Video & Transcript : 'retiree support' :

Page 249 of 500
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 11th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • In funding every year to support those students.
  • It's about honoring service with practical support.
  • I respectfully ask for your support and appreciate your time today as we strive collectively to support
  • I respectfully ask for your support of this bill.
  • Let's make sure Idaho's education system supports our military-connected children as much as they support
Keywords: 989, all
Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard two bills. Senate Bill 1358, presented by Senator Harris, would revise Idaho’s career ladder rules so superintendents and principals who return to teaching can count prior administrative experience toward advancement if they had proficient-or-higher evaluations in three of the previous five years, with retroactive application to July 2021. Testimony from an Idaho superintendent and the Idaho Association of School Administrators supported the bill as a fairness measure that would reduce financial penalties for moving back into the classroom and help retain experienced educators. After brief questioning about how the credit would affect placement and whether the years would count toward a lifetime certificate, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 762, presented by Senator Woodward, which would allow public charter schools to give lottery priority to children in foster care who already have a sibling in the school and to children of active-duty or active-reserve military members. Testimony from the Department of War, the Idaho Charter School Association, military service members and spouses, and military children emphasized frequent moves, waitlists, and the need for stability and access to quality schools. Supporters said the bill would not create new schools or change accountability, but would give charter schools flexibility to prioritize military-connected students and foster siblings. The committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

LBT Public Hearing 03-14-2025

Labor and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • The university stands on its testimony and support.
  • </c><00:02:28.920><c> of</c> measure and we are in strong support of measure and we are in strong support
  • </c><00:03:18.720><c> of</c><00:03:18.840><c> the</c> testimony in support of the testimony in support
  • All in support. Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Choy [questionable]. You also in support.
  • Palani Smith [questionable], support.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Library and Technology Committee met on March 14, 2025, to hear House Bill 430, House Draft 2, which would create an internship/on-the-job training program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the state serving as the responsible employer for workers’ compensation coverage and appropriations included. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Education. Supporters emphasized the value of internships as a high-impact educational and career pathway opportunity. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill’s intent but raised a concern about the criminal history background check language, recommending that the bill be revised so DLIR may conduct checks “as appropriate” rather than requiring a mandatory check for all interns. The AG noted that juvenile records would remain confidential for 16- and 17-year-old interns under existing law and suggested deleting the more specific background-check language or replacing it with the more flexible wording. Several organizations submitted support, including business, health care, tourism, and industry groups. During decision-making, the committee discussed amendments incorporating the Attorney General’s recommendation, adding a 2.5 GPA minimum reference, and clarifying language about private or public sector organizations and placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs. The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Mon Apr 14, 2025, 11:30 AM HST - Day 50

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> I'm supporting this measure. Thank you. I'm supporting this measure. Thank you.
  • In support please proceed. Speaker. In support please proceed.
  • </c> support the bill today. support the bill today.
  • I rise in support.
  • So in support families are also safe. So in support madam<01:32:57.280><c> speaker.
Keywords: 910, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also want to voice my support for H. 987.
  • I speak to you today in support of House Bill 918 and House Bill 948 and ask you for your support as
  • I urge you to support these bills.
  • I'm here in support, and I hope you will support and move out House 918 as well as 948.
  • I support these two bills, and I really ask that you guys support these two bills as well.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination. Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Wed Mar 18, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> on our written testimony in support. on our written testimony in support.
  • </c> support this bill. Thank you. support this bill. Thank you. &gt;&gt; Mahalo.
  • </c> stand in strong support of this measure. stand in strong support of this measure.
  • For this measure, we have 55 in support support support one<00:56:56.080><c> in</c><00:56:56.200><c>
  • Thank you. support. Our concern is with section two support.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills, with most measures drawing broad support and a few generating significant opposition or policy questions. SB 2908 SD1 and SB 2671 SD1 were taken up first; both appeared to have majority support, with SB 2908 receiving seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, and SB 2671 receiving five in support and two comments. SB 3085 SD2, related to film industry operations, drew 11 supporters and no opposition. Georgia Skinner explained that the bill would streamline the approval timeline for productions by reducing delays tied to Land Board review, and she said DLNR supported the effort. Committee members asked about the need for the change and the relationship between the film studio, DLNR, and the approval process. The committee then discussed SB 2907 SD1, which would create an Office of Marine Affairs. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, HTDC, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, ocean industry representatives, and others. The governor’s office supported the bill’s intent but objected to placing the office within the Office of the Governor, urging instead that it be housed at HTDC. HTDC said it was willing and excited to take on the work and described ongoing stakeholder engagement. Members asked about the rationale for the placement and the long-term structure of the office. SB 2353 SD2, concerning the Aloha Stadium district and billboard/naming-rights issues, drew strong opposition overall, with four in support, 23 in opposition, and one comment. Andrew Pereira of the Stadium Authority argued the measure could generate revenue to help maintain and operate the stadium and said the district would remain self-contained; he also emphasized that the development would respect the character of the area. The committee then heard SB 2074 SD1, which had five in support and 26 in opposition; only one support testimony from the Carpenters was heard before the discussion moved on. Finally, SB 2360 SD1, an enterprise zones measure, received 14 supportive testimonies and two comments. Testimony focused on updating the program for modern business models, especially e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, while committee members questioned whether the program overlaps with higher tax burdens and whether businesses receiving subsidies should be monitored for job retention after graduation from the program.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • We actually have a support, if amended, if the bill includes amusement parks.
  • She was supportive amended. Yes.
  • I'm happy to support the bill and would invite you to close.
  • I'd like to support this bill.
  • I'm happy to support your bill today and invite you to close.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 24th, 2026

