Video & Transcript : 'spending bill' :
Page 21 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Today again, we have House Bill 634, which is the exact same bill we ran last year and got through the
- They spend $20 to get new computers.
- So I'm wondering why we need a statute that says spend the money the way we say to spend the money, but
- And I think that's what this bill is all about. So I support the bill. Do you turn your light on?
- So what this bill does, or what this bill would do, is solve that problem, along with a few others, which
Committee:
House Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
November 2025 State Budget and Economic Forecast Presentation - 12/04/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , spending, spending, are<00:08:52.800><c> a</c><00:08:53.120><c> primary</c><00:08:53.600><c> driver
- spending in forecasts.
- </c> projected health care bills coming up. projected health care bills coming up.
- Uh, spending is up and we still have a structural spending problem.
- </c> bill is a panacea to stop fraud. Okay? bill is a panacea to stop fraud. Okay?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Thursday, we will begin hearing bills Thursday, we will begin hearing bills relating<00:01:36.040
- ,</c> in reaction to that bill, in reaction to that bill, federal<00:04:13.040><c> bill</c><00:04:13.400
- And extension in next year's tax bill.
- I'm cheering for a tax bill in 2026.
- I'm cheering for a tax bill in 2026.
Bills:
HF3396
Committee:
Senate Taxes
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- President, the bill now so many of your committee that the bill do pass.
- The bill is about requiring that schools spend their money on teacher pay and in the classroom, and it
- The senator from District 12 says that this bill cuts education spending.
- And spend the money on everything else that they didn't say they would spend it on.
- at least 60% of operational spending, The district must spend at least 60% of operational spending on
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to markup an original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Senate Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- We kept hearing lies that we needed a bill. No, we didn't need a bill.
- So what's this bill about?
- I don't care whether we do one bill or two bills. I can teach it round or flat.
- Any spending increases will be accompanied by corresponding spending decreases. Spending decreases.
- against the fuel bill and the fuel bill against the health care costs.
Committee:
Senate Senate Budget
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 3/5/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Your desire to continue spending and demanding—that's not what this bill is designed for.
- Your desire to continue spending and demanding—that's not what this bill is designed for.
- Your desire to continue spending and demanding—that's not what this bill is designed for.
- It is clear that this bill would require the legislature to really prioritize spending so that we're
- </c><00:47:20.240><c> an</c> spending so that we're not spending an spending so that we're not spending
Committee:
House Rules and Legislative Administration
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Becker's bill, SB 254, which tackled a major recent driver of costs on electricity bills, which
- One of the provisions of the bill said that these costs are One of the provisions of the bill said that
- Bills and some don't.
- This is a big piece of spending.
- Where would you be spending most of your time? The number one driver is spending.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds.
Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget.
Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 12/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
- Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
- Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
- Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
- Spending is up, and we still have a structural spending problem.
Summary:
Republican legislative leaders in Minnesota held a budget-focused press availability after the November forecast, thanking Minnesota Management and Budget staff while arguing the updated numbers show a much worse deficit outlook than expected. They said the state faces a structural spending problem, cited projected gaps in the 2028-29 biennium and over the four-year outlook, and blamed recent deficits on higher spending, tax increases, mandates, and what they described as fraud in state programs. They also criticized Governor Walz for focusing on federal issues and for not doing enough to control spending or address fraud.
Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Republican Leader Harry Niska, and Senate Finance lead Eric Pratt all said the forecast underscores the need for spending restraint, pro-growth policies, and stronger fraud prevention. They pointed to health care, long-term care, Medicaid-related programs, and local government mandates as major cost drivers, and said the legislature should examine those areas in the upcoming session. Demuth said the state should not ignore fraud and noted that the legislature had added staff to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and whistleblower protections, but had not passed an independent inspector general office.
A substantial portion of the exchange centered on fraud investigations and comments by President Trump about Somali Minnesotans. The Republican leaders said they disagreed with condemning any community as a whole, but also said they shared frustration over fraud and corruption and wanted accountability for those responsible. They said the state’s fraud problem is not about any one community, but about failures in administration and oversight. The lawmakers said they would return to session on February 17 and continue working on budget and fraud-related issues.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - Act 73 Overview - 2026-01-16 - 12:00PM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:02:48.560><c> created</c> Um section six of the bill created Um section six of the bill created
- </c> Act 73 for some extra local spending. Act 73 for some extra local spending.
- So, let's jump to the supplemental district spending. This is that local spend.
- This is that local district spending. This is that local spend. spend. spend.
- Is that to cover what we think of today as education spending or total school spending?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee OKs budget resolution 4/1/25
Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- budget bills.
- </c> of $25 million over that plan spending of $25 million over that plan spending amount<00:02:32.640
- </c><00:04:41.120><c> that</c> bills.
