Video & Transcript Research : 'priority'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 13, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The fifth priority—sorry, it was the labor relations priority.
- ><02:17:28.240>
on that we use not priorities based on that we use not priorities based on legisl - <04:43:06.160>
still we had in lahina so our priorities still we had in lahina so our priorities - decide what the additional priorities decide what the additional priorities are<04:44:52.680>
- to uh support all our state priorities to uh support all our state priorities we<04:51:51.798>
Summary:
The House Finance Committee held an informational briefing with the University of Hawaiʻi, led by new President Wendy Hensel and Vice President for Budget and Finance Calbert Young. Hensel outlined the university system’s scope, student demographics, research activity, and campus missions, emphasizing four strategic priorities: serving Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi, student success, workforce development, and economic diversification through innovation and research. She highlighted the system’s enrollment, research funding, and the roles of Mānoa, Hilo, West Oʻahu, the community colleges, and specialized institutions such as JABSOM and the Cancer Center.
Young then reviewed the budget request, focusing largely on making prior one-time appropriations permanent and supporting recurring needs. Items included funding for Mānoa athletics, the Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology, K-12 teacher education, Pamantasan Council support, Hilo programs, Windward’s mental health technician certificate, Maui’s practical nursing bridge program, and student support positions such as financial aid and admissions counselors. He also described workforce-related requests tied to nursing expansion at Mānoa and West Oʻahu, as well as facilities support at West Oʻahu.
A major portion of the testimony addressed the university’s two Kakaʻako medical facilities. Young explained that declining tobacco settlement and cigarette tax revenues are no longer sufficient to cover debt service for JABSOM and the Cancer Center, so the governor’s budget includes general fund support to supplement those obligations. He also described a regents-approved request not included in the governor’s proposal: expanding the Hawaiʻi Promise financial aid program to the four-year campuses, estimated at about $11–12 million. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- And a priority for me, and I know it's a priority for my team, is to sit down with organizations and
- Now, you've testified that it's a priority for the administration to do gender-affirming care.
- I just want to know where the priority is, that's all.
- I really appreciate your priorities.
- Turning to our FY27 priorities, in addition to these core activities, CHIA is focused for FY27.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs.
EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle.
MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- priorities basically work through their priorities in<03:47:26.640>
uh <03:47:26.800>funding - What are your priorities? And then we can go from there. But I've not seen that.
- What are your priorities? And then we can go from there. But I've not seen that.
- But what my concern is that I don't see those priorities coming to us at policy.
- I don't see those priorities coming to us at policy.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- traditional presiding officer game of defining the work of session around a set of my own personal priorities
- What are my priorities for this session?
- I will not find meaning for my speakership in personal priorities.
- I've been asked the same question: What are my priorities for this session?
- I will not find meaning for my speakership in personal priorities.
Summary:
The Florida House convened for the opening day of the 2025 regular session with prayer, moments of silence honoring Senator Geraldine Thompson and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a quorum call, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The chamber also recognized Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz as law enforcement officer of the day and approved the journal. Numerous guests were introduced, including members of the Florida Cabinet, Supreme Court justices, former House speakers, former legislative leaders, former members, and Speaker Perez’s family.
Speaker Daniel Perez delivered the opening address, emphasizing that the session should focus on meaningful reforms, strong committee work, and bipartisan engagement rather than personal priorities. He highlighted property insurance as a major issue and said the insurance and banking subcommittee would investigate possible misconduct by insurers, including the use of subpoenas, sworn testimony, and outside experts. He also pointed to housing, health care, public education, public safety, government accountability, and budget savings as key areas for legislative work.
The House received a letter from Governor Ron DeSantis requesting a joint session on March 4 at 11 a.m. for the State of the State address. The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1294 to authorize the joint session, and the related House concurrent resolution was laid on the table. The House then adjourned to conduct committee and other business and to reconvene for the joint session at 11 a.m. or upon call of the Speaker.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Committee - Room 1510 Jun 30th, 2026
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, question from again way up in the air: what's the priority, the needs of the students, the needs
- The needs of the youth are the first priority across every service line that we have.
- The needs of the youth are our highest priority.
- across every service line that we have the need. the needs of the youth are the first priority across
- And I've also heard a few times, like, you know, the priority is obviously the youth and not the staff
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a greater priority on data transparency and a greater focus on what is going on actually in the
- There's a greater priority on data transparency and a greater focus on what is going on actually in the
- It really, like Paul said, depends on the priorities of the state.
