Video & Transcript Research : 'internship program'
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NM
Transcript Highlights:
- As you can tell, these are sort of environmentally focused programs and education-focused programs.
- As you can tell, these are sort of environmentally focused programs and education focus programs.
- That's our Migrant Seas and Farm Worker Program. The programs that help people find jobs.
- You'll see in the next slide that there's a list of programs. So these are the programs.
- There are three specific programs there. We have an events program.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 12, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Research Program, and Live Like Bella.
- And one way you can make that happen is to keep this program rolling.
- Remember, that was a goal that was listed in the program as well.
- versus the success rates outside of those programs?
- All of us have very robust clinical trial portfolio programs.
Summary:
The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s cancer research and funding programs, including the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, the Bankhead-Coley Research Program, and Live Like Bella. Dr. Ladapo and leaders from Moffitt, Sylvester/University of Miami, UF Health, and Mayo Clinic described how state funding has helped Florida’s four NCI-designated cancer centers expand research, recruit faculty, increase clinical trials, and build collaborations. They emphasized that the programs are intended to improve cancer care statewide, support innovation, and encourage more institutions to pursue NCI designation. The Governor’s budget recommendation was noted as including additional funding, and members asked about the cost and requirements of becoming NCI-designated and eventually comprehensive.
Panelists said NCI designation requires major infrastructure, compliance, research, and training investments, with de novo development estimated at about $1 billion. They described Florida’s collaborative model as unusual nationally, with annual symposia, shared pilot funding, and joint projects across the four centers. Members also asked about rural access, home-based care, and recruitment/retention. Mayo described its “Cancer Care Beyond Walls” home-treatment model and said it could expand to rural counties within months; Moffitt and UF discussed mobile screening, satellite sites, and affiliations with local hospitals and practices. Several members raised concerns about workforce shortages, licensure delays, and the need to reach underserved areas.
The discussion also covered outcomes, data reporting, and the broader economic impact of the cancer centers. Panelists cited growth in jobs, federal research funding, and clinical trial enrollment, and highlighted advances in immunotherapy, CAR-T, TIL therapy, carbon ion therapy, AI-driven screening, and the firefighter cancer initiative. They said the Florida Cancer Data System is being expanded to track recurrence and quality-of-life measures. Members also asked about philanthropy, medical tourism, and federal funding risks, including possible indirect cost reductions that could affect research budgets. The meeting ended with general support for continued investment, while some members noted an ongoing policy debate over whether future cancer research dollars should be concentrated in the four NCI centers or spread more broadly across the state.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/4/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- The Livable Communities program is a competitive grant program that operates in the seven-county metro
- place for 30 years um or this program place for 30 years um or this program has<00:02:06.719>
- livable communities program, our livable communities program.<00:07:05.039>
Sorry, <00:07:05.440 - :07:21.039>
is community tree planting program is community tree planting program is relatively - available in the statewide DNR program. available in the statewide DNR program.
Keywords:
tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration, 1183
Summary:
The committee met on March 4, 2026, and first approved the minutes from March 2 by voice vote. It then took up several Metropolitan Council agency bills, with members repeatedly moving to lay them over for possible inclusion or, in one case, to re-refer a bill to another committee. The first three bills discussed were House File 3884, House File 3881, and House File 3882, all presented as administrative or programmatic changes intended to streamline Met Council processes.
House File 3884 would allow tribal governments and tribal development entities to apply directly for Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Act grants and community tree planting grants, rather than applying through a city or other local government. Testimony from Met Council staff said the bill would simplify access and align the Met Council’s tree-planting program with existing DNR authority. House File 3881 would expand the Met Council’s contracting authority to include small businesses more broadly, require an annual report to the legislature on small-business contracting, and repeal a duplicative statute on certificates of compliance. House File 3882 would make a range of administrative cleanups, including removing an obsolete housing-bond review role, clarifying outdated statutory language, extending the review cycle for metropolitan significance rules from every two years to every 10 years, clarifying reporting and Livable Communities Act provisions, changing regional parks operations-and-maintenance reimbursements to rely on audited financial statements, and clarifying agricultural preserves procedures.