- And that would fund um bills that bills.
- And then we al always budget bills.
Bills:
HF601
Committee:
House Ways and Means
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Becker's bill, SB 254, which tackled a major recent driver of costs on electricity bills, which
- One of the provisions of the bill said that these costs are One of the provisions of the bill said that
- Spending is tested and challenged.
- Bills and some don't.
- This is a big piece of spending.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
February 2026 State Budget and Economic Forecast Presentation - 2/27/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> income and spending would likely fall. income and spending would likely fall.
- Spending.
- DHS estimates about 4% lower spending in these 14 services as a result of providers simply billing less
- . spending. spending.
- We still have a spending problem. years. We still have a spending problem.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the House and the Senate bill. the House and the Senate bill.
- So the total spending in the bill and authorized for the agencies, including all funds, for the 2026-
- The total spending from the LCCMR bill is on page 12 of the spreadsheet.
- </c> carried in the Senate bill. carried in the Senate bill.
- The<00:25:55.600><c> total</c><00:25:55.960><c> spending</c> The total spending The total spending from
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Reference of bills.
- The bill is about requiring that schools spend their money on teacher pay and in the classroom, and it
- Third reading of bills.
- The senator from District 12 says that this bill cuts education spending.
- And spend the money on everything else that they didn't say they would spend it on.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an electronic roll call showing 24 members present and six excused. After approving the journal, the body recessed for a performance marking America’s 250th birthday, then returned for introductions and recognitions, including Hispanic Leadership Institute Day at the Capitol, Children’s Health Day advocates, guests of members, and the doctor of the day. The Senate also handled routine calendar items, including gubernatorial nominations and bill referrals, and appointed Senator Shope to temporarily serve as vice chair of the Finance Committee for the day.
The main floor action was on SCR 1032, a measure relating to school district budgets and classroom spending. The bill, as amended, would require larger school districts to spend at least 60% of operational spending on direct instructional expenses, with a step-in penalty reducing classroom site fund allocations for continued noncompliance. Senator Hoffman explained the amendment as a moderated version that exempted certain rural/smaller districts and phased in penalties over several years; supporters argued it would ensure more money reaches classrooms and teachers. Opponents, including Senators Epstein, Miranda, Kuby, and others, argued it would micromanage local school districts, ignore important non-classroom costs such as nurses, transportation, counselors, and librarians, and unfairly target district schools while excluding charter schools. The Senate adopted the committee and floor amendments and then passed SCR 1032 on third reading by a vote of 16-12, with 2 not voting, sending it to the House.
The Senate also considered SB 1071 concerning the Arizona Rangers. Supporters said the bill was not a full repeal but would create external oversight, improve background checks, and increase accountability and training transparency. Some members said they expected the House to further amend the measure. SB 1071 passed on third reading by a vote of 17-11, with 2 not voting, and was transmitted to the House. The session concluded with caucus and committee announcements, a recognition of World Down Syndrome Day advocates, an invitation to SRP Day at the Capitol, and adjournment until the next day.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- We will start with House Bill 949, which is an act relating to property… House Bill 949, which is an
- tax bill, and then we will move to Senate Bill 208 and then we will move to House Bill 951.
- And I can't support this yield bill. I can't support this yield bill.
- The reduced excess spending threshold in this bill compounds existing pressures on school Legislative
- The reduced excess spending threshold in this bill compounds existing pressures on school districts,
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Prioritizing Public Safety – Senator Warren Limmer Apr 14th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's the bill we have.
- We have another bill that if have.
- </c><00:04:50.120><c> recognizing</c> Well, the bill is actually recognizing Well, the bill is actually
- not to vote for the entire bill.
- not to vote for the entire bill.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- spending level.
- Fiscal year spending.
- It's not just an education bill. It's a workforce and economic stability bill.
- It's not just an education bill. It's a workforce and economic stability bill.
- Who brought you this bill? Who said, like, I want to file this bill.
Committee:
House Ways and Means
Summary:
The committee heard two measures. First, Representative Jim Murphy presented HJR 169, the Taxpayer Protection Act, modeled on Colorado’s TABOR. He said it would cap government spending growth at inflation plus population growth, apply across state and local governments, require voter approval for tax increases or spending above the limit, and include refunds for excess revenue. He also said he would offer amendments to include fees and surcharges and to count tax abatements against the spending base, with school population used for school districts. Support testimony came from Americans for Prosperity and ALEC, both praising the proposal as a way to restrain spending and increase accountability. Committee members asked about abatements, emergency exceptions, population declines, and how the measure would interact with Hancock and local taxing districts; the sponsor and witnesses said it would be stricter than Hancock and would allow emergency spending only with supermajority approval. No vote was taken, and the hearing on HJR 169 was closed.
