Video & Transcript : 'nonemitting generation' :

Page 194 of 500
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 4th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a problem with the bill in general.
  • So I'll just answer generally.
  • So I'll just answer generally.
  • But my general answer would be the same.
  • You're generous.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Info Briefing - Wed Jan 29, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:22:07.960><c> Revenue</c> for the purpose of generating Revenue for the purpose of generating
  • The entire program has generated about 759 jobs.
  • </c><00:45:18.920><c> about</c> the entire program has generated about the entire program has generated
  • </c><00:50:36.319><c> and</c> dispensaries to the attorney general and dispensaries to the attorney general
  • </c> the tax revenue to the attorney general the tax revenue to the attorney general for<00:59:24.039
Keywords: 910, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House passes housing supplemental finance and policy bill 5/4/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:27:43.600><c> home</c> helping those first generation home helping those first generation home
  • </c><00:31:11.919><c> wealth,</c> ready, build that generational wealth, ready, build that generational
  • Um, so I appreciated hearing from you, you know, generally where the trend lines are.
  • </c><00:37:22.240><c> where</c> from you, uh you know, generally where from you, uh you know, generally
  • My my just general dollars would go.
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • If General Lindsay could speak to the auditing of those three programs.
  • If General Lindsay could speak to the auditing of those three programs.
  • This brings total DA funding in the current year to $126.5 million Proposition 98 General Fund.
  • It's separate from a just general base, unrestricted base increase.
  • It's separate from a just general base, unrestricted base increase.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 100 Apr 24th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Colorado<00:49:17.200><c> General</c><00:49:17.440><c> Assembly</c><00:49:17.800><c> would</c><00
  • :49:17.920><c> like</c><00:49:18.120><c> to</c> Colorado General Assembly would like to Colorado General
  • General Orders, Second Reading of Bills. Majority Leader Rodriguez. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • ><c> of</c><01:30:27.640><c> Bills,</c> General Orders Second Reading of Bills, General Orders Second
  • The General Orders, Second Reading of Bills calendar will lay over to Friday, April 24, 2026.
Keywords: 981, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 078 Apr 2nd, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> regular session of the 75th General regular session of the 75th General Assembly<00:45:08.560><c
  • </c> The Senate of the Colorado General The Senate of the Colorado General Assembly<00:45:18.680><c>
  • </c> regular session of the 75th General regular session of the 75th General Assembly<00:46:35.600><c
  • General<01:08:35.359><c> Orders.
  • </c> General Orders. Second reading of bills. General Orders. Second reading of bills.
Keywords: 981, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representitives Mar 9th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • General Government.
  • General Justice.
  • General Justice.
  • General Justice.
  • General Justice.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 42 (3-9-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> the day general the day general &gt;&gt; from<00:06:15.200><c> McCracken.
  • General from McCracken.
  • </c> &gt;&gt; General from McCracken. &gt;&gt; General from McCracken.
  • </c> &gt;&gt; General from McCracken. &gt;&gt; General from McCracken.
  • attorney general. Uh the parent can sue attorney general.
Keywords: 958, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/03/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are some who would like us to use new general fund monies.
  • I don't see that... ...like us to use new general fund monies.
  • But any of the training must be approved by the Auditor General.
  • It favors our children and our families and the next generation.
  • This bill favors our next generation. Let's pass this bill. This bill favors our next generation.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals. A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Emerging Issues Feb 25th, 2026