The committee also considered House File 3883, which was amended with an A1 amendment before adoption. That bill updates appointments to the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee, known as MOSAC, including direct appointments for certain county representatives and adding a tribal representative appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, while also cleaning up outdated language and eligibility provisions. A former MOSAC member spoke in support of the committee’s work, and the chair said the bill was common-sense and renewed the motion to lay it over as amended. Finally, the committee began House File 3363, a bill described by the author as a response to safety concerns after the June events, aimed at removing public access to legislators’ home addresses from Campaign Finance Board materials; discussion had just begun when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/26/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- , so whether that's the gas affordability program, Xcel's Power On program, the other many different
- , so whether that's the gas affordability program, Xcel's Power On program, the other many different
- , so whether that's the gas affordability program, Xcel's Power On program, the other many different
- We oversee programs like Power on the Gas Affordability Program.
- <00:40:03.839>
like programs um we oversee programs like programs um we oversee programs like
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-04-07
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Line 39. to the meat inspection program at the department.
- Line 146 is the new agriculture program called Agri Works.
- Line 147 is for the agriculture support program.
- There is an increase in the tails to the FBM program under the agreed program.
- Development and Profitability Enhancement Program.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/12/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Civic Excellence and Engagement Program. Civic Excellence and Engagement Program.
- special program special program >> with<00:33:59.840>
special <00:34:00.159>program - They're not to these programs.
- and programs as things are changing. and programs as things are changing.
- program? program?
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 02/25/2026
Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, let's get right to the agenda so we can move on to the second part of our program.
- We also have a great soil health testing program.
- What was the community program? Community IPM, integrated pest management.
- So there's a question on the veterans program.
- We have so many programs. It's great.
Summary:
The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote.
The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management.
Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Apr 4, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 46
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- participants and to program staff.
- program participants and to program program participants and to program staff.<00:40:31.920>
- participants or program staff or both. participants or program staff or both.
- <00:42:39.119>
staff HRS and is limited to program staff HRS and is limited to program staff - Defense is one of the few programs where Defense is one of the few programs where the<00:56:56.640>
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
House Interim Committee On Health Care 06/16/2026 2:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Finances and rate setting within the Medicaid program.
- , which we know is a very important and robust program in the state.
- There's been a lot of ups and downs and volatility across the program.
- Program changes trend 1.3.
- On the program change tracking, OHA is working closely with CCOs on program changes, including new potential
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits.
CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs.
The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health May 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Program, and we run a variety of other family health programs related to genetically handicapped persons
- But a program that has a really bad history of being— mildly off on your estimates on this program, and
- So again, this is a state-only program.
- To help cover growth in program costs.
- Medi-Cal program.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- fiscal estimate we have for the program fiscal estimate we have for the program and<00:10:38.760
- the program the program uh<00:20:59.200>
we <00:20:59.280>think <00:20:59.400>it's - is an enterprise program, so the money that's collected is kind of like the unemployment program or
- for most programs and most entitlement<01:34:40.639>
programs <01:34:41.639>the <01:34: - would be in place until the program would be in place until the program actually<01:36:23.159>
Bills:
HF3
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- assistance program, the housing trust fund program, homework starts with home program, rental assistance
- trust fund program, program, the housing trust fund program, uh,<01:02:23.520>
homework <01:02 - assistance program, housing trust fund. assistance program, housing trust fund.
- from some of these programs. from some of these programs.
- construction program. construction program.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the prenatal screening programs.
- And then finally, program participation is stable.
- The screening program. Yeah, primarily due to caseload.
- The screening program. Yeah, primarily due to caseload.
- Welcome. ...drug assistance program for the 2026-27 estimate.
Summary:
The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty.
Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs.
In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing.
The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. (2-23-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- The name of this program specific to both Medicare and Medicaid is the balance program.
- There are two separate programs. I'll be focusing on the balance program.
- >
separate <00:38:16.079>program generous program is a separate program generous program - balance program.
- Uh the balance program balance program.
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone.
The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months.
Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value.
After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/29/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #21
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a workforce empowerment program.
- And this coaching program does it. It's been successful. The school meal program.
- and our access program.
- So, again, we want these programs to be robust and ready to serve those who qualify for the program.
- Otherwise, you shouldn't be on the program.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine reducing waste, fraud and abuse through innovation, focusing on how AI and data can improve government efficiency. Apr 9th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Joint Economic Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- , if we can do that across federal programs, make it easier for...
- Those are for high-risk programs. You know, think about COVID-style programs.
- The lower range is really analyzing the lower-risk programs.
- It allows them to look at programs and identify where potential fraud could exist if that program is
- and an efficient program.
