Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] Um, tariffs are a good thing. I mean, what's going Tariffs are a good thing.
• So to be clear how tariffs work, the importer of record pays a tariff, not the other country.
• praying that the tariffs would drop. praying that the tariffs would drop.
• <01:13:41.280> It tariff rate changed five times. It tariff rate changed five times.
• ,<01:50:29.920> but<01:50:30.159> tariffs to blame it just on tariffs, but tariffs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Early May, dropped those tariffs for 30% and um. China lowered their tariffs from 30% to 10%.
• So those are the 10% tariffs on all countries, the tariffs on China, the 145 or now 30% tariffs on China
• Red is our tariff situate or scenario, so if tariffs do remain in place, blue is the pre-tariff, so this
• With the tariff under the no tariff situation we returned back more or less to the pre-tariff scenario
• no tariff and tariff scenarios.

Transcript Highlights:

• the likely impact of tariffs on Washington State revenue and growth, estimate the likely impact of tariffs
• Given the volatility in U.S. tariff announcements, we had to lock in the tariff rates.
• of alternative tariff rates.
• I will be covering impacts of tariffs, both import, I will be covering the impacts of tariffs, both import
• As a result of some of these previous administration tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, China has decreased

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So people have been talking about reciprocal tariffs or universal tariffs.
• So people have been talking about reciprocal tariffs or universal tariffs.
• These would be across much. about reciprocal tariffs or universal tariffs.
• , so tariffs that would hit goods in roughly the same amount as the amount of Tariffs that would hit
• The tariffs are a real big problem. Absolutely.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Talk a lot about tariffs today. You know I want to talk a little about tariffs as well.
• We're talking about these tariffs again and why is it... you mentioned this, but drill into why the tariffs
• It's not surviving through the tariffs.
• We had tariffs as well, and they decided to rebalance it because the tariffs were being paid for by the
• that was written that was anti tariff.

Keywords: joint hearing, small business, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, economic recovery, tax relief, job creation

Summary: In this joint hearing of the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the primary focus was on the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) permanent. The chair emphasized that small businesses are crucial for the nation's economic recovery, especially in the wake of current federal policies perceived as detrimental. Witnesses shared their experiences and highlighted how the tax cuts facilitated job creation and business expansion, stressing the need for continued support through ongoing tax relief measures. The meeting included discussions about the economic implications of the TCJA's potential expiration, with members voicing their concerns regarding how this could impact small businesses and the broader economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh as a result of these tariff uh as a result of these tariff announcements<00:15:26.480> on<
• We would engage and partner tariffs.
• If every member of our tariffs.
• And so the tariff piece is workers.
• Tariffs. Um, back to the UI, sorry.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on imports from China, a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico, a 10% global tariff, and additional tariffs
• from China, a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico, a 10% global tariff. tariffs on aluminum, steel and cars
• And I'm not a big fan of tariffs.
• clarity as to what tariffs were and what the duration of those tariffs would be.
• They want to go to zero tariffs.

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• . tariffs. tariffs.
• rate, which the effective tariff rate is the total tariff revenue divided by the total value of imports
• <01:30:18.040> 90%<01:30:18.840> of tariff or very close to it. 90% of tariff or very
• of the tariff is passed through. of the tariff is passed through.
• tariffs would be coming down uh in 2026. tariffs would be coming down uh in 2026.

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:23:35.639> on Brewing Company who due to tariffs on Brewing Company who due to tariffs
• I'm not going to get into a long thing on tariffs, but I think you only had the negatives on tariffs.
• is no tariff on the Travel<01:28:31.880> the<01:28:32.560> this<01:28:33.040> tariff
• impact from a Canadian response tariff impact from a Canadian response tariff which<01:32:49.159
• <01:32:58.920> will Beyond motor coach cost tariffs will Beyond motor coach cost tariffs will

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So before the tariff started, after the tariff went into place, we saw a dip.
• He announces a 25% tariff on Colombia, and then he pulls that back.
• Columbia would receive a 10% tariff.
• I mean, everybody is so hung up on You know, are the tariffs good, are the tariffs bad, and everything
• around the world and non-tariff barriers on their products.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mexico, also most USMCA-compliant products are tariff-exempt, so we don't really face tariffs for agricultural
• In 2023, those tariffs were eliminated—not eliminated, they were reduced, made them on par with tariffs
• In 2023, those tariffs were eliminated, not eliminated, they were reduced, made them on par with tariffs
• That's not justified based on the tariffs.
• And as you can see, even with the tariffs, I use this as an example because these tariffs have been in

