Video & Transcript : 'High Socks for Hope' :
Page 215 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Mar 18th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- And it establishes requirements for the evaluations for the programs in it.
- What's that for? Um, Mr.
- I hope we do.
- Representative, I have some high finance questions and I hope you have some answers.
- I hope that these dollars will be used to sustain and protect basic services, critical services for our
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Adjournment Sine Die Fri May 2, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 60
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> critical need for her immunity only for critical need for her immunity only for school-aged<01:04
- We care for safety.
- 01:13:07.040><c> for</c> constituents and communities for constituents and communities for generations
- for public prek.
- </c><01:38:32.719><c> this</c> While you can see why I gave this chamber high marks for our work this
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- trying to create greater consistency, predictability for voters—not just for voting for president, but
- It is the League's hope that by offering resources for eligible voters to make informed decisions and
- The bar set pretty high. Yes, I do. Thank you for being in committee. Appreciate it.
- Students are provided alternative sites for learning, we hope, be told that voting is so important that
- Students are provided alternative sites for learning, will we hope, be told that voting is so important
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- Religious exemptions are less than 1% for high school seniors and about 1% for kindergartners, while
- My daughter, Charlotte, sitting right here next to me, has achieved high honors each term for her first
- It would create several hardships for our family. My son is now a happy high schooler.
- But I will share a couple of things that I hope are relevant for the record and help this committee with
- At the time, my husband and I were just saving for a home and hoping to start a family.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions.
H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Health Services (9-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh I hope they deliver to for you well.
- Uh I hope they deliver to for you uh<00:58:48.079><c> in</c><00:58:48.319><c> terms</c><00:58:48.480>
- Um, we're hoping to receive this money in December 2025, although, um, the outlook for NIH grants is
- to explore um clinical future um hoping to explore um clinical trials<01:36:54.400><c> for</c><01:36
- right now, uh, we're >> Um, and so for right now, uh, we're hoping<01:56:11.280><c> to</c><01:
Summary:
The committee met and approved the minutes from its August 27 meeting. It then received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislators on the Medicaid provisions in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, referred to as HR1. She explained that the bill is estimated by CBO to save the federal government $911 billion over 10 years, with more than 20 Medicaid-specific provisions, most of the savings concentrated in five policies and largely backloaded into 2030-2034. She emphasized that the bill’s effects will vary by state, but that expansion states and hospitals are expected to be most affected, in part because of changes to eligibility, provider taxes, and state-directed payments.
Castanza highlighted several new funding and flexibility provisions, including a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund for 2026-2030 and a new home- and community-based services waiver option effective July 1, 2028, with $100 million in grants in fiscal year 2027. She also outlined major eligibility changes for Medicaid expansion adults: work or community engagement requirements effective January 1, 2027; twice-yearly redeterminations for the expansion population effective the same date; and new cost sharing for certain expansion adults effective October 1, 2028. She noted that Kentucky, as an expansion state, would be subject to these changes and that state agencies would face significant implementation demands, especially because federal guidance and timelines are tight.
A substantial portion of the presentation focused on financing changes. Castanza described new limits on provider taxes, including a 0% safe harbor for new taxes and a phased reduction for existing taxes in expansion states beginning in 2028, while nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities are exempt from the reduction if already taxed. She also explained that state-directed payments will be capped and phased down over time, with existing arrangements grandfathered only briefly; she said Kentucky has 11 approved state-directed payments and could see significant fiscal effects. She added that the bill also bars Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood or similarly situated providers for one year, changes immigrant eligibility rules effective October 1, 2026, lowers the federal match for certain emergency services, and expands the scope of the federal erroneous payment recoupment provision effective October 1, 2029. Throughout, she stressed that federal savings may translate into state cost shifts and that implementation timing will be critical.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Ticket resale disclosures and pricing restrictions 3/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- fairness, and for your willingness to work with small business owners, fans, and artists alike in hopes
- They do not reduce demand for high-demand events.