- And so as long as we're operating off of their priority list that they've approved, then we don't see
- And so as long as we're operating off of their priority list that they've approved, then we don't see
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with speakers from law enforcement, behavioral health, homeless service providers, and policy groups. Presenters argued that Arkansas should focus more on treatment, accountability, better data, and stronger coordination among providers, and they highlighted the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model as a way to expand Medicaid-reimbursed crisis, mental health, substance use, jail-based, and homeless outreach services. Testimony emphasized that Arkansas has relatively low overall homelessness numbers but a significant unsheltered population with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, and several members asked about sex offender tracking, provider accountability, statewide coordination, and whether the state could apply for federal funding or a statewide continuum of care arrangement. Speakers also discussed workforce supports, family homelessness, and the need for more transparent reporting and outcomes-based funding.
The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. DEQ sought to raise the threshold for commission review of certain post-closure cleanup expenditures from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing presented multiple rule changes implementing recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, updating contact-information requirements, clarifying APRN authority to sign death certificates and prescribe certain durable medical equipment, implementing delegation of certain nursing tasks to unlicensed workers, adding a declaratory-order process, revising certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each nursing rule was reviewed without objection after brief questions.
In closing remarks, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its National Cancer Institute designation submission, calling it an important step for the state. The committee then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant May 30th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Is always a top priority for these communities.
- Additionally, agricultural production is a priority.
- Traditional use access is also a legislative state priority.
- have priority dates from the 1700s and the 1800s.
- A priority date refers to the date that the Asequia was created.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 4/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Development will require identifying program priorities, engaging in robust public comment periods, outreach
- programs, particularly new ones, are implemented in a way that best aligns with the legislature's priorities
- are, what they look like, specific climate benefits that they actually deliver, and then identify priority
- a transparent manner, providing opportunities for public engagement. on both program design and priority
- However, to the degree that the program remains a high priority for the Legislature, it could explore
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Jonathan Gould, of Virginia, to be Comptroller of the Currency for a term of five years, Luke Pettit, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Paul Atkins, of Virginia, to be Mar 27th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- economic growth and enhancing the lives of everyday Americans and working families should be the priority
- It is time to reset priorities and return common sense to the SEC.
- If confirmed to lead the OCC, my top priorities will be ensuring national banks support our economy,
- As you know, it has long been a priority of mine, this committee, and frankly the Trump administration
- That's the approach that's been taken toward transit, advancing transit priorities, and I look forward
Keywords:
financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House DFL Press Conference 3/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- hardship, create a fairer and more stable marketplace, and ensure the well-being of drivers as a top priority
- One of our top legislative priorities at the foundation is housing. The city of St.
- <00:02:01.280>
it's <00:02:01.399>a drivers as a top priority it's a drivers as a top - priority it's a forward-thinking<00:02:02.439>
solution <00:02:03.000>that <00:02:03.119 - at the foundation is housing priorities at the foundation is housing the<00:02:32.160>
city <00
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed ses Feb 13th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- First, border security is a priority. and I agree with his decision to declare a national emergency at
- What are your top priorities?
- So what are your top priorities?
- I had a whole series of questions I wanted to ask about Haiti and other SouthComm priorities.
- What priorities will be left unfunded as a result of this shift in priorities?
Keywords:
national security, China, Russia, cybersecurity, border security, military deployment, transnational crime, defense modernization, military strategy
Summary:
In this meeting, key topics included national security concerns with an emphasis on threats from China, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations. Senior military officials provided testimony on the evolving risks posed by these adversaries, particularly focusing on cybersecurity and advancements in weaponry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a cohesive strategy among government departments to effectively respond to the challenges presented by these threats, emphasizing the need for modernization in defense capabilities. Committee members grilled the witnesses on border security and the implications of deploying military resources in domestic operations.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Press Conference 1/29/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, these are what we consider to be our top priority bills.
- to<00:05:18.720>
be <00:05:18.880>our <00:05:19.080>top <00:05:19.360>priority - <00:05:19.759>
bills consider to be our top priority bills consider to be our top priority - Committee hearing that we were able to have, and yes, we will resubmit this because it is our top priority
- If you go from 80 murders to 60 murders, that's... our priorities in the legislature going our priorities
Summary:
House Public Safety Chair Paul Nney and several colleagues held a press-style discussion promoting a Republican public safety package, described as House File 7 and a set of 13 proposals. The members said the plan is aimed at helping law enforcement, keeping violent offenders off the streets, and increasing accountability in the criminal justice system. Specific proposals mentioned included a 10-year mandatory minimum for first-degree sex trafficking, requiring sex-offense registration even when a court imposes a stayed sentence, new offenses for freeway blocking, reckless fleeing, and conspiring to damage critical infrastructure, and making assault on a peace officer a felony rather than a gross misdemeanor.
The group also emphasized transparency measures, including searchable public websites for charging decisions by judges and prosecutors, disclosure of who pays bail for offenders, and legislative approval for sentencing changes proposed by the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. They said the package was previously introduced but not heard by House DFL leadership, and that they plan to resubmit it. They also said they had met with Senate partners and a County Attorneys Association representative, and argued the information sought is already collected and should simply be made publicly searchable.
