Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, a homeowner can lose the statutory limitation on valuation, which is the 3% cap increase,
• Currently, a homeowner can lose the statutory limitation on valuation, which is the 3% cap increase,
• Next up, we have HB 145 with Representative Hernandez, the high-wage job tax credit dates.
• Would you go over, Representative, and tell us what the wages were again?
• So I guess. these high-wage jobs coming in.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, a homeowner can lose the statutory limitation on valuation, which is the 3% cap increase,
• Currently, a homeowner can lose the statutory limitation on valuation, which is the 3% cap increase,
• Next up, we have HB 145 with Representative Hernandez, the high-wage job tax credit dates.
• They must pay real wages: $60,000 or more in the metro area, and $40,000 in rural parts of the state.
• Would you go over the wages again and tell us what they were?

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 103, which would prevent a homeowner from losing the 3% valuation cap solely because of a zoning change. The sponsor and supporters, including the New Mexico Business Coalition, Realtors, and the City of Albuquerque, said the bill would protect homeowners from unexpected tax increases when the property’s use has not changed. There was no opposition, and the committee approved HB 103 with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee then considered House Bill 145, which extends the high-wage job tax credit sunset from 2026 to 2036. The sponsor and the Economic Development Secretary said the credit has been effective in attracting and retaining higher-wage jobs, especially because employers need long-term certainty. Business and economic development groups testified in support, while no one spoke in opposition. Members discussed the wage thresholds, the value of keeping a sunset for review, and the bill’s fiscal impact. The committee passed HB 145 on a 7-2 roll call vote. House Bill 247, a major capital outlay modernization bill, generated the most extensive discussion. The sponsor described the bill as a response to billions in unspent capital outlay balances and repeated reauthorizations, and proposed amendments to require ICIP inclusion for larger appropriations, limit reauthorizations, and change how water projects are handled. Public testimony was mixed: some rural and tribal representatives supported modernization but warned that the water provisions could harm small communities, fire suppression systems, flood-control dams, and other local projects. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment striking the water-related Section 2, then later passed the bill as twice amended with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you increase funding to K-12.
• That 14 percent increase is largely a result of FAST.
• Um, high wage in this case, we just look at median wage data and high wages above the median.
• Look, um, you know, not high wages, not.
• That's just a frame of when they were doing their self-sufficient wage.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, auto premiums have increased. If they continue to lose money, auto premiums have increased.
• Both good drivers and bad drivers are receiving increases.
• So if you're looking at the bill, look at Section 1, line 12, you'll see the salaries and wages increase
• Section 1, line 12, you'll see the salaries and wages increase of about $3.5 million.
• What is earned wage access?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can help increase awareness. Thank you. ...into the dual enrollment options across our state.
• So we pay an hourly wage of about $24 to $25 an hour. ...training.
• So we pay an hourly wage of about $24 to $25 an hour while we're paying for their school.
• We've seen an increased 33% in diversity hiring. Wow.
• It just says, here's the high-demand, high-wage jobs.

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 18, 2026, with 11 members present and adopted prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee first heard HB 649 by Rep. Brass, which would create a statewide common application portal for dual enrollment. Supporters from the Pelican Institute and the Board of Regents said the bill would simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork for counselors and families, and improve awareness of dual enrollment options. Members asked about nonparticipation by institutions and access for nontraditional students; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 807 by Rep. Brass, which would establish the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program within LCTCS to help recruit and retain instructors for high-demand workforce programs. Testimony from River Parishes Community College, Dow, and the Louisiana Chemical Association described instructor shortages as a bottleneck for training workers for major industrial projects, and said employer-sharing models and apprenticeships have been successful. An amendment expanded eligibility to include LSU Eunice and Southern University at Shreveport, and the committee adopted the amendments. After debate about whether the state needed a new fund versus using existing systems, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard HB 285 by Chairman Bacala, which authorizes school boards to cooperate with banks and credit unions to operate branches in high schools as part of financial literacy programs. Bacala said the bill clarifies statutory authority, and an amendment added banks to the original credit union language. Members discussed ethics, exclusivity, student access, and whether the branches could market products; supporters from LABI and financial industry groups said the programs improve hands-on financial education. The bill was reported with amendments without objection. The committee also considered HB 28 by Rep. Owen, which adds a BESE-level appeal for certain teacher certification applicants affected by administrative or contractor errors. Owen described a case in which applicants paid for certification programs but were denied because of a mentor-signature issue, and said the amendment would require BESE or its designee to act within 30 days. Department of Education staff said the Teacher Certification Appeals Council had already granted extensions rather than outright denials in the affected cases, but the committee advanced the bill after a 9-4 roll call vote. Finally, the committee began HB 268 by Rep. Carver, which would strengthen career exposure requirements for students by tying activities more closely to high-wage, high-demand jobs and adding an annual exposure requirement in K-5; testimony emphasized early workforce awareness, and discussion focused on keeping the requirements manageable for schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we pretty much saw a 10,000-plus seat increase.
• But a 56% increase is quite large.
• That's a 290% increase in funding.
• That's a 420% increase. That's a 420% increase.
• a livable wage.

