Transcript Highlights:

• At that point there'll be an amendment to add the jobs budget provisions into the supplemental budget
• At that point there'll be an amendment to add the jobs budget provisions into the supplemental budget
• At that point there'll be an amendment to add the jobs budget provisions into the supplemental budget
• In the Jobs for the next budget year.
• There'll be an amendment to add the education budget provisions to the supplemental budget bill, with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps we need a budget amendment as well going forward.
• And we will be informed a little bit by what passes in the budget.
• So that's a poor way to budget savings.
• So that's a poor way to budget savings.
• The budget, we all know how finance goes, and it's boom, boom, boom.

Summary: The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules. Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation. The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps we need a budget amendment as well going forward.
• And we will be informed a little bit by what passes in the budget.
• In the budget around some of these topics.
• So that's a poor way to budget savings.
• The budget—we all know how finance goes—and it’s boom, boom, boom.

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then remember last year they used that acceleration, they delayed that for a while to fill up their budget
• then remember last year they used that acceleration, they delayed that for a while to fill up their budget
• So your your position here is that tab fees wouldn't have been in this budget deal at all if not for
• So your your position here is that tab fees wouldn't have been in this budget deal at all if not for
• deal at all if have been in this budget deal at all if not<00:04:16.359><c> for</c><00:04:16.560><c>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Legislators and reporters discussed the final contours of a Minnesota bonding and tax package centered on a $1.2 billion capital investment bill. Supporters said the bill would fund state and local infrastructure projects, maintain state assets, and include anti-fraud measures such as electronic verification for service providers and a 100% excess tax on fraud proceeds to prevent offenders from profiting. They also said the package would backfill road-and-bridge funding so the fee reduction would not reduce transportation dollars. A major point of emphasis was a temporary reduction in tab fees, described as a $254 million savings for taxpayers in 2027. Republicans said the reduction was a top priority and that it was secured through negotiations, though they acknowledged it is only a one-year reprieve unless changed in a future session. They estimated the average savings at about $145 on a $50,000 vehicle, with larger savings for households with multiple vehicles. They also noted that the first proposal had included both a depreciation change and a rate change, but only the rate cut remained in the final compromise. In response to questions, lawmakers said the tab fee cut was driven by constituent complaints and that they would try to extend it next year. They also discussed related transportation issues, including accelerating collection of an auto parts sales tax and concerns about greenhouse gas-related costs for roads and bridges. On other topics, one lawmaker said gun control proposals in the House were not part of these negotiations and urged continued movement on the broader package. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but participants expressed confidence that the bonding portion of the deal was largely settled, while some details of the full package still needed to be finalized.

Transcript Highlights:

• you for being here with us, and we are happy to announce the House Republicans' North Star Comeback budget
• At the top of our agenda will be protecting those family budgets.
• Protecting family budgets, making government work, and building a world-class economy. or to the state
• Protecting family budgets, priorities.
• </c> Let's start with family budgets. Let's start with family budgets.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders unveiled their “North Star Comeback” budget plan, describing it as a focused effort to make Minnesota more affordable, reduce government waste, and strengthen the economy. They said the package would include a $3.8 billion tax cut proposal with one-time property tax relief, elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, childcare relief, lower car tab fees, and funding for schools through scholarship-granting organizations. They also framed the plan as a response to rising costs for groceries, housing, energy, insurance, and childcare. A major emphasis of the rollout was government accountability, especially a strong Office of Inspector General bill and IT modernization to reduce fraud. Leaders said the OIG proposal had moved out of committee and was now in Ways and Means, with a working group continuing to reconcile House and Senate differences. On IT modernization, Chair Paul Torkelson said the plan would likely use a two-pronged approach, with about $15 million for near-term needs and a longer-term fund for ongoing technology upgrades; he said many such investments could qualify for federal matching dollars. The leaders also highlighted Medicaid conformity, saying Minnesota should align with federal changes to avoid losing funding, and they discussed a property tax rebate proposal as a one-time $1 billion return to taxpayers to offset higher property taxes. In response to questions, they said many of the budget items were still moving through the process and some had not met finance deadlines, while others were already in bills. They repeatedly criticized House Democrats for blocking or delaying Republican proposals and said they wanted bipartisan cooperation to pass the plan this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Human Development Centers are allocated 1,880 budgeted positions.
• So I'm fine if we want to hold this for Joint Budget Committee.
• Let Joint Budget take it up. Whoever's next. Okay. To hold that, let Joint Budget take it up.
• Is it budget constraints? Is it federal funding being cut? Yes.
• Which is it: mismanagement, budget constraint, federal funding, or the division director?”

