Video & Transcript : 'digital opportunities' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Mar 3rd, 2026
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to thank you for this opportunity to testify today.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Samantha Silverberg.
- Thank you so much for the opportunity. Good afternoon.
- The opportunity to do that exists with this bill.
- I think this is an opportunity to use this bill to revisit those fees.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Transportation
Keywords:
transportation bond bill, municipal roads, municipal bridges, Chapter 90, road aid, highway funding, bridge repair, pavement, MassDOT, MBTA, rail reliability, commuter rail locomotives, Fair Share surtax, Commonwealth Transportation Fund, infrastructure financing, bond authorization, deferred maintenance, climate resilience, parkways, DCR
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. Thank you.
- Thank you for this opportunity.
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak today in strong support of HF 2426.
- I really appreciate the opportunity to testify today on this important matter.
- We have two co-authors who I'm going to give an opportunity to speak to.
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
Keywords:
medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA Public Hearing 03-25-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So we thank you for this opportunity. We look forward to it.
- </c><00:19:11.280><c> We</c><00:19:11.520><c> look</c> thank you for this opportunity.
- Thank you for this opportunity to testify. Thank you very much.
- Thank you for this opportunity to testify. Thank you very much.
- Thank you for this opportunity to testify. Thank you very much.
Summary:
The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard a series of resolutions covering cultural preservation, civic education, dark-sky protection, Taiwan relations, aviation safety reporting, waterborne cargo subsidies, and Maui transportation planning. Testimony on the Hawaii Theatre resolutions (SCR 131/SR 110) came from the Hawaii Theatre Center in support, with a question about whether acquisition funding was in the current budget; the witness said he was not aware of any such funding. The state archivist strongly supported SCR 169/SR 138 on expanding public outreach and civic engagement, and a student testifier supported the measure while urging stronger language to include Indigenous culture and closer work with Native communities. On STR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week, testimony emphasized light pollution’s effects on birds, marine life, human health, and astronomy, and suggested stronger lighting ordinances and possible dark-sky reserve efforts. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan received support from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, while STR 180/SR 150 on aviation safety reporting drew support from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters but opposition from the Department of Transportation, which said much of the requested information falls under FAA jurisdiction and would be voluntary at the state level. STR 150 on waterborne cargo subsidies was supported by DOT, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, with DOT asking that the working group be smaller to speed a report to the 2026 session. STR 37/SR 21 and STR 38/SR 22 on Kihei road planning drew support from the Kihei Community Association, which described severe congestion and safety concerns in South Maui.
In decision-making, the committee advanced SCR 131/SR 110 on the Hawaii Theatre as introduced. SCR 169/SR 138 was advanced with amendments to address comments about Indigenous culture. STR 12/SR 8 on International Dark Sky Week was deferred for further discussion until the following Tuesday. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. STR 180/SR 150 and STR 150 were both deferred to the same later decision-making date to allow further work on possible amendments and jurisdictional issues. STR 37/SR 21 was passed as introduced, and STR 38/SR 22 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. In each vote taken, the measures were adopted without recorded opposition from the members present.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We want our students to have as many opportunities available to them.
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
- Thanks so much for giving us opportunity. Visit with you.
- Just don't have the opportunity to do once again. Thank you very much.
- And so you have to take this opportunity.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is an opportunity for quick turnaround to get people trained quickly.
- But we don't have the opportunity to bid on it, and that's what we're respectfully requesting: the opportunity
- We don't even have that opportunity. You don't have that opportunity right now. No. Okay.
- We just want the opportunity to be able to bid on it.
- So everyone's had an opportunity to at least look at their fiscal note.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and first considered Chairman Beaulieu’s House Bill 646, a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year. After adopting a set of amendments creating the Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund and making conforming changes, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The companion bill, House Bill 824, which establishes the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change, was also amended and reported favorably as amended. Supporters framed both measures as a way to keep spending within recurring revenues and create a path toward reducing or eliminating the state income tax.
The committee then reported favorably as amended House Bill 1157, creating the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to help finance infrastructure-related projects, with testimony that it would leverage private and federal dollars and initially focus on rail, port, road, and bridge projects. House Bill 316, which provides a framework for student literacy reforms for grades four through eight, was presented as having no new cost because the Department of Education said the work was already covered by existing resources; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549, creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to provide employer-based training grants, also received support from business groups and was reported favorably as amended.
