony. Chairs Lewis and Rauch then heard testimony on a wide range of municipal home rule petitions and related bills, with many local officials and advocates being taken out of order because of the large turnout.
A major topic was firefighter residency. Representatives of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Sen. Keenan supported H. 2260/S. 1449, which would replace the current 15-mile residency rule for non-civil-service fire departments with a negotiable standard, generally allowing residency within 15 miles and permitting expansion through collective bargaining. Supporters said the change would improve recruitment and retention amid the housing crisis and create parity with civil-service departments. Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnhum and Sen. Senna also backed H. 4168 for Acton, making similar arguments about recruitment, paramedics, and the need for local flexibility.
The committee also heard strong support for charter overhaul petitions for Somerville and Lynn. Somerville officials, including Rep. Barber, Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Jake Wilson, and charter committee member Beverly Schwartz, described a years-long public process to replace an 1890s-era charter with a modern document emphasizing transparency, public participation, clearer governance, and a possible change to the mayor’s term length. Lynn Mayor Nicholson similarly supported a charter update to modernize city operations and financial procedures. Cambridge-related charter and procurement reforms were also briefly endorsed by Rep. Cabral.
Other bills discussed included a proposal by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Scarsdale to create a state grant program for municipal sustainability directors, and regional school finance bills supported by Rep. Lanatra and Jason Frazier to expand special education reserve funds and create a regional school assessment reserve fund. Acton witnesses also supported library governance changes and a checkout bag charge proposal. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on Quincy’s H. 3897, a 50-year lease extension for Quarry Hills/Granite Links: Quincy officials and business supporters praised the public-private partnership and future investment potential, while residents argued the lease was too long, should be competitively bid, and deserved more oversight and auditing. The hearing also included testimony on Boston trash truck noise restrictions and a PEG access/cable funds bill supported by Mass Access, as well as a Southwick petition to elect part of the Conservation Commission, which one select board member opposed as contrary to current law and good governance.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 12, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So that's why that rate is higher.
- So we are available for your questions. for care access. Um uh as we approach for care access.
- There are higher risk for asthma.
- <01:48:51.520>
Um, know access nearby. Um, know access nearby. - that we'll have access to those funds. that we'll have access to those funds.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC Public Hearings 04-21-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It reaffirmed learning of my nomination.
- These are the values access to justice.
- Talking about Uh stakes are higher.
- I learned a lot, and I felt that I was representing my community well.
- I felt attorney, and I did learn a lot.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible.
For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.
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:
- But this bill seeks to bring a higher level of detail to the training, provide a greater level of standardization
- to<00:01:45.159>
uh <00:01:45.399>bring <00:01:45.640>a <00:01:46.000>higher - but this bill seeks to uh bring a higher but this bill seeks to uh bring a higher level<00:01:46.799
- In many cases at Small World Learning Center in Blaine, you have many suspected cases of difficulties
- <00:15:49.639>
Center <00:15:49.880>in cases in Small World Learning Center in cases
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
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We might be able to keep it to higher percentages, but when you fix a tiny part of something and keep
- The independent repair shops do not have access to this telematic information, which is over the air.
- That was used in the repair industry, and so we will not have access to that information.
- Even more impactful than AI and machine learning, quantum computing is the next frontier.
- of the bill is to ensure those entities still have access to that information without a close.
Bills:
HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252
Keywords:
HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Capital Budget Dec 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They're going to be hard to access.
- And we learned a lot about community organizations.
- They were significantly higher.
- the Sounders but don't access it.
- We think these are critical to developing kids' access... ...to outside, access to the things that the
Summary:
The Capital Budget Committee heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce officials described their agency’s role in housing, energy, local government, broadband, and other capital programs, and reported on a $5 million pilot under Senate Bill 5200 that used trusted community messengers and technical assistance to help historically excluded organizations prepare for capital funding. They said 18 organizations received direct support and 79 smaller projects were also funded, but emphasized that statutory match rules, reimbursement-based payments, site-control requirements, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting rules remain major barriers. Commerce outlined efforts to expand outreach, digital modernization, internal contracting improvements, tribal MOUs, and innovation centers, and members asked about small business support, housing program placement, and outreach to Eastern Washington and communities of color.