Summary: The committee approved the November 3 minutes and then received an extensive presentation from Arkansas education and workforce officials on how the LEARNS and ACCESS Acts are affecting career and technical education, concurrent enrollment, and postsecondary readiness. Officials said the state’s goal is for students to leave high school employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment from about 161,000 to 171,000 students and concurrent CTE enrollment from about 12,000 to 16,000. They also described the new success-ready pathways, merit and distinction designations, and how those measures tie into school accountability and graduation outcomes. The discussion then turned to scholarships and grants. Officials explained that ACCESS expanded concurrent credit support, increased funding per credit hour, and broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar programs by adding diploma-of-merit and diploma-of-distinction pathways. They said the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself did not change, but the non-distinguished Governor’s Scholar award now includes diploma of distinction as an additional eligibility route. Members raised concerns about how these requirements apply to private school and homeschool students, and officials said the intent is to ensure those students can qualify if they meet the same standards, though some implementation details are still being worked out. Questions also focused on whether students who explore multiple pathways could be penalized in school letter grades; officials said the system allows multiple ways to earn credit, including AP, IB, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships. Officials also reviewed workforce scholarships and short-term training funding. They said the state is developing policy for the Workforce Challenge and related professional skills training to set an 80-hour minimum and tiered funding, and they discussed the new federal Workforce Pell rules, which they said are very narrow and will likely apply to only a small number of Arkansas programs unless providers repackage training into stackable, credit-bearing pathways. Members asked for lists of eliminated programs, apprenticeships, and data on scholarship recipients, and staff said they could provide those. The committee also heard from Cody Waites on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, which Arkansas will administer nationally. He said the grant will support advanced manufacturing apprenticeships, use a pay-for-performance model, and be distributed to sponsors after apprentices are employed for 90 days, with applications opening January 28 and the state expecting to keep administrative costs under 8-9%.

Transcript Highlights:

• To equate that to a gas tax increase, a six-cent would be an 87-cent increase in the gas tax per gallon
• A nine-cent mileage tax per mile would be a $1.15 increase in the gas tax. mileage tax per mile would
• be a $1.15 increase in the gas tax per gallon.
• Your credit, you oppose a tax finally that would increase the cost of living in California, but you're
• It does not provide retroactive benefit increases. It does not create pension holidays.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a long third-reading file, taking up a series of bills and resolutions. Early measures included AB 713 on equal access to campus jobs for undocumented students, AB 1049 streamlining food assistance applications, and AB 1421 authorizing a study process on road user charges; all passed, with AB 1421 first amended procedurally after debate over whether it would lead to a mileage tax. Other education and workforce bills also passed, including AB 1171 on part-time community college faculty health insurance and AB 1198 on prevailing wage timing for public works projects. The chamber also approved a number of public safety, housing, environmental, and consumer protection measures. These included AB 1382 banning the sale of genetically modified pets for cosmetic purposes, AB 292 revising penalties for repeat felony domestic violence offenders, AB 375 restoring telehealth access for autism services paraprofessionals, AB 442 easing forest management rules, AB 501 increasing penalties for false UCC lien filings, AB 634 banning tianeptine, AB 939 modernizing density bonus resale rules for affordable homeownership, AB 739 on common-interest development fee transparency, AB 464 strengthening protections for incarcerated survivors of sexual assault, AB 910 increasing PBM reporting, AB 1153 addressing illegal dumping and abandoned RVs, AB 1165 requiring a housing/homelessness fiscal analysis, AB 1235 creating a skilled-and-trained requirement for CSU contracts, AB 1245 updating procurement rules to combat forced labor, AB 1383 making limited PEPRA changes for first responders, AB 1439 studying pension investment labor standards, AB 1486 speeding Prop 4 funding for agricultural research, and AB 1406 raising the condo liquidated damages cap from 3% to 6% with assurances of further amendments in the Senate. AB 762, which would phase out disposable vape devices in favor of reusable ones, drew the most extended debate, with supporters citing landfill fires and health concerns and opponents warning about lost tax revenue and illicit-market growth; it ultimately passed. The Assembly also adopted several resolutions by voice vote after adding coauthors: ACR 120 declaring January 2026 Positive Parenting Awareness Month, ACR 121 designating January 2026 National Mentoring Month, and ACR 122 recognizing Anesthesiologist Week. AB 1485, granting tribes welfare-exemption treatment for conservation land, was concurred in and passed. The consent calendar was then adopted, and the house adjourned until Monday, February 2, at 1 p.m., with a few vote changes entered after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, in a most recent study by Walters-Cluar, Massachusetts has seen an almost 8% increase in new
• Massachusetts has seen an almost 8% increase in new formations over the last three years.
• This puts Massachusetts as the 14th-highest state for percentage increase in the country.
• The loss will only be increased by the reduction of the annual report fee.
• The state's prevailing wage law has changed, or I should say the application of the prevailing wage law