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We can't control who calls and how they get called in, but we can support and be ready to support in
  • Who calls and how they get called in, but we can support and be ready to support in many different ways
  • , and housing supports.
  • , mental health supports, and more.
  • Is that around the supports that they need? Is that around the supports that they named?
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 02/20/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:48.480><c> a</c> Services is committed to supporting a Services is committed to supporting
  • It includes our regional library basic systems of support, our regional library telecom aid, our support
  • Regional Library Telecom Aid our support Regional Library Telecom Aid our support for<00:08:31.319><c
  • </c><00:09:56.600><c> that</c> are so thankful for the support that are so thankful for the support that
  • </c><00:43:29.280><c> by</c> struggling and need support by struggling and need support by adequately
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 17, 2026 - 08:30 AM

Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Liz, Foundation for Florida's Future, in support.
  • And with clarity, I will support the bill.
  • So with that, I ask for your favorable support.
  • I support this and ask you to look in favor.
  • I ask for your favorable support.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began by welcoming students and coaches participating in the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Members then heard and voted on a series of education-related bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The first bill, HB 1081, created a Cybersecurity Internship Clearance Readiness Program in the Department of Commerce for NCACE-designated universities and Florida College System institutions; a friendly amendment expanded access to private schools, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 1201 updated Florida’s epilepsy/seizure plan law to clarify protections for charter school students, require acceptance of physician-submitted plans, extend training validity to five years, and expand training to regular bus drivers; epilepsy advocates supported it, and it passed 19-0. HB 851 required annual autism-specific professional learning opportunities for teachers and school-based administrators, and it also passed 19-0. HB 615, dealing with IEPs, required quicker parent notice when services are missed, faster access to service logs, individualized parent orientation, and standardized district service logs; parents and advocates testified strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 1503 added technology-related competencies to education courses and directed the Department of Education to develop computer science certification coverage; it passed 19-0. HB 371 required public schools to display portraits of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in common areas and passed 19-0 after testimony both for and against. HB 731 revised extracurricular eligibility rules and allowed local policies for compensating coaches and activity sponsors; an amendment broadened manual requirements and clarified fee actions, and the bill passed 18-0. The committee also took up HB 173, a parental rights bill that drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. The bill would require parental consent for many medical decisions for minors, give parents access to medical records, and expand parental review/opt-in rights for certain school surveys and biofeedback devices. Supporters argued it restores parental authority, improves safety, and prevents children from being cut out of important medical decisions; opponents warned it would remove confidential access to STI treatment, crisis mental health care, and other services for minors in unsafe or abusive homes. Members raised questions about abuse exceptions, emergency care, and how the bill would affect routine treatment and time-sensitive care. The bill was not voted on in the portion provided, and debate continued through multiple rounds of sponsor responses and member comments.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Cheryl and Lee, and I am in support of this bill. I work with... I'm Dr.
  • Carolyn Lee, and I am in support of this bill.
  • William... ...the county of San Diego also in support. Thank you.
  • Any other witnesses in support?
  • Thank you for coming forward today to support this bill.
Summary: The committee met with one item on the agenda: Senate Bill 623 by Senator Archuleta. The bill would implement a related constitutional amendment to provide property tax relief for veterans and their families by allowing eligible veterans to combine, or “stack,” the homeowners’ exemption with the disabled veterans’ or veterans’ exemption, and by removing certain property limitations tied to the exemption. The author and chair framed the measure as recognition of veterans’ service and a way to expand access to tax relief for veteran homeowners. The committee heard extensive testimony in support from veterans and advocates, including disabled veterans, combat veterans, representatives of veterans’ organizations, and county and health care advocates. Supporters said the bill would meaningfully improve benefits for veterans and their families. No opposition testimony was presented, and no committee member raised objections during the hearing. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Committee on Appropriations. The roll call vote was 3-0 in favor, with the bill held on call pending Senator Menjivar’s return so she could vote as well. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked the veterans and attendees.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 4, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I obviously support that.