RCO described its grant programs for recreation, conservation, education, and salmon/orca recovery, and reviewed equity work done before and after a 2021-23 proviso. The agency had already created a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, piloted stipends for advisory committee members, and reduced match requirements where allowed. Under the proviso, RCO completed an equity review and a planning program that funded 54 projects across 34 counties, with many applicants being new or long-absent grantees. Staff said the review led to changes in scoring criteria, clearer application guidance, more objective data measures, expanded technical assistance, and targeted community engagement. Members asked about application burden, project sizes, outreach, and how the agency is broadening participation and representation on advisory committees.
The final presentation summarized a planning study on SCAP, which examined rising construction costs, fragmented grant programs, local funding barriers, and uneven district capacity. The report recommended nine major changes, including stronger planning support, a new minor-modernization category, a mechanism to use unused funds more quickly, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of non-SCAP funds, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better account for grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost factors. Additional recommendations included ongoing monitoring and evaluation, facilities-impact reviews, matching SCAP increases to construction-cost inflation, earlier locking of funding estimates, flexible program spaces, and updated statewide building-condition assessments. No votes were taken during the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So with level principal and higher interest in the early years, our overall debt payments are also higher
- So with level principal and higher interest in the early years, our overall debt payments are also higher
- So with level principal and higher interest in the early years, our overall debt payments are also higher
- <00:37:55.040>
level uh the PowerPoint will be higher level uh the PowerPoint will be higher - tours to explore the venue and learn tours to explore the venue and learn about<01:05:55.440>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- accessed by providers through 340B.
- the state does not uh access the state does not uh access prescription<01:15:22.840>
drug - <01:15:26.080>
through those drugs if they're accessed through those drugs if they're accessed - <01:19:48.679>
to different question on needing access to different question on needing access - <01:41:59.920>
that um and that anyone that accesses that um and that anyone that accesses
Summary:
The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities.
Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years.
MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/26/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- chance to pursue schooling learn chance to pursue schooling learn entrepreneurial<00:49:12.760><
- a trade teach them a way to uh learn a trade teach them a way to uh learn entreprenuership<00:54
- :20.839>
learn <00:54:21.240>learn <00:54:21.520>marketing entreprenuership learn - learn marketing entreprenuership learn learn marketing and<00:54:22.839>
have <00:54:23.160> <01:45:18.599>to this program by providing access to this program by providing access to
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 8, February 18, 2026-AM 2
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's what higher education is all about. It's what higher education is all about.
- competition between all higher competition between all higher education.
- very very quick and easy to access very very quick and easy to access really<02:20:08.880>
good - <02:28:29.680>
when Wait until you see what they learn when Wait until you see what they learn - to choose what they want to learn. to choose what they want to learn. $40<02:28:47.840>
million
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- individuals and families facing barriers in education, affordable housing, economic stability, and access
- individuals and families facing barriers in education, affordable housing, economic stability, and access
- <00:02:22.720>
to economic stabil stability, and access to economic stabil stability, and - access to health<00:02:23.280>
care. - <00:28:05.679>
education our three regional higher education our three regional higher education
Summary:
The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees.
The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading.
Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- and expand the general public's access and expand the general public's access to<00:03:14.480>
dollars are focused on student learning dollars are focused on student learning and<00:04:12.959 - And so I'm here today to... learning and working to look like in learning and working to look like in
- And what do you want learning in JCPs?