The committee then heard HB 2379, sponsored by Representative Cecily Williams, which would let counties, with voter approval, dedicate an existing local sales tax stream to early childhood education and child care. The bill would route funds into a dedicated early childhood fund overseen by an existing Community Children’s Services Fund board, with the stated goal of supporting child care centers, preschools, Head Start, transportation, and related services for children five and under. The sponsor and supporters from We Power STL, the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund, Child Care Aware of Missouri, and child care providers argued the bill would address child care deserts, expand capacity, and use an existing governance structure to ensure accountability and prevent diversion of funds. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with DESE, school district programs, licensure, eligibility standards, and whether the proposal would amount to duplicative taxation or funding. Supporters said the bill is intended to supplement, not replace, existing programs and that local voters would decide whether to create the revenue stream. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on HB 2379 was also concluded without a vote.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So with the matrix spending wrapped up, we're going to move into spending on non-matrix items.
- I remember that bill. It was a long bill, thick bill. A lot of us didn't understand it.
- I remember that bill. It was a long bill, thick bill. A lot of us didn't understand it.
- Okay, so we'll go over total spending.
- Moving on, the key findings for total spending: In 2025, spending on matrix resources accounted for the
Summary:
The House/Joint Education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, focusing first on matrix spending and then non-matrix spending. Staff explained the methodology for mapping APSCN expenditure data to matrix lines, reviewed district and school categories used in the analysis, and highlighted key findings: foundation funding covered a large share of matrix costs but total spending on matrix items exceeded foundation funding, with classroom teachers making up the largest share. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, superintendent survey responses, trend data, and spending by district type, size, and rural/urban status. Staff also noted limitations in tracking two matrix lines—salary enhancement for other employees and all personnel health insurance—because of coding and definition issues.
The committee then reviewed non-matrix expenditures, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health, dyslexia services, gifted and talented, and career and technical education. Staff reported that non-matrix spending remained above $2 billion over the last three years, with most of it coming from other funds rather than foundation funding. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, mental health needs, school safety, food service, athletic transportation, and whether some items should be added to the matrix. The Department of Education clarified that the building fund reflects district-held funds for construction and maintenance projects, while the facilities partnership program is a separate state process for approved projects.
In the final discussion, staff summarized total spending as more than $15,800 per student in 2025, with about 69% going to matrix resources and 31% to non-matrix resources. The chair explained the adequacy process and the committee’s role in setting future funding recommendations, and members discussed the recommendations worksheet included in the binder. The chair then proposed postponing the remainder of Part Two of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, along with inviting the Department of Education back for more detailed questions; with no objections, the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Becker's bill, SB 254, which tackled a major recent driver of costs on electricity bills, which
- One of the provisions of the bill said that these costs are One of the provisions of the bill said that
- Bills and some don't.
- This is a big piece of spending.
- Where would you be spending most of your time? The number one driver is spending.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets.
CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs.
Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Six - Tuesday, February 24
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And in this bill, I feel like this bill. This bill, to go with that.
- To speak on the bill itself, this bill makes sense.
- bill.
- Substitute for House Bill 2587, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 27, House Bill 47, House Bill
- 27, House Bill 27, and House Bill 1777.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 108-1 roll call vote, and several points of personal privilege. Members observed moments of silence for fallen Christian County deputies and for Paul Jones, who died from a fentanyl overdose. The chamber also recognized Black History Month, with remarks on African American history and the ongoing struggle for freedom and dignity. Numerous special guests were introduced, including University of Missouri Truman School students, community and food advocates, local families, St. Louis Public Schools visitors, and other constituents.
The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2682, which would extend existing school free-expression protections to political and ideological speech in K-12 public schools, while preserving guardrails against disruption, bullying, and unlawful conduct. Supporters said students should not lose First Amendment rights at school and that the bill would protect all viewpoints equally; opponents warned the language was too broad and could protect hateful or extremist speech, create confusion for schools, and undermine student safety. After extended debate, the substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed.
Members also advanced House Bill 2274, creating the Missouri Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to ease teacher certification reciprocity across states and help recruit teachers, including military spouses. Supporters said it would improve staffing and retention; one member objected to the fiscal note, while others noted the compact’s governing structure and potential benefits. The House likewise adopted an amendment and advanced House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1883, which would exempt consignment auctions from sales tax and also include certain durable medical equipment language; debate centered on fiscal impact, fairness, and whether the bill would benefit the sponsor’s profession. Finally, House Bill 2085, a tobacco preemption bill, was introduced and explained as standardizing retail tobacco rules under state law while preserving existing local ordinances and local tobacco-21 policies; discussion began with concerns about local control and the scope of grandfathered ordinances.