Summary: The House Bonding Committee met to hear testimony on H. 5527, the Mass Wins Act, with Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley opening by describing the bill as a follow-on to Mass Leads. He said the proposal includes $305 million in bond authorizations, with $180 million for new programs and $125 million to expand existing ones, plus $140 million in deauthorizations of unused or redundant authorizations. He highlighted investments in applied AI and quantum, robotics, business expansion capital, defense innovation, global business attraction, ag tech and food science, downtowns, and the creative economy, and said the bill is intended to support geographic equity and small business growth across the Commonwealth. Committee members questioned the administration on several policy sections, including the MassCEC climate-tech certification language, housing-related provisions tied to 40B compliance and site plan review, the removal of the LCSW exam, AI transparency and federal preemption concerns, and the effect of lower LLC filing fees. Paley generally said some contested sections were added by the Economic Development Committee rather than the administration, defended the MassCEC discretion language as necessary for climate certification, and said the administration would follow up on committee-added provisions. He also said the bill’s housing provisions were meant to help address the state’s need for more homes and that the deauthorizations were housekeeping measures that did not affect current capital plan projects. Public testimony covered a wide range of topics. AARP and local advocates urged a statewide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, arguing they are heavily used in scams, impose high fees, and drain money from seniors and local economies. Housing groups supported codifying site plan review and adding parking reform and YIGBY-style housing on faith-owned land. Building trades asked to include off-site fabrication in prevailing wage law. The Massachusetts Public Banking Campaign backed the bill and urged inclusion of a public bank concept. Several witnesses supported Section 106, the Transparency and Frontier AI Act, as a way to require safety plans, audits, incident reporting, and whistleblower protections for the largest AI companies, while an AI startup group argued the section would overregulate smaller firms and should be separated from the bond bill. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, in a most recent study by Walters-Cluar, Massachusetts has seen an almost 8% increase in new
• Massachusetts has seen an almost 8% increase in new formations over the last three years.
• The loss will only be increased by the reduction of the annual report fee.
• Reducing the fee to an almost de minimis cost would result in an increase in fraudulent filings made
• The state's prevailing wage law has changed, or I should say the application of the prevailing wage law