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers. Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data. The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• As soon as April 1st, there may be much broader tariffs.
• So people have been talking about reciprocal tariffs or universal tariffs.
• If any of these go into place, these others tariffs, these other broader tariffs, then we can expect
• So tariffs that those countries. put on our exports.
• from them with tariffs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota
• Tariffs, including the tariffs that have already been placed, are going to increase inflation in Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for materials and retaliatory tariffs affecting export markets.
• Tariffs are making that harder.
• This is in many ways not surprising in terms of the impact that the tariffs have had.
• But for example, the decision yesterday in tariffs, right, stocks went right back up.
• We've heard a lot about the tariffs, the cuts to Medicaid, and so on.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The inaugural hearing of the newly named House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability focused on how federal policy changes could affect Massachusetts, especially in education, health care, research, infrastructure, climate, and business conditions. Chair LaNatra said the committee was created to monitor federal funding decisions and their impacts on state programs and services. Members introduced themselves, then heard testimony from Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Sarah Mills of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Quentin Palfrey, the governor’s Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure. Howgate argued that the Trump administration and new Congress pose ideological, practical, and process-related risks to Massachusetts, citing proposed cuts to Medicaid, education, research, and other domestic programs. He said federal dollars make up about a quarter of the state operating budget and capital plan, warned against using one-time reserves to backfill ongoing federal cuts, and urged the state to prioritize core services while protecting areas where Massachusetts is especially strong, such as higher education and research. In response to committee questions, he said the House Medicaid proposal would still cost Massachusetts hundreds of millions and that international student and NIH-related changes could harm the state’s labor force and innovation economy. He also advised that the state communicate clearly without overreacting to daily federal developments. Mills testified that AIM members are most concerned about uncertainty, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and NIH reductions. She said tariffs are raising costs, disrupting supply chains, and hurting small and medium-sized businesses, housing construction, and exporters, with AIM’s business confidence index falling to its lowest level since the pandemic. She said Medicaid cuts would raise employer health costs, reduce productivity, and strain the health care system, while NIH cuts would threaten Massachusetts’ life sciences and academic research ecosystem. In questions, she said AIM has increased federal outreach, is coordinating with the U.S. Chamber and the Massachusetts delegation, and is hearing concerns from employers about immigration compliance and workforce disruptions. Palfrey described the Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to maximize federal funding, including a biweekly interagency council, a municipal partnership effort, and a statewide roadshow. He said Massachusetts has secured nearly $9 billion from major federal laws for projects such as the Cape Cod bridges, Allston Multimodal, grid modernization, clean-energy school buses, and broadband. He also said the administration launched a public website to track federal impacts and is working with municipalities, nonprofits, and the Attorney General on grant changes, legal issues, and litigation. In response to questions, he warned that cuts to NOAA, NSF, Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs could affect services and the state budget, and said the administration is tracking changes to federal grant applications and conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but non-tariff barriers.
• Foreign countries need to bring down their barriers, tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
• Understandably, a lot of talk about the tariffs.
• on foreign goods retaliatory tariffs.
• Because the tariffs were placed on Ukraine, but not on Russia.

Keywords: legislation, housing affordability, financial regulation, public testimony, accountability, oversight

Summary: The meeting involved significant discussions around key legislative proposals, primarily focusing on various bills such as HB2 and SB5. The committee examined the implications of these bills on issues like housing affordability and financial regulation. Notable members engaged in debates, providing differing perspectives on the potential economic impacts of the proposed bills. The meeting witnessed public testimony, which included a call for accountability in government actions and oversight of current financial policies. Members echoed concerns about following through on commitments to address critical issues affecting everyday Americans.

Transcript Highlights:

• They all have higher tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, and subsidies. They treat us poorly.
• The two top countries with tariffs, India and China, do have the most tariffs and no inflation.
• But I have a more simple view of tariffs sort of guy.
• That's not the ordinary tariff.
• I think Chinese tariffs should be the highest.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a couple thoughts on the tariff disclosure bill.
• Just a couple thoughts on the tariff disclosure bill.
• So, you know, the most famous tariff that you hear about is the chicken tax, the chicken tariff, which
• So there's certain levels of tariffs there.
• You know, President Biden imposed the 100 percent tariff on the Chinese.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on two bills: House Bill 5138, concerning consumer protections for cash transactions amid penny scarcity, and House Bill 5036, concerning consumer information related to tariffs. Chairs Tackey Chan and Senator Payano opened the hearing, noted the committee’s one-year anniversary, reviewed procedures, and explained that the Senate and House were both in session, with Senator Payano prepared to take over if needed. The committee heard from several industry and legislative witnesses, and the hearing was eventually closed by motion and voice vote. Supporters of H. 5138, including Senator Paul Feeney, the Massachusetts Package Stores Association, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, said the bill would create a clear statewide rounding standard for cash transactions if pennies become scarce. They argued it would improve operational efficiency, reduce confusion, provide legal clarity, and protect businesses and consumers by requiring notice and limiting the rule to cash payments. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts also supported the concept but suggested amendments, including changing mandatory rounding language to allow flexibility and clarifying that taxes and fees would not be affected. Witnesses were largely opposed to H. 5036. The Retailers Association, the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, and the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association said tariff-related shelf or price disclosures would be difficult or impossible to implement because tariff costs change frequently and are hard to trace through complex supply chains. Auto dealers emphasized the challenge of calculating tariff impacts across thousands of vehicle parts and models, while retailers said the proposal would add burdens and could increase costs. No votes on the bills were taken during the hearing; the only formal action was adjournment of the hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tariffs. Not a peep about the tariffs. Not a peep about the chaos in the markets.
• tariffs? tariffs?
• Tariffs on Ukraine, tariffs on Russia.
• announcement to do reciprocal tariffs. announcement to do reciprocal tariffs.
• Tariffs can still work." out. Tariffs can still work."

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the biggest story has been tariffs, and, and, and...
• we've seen tariffs as high.
• We think that's largely tariff-related, people trying to buy cars before the tariffs went on.
• That's largely tariff-related, people trying to buy cars before the tariffs went on.
• That's likely tariff-related.

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if it's anything like the planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada, my view is that this proposal will
• Now, as of yesterday, President Trump has slapped new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
• I have supported tariffs on steel and aluminum in the past.
• These tariffs have already halted investment in manufacturing.
• The sweeping tariffs Donald Trump has proposed and Mr.