Video & Transcript : 'collaborative practice' :
Page 338 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- operational excellence and growth presents an ongoing dilemma that requires innovative solutions and collaborative
- upgrading infrastructure, implementing secure data storage, training employees on cybersecurity best practices
- As we confront these challenges, it's imperative that policymakers and stakeholders work collaboratively
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links.
Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill.
Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
- Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
- Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
- Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
- Uh, we've got more work to do and I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we move forward
Bills:
HF2434
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Like other practice, advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists
- , Like other advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists practice
- nurses to practice to the full extent of their license and training.
- I mean, so essentially this is not a scope of practice bill.
- Today I'm asking you to consider a bill that is simple, practical, and urgently needed.
Committee:
Senate Health
Summary:
The committee heard SB 1422, which would restore Medi-Cal access for income-eligible undocumented adults beginning January 1, 2027. Senator Durazo and county, labor, health, immigrant-rights, and provider supporters argued the current enrollment freeze shifts costs to counties and hospitals, worsens preventive care, and increases expensive emergency treatment. No opposition testified. Several senators voiced support but also raised concerns about funding and the need for new revenue sources; the chair said she supported the concept and would continue working on financing, but the bill was not voted on because quorum was lost.
The committee also heard SB 1023 on PrEP access, SB 1071 on amending death certificates after a homicide finding, SB 1057 on conviction-history review for CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 on advance care planning and POLST/DNR updates. SB 1023’s author and supporters said requiring pharmacy-benefit coverage for injectable PrEP would reduce administrative barriers and improve access, while health plans opposed it as an improper benefit-design mandate; members sought clarification about how the billing pathway would work. SB 1071 drew strong support from victims’ families, law enforcement, and prosecutors who said death certificates should reflect later legal homicide findings, while coroners opposed it as blurring medical and legal determinations and risking data integrity. SB 1057 was presented as a fair-chance workforce measure to expand caregiving jobs for rehabilitated people with records, with no opposition heard. SB 1088 would modernize POLST/DNR rules, including electronic signatures, out-of-state recognition, and clearer signer authority; supporters backed the changes, while clinical nurse specialists opposed the bill for not including them as authorized signers.
After quorum was established, the committee took up SB 869, which would require large chain restaurants to display an added-sugar icon next to beverages exceeding half the daily recommended sugar limit. Senator Weber Pierson and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association framed the bill as a transparency measure to help consumers make informed choices and reduce chronic disease risk. The senator responded to opposition concerns by saying existing nutrition information is often hard to find and that the icon would not unduly crowd menus. The hearing continued with testimony on the bill after quorum was reached, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Like other practice, advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists
- , Like other advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists practice
- Adding CNSs complements the collaborative and team-based approach to define modern health care.
- Essentially, this is not a scope of practice bill.
- Today I'm asking you to consider a bill that is simple, practical, and urgently needed.
Committee:
Senate Health
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And these practices have real consequences.
- The discriminatory practices we're fighting against are not abstract.
- The discriminatory practices were fighting against are not abstract.
- Also, this bill would prohibit discrimination due to an organization's practices of diversity, equity
- The difficulty with scope three is just, it's practically impossible.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards
Summary:
The committee heard Senate Bill 945, 946, 2044, 2819, 2403, 2337, and 312, with all bills left pending after testimony. SB 945 would restrict insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on oil and gas activity or ESG-related goals, and supporters argued it would protect Texas energy producers from politically motivated shareholder activism and insurance discrimination. SB 946 would bar creditors from using social credit, ESG, DEI, or religious/political affiliation as a basis for denying or limiting credit; witnesses said it would prevent viewpoint-based financial discrimination and protect access to capital for Texas businesses. SB 2337 would require proxy advisory firms to disclose when recommendations are based on non-financial factors or when they give conflicting advice to different clients; supporters said the measure would increase transparency and curb ESG-driven influence over shareholder voting. SB 312 would direct public retirement systems to focus on financial returns rather than social or political objectives, with the author saying the bill responds to activist pressure on pensions and would reinforce fiduciary duty.