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's defense versus commercial, whereas increases in defense outside of Washington State should not
• Funding is tied to prevailing wage, apprenticeship utilization, and reporting requirements.
• earners and ...that may, again, send their wage earners, their breadwinners, to a detention facility
• GEO was ordered to pay $17 million in back wages. They appealed. They have not paid yet."
• GEO was ordered to pay $17 million in back wages. They appealed. They have not paid yet.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2730 would clarify how JLARC evaluates the effectiveness of existing aerospace tax preferences by requiring a rolling five-year comparison of Washington aerospace employment with other states and asking JLARC to consider broader aerospace-sector changes and economic conditions. The prime sponsor and labor testifiers said the bill would add needed clarity and accountability for major tax investments supporting aerospace jobs. A committee question raised whether JLARC would be directed to make recommendations for improving the incentive, and staff and the sponsor said the bill does not specifically require that. HB 2713 would impose a 1% B&O tax surcharge, beginning July 1, 2026, on operators of private detention facilities with more than $1 million in annual Washington gross receipts. The sponsor said the bill is intended to respond to harms associated with private detention and to help fund services and legal support for affected families and communities. A remote testifier urged a much higher surtax on GEO Group, which operates the Northwest Detention Center, while county representatives testified that the bill as written could unintentionally apply to Martin Hall, a juvenile facility in Spokane County that is publicly governed and operated day-to-day by a nonprofit contractor. They asked for an exemption for Martin Hall, and the sponsor said that inclusion of nonprofits was not intended and that she would work with them on amendments. No votes were taken on either bill. The committee closed testimony on HB 2730 and HB 2713 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• demand for manpower and workforce is increasing in New Mexico.
• What that 60 cents is going to do is increase the cost of construction.
• will not be able to recover this increase.
• There's an increased cost of living to pursue that.
• and 25 apprentices at a lower wage.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, as amended, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor explained that the amendment removed a proposed 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales, while leaving the broader financing structure in place, including a $400 million seed appropriation and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenues into the new funds and related road accounts. Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association testified in support, and there was no opposition. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a do-pass vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for certain public works projects, while preserving a zero contribution rate where no approved program exists for a classification. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, and building trades representatives, argued the bill would close loopholes, expand training opportunities, and strengthen the workforce. Opponents, including utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico, argued it would raise project costs, duplicate existing federally approved training programs such as TTCP, and unfairly require payments from contractors who already train workers in-house or cannot access approved programs. Members debated whether the bill would affect existing in-house programs, rural access to training, and whether the language conflicted with existing law. An amendment to limit the bill to projects of $50 million or less was tabled, and the committee then passed HB 270 on a 6-5 do-pass vote. After the bill vote, the committee received a District 3 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation covering project status, funding, and equipment needs in Bernalillo, Valencia, and parts of Sandoval and Socorro counties. DOT staff reviewed completed and upcoming maintenance and STIP projects, local government and school district cooperative projects, and equipment requests. Members asked about delays on the Rio Bravo Bridge project, which DOT said were caused by utility coordination issues, and about the I-25/Gibson interchange, which remains in design and development with later-year funding anticipated. The presentation also addressed specific local projects such as Paseo del Norte and Paseo del Volcán.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we would expect an increase in costs. There to be an increase in costs.
• providers, no increased utilization, and no increased costs, that would be considered a failure by this
• Or you said we couldn't disenroll, but we had an increase? Increase in enrollment.
• You can have increases in productivity while you don't have increased... ...in employment, and that does
• And so, if we don't have an increase and we have a death increase—people are dying at a greater rate

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the wages of course will outdated.
• So, this was an wage and hour division.
• ><c> for</c><01:10:20.960><c> the</c><01:10:21.199><c> state</c> increase in revenue for the state increase
• The contractor paid the back wages and The contractor paid the back wages and duct<01:14:24.800><c> deducted
• </c><01:15:55.679><c> and</c> questions concerning Kucky's wage and questions concerning Kucky's wage

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:29 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:50 Kentucky Buy American Act: 00:02:08 Earn As You Learn: KY Building Trades Apprenticeship: 00:30:42 Worker Misclassification in the Construction Industry: 01:02:00 Investing in KY’s Future Workforce Through the Good Business Initiative: 01:20:44 Adjournment: 01:28:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns. Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail. The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen increasing incentives throughout the country.
• This includes qualified wages, non-qualified non-wages, non-qualified spend.
• This is a livable wage industry.
• So please, please increase this incentive. Thank you.
• As Californians, please support the tax increase.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 635, House File 2187 increase.
• the county share of care, the increase the county share of care, the increase<00:16:28.800><c> the</
• </c> property rate increases. property rate increases.
• We would just ask that that increase be contingent on if rates are increased.
• Those were not rate increases.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You make a minimum wage at groomer.
• It's an increasing these agreements.
• work</c><00:06:51.520><c> where</c> low-wage uh workers, low-wage work where low-wage uh workers, low-wage
• In low wages and bad working conditions.
• </c> in a big company, especially a low-wage in a big company, especially a low-wage worker,<00:21:18.799

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's been a rapid increase in those revenues in recent years.
• We know that workers lose about $2 billion in wages to wage theft every year.
• To pay the salary increases that are in the budget now.
• Our general salary increases will have. We love this state.
• not be cut at all and only our wages.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two million facing premium increases. Two million.
• Two million facing premium increases. Two million.
• taxes its high-wage earners.
• The highest minimum wage in the United States of America, working with you at $25 an hour.
• It hasn't been raised in nearly two decades, the federal minimum wage.

Summary: The joint convention convened to receive Governor Gavin Newsom’s final State of the State address, with legislative leaders introducing the Governor and welcoming constitutional officers, judges, and other guests. The proceedings opened with a moment of silence honoring Renee Nicole Good and other immigrants affected by detention and due process concerns. After introductory remarks from the Speaker, Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón, and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Governor Newsom delivered a wide-ranging address reflecting on his administration and California’s response to recent crises. The Governor highlighted California’s economic performance, tax structure, minimum wage increases, education funding, child care and school meal investments, housing reforms, apprenticeships, infrastructure projects, clean energy progress, and efforts on homelessness, mental health, and public safety. He also discussed state action on artificial intelligence regulation, climate resilience, insurance reform, and wildfire recovery, while sharply criticizing the federal government and President Trump on immigration, health care, food aid, disaster response, and other issues. He announced that his upcoming budget would include major education spending, a five-year extension of the CalCompete tax credit, additional community school funding, a rebuilding fund for fire survivors, and other policy proposals. At the close of the address, the Legislature formally ordered the Governor’s State of the State speech printed in the journal as a special appendix. The joint convention then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two million facing premium increases. Two million.
• Two million facing premium increases. Two million.
• taxes its high-wage earners.
• The highest minimum wage in the United States of America, working with you at $25 an hour.
• It hasn't been raised in nearly two decades, the federal minimum wage.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The joint convention convened to receive Governor Gavin Newsom’s final State of the State address, with formal introductions of legislative leaders, constitutional officers, judges, and other guests. A moment of silence was held in memory of Renee Nicole Good and other immigrants the presiding officer said had been detained or denied due process. The Speaker and Senate President pro tem both praised the governor’s tenure and framed California as a model of action, resilience, and partnership. In his address, Governor Newsom focused on California’s response to federal actions and on the state’s policy record. He criticized the Trump administration on immigration, health care, food aid, and disaster response, while highlighting California’s lawsuits against federal overreach. He also emphasized the state’s economic strength, tax structure, minimum wage increases, AI regulation, infrastructure investment, and support for clean energy, housing, education, child care, and public safety. He pointed to recent gains in school performance, reductions in unsheltered homelessness and crime, and ongoing efforts on mental health, insurance reform, and wildfire recovery. The governor previewed elements of his upcoming budget, including a $248.3 billion General Fund, higher-than-expected revenues, reserve rebuilding, pension payments, and record per-pupil education funding. He also announced plans to seek reauthorization of tax credit programs, expand community schools, continue housing reforms, and create a rebuilding fund to help wildfire survivors bridge the gap between insurance payouts and reconstruction costs. After the address, the joint convention ordered the speech printed in the journal as a special appendix and adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those will be tax increases.
• Those will be tax increases.
• Almost more than a 20% increase.
• increasing wages.
• state employee wages right now.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayers and pledges, and several procedural announcements, including permission for cameras, a relaxed dress code for guests, and excusing a few senators. Members also recognized numerous guests and honorary lieutenant governors, and discussed a planned bolo tie contest tied to New Mexico tradition and state history. The chamber then moved to business, including the confirmation of Anna Silva as Secretary of the General Services Department. The confirmation drew broad support from senators on both sides, who praised Silva’s long career in state government, her management experience, and her work on major projects such as the executive office building, procurement reforms, and facilities management. After debate, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm her appointment. Silva’s family and guests were recognized from the floor after the vote. The Senate then took up House Bill 2 and 3, the state budget. Senator Muñoz presented the Senate Finance version as a balanced budget with about $11.1 billion in spending, 27% reserves, recurring investments in health care, early childhood, public safety, education, roads, housing, and economic development, and targeted nonrecurring spending for items such as water, universities, and innovation sectors. Supporters emphasized affordability, teacher health insurance parity, medical residency funding, rural and community investments, and public safety funding. Critics raised concerns about the size of the budget, the late availability and complexity of the bill, the removal of a proposed 1% pay raise for state employees, and whether spending priorities and education dollars were being allocated effectively. No final vote on the budget was shown in the transcript excerpt.