Video & Transcript : 'zero tolerance' :
Page 208 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- because there's a lot of opinions on this floor on how we're going to save health care when you have zero
- year's budget realizes the difficult economic times we are in and provides the UCs and the CSUs with a zero
- I support these zero interest loans.
- In the form of zero interest loans to educational institutions, I am glad our legislative leaders.
- education and the grace that was offered to our public colleges and universities in the form of a zero
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean a point zero zero percent of the time where we've had an issue with this specific case.
- There being eight ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
- There being eight ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
- There being seven ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails. The Chair lays out Senate Bill 1012.
- There being seven ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
Committee:
House Land & Resource Management
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/30/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There being 133 yays and zero nays, the bill is passed and its title agreed to.
- There being 133 yays and zero nays, the bill is passed and its title agreed to.
- </c><00:13:18.560><c> nays,</c><00:13:19.120><c> the</c> There being 133 yays and zero nays, the There
- being 133 yays and zero nays, the bill<00:13:19.440><c> is</c><00:13:19.600><c> passed</c><00:13:19.760
- There being 133 yays and zero nays, the bill is passed and its title agreed to.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (10:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Zero. People litigate for anything.
- Including Sharia law, the answer that you did not get is zero.
- They added the net-zero local net-zero provision. So they no longer have a tax package bill.
- They added the net-zero local net-zero provision. So they no longer have a tax package bill.
- They added the net-zero local net-zero provision. So they no longer have a tax package bill.
Summary:
The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0.
The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1.
Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I have all members voted. 148 eyes and zero nays, House Bill 312 is passed.
- There being 145 ayes, zero nays, House Bill 1535 is passed to engrossment.
- The answer is zero. There's no additional testing whatsoever.
- 143 ayes and zero nays. House Bill 1178 has passed to engrossment.
- 141 ayes and zero nays. House Bill 4885 is passed to engrossment.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez.
The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage.
Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/26/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Optimization Act, the Natural Gas Innovation Act, permitting reform, and our new economy-wide net-zero
- </c><00:08:22.440><c> I'm</c><00:08:22.560><c> sorry</c><00:08:22.800><c> net</c><00:08:23.039><c> zero
- </c> emissions uh I'm sorry net zero emissions uh I'm sorry net zero emissions emissions emissions goal
- And I mean, they're turning down the heat in below-zero weather just to try to save money, putting blankets
- Senator Gruenhagen: Their heating bills, and I mean they're turning down the heat in below-zero weather
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/29/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you did 3% of the assets, it would be 3% of zero. 3% of zero is still zero.
- </c> 3% of zero. Uh 3% of zero is still zero. 3% of zero. Uh 3% of zero is still zero.
- By a vote of 12 to zero, we adopt the motion of ITL on House Bill 1475.
- You know, it could be zero, probably isn't zero.
- You know, it could be zero, probably isn't zero.
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Feb 26th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- There is net zero fiscal impact. Moving on to Amendment C, offered by Senator Wilson.
- There's net, there's no net zero. There's net zero fiscal impact. Apologies.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
transportation budget, transportation appropriations, capital budget, supplemental budget, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferries, Puget Sound ferries, tolling, express toll lanes, highway safety, traffic safety, impaired driving, ignition interlock, speed cameras, transit funding, public transit, multimodal transportation
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- With a vote of eight aye and zero nay, we'll report your bill out as do pass. Thank you very much.
- With a vote of eight aye and zero nay, we'll report your bill out as do pass. Thank you very much.
- I declare the vote with a vote of 10 aye and zero nay. We'll report your bill as do pass.
Committee:
House Rules
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Local Government Feb 18th, 2026
Local Government, Elections and Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- By your vote of 16 ayes and zero nays, House Bill 1906 do pass.
- Ayes and zero nays, you had voted House Bill 1906 do pass.
- By your vote of 16 ayes and zero nays, you have voted House Bill 1906 do pass by consent.