House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor; it was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would fund pursuit intervention technology through a $2 driver’s license fee, generated significant concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the proposed technologies and training, the committee deferred the bill voluntarily to work on alternatives, including a possible sunset and other funding options. Finally, House Bill 752, which would change the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures. The meeting then adjourned.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is an opportunity for quick turnaround to get people trained quickly.
- But we don't have the opportunity to bid on it, and that's what we're respectfully requesting: the opportunity
- We don't even have that opportunity. You don't have that opportunity right now. No. Okay.
- We just want the opportunity to be able to bid on it.
- So everyone's had an opportunity to at least look at their fiscal note.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Trisha Yonkey: I really appreciate this bill and the opportunity to support it.
- So again, I thank you for this opportunity and we support this legislation.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Paul Simmons.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
Bills:
SB6132 , SB6181 , SB6154 , SB6189 , SB5903 , SB6037 , SB5983 , SB5995 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6064 , SB6077 , SB6101 , SB6013 , SB6066
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for this opportunity to testify today. For the record, my name is Carolina Mejia.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Paul Simmons.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
- So thank you for the opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Summary:
The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181, sponsored by Senator Conway, would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file a city incorporation petition without collecting resident signatures if the area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Supporters from Pierce County said the current signature requirement makes incorporation too difficult for large urban unincorporated areas like South Hill, while opponents argued the signature threshold is an important test of community support and raised concerns about boundaries, taxes, and the adequacy of the bill’s details. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area to help finish a rail project; the port said rising costs and a pending federal grant made the extra flexibility necessary.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6154, which would give local governments more flexibility in how they use hydraulic project approval permits for culvert replacement. Counties and cities testified that many emergency culvert repairs are expensive and that some sites provide little fish habitat benefit, so they want the option to redirect equivalent resources to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in the watershed. A few commenters supported the bill as a practical way to improve habitat and flood resilience, while one remote witness objected to the broader legal framework for salmon habitat projects. Senate Bill 6189 would extend from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for creating an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities; Olympia, Tumwater, and regional partners said they need more time to complete feasibility and coordination work for a proposed aquatic center.
In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6037 to Ways and Means, adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5983 to Rules, and passed Senate Bills 5995 and 6013 to Rules without amendments. For Senate Bill 6066, the committee adopted an amendment into a new substitute and passed the bill to the Transportation Committee. The committee did not take action on Senate Bills 5820 or 6064.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- BUT GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A RESUME SO I CAN MARKETABLE SKILLS DOWN THE ROAD. >> Sen.
- AS LONG AS THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THERE IS NO EXPLOITATION.
- INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE. IT'S EASY FOR AN EMPLOYER TO SET UP ONE.
- IT'S EASY FOR STUDENTS TO APPLY EXECUTIVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
- IT OPENS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF OUR POPULATION TO BE TARGETED TO BE KEPT FROM JOB OPPORTUNITIES
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY IN THIS FIELD.
- I'M THANKFUL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND TRUST.
- IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR GOOD PEOPLE.
- IT DOES CAUSE CONFUSION WE WANT TO TO THE OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM.
- THESE ARE FEDERALLY FUNDED THROUGH THE WORK FORCE OPPORTUNITY ACT.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate the opportunity to share in front of you today.
- There's an opportunity for us to help these folks.
- Thank you for the opportunity to allow me to speak before you today.
- Our district holds a unique opportunity for much-needed housing expansion.
- Members, again, for the opportunity to hear this.
Bills:
HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Jaime Puente, Director of Economic Opportunity, here in support of Senate Bill 1414.
- I appreciate the opportunity to lay out Senate Bill 750.
- Thank you for the opportunity to hear the bill, Madam Chair and members.
- All Texans should have the opportunity to attend college and get a job they love.
- the specific opportunities.
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
Keywords:
tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Ports & Waterways Investment Commission May 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you.
- You had plenty of redundancy in the system here, where you have opportunities to both help and serve
- Madam Chairwoman, I appreciate the opportunity to share updates from the Madam Chairwoman, I appreciate
- the opportunity to share updates from the team, the plan is.