In response to questions, the chair said the package does not directly address staffing, though members discussed broader law enforcement staffing shortages and training needs. He said academy applications have improved somewhat but will not fully offset retirements, and noted concerns about budget cuts to training funding. On costs, he said a fiscal note had been requested and estimated a separate searchable database could cost about $500,000 to build and maintain. The members also discussed public safety funding, Capitol security, and assaults on officers, saying they want protections expanded to corrections and EMS personnel as well.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Elder Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- You mentioned priorities.
- What would your priorities be? Well, what a great question, because I love this question.
- And we also have priorities for people who are being displaced through no fault.
- So those are some of the priorities that I would point out.
- Your wishes to remain in the community are a priority here in Massachusetts.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning.
The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs.
A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/25/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Transportation & Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- They always get priority. Come in and out, we might change this order if members come in.
- They always get priority.
- Again, if a member does show up, we will take them; it's priority.
- Question was: Was this road included in the priority list of the rural transportation work?
- And they come up with what they consider the best priorities for their particular areas.
Keywords:
appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, nonoperating identification, homeless exemption, veterans, emancipated minors, Arizona Department of Transportation, transportation, infrastructure, pavement rehabilitation, funding, Arizona, SB1332, light rail, light rail expansion, Maricopa County, Phoenix
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1273, which would appropriate $14 million in FY 2027 for pavement rehabilitation of Olga Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon. Members asked about the project length and whether it was on the rural transportation priority list. The bill was moved and passed out of committee on a 3-2 vote with a due pass recommendation.
Senate Bill 1452, as amended, would create a cargo theft task force in the Attorney General’s office and require regular meetings, investigations, and reporting. Testimony from the Arizona Trucking Association described cargo theft as a growing, sophisticated crime and said the task force would help coordinate law enforcement and use Consumer Fraud Protection Fund dollars rather than the general fund. Members discussed the fund balance, possible costs, and whether the AG’s office had capacity; the committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill 5-0 with a do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 1332, which orders a study of light rail expansion in Maricopa County by the Auditor General and an independent transportation research entity. Supporters, including local business owners, argued the study was needed before further expansion, while opponents said light rail already had extensive study, strong ridership, and local voter approval, and that the state should not override local decisions. After extensive debate and public testimony, the bill passed 4-3 with a do pass recommendation.
Finally, Senate Bill 1059, one of several rural transportation appropriation bills discussed by Senator Wendy Rogers and Representative Blackman, would fund an additional right-turn lane at State Route 87 and State Route 260. The sponsors described it as a safety and congestion issue for Payson and surrounding rural communities, and members discussed broader rural road needs and funding. The committee approved SB 1059 unanimously, 7-0, with a due pass recommendation. The transcript also included extended discussion of Senate Bill 1209, which would waive non-operating ID fees for unhoused people and homeless shelter residents, but the committee had not yet finished action on that bill in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:54 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, Representative... ...a priority, who would need more money?
- Representative Sariñana, it's not the priority of a bureau. It is the priority of the department.
- The flag that I have just on the proposed budget is that I think a priority for...
- They added that housing was a priority for so many members, so they added a little bit here.
- But since housing was a priority for so many of you, we added a little bit here.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:34 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- They did provide their top priorities to us recently.
- I think as I'm looking at your priorities and as I was looking at priorities prior to, today.
- So we can count on that this is your priority list moving forward, Mr. Chair, Mr.
- She said, 'Everything's a priority, nothing's a priority.'
- I think what we need to really focus on is setting floors for what our priorities are.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And congressional leadership that his biggest priority is OLS reimbursement.
- We are a lower priority than California apparently.
- You also have the inspection priority assessment, which is public and posted on our website.
- Um, and I saw on your priority assessment you have priority factor grievance.
- I'm sorry, priority factor grievance. Yes, ma'am.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to this bond, OPC had identified well over $50 million in immediate priority projects to increase
- Priorities include planning and implementation of flood risk management in disadvantaged communities
- It is one of the highest priorities in NOAA's recovery plan for Southern Steelhead.
- You're asking the department, why did you pick one of three possible priorities for but one section of
- Those are priorities, and the bond was meant to be additive.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items.
Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting.
In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (8-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we requested that they work with us to provide the 10 highest priority projects that they have for
- <00:26:58.080>
new <00:26:58.400>capital <00:26:58.720>construction priority new - capital construction priority new capital construction projects<00:27:00.159>
for <00:27:00.400 - <00:27:10.000>
projects <00:27:10.320>that the 10 highest priority projects that the - <00:27:22.320>
is Um, and again while our priority is for asset preservation funds in this
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11
Approval of Minutes 00:02:00
Information Items 00:02:25
CPE Special Report 00:03:26
Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48
A. Attorney General 00:32:10
B. Court of Justice 00:36:41
C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44
D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06
E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all
Summary:
The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers.
CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings.
Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.