The committee also took up election and ethics measures. SB 2044 would strengthen electioneering restrictions for publicly funded education institutions and personnel, prohibiting use of official resources to promote political agendas; testimony focused on alleged school district electioneering in bond and tax elections. SB 2819 would prohibit county elections administrators from holding certain officer positions appointed by elected officials, addressing potential conflicts of interest. SB 2403, the Texas Ethics Commission sunset bill, would restructure complaint handling with a three-tier violation system, risk-based complaint prioritization, longer response times, bipartisan preliminary review panels, and expanded hearing options; members discussed amendments aimed at dismissing minor complaints, clarifying categories, and adjusting lobbying and penalty provisions, but the amendments were withdrawn during committee consideration.
Across the ESG and finance bills, invited witnesses from the American Energy Institute, Heartland Impact, Consumers Research, ADF Action, Texas Civil Justice League, and related groups generally supported the measures, arguing that banks, insurers, proxy advisors, and asset managers have used ESG or reputational-risk standards to discriminate against energy, agriculture, firearms, and religious organizations. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt, and the committee closed public testimony on each bill and left them pending.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/12/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- will uh something and so I hope that we will uh work<01:01:50.520><c> again</c><01:01:50.760><c> collaboratively
- </c><01:01:51.440><c> with</c><01:01:51.640><c> Senator</c> work again collaboratively with Senator work
- again collaboratively with Senator um<01:01:52.359><c> baon</c><01:01:52.640><c> Senator</c><01:01:52.960
- That's no longer the practice of most prosecutors in the state. to 400 uh per unit this tax was to 400
- c><01:04:15.119><c> no</c><01:04:15.319><c> longer</c><01:04:15.640><c> the</c><01:04:15.799><c> practice
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Parents and educators already collaborate every day to support children's learning and well-being.
- Parents and educators already collaborate every day to support children's learning and well-being.
- That's just the quorum in practice in every committee. No disrespect was meant by that.
- </c><01:11:50.320><c> for</c> state identify best practices for state identify best practices for prevention
- practices must apply restorative justice practices must apply to<01:24:49.760><c> everyone</c><01:24
Committee:
Senate Education
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:11:19.360><c> effort</c> appreciate the collaborative effort appreciate the collaborative effort
- But we've worked hard to collaborate across all schemes. You notice you don't see the FOP here.
- But we've worked hard to collaborate across all schemes. You notice you don't see the FOP here.
- But we've worked hard to collaborate across all schemes. You notice you don't see the FOP here.
- But we've worked hard to collaborate across all schemes. You notice you don't see the FOP here.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:11
Attendance Roll Call: 00:18
Senate Bill 10 (Sen. Mills): 01:47
Senate Bill 65 (Sen. West): 18:47
Senate Bill 104 (Sen. Madon): 25:41
Adjournment: 31:38, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 10, which would revise CERS retiree health subsidies for members who began participating on or before July 1, 2003. Senator Mills said the bill was developed with employee and employer groups to improve retiree health benefits while protecting the system’s financial footing, using a shared-cost structure. Testimony from sheriffs, police chiefs, firefighters, and the League of Cities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing recruitment and retention, affordability of retiree health coverage, and limited taxpayer risk. Members echoed those points, and the committee approved SB 10 with a 9-0 favorable recommendation.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator West, which would codify the Administrative Regulations Committee’s annual practice of placing certain deficient regulations into statute so they cannot take effect. West explained that the committee’s role is limited to finding regulations deficient or asking for deferral, and that SB 65 is the fifth version of this measure. He described the specific regulation at issue as a Medicaid Services rule that would have required behavioral health associates to hold a master’s degree; providers testified that it would reduce the workforce and harm behavioral health services statewide. West said the committee had deferred the matter eight times before deciding to side with providers. The bill received favorable expression and was reported out.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Senator Madon, concerning Kentucky Deferred Comp for state employees. The bill would establish a codified fiduciary standard, authorize fiduciary liability insurance, add self-correcting mechanisms to keep the plan in compliance with federal law, and allow self-directed brokerage accounts. Personnel Cabinet representatives said the changes would align the plan with other public pension plans, reduce risk, and offer participants a useful investment option with strong account growth among users. SB 104 also received favorable expression and was reported to the floor. The committee then adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-PSM, AEN, AEN DEFER, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-07-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Crimes Council and expanding the duties of the Department to collaborate with and support the council
- I see a collaborative effort of these different bills probably being combined.