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, waste reduction, fraud prevention, government efficiency, improper payments, data reliability, oversight
Summary:
The meeting was chaired by Chairman Schweikert and involved a comprehensive discussion on how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for reducing waste, fraud, and improper payments within federal programs. Key witnesses, including Mr. Andrew Canarsa from the Council of the Inspectors General, provided insights on the potential of AI in enhancing government efficiency. The committee emphasized the importance of reliable data and thorough examination of AI application to avoid unintended consequences while addressing the estimated $162 billion in improper payments reported by the federal government. Concerns were raised regarding the recent firing of inspectors general and the impacts that could have on oversight and accountability processes.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Jan 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It created a revolving loan program and then it directed OPAGA to review that program, the first report
- The first is program evaluation.
- That's an investment program at SBA.
- And a major federal program is defined as one of the entities— A major federal program is defined as
- the complexity of the program.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries.
Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs.
OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- US department of agriculture program. So US department of agriculture program.
- school lunch program. school lunch program.
- program? program? >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct.
- nutrition program. nutrition program.
- credit scholarship program. credit scholarship program.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 41 (3-6-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, it revamps the KBI program, Kentucky Business Incentive Investment Program, to allow them
- Senate participate in these programs.
- programs. Senator Chambers-Armstrong. programs. Senator Chambers-Armstrong.
- , be in different benefits programs, be in different benefits programs, whether<01:29:00.680>
- What are they doing with the program?
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received a message from the House announcing passage of House Bills 364, 534, 600, and 662 and requesting concurrence. The chamber then took up second-reading reports, placing several bills on the Rules Committee calendar, and briefly recessed for caucus meetings before returning to floor business.
The first major floor action was Senate Bill 11, a residential safe room rebate program aimed at rural tornado preparedness. Supporters described it as a way to use FEMA or private funds to help homeowners build personal storm shelters that could also serve neighbors; one senator opposed it over a fiscal note and concerns about unintended consequences in rural areas. The Senate adopted a committee substitute and passed SB 11 by a vote of 33–3.
The Senate then considered Senate Bill 8 on public utilities and PSC intervention procedures. A committee substitute and floor amendment were adopted to clarify intervention standards, limit delay tactics, allow written comments from non-intervenors, and revise transmission-line approval thresholds; supporters said the changes would improve PSC efficiency and protect ratepayers, while some senators objected to a provision moving records from the Energy and Environment Cabinet to the state auditor as politically motivated. SB 8 passed 30–5. Senate Bill 94, dealing with dealer compensation for warranty and recall work, was also amended and passed unanimously after supporters said it reflected agreement between auto dealers and manufacturers. Finally, Senate Bill 197 on economic development incentives was amended to create county tiers, expand incentives for distressed areas, allow cross-border projects near state lines, and correct clerical errors; it passed 36–0.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:49.040>
virtually cutting every other program virtually cutting every other program - states and and applies to this program states and and applies to this program too<00:18:25.360><
- being drawn um into the the EFA program being drawn um into the the EFA program it's<00:24:26.440
- <00:29:01.240>
thank programs thank programs thank you<00:29:03.279>yeah <00:29:03.440> - And this program does not do that.
Summary:
The Division 2 Finance Committee work session focused primarily on House Bill 115 and a proposed amendment, 114H, which would carry over language from HB 2 into HB 115 and place limits on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Representative Murray described the amendment as a way to keep the 350% federal poverty eligibility cap, require students to have attended a charter public school in grades K-12 for the preceding year before entering the voucher system, and add guardrails against universal eligibility. She argued the state was facing a severe budget crisis, that expanding EFAs would divert money from other programs, and that public testimony and local votes showed widespread opposition to expansion. She also cited a letter from former Finance chair Neil Kirk opposing expansion. Other members responded that the committee should not revisit policy already decided by the House, though some said the amendment was fair to discuss because of its fiscal implications and supported it on that basis.
The discussion then broadened into a debate over the fiscal impact of universal vouchers and the reliability of enrollment and cost estimates. Representative Luno argued that prior EFA projections had relied on assumptions that could badly underestimate state exposure, pointing to Arizona as a cautionary example and saying New Hampshire should not expand the program without better analysis. Representative Papovich similarly warned that universal eligibility could create a large, unexpected cost, estimating a potential exposure of about $285 million based on school-age children not currently in public, charter, or EFA programs. In contrast, Representative Weyler said EFAs can save money because public school spending is already high and parents using EFAs still pay taxes and take on more responsibility for their children’s education.
After discussion, Representative Murray moved to accept the amendment, and Representative Bean seconded it. There was some procedural clarification about voting on the original bill and the amendment. The transcript ends before a final recorded vote on the amendment or on HB 115 itself, though the committee had also been told it would likely reconsider several retained bills later in the week, including HB 129, HB 133, HB 671, and HB 781.