  • Support all this."
  • I rise today in support of H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT Act reauthorization.
  • I rise today in support of H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT Act reauthorization.
  • I urge its support.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • FOR INSTANCE 22.9 PERCENT OF NURSES SUPPORT -- 11 PERCENT OF THE PUBLIC.
  • THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> Chair Trumbull: THANK YOU SO MUCH. SONDRA?
  • JACK CORY FLORIDA ASSOCIATION WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JEFFREY? IN SUPPORT.
  • IN SUPPORT. SIERRA GOLDSTEIN. THANK YOU. LESLIE IN SUPPORT. FSU.
  • DAVID DANIEL WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU. MEMBERS, WE ARE IN DEBATE.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing- Thu Jan 30, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:20:45.880><c> uh</c> what's going on so I support uh what's going on so I support uh hb70<00:
  • Realtor in support. Thank you.
  • to not support.
  • </c> to um actually change my uh my support to um actually change my uh my support to<00:43:22.599><c
  • We'll stand on our written testimony and support. Thank you. Next up, Hawaii Realtors in support.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am here in strong support of SB 1190.
  • I am here in strong support of SB 1190.
  • Sylvia Tauffick, and I support this bill. Hi, Haley Sugarman, and I support this bill. Thank you.
  • I am in full support of SB 1234.
  • Counties rely on FFAs to support the needs of foster children, as FFAs can provide more support than
Keywords: 988, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Finance May 7th, 2026

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Behind every success I have is the consistent, reliable support of direct support workers who made my
  • And without your support, they wouldn't have been able to support us with it.
  • The five regional food banks support over... The five regional food banks support over...
  • The requested $500,000 will support emergency shelter assistance, housing, and transportation support
  • The requested $500,000 will support emergency shelter assistance, housing and transportation support,
Keywords: 974, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Jan 13th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • After the primary support, I'll invite other supporters to state their name, their affiliation, and their
  • Other witnesses in support of SB 99?
  • I'm going to support it today.
  • I urge you to support it. Hi, I'm Alice Taylor Morgan... I urge you to support it.
  • Please support this bill. Thank you. I am a California adoptee. Please support this bill.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 479 would let Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; the author and a Berkeley official said current state confidentiality rules prevent effective coordination, and the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 46 would bar a person who has served two terms as President from appearing on the California ballot for a third term; supporters argued California has authority to enforce constitutional qualifications, while Senator Niello questioned whether the bill was needed, and it passed 6-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 99 would improve coordination between civilian and military authorities on military protective orders and restraining orders; the Department of Defense supported it, the ACLU raised due process concerns about MPOs, and the bill passed 6-0 as amended to Senate Appropriations. SB 719 would extend the sunset on Department of Technology reporting on state agency use of high-risk automated decision systems from 2029 to 2032; there was no opposition and it passed 6-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also took up SB 300, which would strengthen California’s new AI chatbot law by requiring operators to prevent minors from being exposed to sexually explicit material or facilitation of such content. Supporters said new evidence shows current protections are insufficient and that the bill is needed now to address harms to children; industry groups opposed the bill as premature, arguing SB 243 had just taken effect and that the new standard could create strict-liability-like exposure and uncertainty. After extensive questioning, the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 381 would give adult adoptees and descendants access to original birth certificates and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents; many adoptees and birth parents testified in support, while some members raised privacy concerns for birth parents. The bill passed 13-0 to the Senate Health Committee, with the author noting amendments would be taken in Health rather than Judiciary. At the end of the hearing, the committee shifted chairs and began SB 33, which would eliminate the sunset on the existing public works contractor claim-resolution process so agencies must continue to respond to claims, pay undisputed amounts, and use early dispute resolution. The author and sponsor said the process has reduced litigation and helped contractors and workers, and the bill was just being introduced when the transcript ended.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Fri Apr 4, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 46