- I see a collaborative effort of these different bills probably being combined.
- But like I said, it's a collaboration that should be all together. It's not just one-sided.
- Against the bill, but like I said, it's a collaboration that should be all together.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Summary:
The joint AEN-PSM hearing on February 7, 2025 focused primarily on three agriculture-related measures and one animal welfare bill, with additional discussion of pesticide drift monitoring, coffee labeling, and a gas-pump labeling bill. SB 762 would create an Agricultural Crimes Council and authorize agricultural crime investigators; testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and several members of the public was generally supportive, with repeated calls for stronger enforcement, community involvement, and in some cases allowing investigators to be armed. Some testifiers also urged changes to the appointment process for council members, preferring neighborhood boards or local officials over gubernatorial appointments. The committee discussed combining related agricultural crime bills and noted concerns about investigator safety in remote areas.
SB 763 would establish an agriculture enforcement program within the Department of Law Enforcement and a special fund. Testimony was strongly supportive from state agencies and farm groups, with speakers emphasizing the need for more effective response to agricultural theft, poaching, and related crimes. Several public testifiers linked the bill to broader community safety and asked for clearer funding, training, coordination, performance metrics, and technology use. The committee also heard SB 1022, which would prohibit leaving pets in dangerous conditions in vehicles and allow officers, firefighters, animal control, and in some cases private citizens to rescue animals; the Attorney General said existing cruelty statutes may already cover the conduct and suggested amendments, while HPD opposed the bill. Members asked about liability for rescuers and whether the proposal might affect property-crime enforcement.
The committee also heard SB 1304 on pesticide drift monitoring funding, with the Department of Agriculture supporting the measure and explaining it was needed to complete a required project under an EPA-related agreement. A Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action representative raised concerns about the methodology of prior studies, and a public testifier described a recent odor incident near a roadway and school. SB 1015, requiring labels on gas dispensing equipment warning about fossil fuel impacts, drew support from the Department of Agriculture and the Public Utilities Commission but opposition from the Hawaii Energy Marketers Association. SB 500 on coffee labeling and regional origin was also heard, with the Department of Agriculture in support. In decision-making, the committees adopted recommendations to pass SB 762 with amendments, SB 763 with amendments, SB 1022 with technical amendments, SB 1304 with technical amendments, and SB 1015 as is; SB 500 was not acted on in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It requires commitment and collaboration across a diverse and broad range of Minnesotans.
- We are confident that our collaborative interdivisional approach to identifying and prioritizing budget
- </c><00:02:54.800><c> a</c> commitment and collaboration across a commitment and collaboration across
- one DNR approach took a collaborative one DNR approach considering<00:04:17.040><c> state</c><00:04:
- </c> collaborative interdivisional approach collaborative interdivisional approach to<00:04:55.280><c
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 25th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But in practice, many Texans only learn about tax changes when they open their tax bills, long after
- That is the current practice, but what this bill allows is for our voters, our taxpayers, to have better
- HB16 by Leach relating to the operation and administration of the practices and procedures related to
- What we've tried to do with this is to be as inclusive and collaborative as possible, not only on the
- The civil practice section of the State Bar, for example, people who have...