Summary:
The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and voted on three bills. House Bill 1906, at the sponsor’s request, was first approved do pass and then approved do pass by consent, both by 16-0 votes. House Bill 3003 was described as a bill worked on with the building trades and was approved do pass by a 15-1 vote. House Bill 2898, referred to as the “Lamb Bank” bill and noted as having previously passed the House before being struck down on a procedural issue, was approved do pass by a 16-1 vote.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2096, sponsored by Representative Farnan, which would increase state matching-fund caps for Missouri regional planning commissions and update the list of eligible commissions. Farnan said the bill would raise the larger commissions’ cap from $65,000 to $130,000 and the smaller commissions’ cap from $25,000 to $50,000, subject to appropriations, and that the funds are matching dollars tied to local contributions. Members asked about the source of local funds, the CPI indexing language, and whether the bill could be amended to protect against reductions if CPI is flat or negative.
Testimony in support came from Jeremy Tans of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission and immediate past president of MAKOG, who said the cap has not changed for years and the commissions provide coordination for infrastructure, transportation, broadband, and economic development across jurisdictions. Laura Holloway of the Missouri Municipal League also supported the bill, saying municipalities work closely with the commissions. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on House Bill 2096 was closed before adjournment.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- President, if zero. And if it's not, Mr.
- Trying to help them get their electricity bill down to zero.
- </c> customer of a co-op or a municipal, zero customer of a co-op or a municipal, zero impact.<00:45:
- . zero. zero.
- So I urge zero um going back to to 2008.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - House Health & Human Services
House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, by your vote of 11 aye, zero nays, zero present, and one absent...
- Members, by your vote of 11 aye, zero nays, zero present, and one absent, you've given House Bill 2202
- Members, by your vote of 11 ayes, one nay, zero present and zero absent, you've given House Bill 2190
- Members, by your vote of seven ayes, five nays, zero present and zero absent, you've given House Bill
- Members, by your vote of seven ayes, five nays, zero present and zero absent, you've given House Bill
Summary:
The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation.
The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote.
Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely.
The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, by your vote of 11 aye, zero nays, zero present, and one absent...
- Members, by your vote of 11 aye, zero nays, zero present, and one absent, you've given House Bill 2202
- Members by your vote of 11 ayes, one nay, zero present and zero absent.
- Members, by your vote of seven ayes, five nays, zero present and zero absent, you've given House Bill
- Members, by your vote of seven ayes, five nays, zero present and zero absent, you've given House Bill
Committee:
House Health & Human Services
Keywords:
physician assistants, licensure compact, medical services, multistate practice, patient care access, healthcare workforce, military families, adverse actions, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, HB 2233, rural health transformation, rural health transformation program, AHCCCS, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, JLBC
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Finance Budget Briefing (06/10/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:28:33.440><c> fund</c><00:28:33.760><c> compared</c><00:28:34.080><c> to</c><00:28:34.240><c> zero
- </c><00:28:34.480><c> in</c> education trust fund compared to zero in education trust fund compared to
- zero in the<00:28:34.799><c> house</c><00:28:35.360><c> proposal</c><00:28:36.080><c> and</c><00:28:
- So they offset each other to zero, but the general fund benefit was about $2.9 million.
- </c><01:13:58.320><c> but</c> So they offset each other to zero but So they offset each other to zero
Summary:
The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2.
Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund.
The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam President, on the final passage of Senate Bill 433, there are 35 aye votes, zero no votes, and
- Madam President, on the final passage of Senate Bill 535, there are 35 aye votes, zero no votes, and
- Madam President, on the final passage of Senate Bill 536, there are 35 aye votes, zero no votes, and
- Madam President, on the final passage of Senate Bill 1011, there are 35 aye votes, zero no votes, and
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules.
In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies.
Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE AGING, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, & LEGI Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This weekend is our Project Zero Disney extravaganza. Madam Chair, I just had one other thing.
- This weekend is our Project Zero Disney extravaganza.
- My team and the Project Zero team have been working on this for months, and they will bring every waiting
- to say, if any of you are in Little Rock on Saturday and interested in seeing the work that Project Zero
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 9th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- No, zero. The appointment is confirmed. Senator Grove, file item three. Thank you, Madam President.
- Zero. The appointment is confirmed. Moving into Senate third reading. We have five items.