- I mean, that is the exact type of opportunity where there is synergy between deepwater ports and others
Summary:
The Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present to reopen the commission’s work after a long gap. Members approved the July minutes and heard an update that a bill was moving in the Legislature to transfer the commission’s administrative home to the Office of Multimodal Commerce, with the strategic plan expected to be restarted and a consultant likely considered at a future meeting. The chair and vice chair emphasized that the commission now has stronger staffing and a clearer home for its work.
The commission then repealed its July resolution that had requested a new ports and waterways infrastructure fund and identified priority projects. Members said the earlier resolution was well-intentioned but premature because the projects had not been fully vetted, LED had not been sufficiently involved, and there was no clear funding structure. They said the projects would still be considered in the broader strategic planning process, but in a more thorough and coordinated form.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the collaborative marketing strategy for the five Lower Mississippi River ports, presented by Joe Toomey and Ken Erickson of Polaris, with LED’s Paige Carter confirming LED will serve as the administrative home for the plan. The presenters described a data-driven regional effort built around unity, not uniformity, to promote the ports’ combined strengths, increase trade, attract foreign direct investment, support economic growth, and strengthen funding requests. Members praised the effort as a pilot for statewide coordination, noted that the plan will live at LED, and said it should help the state present a more unified message to investors and policymakers.
The commission also received an update from the navigation and safety task force. Members observed a moment of silence for the late Captain Toby Waddingney, and Steve Wall, the new NOBER president, said he would continue the work using Waddingney’s notes. Commissioners reported that several recommendations from the task force are already being implemented, including bridge air-gap sensors, GIS tools, and dredging project coordination. The meeting ended with no public comment, plans for another meeting in the next quarter, and adjournment by motion.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
- I appreciate the opportunity to speak.
- And I do want to appreciate the opportunity to speak.
- So we're pushing away the opportunities for someone to gain homeownership.
- I can't thank you enough for the opportunity.
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2239, which would allow family burial grounds on privately owned land and exempt them from private cemetery requirements, while imposing limits such as recording burials with the county auditor, setbacks, and a cap on the burial ground covering no more than 10% of the parcel. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help rural landowners and families, including Native communities, keep burials on land with family and cultural significance. Testimony from a farmer and the Washington Cattlemen’s Association strongly supported the bill as a way to honor family ties to land. A question was raised about what happens if a later property owner wants to disturb an existing burial ground; staff said the bill requires notice but is silent on that issue. No action was taken on HB 2239 in the transcript.
The committee also heard House Bill 2304, a follow-up to last year’s condominium liability reform, expanding the option for declarants to use a 2-10 warranty for stacked-flat or mid-rise condominium buildings up to four stories. Supporters from housing, real estate, builders, AARP, Habitat for Humanity, the City of Seattle, and others said the bill would reduce liability barriers, increase condo production, and create more attainable and accessible homeownership options for first-time buyers, older adults, and people with mobility challenges. The Office of Insurance Commissioner supported the bill but suggested technical language changes to avoid referring to the warranty as insurance. Members asked about consumer protections and the distinction between warranties and insurance, and staff and testifiers noted existing layers of protection. No vote was taken on HB 2304 in the transcript.
In executive session, staff summarized House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways and House Bill 2248 on Secretary of State filing processes. For HB 2095, staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments, including changes to education requirements, civil liability language, protected areas, punitive damages thresholds, and liability rules. For HB 2248, staff said the proposed substitute made cleanup and consistency changes to corporate filing provisions. The committee then moved the proposed substitute for HB 2248 out of committee with a due pass recommendation, and it passed 11-0 with two excused members. Action on HB 2095 was deferred to a later date.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> levels designed to provide opportunities levels designed to provide opportunities for<00:14:50.880
- Liz Keenan. for the opportunity to speak in support for the opportunity to speak in support of<01:01:
- </c> opportunity to testify. opportunity to testify.
- students for opportunities Preparing students for opportunities like<01:29:24.400><c> these</c><01:29
- </c><01:31:19.280><c> to</c> our schools that offer opportunities to our schools that offer opportunities
Committee:
House Education Finance
Keywords:
education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:59:18.520><c> for</c><00:59:18.720><c> their</c> learning opportunities for their learning opportunities
- relevant career centered learning relevant career centered learning opportunities opportunities opportunities
- </c> broad range of learning opportunities broad range of learning opportunities approved<01:06:59.920
- Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Senate File 2250.