Bills:
HB17 , HB16 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB23 , SB 15 , SB 18 , HB 17 , HB 16 , SB 10 , HB 27 , HB 23 , SB 15 , SB 18
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And that has been a problem over the years because a lot of the time, people in a busy practice don't
- Chairman and members of the committee, for 20 For 25 years, my firm has practiced personal injury and
- I am a neurosurgeon. that has been practicing since 1972.
- I'm not talking about prices; I'm talking about practices. That's how they set those prices.
- Because I can't run my practice on it. It's unsustainably low reimbursement.
Bills:
HB4806
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Keywords:
civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor's education policy bill discussed 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:02:58.560><c> show</c> practices in violence prevention show practices in violence prevention
- and makes explicit in law the practices MDE guidance has encouraged districts to author.
- and makes explicit in law the practices MDE guidance has encouraged districts to author.
- </c> Districts do not have the practical Districts do not have the practical ability<00:20:32.880><c>
- In practice, this means in the bill.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 237 is Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, a nursing title bill.
- Many APRNs hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice or a Ph.D., the terminal degree in nursing.
- registered nurse autonomous practice.
- A bill to be entitled an act relating to advanced practice registered nurse autonomous practice.
- registered nurse autonomous practice.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0.
The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18.
Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
250th Anniversary Celebration of the American Revolution Jun 21st, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I’m loving all these collaborations between communities.
- We've also been working very closely with the cabinet secretaries and collaborating on their programs
- And it's, again, tremendously exciting to see a region come together in cooperation and collaboration
- And it's, again, tremendously exciting to see a region come together in cooperation and collaboration
- And thank you with always to my counterpart in the house for being a great collaborator.
Summary:
The Special Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution met without a quorum, so the gathering remained unofficial and no minutes were approved or formal votes taken. Chair Senator Paul Mark conducted roll call, then moved to updates and presentations from House co-chair Representative Sean Garballey, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Director Sheila Green, and Revolution 250’s Jonathan Lane.
Representative Garballey highlighted the recent Patriots’ Day and Lexington-Concord commemorations, calling them highly successful, and noted that the House’s supplemental budget included $15 million for 250th anniversary events. Director Green gave a broad Massachusetts 250 update, emphasizing the large turnout for April commemorations, upcoming events including Fall River, Bunker Hill, Flag Day, Charlestown’s parade, Gloucester’s reenactment, and Newburyport’s parade, plus ongoing initiatives such as Museums 250, Lunch and Learns, grant programs, podcasts, and partnerships with sports teams, museums, and state agencies. She also reported 131 applications for FY26 grants totaling $7.5 million, with $2 million available for awards.
Jonathan Lane described Revolution 250’s work supporting local commemorations across the Commonwealth, including Chelsea Creek, Monotomy, Hingham, Pittsfield, Plymouth, and other communities, and praised local legislators’ involvement. He previewed major upcoming Bunker Hill and Charlestown events, the Gloucester reenactment, the 250th Revolution 250 podcast episode featuring Rick Atkinson, Knox Trail programming, and the start of Massachusetts 250 events in 2026. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters and a note that the commission would likely reconvene after July 4.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Those hospitals were sort of indirectly in competition, but they collaborated with each other, sharing
- I mean, all kinds of collaboration went on all the time between the two hospitals.
- </c><00:16:21.519><c> with</c> competition, but they collaborated with competition, but they collaborated
- </c><00:16:32.000><c> went</c><00:16:32.240><c> on</c> mean, all kinds of collaboration went on mean,
- all kinds of collaboration went on all<00:16:32.720><c> the</c><00:16:32.959><c> time</c><00:16:33.120
Committee:
Senate Healthcare
Keywords:
rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We are asking for you to support collaboration between Minnesota cities.
- We are asking for you to support collaboration between Minnesota cities.
- We are asking for you to support collaboration between Minnesota cities.
- We are asking for you to support collaboration between Minnesota cities.
- We are asking for you to support collaboration between Minnesota cities.