Summary: The meeting began with a prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a February 2026 revenue report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year, and said the updated forecast showed a larger expected surplus than before. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fees, and possible effects of inflation and international conflict; Silva generally attributed the changes to timing issues, prior tax cuts, refund activity, and price fluctuations, and said he could not speculate on future impacts. The committee then heard and adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish State Police, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and APER filings. Most reports were approved without objection. One budget classification transfer for the Commissioner of State Lands was reviewed and failed. The review report also led to discussion of several contracts, including DHS staffing contracts and a Department of Education security contract, with some items held or separated for individual votes. A major portion of the meeting focused on DHS and state staffing contracts for the Human Development Centers, Arkansas State Hospital, and related facilities. DHS officials said the contracts were on track against seven-year projections, but members expressed concern about heavy reliance on contract labor, vacancy rates, and the need to move workers onto state payrolls. Officials said they were preparing a recruitment and retention plan and described staffing levels, vacancies, and turnover. Members also questioned contract projections and federal-state funding matches, and several urged faster action to reduce contract labor costs. The committee also discussed a Department of Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and Employment and Training. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the cuts were driven by funding shortfalls, over-obligation of funds, and federal issues, and that 27 positions would be permanently eliminated while furloughed employees would be recalled. Members raised concerns about service impacts, board appointments, and the division’s fiscal management. The meeting ended after the personnel report was adopted and APER was filed as reviewed, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have peers that don't understand the basics of investing, budgeting, and all these important skills
• And I'm also focusing on implementing budgeting.
• We use 20% of our budget as local levy.
• And part of home management was around things like insurance and things like budgeting.
• And part of home management was around things like insurance and things like budgeting.

Bills: SB5849, SB6278, SB6130, SB6222, SB6206, SB6260, SB5346, SB6263, SB6268, SB6247

Keywords: financial education, graduation requirement, student curriculum, financial literacy, education reform, teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12

Transcript Highlights:

• are state and local health departments who are being asked to plug a billion dollar gap in their budget
• I want to say that litigation is just the stopgap, and so we are thinking as a budget team about how
• So thank you, and we urge you to support the $50 million budget request. Thank you.
• Also, I think the budget cuts to HHS...
• Certainly, we as a budget team have.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we put together the state budget, we were under the impression that the federal decrease to VOCA was
• we were under the state budget we were under the impression<00:05:09.000><c> that</c><00:05:09.120><
• These are not just numbers on the budget sheet; they are lifelines.
• I think before we do anything else, we'll get the budget forecast.
• and we serve 18,000 of our annual budget and we serve 18,000 people<00:15:15.480><c> every</c><00:15