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I rise in support.
  • </c> rise in support with reservations. rise in support with reservations.
  • </c> Speaker, strong support. Please proceed. Speaker, strong support. Please proceed.
  • </c> you, Madam Speaker, in strong support. you, Madam Speaker, in strong support.
  • I rise in support.
Keywords: 910, house, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Law & Justice Jan 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I think that’s the structure that we support.
  • I urge you to support those as well.
  • I urge you to support those as well.
  • So that pretty much sums up draws support.
  • We're here in strong support of Senate Bill 5855.
Summary: The committee began with introductions and then heard Senate Bill 5865, which would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and require use of Washington Pattern Forms Committee forms instead. Staff, the prime sponsor, and judges’ association witnesses said the bill is a technical fix that would make garnishment calculations more accurate and efficient without changing substantive law. A collectors’ association witness said the current statutory form can be used if needed until new forms are available and raised concerns about the timeliness of pattern form updates, but was open to working on language. The public hearing on SB 5865 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-certified or accredited forensic lab. The sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle city attorney and traffic safety experts, described severe backlogs at the state toxicology lab, with some DUI blood results taking many months or longer and cases expiring before charges can be filed. Counties, prosecutors, sheriffs, and defense representatives generally agreed the backlog is a serious problem, but several warned the bill could shift costs to local governments, create uneven access to private testing, and raise due process concerns unless discovery cooperation is required. The committee then closed the hearing on SB 5880. Senate Bill 5912 would reinstate the indigent defense task force to study Washington’s public defense system and report recommendations by 2028. Supporters from counties, cities, public defense offices, and tribal interests said the statewide shortage of defense attorneys and rising costs are straining local budgets and delaying access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern Washington. Some witnesses urged the bill be amended to add more stakeholder representation, including clients and practitioners, and cautioned that the task force should not delay immediate action on funding and caseload standards. The hearing on SB 5912 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5837, a broad update to guardianship, conservatorship, and protective arrangement procedures. The bill would lower the minimum age for a proposed guardian from 21 to 18, expand notice options, clarify appointment of counsel, and streamline service and hearing procedures. Testimony was largely supportive, especially from kinship caregivers, legal aid, and estate-law practitioners who said the bill would reduce costly publication requirements and improve access to justice, though some witnesses requested amendments on notice, waiver language, emergency procedures, and counsel provisions. The committee reported 40 pro and 70 con sign-ins on the bill, then moved on. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing facial coverings during public interactions except in limited circumstances such as undercover work, SWAT operations, or health and safety needs. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant and marginalized communities, while opponents argued it could endanger officers, conflict with federal authority, and is tied to ongoing litigation over similar California legislation. Testimony was sharply divided, with some witnesses emphasizing public fear and trauma from masked officers and others arguing the bill would make officers more vulnerable and create constitutional problems. The hearing continued with additional public testimony after the excerpt ended.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • And intensive support demands for our students.
  • Supporting and retaining the educators already in the field is equally as critical.
  • And other support professionals.
  • and are needing some extra supports.
  • How can we engage with our communities and others, right, to support teachers, to support families, but
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 10th, 2026

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for the infrastructure support. Thank you for the support of our faculty, our staff.
  • Support safety in operations.
  • And thank you for your support.
  • We're supporting that.
  • the majority in support of these, the... ...majority in support of that change.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.