- Aye, 36, no zero. The resolution is adopted.
- The presiding officer said: "No, zero. The resolution is adopted.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a roll call establishing a quorum, a moment of silence for Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, and a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Pérez then introduced representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, highlighting the organization’s community role and economic impact. The body also approved the Senate journals and moved to confirmations and resolutions.
Three gubernatorial appointments were confirmed unanimously or near-unanimously: C.N.R. Lomeli to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and C. Don Clay and Joshua Pertula to the University of California College of Law and San Francisco Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted SCR 120, designating National Consumer Protection Week and Slam the Scam Day, after remarks on fraud, senior scams, data brokers, and a Pleasant Hill cryptocurrency scam case in which law enforcement recovered stolen funds. The resolution passed 36-0, and the floor recognized Pleasant Hill police and Secret Service personnel involved in the case.
The Senate also adopted SCR 126 proclaiming March 9, 2026 as Special Olympics Day, with support emphasizing inclusion and the organization’s programs in California; SCR 79 designating Sleep Health Awareness Week, with discussion of sleep deprivation and support for permanent standard time; SCR 135 declaring Peace Corps Week, with remarks on volunteer service and returned Peace Corps members; and SR 83 recognizing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, stressing early screening and disparities in outcomes. Each of these resolutions passed unanimously or by unanimous roll call. After adoption, the Senate welcomed guests tied to each measure, including Special Olympics athletes, returned Peace Corps volunteers, and colorectal cancer advocates.
The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Paul McAley and Robert Uyoha, honoring their professional, civic, and family contributions. The Senate then recessed, with the next floor session announced for March 12, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 9th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thirty-five ayes, zero noes. The appointment is confirmed. Senator Grove, file item two.
- No, zero. The appointment is confirmed. Senator Grove, file item three. Thank you, Madam President.
- Aye, 36, no zero. The resolution is adopted.
- Ayes 35, no zero. The resolution is adopted. The resolution is adopted.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, there are eight ayes, seven nays, zero excused. Thank you very much.
- Madam Chair, there are 12 ayes, three nays, zero excused.
- Madam Chair, there are 12 ayes, three nays, zero excused. Thank you very much.
- Madam Chair, there are eight ayes, seven nays, zero excused. Thank you.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
Keywords:
life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:15 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Zero. They always hang that out there. We're so regressive. We're so regressive.
- The answer was zero.
- So it's a great headline, but look at what the result is: it's zero in this biennium.
- But look at what the result is: it's zero in this biennium.
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a session-opening media availability on the second day of Washington’s 60-day legislative session, criticizing Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address and previewing their priorities. They said the central issue this session is affordability, and argued the state should respond with less spending, fewer taxes, and less regulation rather than new taxes or expanded government. They also said they expect a major fight over the operating budget, warned against using the rainy day fund or weakening the balanced-budget requirement, and said the state should look for savings in areas where caseloads are down but spending continues to rise, including reducing middle management in state agencies.
A major focus was the governor’s proposal for a tax on high earners, which Republicans repeatedly described as an income tax and said they would oppose. They argued it would eventually expand beyond millionaires, said voters have rejected income taxes repeatedly, and said a constitutional amendment would not pass. They also criticized past tax increases such as the capital gains tax, death tax, document recording fees, and climate-related charges, saying Democrats have not provided meaningful tax relief for working families. Republican leaders said the Working Families Tax Credit is one area where they can support using existing Climate Commitment Act revenue, and they suggested other uses for those funds, including transportation and wildfire prevention.
The leaders also discussed public safety and immigration, saying the governor and Democrats have been inconsistent on federal law enforcement and that coordination between agencies is essential. They said concerns about masked federal agents and immigration enforcement should be left to investigations rather than political conclusions. On child care and DCYF, they said allegations of fraud and waste should be investigated through audits or other oversight, and they rejected the idea that looking into possible fraud is offensive to honest providers. They also said they see potential bipartisan overlap on transportation and housing, but argued the governor’s housing plan relies too much on public spending and not enough on permitting reform, Growth Management Act changes, and energy code changes to increase supply.