Emerging Issues

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a third-generation dealer. I do have a next week. I'm a third-generation dealer.
  • I'm with General Motors.
  • I'm general manager for Clement Automotive Group.
  • They take our times and generally add a multiplier to them with the general idea that it is for an independent
  • They take our times and generally add a multiplier to them with the general idea that it is for an independent
Keywords: 959, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Can you share in your analysis just of COLA generally?
  • And they generally turn the corner fairly quickly.
  • Their issue currently is not a general fund issue.
  • Their issue currently is not a general fund issue. It is a building.
  • The issue currently is not a general fund issue.
Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> stay in our accommodations, generating stay in our accommodations, generating more<00:04:31.360>
  • ><c> billion</c> These placements generated 3.2 billion These placements generated 3.2 billion total<
  • ultimately helping to convince travelers to visit and generate economic impact.
  • </c><00:15:13.920><c> And</c><00:15:14.160><c> it's</c> and generate economic impact.
  • And it's and generate economic impact. And it's working. working. working.
Keywords: 958, all
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.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House OKs SSHF5, the omnibus K-12 education budget bill 6/9/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> maintain was indexing the general maintain was indexing the general education<00:03:58.239><c> formula
  • </c> the general education formula each year. the general education formula each year.
  • </c> difference in aid from the general fund. difference in aid from the general fund.
  • </c> to maintain indexing the general to maintain indexing the general education<00:07:59.360><c> formula
  • :24:54.360><c> happens</c> the generational change that happens the generational change that happens
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 04/29/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> strong, supports new business generation strong, supports new business generation and<00:14:37.920
  • From the iron progress for generations.
  • A once in a generation helium legacy.
  • That's future for generations to come.
  • </c><00:48:26.800><c> is</c> House, as you know, uh generally is House, as you know, uh generally is
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Higher Education Funding Review Committee Mar 25th, 2026

Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In general, most campuses weren't excluding programs from evaluations.
  • Generally, two-year programs were given about three years to implement.
  • Is this model going to be able to generate enough revenue to cover those things?
  • And I think we've been pretty generous, and we've had the resources to be pretty generous the last couple
  • And I think we've been pretty generous, and we've had the resources to be pretty generous the last couple
Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review a proposed process for identifying and addressing low-producing academic programs, then moved into discussion of draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the ND University System described how other states and systems define low-producing programs, emphasizing multi-year enrollment and completion thresholds, cost and workforce review, and the role of governing boards. She reported that North Dakota institutions already review programs in varying cycles, often use shared resources and stackable credentials to keep low-enrollment programs viable, and cited recent system actions over five years: 100 programs placed on inactivation, 75 terminated, and 384 new programs created. Committee members raised concerns about workforce-critical programs, duplication, exemptions, and whether the legislature or the State Board of Higher Education should drive the process. The chair said he wanted the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting and suggested the legislature may use funding leverage, including a possible holdback, to encourage the review process. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft funding formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal used fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder rate of $7,000 per undergraduate FTE and $10,500 per graduate/professional FTE, plus incentives for completions in high-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council explained that the formula also included separate treatment for research funding, external grants, and capital building tiers, and that the MD program at UND would remain fixed funding outside the formula. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the in-demand program list, the treatment of external grants, and how the proposal compared with current appropriations. The chair noted that the formula numbers were illustrative and not final budget amounts. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. It used fall census FTE with no weighted economic factor, a higher undergraduate rate of $8,750 per FTE, and completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other credentials. Members noted that the proposal would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and questioned whether the same structure should apply across institutions with very different missions and sizes. Committee discussion focused on fairness, hold-harmless concerns, and whether the nine institutions should be grouped differently. The committee did not take formal action, but the chair indicated the formulas would continue to be discussed later in the meeting and in future work.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • Nees is saying, is that it should be going back to the general fund.
  • And are there things in there that we can general fund?
  • General fund those things, get them off the bill.
  • Can some things be general funded?
  • The other thing is really thinking hard about what should be general funded.
Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House Government