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a little bit less than 50% of our overall budget. But important to know.
• It is a little bit less than 50% of our overall budget.
• And the largest portion of our budget, our state budget, goes to those that you are providing care to
• And this... ...portion of our budget, our state budget, goes to those that you are providing care to.
• The Governor's budget does... ...list of bills that have been prioritized.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held an introductory informational hearing for the new session, with Chairs Marjorie Decker and Senator Michael Driscoll outlining the committee’s scope and emphasizing the impact of the federal landscape on Massachusetts public health. They noted the hearing would focus on testimony from agencies and advocates, with short testimony limits due to the hybrid format. No votes were taken; the meeting was for briefing and discussion of priorities. Commissioner Robbie Goldstein of the Department of Public Health described the department’s budget and federal funding, warning that recent CDC grant terminations could cut nearly $100 million and affect lab testing, surveillance, vaccines, and community engagement. He highlighted DPH priorities including racial equity, maternal health, substance use and child welfare coordination, emergency preparedness, data transparency, and public hospital quality. MassHealth Assistant Secretary Michael Levine discussed MassHealth’s role covering about 2 million residents and its priorities in health equity, behavioral health, primary care, member independence, and customer service, while noting the agency relies heavily on federal Medicaid dollars and would face major strain from federal cuts. Several advocacy and provider groups focused on reproductive health and maternal health. Planned Parenthood warned of threats to Title X, 340B savings, and other federal funding, and supported a bill to eliminate parental consent and judicial bypass for abortion care for young people. Reproductive Equity Now urged stronger shield-law protections and changes to Massachusetts’ later-abortion framework. Dr. Indyamaka Anugaka called for full implementation of the maternal health law, better reimbursement for doulas and midwives, stronger data collection, and support for full-spectrum pregnancy care coverage. The Health Policy Commission said new maternal health and primary care task forces would begin work soon. Mental health and health system access were also major themes. The Mass Medical Society urged action on vaccine hesitancy, removal of non-medical school vaccine exemptions, and primary care reform. The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and the Children’s Mental Health Campaign opposed proposed cuts to DMH and substance use services, called for more school-based supports, and raised concerns about inpatient capacity, including a unit serving LGBTQ youth. The Massachusetts Nurses Association and 1199 SEIU warned that staffing shortages, low wages, workplace violence, hospital closures, and possible Medicaid cuts threaten patient care and the health care workforce. The Betsy Lehman Center also urged investment in automated patient-safety monitoring to reduce harm and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also have to fight for it in the budget, because in the current Governor's budget there is no
• And we are in a tough budget situation and we're cutting CalWORKs.
• So I look forward to you voting yes on the budget as well on human services.
• Wait, you want a Republican to vote yes on the human services budget?
• So even though, yes, we have a large budget, California also pays the most.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• supplemental budget request.
• </c> size of the state's Medicaid budget. size of the state's Medicaid budget.
• </c> was set when the state's Medicaid budget was set when the state's Medicaid budget was<00:58:30.960
• Now that the Medicaid budget excuse me.
• </c> of the governor's suggested budget. of the governor's suggested budget.

Bills: HF4364, HF4821, HF4543, HF3945

Keywords: Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia

Transcript Highlights:

• Total budget expenditures was 18.5 billion.
• </c> number two is obviously uh the budget number two is obviously uh the budget part<00:24:49.559><c
• So my understanding is that based upon that study last year in our budget, the 24 budget, we effectively
• And my understanding is that based upon that study last year in our budget, the 24 budget, we effectively
• And my understanding is that based upon that study last year in our budget, the 24 budget, we effectively