- higher quality supervision would. higher quality supervision would.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 3, which would expand financial transparency requirements for Kentucky school districts. Sponsor Senator Lindsey Tichenor said the bill would require public access to budgeting and spending information, including final working budgets, monthly credit card statements, superintendent contracts and compensation, audits, and related financial reports posted on district websites. A committee amendment correcting citations was adopted by voice vote. Supporters, including Laura O’Brien, described examples of district spending they viewed as excessive and argued that more detailed public disclosure would help taxpayers and school boards identify misuse of funds. Senator Higdon and others voiced support for transparency, while Senator Meredith said he supported the intent but wanted the bill to go further. The committee passed SB 3 with 11 aye votes and one no vote, with favorable expression.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator David Givens, which would restore and clarify governance changes for Jefferson County Public Schools by defining the roles of the school board and superintendent. Givens said the bill responds to a state Supreme Court ruling and includes 42 stated reasons for the governance changes. Opponents, including Jefferson County Teachers Association president Maddie Shepard, JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood, and board member James Craig, argued the bill would weaken local democratic control, concentrate authority in one administrator, and reduce community voice. Yearwood said he works collaboratively with the board and that the bill is about adults and governance rather than students, while Craig said the district needs stronger oversight, not less. Supporters of the bill argued that the current structure has not produced adequate results and that the changes are needed to improve outcomes and accountability. The transcript ends during the SB 1 testimony and discussion, before a final vote is taken.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- accessed it and accessed and if you've accessed it and you've<03:43:00.800>
also <03:43:01.439 - fully accessed fully accessed to<03:44:43.680>
the <03:44:43.840>best <03:44:44.160 - learned about disabilities, we learned learned about disabilities, we learned about<03:46:17.279
- They still would have been at a much higher rate, not quite as high as 54.3%, but likely higher than
- They still would have been at a much higher rate, not quite as high as 54.3%, but likely higher than
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 1st, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- This same opportunity to learn these life skills should be available for all student-athletes.
- Physical advantages such as longer limbs, higher than average flexibility, or an improved and unusual
- We should make more young people want to play sports and learn the lifelong lessons it teaches, not put
- , higher rates of depression, and higher... rates of suicide.
- and their respective institutions of higher education.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Is 1.2% to 3.1% higher than our FY26 forecast.
- And the learning curve for me is very steep.
- And the learning curve for me is very steep.
- But you think of higher ed, right? Higher ed's under a lot of pressure now.
- These numbers are higher than you've heard from other folks.
Summary:
The Senate and House Ways and Means chairs opened the FY 2027 consensus revenue hearing by emphasizing the need for a balanced, fiscally responsible budget amid federal funding cuts, health care cost pressures, and uncertainty around the federal tax law changes referred to as OB3. They also noted the state’s current revenue performance is slightly above benchmark and paid tribute to the late Representative Anne Margaret Ferranti. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorkowitz echoed the call for caution, saying Massachusetts has protected core services while building reserves and that the FY27 budget process begins with a careful revenue estimate.
Department of Revenue Commissioner Jeff Snyder, along with DOR staff, presented FY26 and FY27 tax forecasts and identified major drivers and risks: OB3’s negative impact on state revenue, surtax collections, labor market conditions, capital gains, and corporate/business excise taxes. DOR estimated OB3 would reduce FY26 revenue by about $664 million and FY27 by about $282 million, while surtax and capital gains were expected to remain strong in FY26 but soften in FY27. Members questioned the outlook for surtax, capital gains, and the potential fiscal effect of a ballot question reducing the income tax rate from 5% to 4%; DOR said that proposal could cost roughly $4.2 billion to $4.8 billion annually, with a smaller but still significant impact in FY27 because of phase-in timing.
Treasurer Deb Goldberg testified next on the stabilization fund, lottery, PRIM, unclaimed property, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. She reported the rainy day fund at about $8.1 billion, said the lottery was on track for $1.5 billion in FY26 net profit and projected $1.25 billion in FY27, and highlighted that iLottery is expected to launch in summer 2026 with revenue beginning in FY27 and dedicated to child care initiatives. She also described strong PRIM performance and record unclaimed property returns, while members asked about the child care use of iLottery revenue, multilingual outreach, and the economic impact of expanded liquor licensing.
Mass Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate and Tufts’ Evan Horowitz then offered differing revenue outlooks and policy warnings. Howgate projected modest growth, cautioned against overusing reserves for ongoing obligations, and urged caution on federal tax conformity changes and health care spending pressures. Horowitz projected higher FY26 and FY27 revenues than other witnesses, warned that the surtax and capital gains make the tax system more volatile, and said a 4% income tax ballot question could reduce FY27 revenues by roughly $800 million to $1 billion. He also flagged the rent control ballot question as a potential risk to municipal finance and suggested the state consider giving a permanent home to the independent revenue model used by Alan Clayton-Matthews.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Programs like TRIO and GEAR UP help underserved students access and succeed in higher education.
- infrastructure in which to learn.
- Programs like TRIO and GEAR UP help underserved students access and succeed in higher education.
- Programs like TRIO and GEAR UP help underserved students access and succeed in higher education.
- TRIO and GEAR UP help underserved students access and succeed in higher education.