Bills:
HF4680 , HF4047 , HF4590 , HF3757 , HF3569 , HF4507 , HF4426 , HF4927 , HF4788 , HF4757 , HF4747 , HF3561 , HF4014 , HF4013 , HF4689 , HF4766 , HF4589
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
wastewater treatment, improvements, capital investment, Greenfield, bonds, water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, state bonds, public utilities, HF4590, Tamarack, municipal infrastructure, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, Public Facilities Authority, sewer system, collection system, street reconstruction, local infrastructure
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/10/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a long history of collaboration with the International Institute.
- <00:58:57.200><c> collaboration</c><00:58:57.920><c> demonstrates</c><00:58:58.359><c> a</c> collabor
- collaboration demonstrates a collabor collaboration demonstrates a sustained<00:58:58.960><c> and</c
- funding, which we always talk about investments and public-private collaborations.
- funding, which we always talk about investments and public-private collaborations.
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget review Sub. on Postsecondary Education. (2-19-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- This facility will feature a mix of private and semi-private suites, community kitchens, collaborative
- This facility will feature a mix of private and semi-private suites, community kitchens, collaborative
- </c> collaboration and wellness. collaboration and wellness.
- And fewer than 15% of Kentucky businesses report collaborating with education or workforce partners.
- education or collaborating with education or workforce<00:25:33.600><c> partners.
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum, so no minutes were approved. The committee then heard a presentation from Western Kentucky University President Timothy Kabone, who highlighted WKU’s recent gains in graduation rate, retention, degree production, graduate enrollment, research activity, and financial stability. He said WKU’s FY 2026 budget is structurally balanced without one-time reserves, and he tied the university’s growth to its strategic plan and to Senate Bill 77, which created a pathway for WKU’s first PhD program. WKU’s initial PhD offering is planned in data sciences for fall 2027, and Kabone said the university continues to pursue R2 research status.
Kabone also outlined WKU’s budget requests, including a 4.5% base appropriation increase for each year of the biennium, a $30 million increase in the performance funding pool, a $30 million trust fund for tuition waiver reimbursement, and $2 million per year for the Gatton Academy. He also requested continued funding for the Kentucky Mesonet, 8.9% of proposed asset preservation funding, and support for a $280 million new Potter College facility. He emphasized inflationary pressures, rising fixed costs, and the burden of mandated tuition waivers, and said the university supports performance funding but wants the model adjusted to better reward student success rather than enrollment growth.
Members asked about WKU’s student housing situation and the transition away from the former student life foundation model. Kabone said the foundation structure had run its course, that the university had lacked adequate oversight under the old arrangement, and that WKU is moving to a public-private partnership with Gilbane and the College Housing Foundation. He said the new model would not increase the university’s debt load and would replace older residence halls with a roughly 1,000-bed complex, eliminate community-style bathrooms over time, and expand living-learning communities. Representatives McCool and Tipton praised WKU’s graduation and retention results and asked questions about the housing project and its timeline.
The committee then heard from CareerVXR and KCTCS about a proposed career exploration pilot. Company representatives said the platform uses web-based and virtual reality experiences to show students real jobs and workplaces, with the goal of addressing an “awareness gap” in workforce participation. They proposed a $1.8 million, two-year pilot to reach 50,000 to 60,000 students in three regions, including Hazard Community and Technical College, Southeast Community and Technical College, and western Kentucky. Members asked about cost, funding source, and locations, and were told the request would come through the KCTCS budget. The meeting ended with notice that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Aug 1st, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- It is technically and practically possible for you to have given more than 48 hours for the public to
- This is what everybody talks about—El Paso talks about the unity, about collaboration, about working
- I've been practicing for over 24 years.
- Then, once you've done that, work collaboratively together. ...Because, see, you should be first.
- If we were going to do this collaboratively and build maps that serve...
Bills:
HB4
Committee:
House Congressional Redistricting, Select
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all