- They do not reduce demand for high-demand events.
- Uh, for example, for tonight's Jazz at Timberwolves game, we found a ticket for under $100 per seat on
- </c> hope is in the room. hope is in the room.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Mar 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, for January, YouTube, which the mass vacuum of people watch for free, beat Netflix, Disney's
- However, if protecting the California film industry from external competition is a high priority for
- One worked for motion picture, one worked for television.
- It's going away. away to other countries, it's going away to other states, and it's not just a hope for
- this we hope this goes through and thank you for all your hard work.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, at the end of the call, I did thank her for her perspective, and I sincerely do hope that she brings
- I’m a licensed school library teacher working as a high school librarian here in Boston for 10 years
- I taught high school art for over 10 years.
- The content is appropriate for adults, but it's put before middle schoolers and high schoolers every
- For adults, but it's put before middle schoolers and high schoolers every day in Massachusetts.
Summary:
The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue.
A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts.
Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public safety panel OKs proposed Minnesota crime victims account 3/18/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She added that geographic diversity is a very high priority for the Office of Justice Programs and one
- She added that geographic diversity is a very high priority for the Office of Justice Programs and one
- She added that geographic diversity is a very high priority for the Office of Justice Programs and one
- She added that geographic diversity is a very high priority for the Office of Justice Programs and one
- Kim Babine said geographic diversity is a very high priority for the Office of Justice Programs and one
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance and Education Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , making it easier for schools to engage high-quality organizations.
- My name is Melissa Agadello, and for the past five years I have served as principal at Lincoln High School
- This process surfaced the need for a strong high school English Learner Advisory Committee and School
- Right now, our collective work to create welcoming, safe, high-quality community schools for all students
- school, after high school, and the question of high school diploma for what, right?
Summary:
The joint informational and oversight hearing focused on community schools in California, with members emphasizing that the purpose was to examine effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability rather than the Governor’s budget proposal. The California Department of Education described the California Community Schools Partnership Program, created in 2021 and funded with more than $4 billion, including planning, implementation, extension, and county coordination grants. Officials said nearly 2,500 schools are participating and highlighted the statewide technical assistance structure, including the State Transformational Assistance Center, eight regional centers, county offices, and CDE support.
Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and UCLA presented early findings and implementation data. LPI reported reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspensions, along with gains in math and English language arts, with especially large benefits for Black students and other historically underserved groups. UCLA described the Annual Progress Report as a statewide improvement tool showing growth in capacity-building, shared decision-making, whole-child supports, and continuous improvement. Members asked about how the reports measure outcomes, how to interpret outliers, and how to distinguish community schools effects from other concurrent initiatives; presenters said matched comparison methods and deeper case-study work are being used, with additional statewide findings expected in June.
Panelists from Oakland Unified, LAUSD/UTLA, San Diego Unified, and advocacy organizations described key elements of success: integrated student supports, strong family and student engagement, collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and school-site decision-making. They gave examples such as wellness centers, dual enrollment, student senates, parent leadership, and community campaigns that built trust and increased participation. Members also raised concerns about sustainability, implementation fidelity, and whether community schools improve participation in LCAP processes. Presenters said major barriers include unclear early guidance, the need for a mindset shift away from top-down models, and uncertainty about long-term funding for coordinators and other staff. The panel’s recommendations centered on stable ongoing funding, stronger technical assistance, shared governance, and embedding community schools practices into district and county systems.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Housing Sep 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you don't have a high permit volume, it's not going to work for you.
- If you don't have a high permit volume, it's not going to work for you because the transaction costs
- I hope I'm so thankful for that group that they're willing to stick with us and stay together, because
- We think the need for funding improvements is still out there, so we're hopeful at some point we'll be
- There's a need for change, obviously, but we're hopeful that now that some of those changes have been
Summary:
The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations.
The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices.
Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- I hope that this will make our roads safer for the elderly, weak, and vulnerable people.
- Nunnally, mostly for you, it might be for Mr.
- I hope that this will make our roads safer for the elderly, weak, and vulnerable people. road safer for
- Despite that, our industry, with the high insurance requirements, is a focus for litigators.
- Despite that, our industry, with the high insurance requirements, is a focus for litigators.
Bills:
HB2095
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/03/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Despite a victimization rate indicated to be as high as 43% for women and 9% for men who have sex with
- </c><00:34:57.160><c> and</c><00:34:57.320><c> 9</c><00:34:57.680><c> %</c> to be as high as 43% for
- women and 9 % to be as high as 43% for women and 9 % for<00:34:58.359><c> men</c><00:34:58.520><c> who
- Thank you to Senator Verbeten for working on this as well, Senator Dick, of course, and we hope that
- Thank you to Senator Verbeten for working on this as well, Senator Dick, of course, and we hope that
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It is my hope that we can find a way to retain unemployment aid for our school hourly workers.
- We were able to maintain the intended use funds for our Funds for Student Support Personnel Aid for our
- Those are still paid for.
- And so for me, I know how important unemployment insurance (UI) is for hourly workers.
- I hope it doesn't for high school kids anymore; it's a really bad time to go to school when you're 15
Bills:
HF1049
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/05/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, and my colleague for this resolution.
- resolutions are open for co-sponsorship.
- That's what they were designed for. That's what you passed them for. For.
- Do you have an Assembly sponsor for this bill?"
- "Easier for these companies to use alternative ingredients that are better for us and healthier.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, who offered remarks about gratitude, diversity, and support for Kosovo’s independence. The Journal was approved, and the chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Resolution 1516 commemorating the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence and Resolution 1317 honoring the Stillwater Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya for winning the NYSPHSAA Class C state championship. Both resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors were authorized to seek additional co-sponsors.
The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures on environmental conservation, education, public health, civil service, penal law, public service, labor, and a retroactive real property tax exemption for the Silver Lake Foundation. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew recorded no votes from a small group of senators. Senator Fahy explained her vote on a bill renaming an OASAS scholarship in honor of Father Peter Young, emphasizing his work on addiction, incarceration, and homelessness.
Two items drew extended debate. On Calendar 141, Senator Walczyk appealed the chair’s ruling that an amendment to a public service bill was nongermane; the Senate voted 21 to overrule the chair, so the ruling stood, and the bill then passed 52-6. On Calendar 213, Senators Kavanagh and Borrello debated a food-safety bill concerning disclosure of certain food ingredients and chemicals; supporters said it would improve transparency and protect children’s health, while opponents argued federal action was already underway and a national standard would be preferable. After the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar, it passed 56-2. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days as legislative days.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/12/2026 - Senate Floor Session - Opening Day Ceremony
Arizona Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for that introduction. Thank you for the opportunity to come and talk for a few minutes.
- I did start out as a basketball coach and was that for in high school and in small college.
- I did start out as a basketball coach and was that for in high school and in small college.
- He's also interning for me. He has been interning for me, and he will continue to intern for me.
- Thank you so much for being here for continuing to have the passion to advocate for our communities.
Summary:
The Arizona Senate convened for opening day of the second regular session of the 57th Legislature with ceremonial prayers, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. Senate President Warren Petersen gave a farewell-style address highlighting his efforts to shift power toward members and committee chairs, preserve conservative policies, and deliver annual tax cuts, including a projected $1 billion cut this year. The chamber then recessed for an opening-day speech by Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller, who spoke about Arizona’s labor-force needs, workforce training, and GCU’s role in expanding access to education and middle-class jobs, including apprenticeships and technical programs tied to local employers.