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations. Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed. Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:40.800><c> request</c><00:02:41.200><c> is</c> course our budget request is course our budget
• budget and the governor's<00:03:13.680><c> budget</c><00:03:14.040><c> request</c><00:03:15.040><c>
• </c> into the permanent budget into the permanent budget and<00:35:58.319><c> they're</c><00:35:58.480
• , it's not her budget.
• /c> budget it's not her budget budget it's not her budget so<03:08:52.080><c> well</c><03:08:52.319><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But tracking down the data to understand the entire budget can be time-consuming and frustrating.
• role in government transparency, accountability, and accessibility. >> It puts together the enacted budget
• It shows the whole budget and it divides it up into different budget areas. >> I think it can be extremely
• It's really the only place that sums up everything that was done that year in the budget.
• Everything that was enacted that affects the state budget.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The transcript describes the Senate Council Research and Fiscal Analysis Office’s fiscal review, an award-winning, nonpartisan publication that compiles the enacted state budget into a single, accessible reference. Fiscal analyst Christa Boyd explains that it serves as a “one-stop shop” for understanding government spending, showing the full budget divided into different areas and helping the public and lawmakers see where tax dollars were used. The review is presented as a key transparency and accountability tool because it summarizes everything enacted that affects the state budget in one place. Examples are given of how readers can find specific appropriations, such as ambulance service provider programs and Department of Education school unemployment aid, by page number in the document. The discussion also focused on improving accessibility. While the fiscal review is currently a printed document posted online as a PDF, the office is looking toward a more web-based, interactive format so users can click into specific sections instead of searching through the entire report. The goal is to make budget information easier to access so people can ask informed questions and make better decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: THE IT BUDGET AND POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE WILL NOW COME TO ORDER. >> REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND.
• WELCOME TO THE IT POLICY AND BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE. I AM NOT JOHN SNYDER.
• THIS IS A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF POLICY AND BUDGET ONLY FOR I.T.
• IN THE PAST YEARS THE BUDGET PROCESS HAS LOOKED VERTICALLY AT WHAT EACH AGENCY WANTS.
• WE ARE A BUDGET AND POLICY COMMITTEE AND WE WILL HAVE HARD CONVERSATIONS.

Transcript Highlights:

• pleased to announce the Senate accepts the House revisions to our offer on Pre-K-12 education, both budgets
• education capital outlay proviso, and back of the bill, and Health and Human Services, health care budget
• back of the bill, an implementing bill, criminal and civil justice, ...and services, health care budget
• back of the bill, and implementing bill, criminal and civil justice, justice budget, and projects, and
• The House has accepted the budget offer from the Senate with the addition of one item on row 25A, where

Summary: The conference committee on appropriations met on June 12, 2025 and exchanged offers on several budget areas, including Pre-K-12 education, Health and Human Services/health care, criminal and civil justice, administered funds, and transportation/tourism/economic development/infrastructure. The House announced acceptance of the Senate’s revisions on Pre-K-12 education budgets and projects, and the Senate accepted the House’s offers on several education and health care items, with no public testimony offered on those presentations. The House then explained its remaining offers, including a Pre-K-12 back-of-the-bill change, a health care package that added $10 million in non-recurring general revenue for intestinal transplant support and revised Medicaid quality incentive and other implementing-bill language, a modified criminal and civil justice position, and administered-funds changes tied to state employee pay, health insurance, debt reduction, and the budget stabilization fund. The Senate also presented bump offers on Pre-K-12 education (SB 2510), criminal and civil justice items including judge-conforming language and additional judgeships, and transportation/tourism/economic development items with supplemental attachments. No public testimony was taken on the offers. The chair noted that another conference meeting was likely not expected that evening, but more meetings could occur the next day, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:43.200><c> priorities,</c> several of DI's top budget priorities, several of DI's top budget
• </c><00:10:10.080><c> recommendation</c> governor's full budget recommendation governor's full budget
• pass the budget for this language.
• And and I know budget for this language.
• This would make it $300,000 annual budgeted salary.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We have um so, two of our budget We have um so, two of our budget requests<00:16:08.760><c> one<
• </c><00:16:09.520><c> requests</c> requests one of our two budget requests requests one of our two budget
• We got funds last &gt;&gt; a budget for that?
• Because it's their budget that right?
• Uh yeah, like how to budget. workshop. Uh yeah, like how to budget.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:21:19.720><c> proposal</c> in Medicaid cuts the budget proposal in Medicaid cuts the budget proposal
• budget budget okay<02:44:12.479><c> now</c><02:44:12.640><c> we</c><02:44:12.800><c> need</c><02:44:
• that's a tough one now his budget that's a tough one now his treasury<02:47:19.479><c> secretary</c>
• He also asked us to find a way to balance the budget.
• the overwhelming majority of that budget the overwhelming majority of that budget<03:30:13.760><c> has

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 6, 2025, 1012, house, all