- </c> I just wanted to take this opportunity I just wanted to take this opportunity because<01:29:48.520
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/04/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:11:07.279><c> to</c> the committee for the opportunity to the committee for the opportunity to
- </c> access to home ownership opportunities access to home ownership opportunities for<00:12:42.240><
- </c><01:05:56.119><c> to</c> thank you for the opport opportunity to thank you for the opport opportunity
- </c> affordable home ownership opportunities affordable home ownership opportunities it<01:19:10.760>
- </c> to really be an empowering opportunity to really be an empowering opportunity for<01:26:03.040><
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's going to be some opportunity there for cross-collaboration, in my opinion.
- So I welcome any opportunity to work with you all on that. So thank you again, Mr. Chairman.
- where there's economic opportunity, where the funding streams are coming from, so on and so forth.
- Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats kind of analysis report.
- Again, I'm not the expert there, but it's an amazing opportunity.
Summary:
The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met with a quorum and opened by noting that, under current law, the committee will sunset after the 2026 regular session unless legislation is passed to reconstitute it. Members discussed the need for a smaller, more workable committee structure in the future so quorum requirements would be easier to meet, and they added an agenda item to consider reconstitution and another for a legislative briefing. The June 2025 minutes were approved.
Subcommittee reports focused heavily on counter-drone policy and advanced air mobility. Mr. Muley described the new counter-UAS effort, referred to as the “Let’s Go Act,” which would create a joint task force of state police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-drone operations. Members also discussed federal developments in the NDAA and DOJ’s role in authorizing mitigation capabilities for states with laws and training plans. Public safety members reported that training on recently enacted drone laws is underway in north Louisiana.
The committee also heard a major update from Josh Deplanis, newly named Louisiana’s first advanced aeronautics director. He outlined Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing/Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and described plans for real-world operations beginning as early as August, centered on Houma-Terrebonne Airport. He also reviewed the state’s broader advanced air mobility strategic plan, including vertiport readiness, charging infrastructure, logistics, workforce training, and community engagement. Members emphasized Louisiana’s opportunity to influence FAA policy and international airspace issues related to operations over the Gulf and beyond 12 nautical miles.
In final action, the committee adopted a resolution supporting reconstitution of LADAC, with revised proposed membership language reducing the committee from 15 members to 11 and setting a simple majority of six for quorum, with new appointments effective July 1, 2027. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the motion passed.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want every child to have an opportunity to pick what they want to do.
- And I want every child to have an opportunity to pick what they want to do.
- So I want more opportunity, more focus for those children to move forward.
- Frankly, at that time, I wasn't very excited about the educational opportunities in Idaho.
- It provides us the opportunity to see another side of you.
Committee:
Senate Education
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee heard gubernatorial appointment testimony from Pete Kohler for the State Board of Education and Jennifer White for Executive Director of the Office of the State Board of Education. Kohler described a long career in the military and Idaho education, including work as a teacher, principal, superintendent, State Department of Education chief of staff, and service on several state committees and commissions. In response to questions, he emphasized early reading mastery, stronger math and financial literacy, expanded career and technical education, more flexible high school pathways, and a focus on helping students become capable thinkers and resilient adults. He also discussed a major financial crisis he managed as Nampa superintendent, saying he stabilized the district without layoffs and worked openly with staff, unions, and the public. Committee members expressed support, but the appointment vote was deferred to the next meeting.
White introduced her family and outlined her background in Idaho, law, and higher education, including work in state government, private practice, Boise State University, and government relations. Senators praised her professionalism and performance under questioning in prior budget hearings, and no concerns were raised. As with Kohler, the committee said the confirmation vote would be taken the following day.
The committee also considered RS 32954C1, introduced by Senator Cook, which would direct the state to develop guidelines for artificial intelligence in education. Cook said the proposal was meant to help students learn about AI while adding guardrails, similar to how schools adapted to calculators, computers, and the internet. The committee moved RS 32954 to print, and the motion passed unanimously.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 12th, 2026
Senate & Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's about opportunity, and this bill will provide opportunity.
- Two opportunity districts or two districts that give individuals an opportunity to elect the candidate
- And may even have an opportunity.
- And you have that opportunity today.
- And it is, I think, not an opportunity to be...
Committee:
Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment