Transcript Highlights:

• Where did the forecasters get it wrong? And where are we seeing that $32 million come from?
• So I would be hesitant to categorize it as getting it wrong, but certainly, the forecast that the February
• That conference adopted a new forecast for the current fiscal year and subsequent...
• That conference adopted a new forecast for the current fiscal year, and subsequently, the agency is now

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• would further accelerate its decline, keeping the types of ecotourism anticipated in the economic forecasts
• would further accelerate its decline, keeping the types of ecotourism anticipated in the economic forecasts
• would further accelerate its decline, keeping the types of ecotourism anticipated in the economic forecasts
•   142 KEEPING THE TYPES OF ECOTOURISM  ANTICIPATED IN THE ECONOMIC  143 FORECASTS FROM

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the reduction is $175 million from the base that was established in the February forecast.
• Um, the reduction is $175 million from the base that was established in the February forecast.
• Um, the reduction is $175 million from the base that was established in the February forecast.
• 48.560> February that was established in the February that was established in the February forecast

Bills: HF2436, HF2435

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we have seen a pretty significant forecast of energy demand that we're going to have in the future
• bit um and so we have seen uh there is a pretty<00:02:59.840> significant<00:03:00.360> forecast
• ><00:03:01.280> of<00:03:02.040> uh<00:03:02.200> energy pretty significant forecast
• of uh energy pretty significant forecast of uh energy demand<00:03:03.720> that<00:03:03.840>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• credit for the three, and that winds up in the bottom line in November for when they do the budgeting forecast
• 00:10:14.120> do<00:10:14.240> the<00:10:14.360> budgeting<00:10:14.760> forecast
• for when they do the budgeting forecast for when they do the budgeting forecast and<00:10:15.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• additional $10 billion, so that's unsustainable, and we're already starting to see that in the budget forecast
• 00:07:38.440> budget starting to see that in the budget starting to see that in the budget forecast
• 40.120> to<00:07:40.199> be<00:07:40.400> more<00:07:40.639> fiscally forecast
• so we need to be more fiscally forecast so we need to be more fiscally responsible<00:07:42.039>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Jeremy Miller discussed the Minnesota Senate’s new power-sharing arrangement with DFL Senator Bobby Joe Champion, describing it as a historic opportunity to restore cooperation after what he said were difficult and trust-losing last sessions. He said co-presiding officers should not slow progress, argued that the Senate has a tradition of respectful dialogue, and said his goal is to help rebuild relationships and focus on what is best for Minnesotans rather than partisan interests. Miller said he has heard positive feedback from constituents and emphasized that Minnesota is a “purple state” that expects balance and collaboration. He also said the legislature should address a looming budget deficit by reining in spending, reviewing the budget line by line, and targeting waste, fraud, and abuse, which he said could help create room for tax relief. He framed his legacy goal as cooperation and working together across party lines, saying he and Champion were entrusted by colleagues to lead in the best interest of the Senate and the state. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the interview.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the annual forecast adjustments article, which includes all of the forecast adjustments in the
• It simply makes the changes to forecasted appropriations in this jurisdiction.
• It simply makes the changes to forecasted appropriations in this jurisdiction.
• forecast projection.
• . do every year to implement the forecast.

Bills: HF4210, HF4212, HF4549, HF4464, HF4546, HF4447

Keywords: senior nutrition, older adults, aging services, home-delivered meals, congregate dining, meal delivery, grocery delivery, food insecurity, nutrition support, area agencies on aging, Minnesota Board on Aging, human services, special revenue fund, nonprofit grants, SNAP outreach, medically tailored meals, rural nutrition, food access, transportation services, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• AND SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE WANT TO CORRECT FOR RECALIBRATE SPENDING PRACTICES TO BALANCE OUT THE FORECAST
• FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY THERE, WHEN WE HAVE UNCERTAINTY IN OUR ECONOMIC FORECAST
• AND ALSO HAVING THE EFFECT OF BALANCING THE FORECAST SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE CUTS TO SERVICES.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:11.680> Um which is the budget forecast window.
• Um which is the budget forecast window.
• window but then turn to a positive outside the budget forecast window.
• window but then turn the budget forecast window but then turn to<00:51:25.920> a<00:51:26.240
• <00:51:29.040> Um<00:51:29.520> it forecast window. Um it forecast window.

Bills: HF3127, HF3816, HF3814, HF3815, HF3817

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, corporate franchise tax, individual income tax, research expenditures, federal compliance, Minnesota Statutes, income tax, corporate tax, section 179, federal conformity, HF3815, Minnesota taxes, tax conformity, Internal Revenue Code, IRC conformity

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and it starts with starts in December 27 from forecast of Legislative Council, who is required to
• We all know how forecast works. They're almost always wrong because they're just a forecast.
• colleague from Brighton had mentioned, I mean, this brings the mentioned, I mean, this brings the forecast
• We gave out $40 million when in reality, as best as we could tell after four more forecasts came in or

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> We were told that the budget forecast does not account for fraud in any specific way.
• And I think this forecast shows you what we compromised on, tackled part of it.
• Yes, you know, it's come up in these forecasts before.
• <00:13:39.920> up<00:13:40.079> in<00:13:40.240> these<00:13:40.399> forecasts
• It's come up in these forecasts before.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting centered on Minnesota’s budget outlook, with the governor and budget officials saying the state remains in a stronger fiscal position than expected despite national economic uncertainty. He emphasized that Minnesota has a surplus, historic rainy-day funds, and continued economic growth, and said the administration plans to continue budgeting over the horizon, using inflation assumptions and long-term planning to avoid abrupt cuts. He also defended last year’s budget compromises and said another budget proposal would be released early next year. A major theme was the governor’s criticism of President Trump and federal actions, which he said were creating economic chaos and harming Minnesotans. He condemned Trump’s comments about Somali Minnesotans and the state, called them racist and dangerous, and argued that elected officials should denounce such rhetoric. He also raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, saying masked agents were causing fear and confusion and that state and local law enforcement lacked communication from federal authorities. The governor and commissioners also discussed fraud in state programs, saying the state has paused certain programs for 90 days and brought in independent forensic auditors to determine the scope of losses. He said the administration is using new stop-payment authority and referrals to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to prevent and prosecute fraud, while avoiding broad cuts to programs that help children, families, and vulnerable Minnesotans. In response to questions, he said the fraud total is not yet known, the audit should conclude around the end of January, and the state will use the findings to add safeguards and address program growth and health care cost pressures in the upcoming session.