After returning to order, the Senate adopted its organizational rules for the session, including suspending rules so bills and resolutions could be read by number and short title only on first and second reading and by number and title only on third and final reading. Members also approved a motion to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was organized and ready for business, and the House later reported that it was likewise organized. The chamber then adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced committee assignments for standing and statutory committees, including Appropriations, Education, Finance, Government, Military Affairs and Border Security, Natural Resources, Rules, Legislative Council, Legislative Audit, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
The remainder of the session focused on points of personal privilege, with senators introducing family members, constituents, local officials, school leaders, law enforcement officers, tribal leaders, and advocacy guests. Several members used the occasion to emphasize issues they expect to work on this session, including education, public safety, housing, water, early childhood services, veterans, border security, and workforce development. The Senate also received a motion to request House consent for an adjournment schedule, and the body adjourned until Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. after announcing upcoming committee meetings and the first batch of bill introductions and references.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- I hope that we can all agree that it's a good goal for us to try to discourage youth from getting addicted
- The rural tax preference is for 29 counties. The urban one is for three.
- I don't know if it's for staff or for the prime sponsor.
- for pharmacy what the new B&O rate will be for pharmacies?
- You can have a boom for the illicit market due to high taxes.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- manager for my school for four years, and I also showed lambs for my first year.
- Thank you so much for being here. We hope you have a great, great day at the Capitol. Thank you.
- And thank you for your time. I'd be happy to stand for questions. And thank you for your time.
- for high school. 4-H programming can actually contribute as credits for high school.
- for Idaho.
Summary:
The Senate Agricultural Committee began with a presentation from Idaho FFA state officers, who introduced themselves and described FFA’s classroom, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience model. They highlighted student leadership development, community service, and the organization’s statewide reach, and invited legislators to the upcoming state convention in Twin Falls. Senator Zito briefly shared how FFA helped build her public speaking skills and confidence.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 1270 on alternative animal proteins. Sponsor Senator Nichols said the bill is a labeling measure intended to ensure cell-cultivated products are clearly identified and not marketed with traditional meat terms, and she asked to send it to the amending order for technical refinements. Food Northwest testified in opposition to state-by-state labeling mandates, citing patchwork compliance costs, but acknowledged the sponsor’s narrowing amendments and the removal of penalties for good-faith errors. The Idaho Farm Bureau supported the bill as a consumer transparency measure and also supported moving it to the amending order. The committee voted to send SB 1270 to the amending order.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 1271 on invasive rats, which would classify Norway rats and roof rats as public nuisances, invasive species, and agricultural pests and direct the Idaho Department of Agriculture to coordinate response efforts. Supporters described growing rat problems in Ada County and elsewhere, citing damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, while opponents from the pest management industry warned about unfunded mandates, potential overlap with private pest control, and unclear costs. The Department of Agriculture said it could implement the program through existing structures and explained that rulemaking and possible deficiency funding would follow if needed. After debate over whether the issue was a state or local responsibility, the committee voted to send SB 1271 to the amending order.
At the end of the meeting, University of Idaho representatives gave a brief update on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, extension and 4-H work, the new Meat Science and Innovation Center, the Idaho CAFE dairy project, the deep soil ecotron, and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute. They also described budget-related hiring pauses and program adjustments, and thanked the committee for its support.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Mar 20th, 2025
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- , high voltage transmission lines, uh, for the past 2025 years.
- Thank you for your consideration and thank the sponsors for bringing it. Thank you for that.
- run for governor.
- I move 0.232015.1 for discussion, Madam Chair, for amendment for. Whatever bill you're on.
- for this bill.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee Jan 20th, 2026 at 09:30 am
A&B Transportation Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- But just a few of the high-level items, we were awarded $820,000 for the traditional aerospace education
- We maintained our number one ranking for the number of ALPA high schools in the state of Oklahoma, we
- So the hope is that with these pro-growth infrastructure, many of these are revenue-generating for airports
- The hope is that we can make our airports more self-sustainable financially for the long term.
- Obviously, the Pace Force has a contract need for ABC item We would be hopeful that one of our manufacturing