House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • At least the first general order. At least the first general order.
  • The Attorney General shall file a suit within 60 days.
  • You would have the Attorney General involved in this.
  • We've gone through the Attorney General, correction, the Auditor General reports, the single audits,
  • We generate about $5 billion worth of economic impact in Arizona.
Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and resolutions, many of them on property, local government, and memorial topics. HB 2079, authorizing a memorial for journalist Don Bolles at Wesley Bolin Plaza, passed unanimously after sponsor testimony about the 50th anniversary of his assassination and the memorial’s no-cost nature. HB 2080, as amended, advanced 7-0 on deed and title fraud prevention measures, including photo ID requirements, notarization and deed-filing safeguards, an assessor alert program, and a felony penalty for knowingly submitting false or forged real-property claims. HB 464, which moves the petition process for municipal improvement districts earlier in the process, passed 5-2 after testimony from Camp Verde, the Yavapai Apache Nation, developers, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns; opponents argued it could force property owners into infrastructure they do not want, while supporters said it improves transparency and financing certainty. HB 2048, a proposed constitutional referral to withhold pay from state elected officials if the budget is not enacted by April 30, passed 4-3, with supporters saying it would create accountability and opponents saying broader process reforms are needed first. The committee also heard HB 2324, which would allow municipalities with their own fire codes to petition for county-owned buildings inside city limits to be exempt from separate state fire code inspections when conditions are met. County and state fire officials supported the concept, saying it would resolve conflicting statutes and formalize intergovernmental agreements, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Leff, also passed unanimously, with the sponsor noting her service in both chambers and her work on veterans and health care issues. HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund for underserved and low-income communities, drew extensive testimony from rural parents, child care advocates, and early childhood experts describing child care deserts, workforce losses, and safety concerns with unregulated care. Supporters said the bill would fund the facilities and infrastructure needed to expand regulated child care, especially in rural Arizona; the committee approved it 5-1 with one member present and one not voting. Members also discussed HB 2375, a historic-preservation-related middle housing bill, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown; testimony reflected a sharp divide between preservation advocates supporting exemptions for historic districts and housing advocates warning the bill could worsen exclusion and housing shortages.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> afternoon Jason Hernandez general afternoon Jason Hernandez general counsel<00:18:33.880><c> for
  • </c><00:25:55.279><c> seems</c> kicked up to the Inspector General seems kicked up to the Inspector General
  • Tim Shank, General Counsel, Kentucky Bankers Association.
  • Just a general idea is fine. I don't need to know an exact number.
  • Just a general idea is fine. I don't need to know an exact number.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division II (03/10/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we've got, under General Funds, you've got General Funds state aid.
  • </c><00:06:51.120><c> funds</c> General funds you've got General funds General funds you've got General
  • I'm generally funded, and my office is generally funded most days, not every day. Huh.
  • funded and my office is generally funded and my office is generally generally generally funded<00:49
  • It's out of the general fund.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Finance Division II committee heard a Department of Education budget presentation from Commissioner Frank Edelblut and CFO Tammy Valen-cour. The department outlined its organizational structure and emphasized that it functions largely as a flow-through agency for school funding. The commissioner reviewed general fund and Education Trust Fund items, including state aid, dropout prevention, special education, building aid, lease aid, charter schools, Education Freedom Accounts, and the district adequacy calculation. He also highlighted the public school infrastructure fund, saying the state has invested well over $50 million in school safety since 2018 for measures such as access controls, locks, and window film, and argued that safety spending should be ongoing rather than reactive. Members asked about the variability in the school infrastructure line, special education aid, and the Discovery Education learning platform. Edelblut explained that some safety funding had come from one-time surplus appropriations rather than the agency line, and said special education aid was underappropriated because districts submitted more invoices than expected; he said the governor added $16 million to address the shortfall. He also described CTE renovation funding, noting four projects were initially proposed but only Jaffrey and Milford were still moving forward, with local votes required and the state covering 75% of costs. He said Milford’s project was omitted from the governor’s budget by oversight. The department also reviewed enrollment trends, noting public school enrollment has fallen from about 230,000 students in 2002 to about 185,000 today. Edelblut clarified that charter students are not eligible for Education Freedom Accounts, while EFA students attending non-public schools are counted as EFA students. He described several one-time surplus-funded initiatives, including Student Clearinghouse, MTSSB work, civics curriculum development, computer science education, and adult education. He also discussed a $4 million CTE tuition and transportation grant, saying it was kept as a competitive grant rather than a formula grant to avoid creating an ongoing maintenance-of-effort commitment that could jeopardize federal Perkins funding. In the final portion, Edelblut identified prioritized needs in the department’s budget, especially funding for a state administrator for assessment to support the legislatively required civics assessment, and additional support for the Discovery Education platform. He said every school in the state is using the platform and cited more than 1.5 million educator engagements, while a member raised concerns about mixed reviews and uneven district awareness of the program. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and question period.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, moving along: Michael Mulway from FM Generator Incorporated. Michael?
  • My company—I own a generator company in Canton, FM Generator—and I'm here to testify before you to give
  • Jobs like mine have been providing for families for generations.
  • Now I get to fight to keep this a good job for future generations, and I love doing it.
  • We need legislators to protect these jobs for current and future generations.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them. Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.