Video & Transcript : 'teacher layoffs' :
Page 35 of 427
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Feb 12th, 2026
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- I know teachers that had summertime jobs down there and young college kids that might have summer jobs
- Max Page, president of the Mass Teachers Association; Jessica Tang, president of AFT Massachusetts; and
- Max Page, president of the Mass Teachers Association, Jessica Tang, president of AFT Mass, and Dave Foley
- I'm Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
- Layoffs at Planned Parenthood, Boston Health Care for the Homeless, and the American Red Cross.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of federal tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) on Massachusetts. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz said the bill would phase in selected corporate tax changes over time, avoid a $442 million FY26 revenue hit, preserve the current-year budget, and add a few related changes, including expanding the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, delaying large federal tax changes over $20 million by one year, limiting opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, adjusting DFML contributions to match IRS guidance, and aligning casino slot-winnings reporting thresholds with federal law. Committee members questioned the administration about why it chose phased conformity rather than full decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill does not pass, the purpose of the pass-through entity change, opportunity zones, and the slot-machine threshold and family leave provisions.
Public testimony was sharply divided. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and Don Griswold of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities urged the committee to go further and permanently decouple from the five most costly OB3 corporate tax provisions, arguing that automatic conformity is fiscally risky, rewards investment outside Massachusetts, and has already caused or could cause large revenue losses. Labor and public-sector witnesses, including leaders from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and building trades unions, also called for permanent decoupling, warning that the federal law will deepen state budget pressures, harm schools, health care, human services, and infrastructure, and shift costs onto workers and public programs. Several speakers said Massachusetts should not adopt federal corporate tax cuts that mainly benefit wealthy individuals and corporations.
Other testimony focused on specific provisions. Unite Here Local 26 asked the committee to strike the casino slot-winnings threshold change from $1,200 to $2,000, saying the current limit helps identify problem gambling, creates an opportunity for intervention, and supports union jobs. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s phased approach, especially the research and experimental expense deduction, citing the importance of certainty for business filers and Massachusetts’ strong R&D economy. Greater Boston Legal Services testified on the paid family and medical leave sections, explaining that the bill’s changes would align PFML payroll contributions with new IRS guidance and, if paired with administrative action, would be cost-neutral for workers and employers. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Feb 12th, 2026
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- I know teachers that had summertime jobs down there and young college kids that might have summer jobs
- Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association; Jessica Tang, president of AFT Massachusetts
- Max Page, president of the Mass Teachers Association, Jessica Tang, president of AFT Mass, and Dave Foley
- I'm Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
- Layoffs at Planned Parenthood, Boston Health Care for the Homeless, and the American Red Cross.
Bills:
H4975
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 27, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That is the worst ratio in the country, with layoffs and separations up by 57% in 2025.
- and separations up by 57% with layoffs and separations up by 57% in<00:25:01.200><c> 2025.
- remain excluded from these teachers remain excluded from basic<04:35:04.480><c> tax</c><04:35:04.959
- It's also federal recognition of teachers and their professionalism, their dedication, and commitment
- It's also federal recognition of teachers and their professionalism, their dedication, and commitment
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Christopher Anderson, president of the Stockton Teachers Association and 25-year CTE teacher, in strong
- Credentialed teachers.
- Vanessa Cutteback, Vice President of the Sacramento City Teachers Association, teacher at Phoebe Hearst
- 1,400 teachers.
- Anna Cordero, eighth grade teacher at California Virtual Academies, Anna Cordero, eighth grade teacher
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum.
Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum.
Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations.
The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Then loans will cease and layoffs will begin.
- choice of long-term military service is similar to other very valuable public servants, such as teachers
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California.
Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants.
The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Then loans will cease and layoffs will begin.
- choice of long-term military service is similar to other very valuable public servants, such as teachers
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 23rd, 2026
Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions
Transcript Highlights:
- That committee is made up of parents, teachers, employers, public health professionals, doctors, who
- months pregnant with a toddler at home, and my husband had just lost his job due to pandemic-related layoffs
Bills:
H5005
Keywords:
environment, water conservation, natural resources, public funding, environmental justice, 1212, all
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the tech center hires the teacher and trains the teacher to present career Expiration, but the
- Those courses do come with a high-quality teacher, and a lot of those teachers make up those multiple
- We have exemplary teachers.
- So, they hired our math teacher.
- So districts can provide their own teachers a record or they can use a Horizon teacher.
Committee:
House A&B Education Subcommittee
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- This single decision resulted in the layoff of 82 Massachusetts employees.
- Unhoused children, unpaid teachers, unavailable health care outside that chessboard.
- We now have a panel: Jessica Tang, American Federation of Teachers, and Max Page, Massachusetts Teachers
- My name is Jessica Tang, and I am a mom, a middle school social studies teacher, and currently serving
- as President of the American Federation of Teachers in Massachusetts.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue, chaired by Senator James Eldridge and Representative Adrian Madaro, opened its hearing with a moment of silence for the late Lowell State Senator Ed Kennedy and reviewed hearing procedures and deadlines. The committee then took testimony on several corporate tax bills, including S. 2033/H. 3110 on offshore tax avoidance, H. 3248 on a manufacturing tax exemption, H. 3057 on a tiered corporate minimum tax, and S. 2041 on a corporate tax haven blacklist, along with a separate business interest deduction bill. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Supporters of S. 2033/H. 3110, including labor unions, health care workers, educators, public health advocates, seniors, and several legislators, argued that Massachusetts needs new revenue to offset federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, health care, education, and other services. They said the bill would raise roughly $400 million annually by increasing the share of offshore profits included in the state tax base from 5% to 50%, and they framed it as a fairness measure that would require large multinational corporations to pay more while leaving most local businesses and workers unaffected. Testimony emphasized risks to MassHealth, PCA services, adult dental care, hospitals, schools, and public health programs if new revenue is not raised.
Opponents, including the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and the Council on State Taxation, argued the proposal is poor tax policy and likely unconstitutional because it would tax foreign-source income without allowing foreign tax credits or a comparable apportionment method. They said Massachusetts should take a broader, coordinated approach to federal tax changes rather than a standalone bill, and warned of litigation risk and possible double taxation. Supporters such as MassBudget and former tax counsel Don Griswold countered that the bill is a reasonable rough-justice approach, consistent with federal and neighboring-state treatment, and that it would primarily affect a small number of very large multinationals. On S. 2041, the Global Business Alliance opposed the proposed tax haven blacklist, while supporting a separate bill allowing business interest deductibility.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 4/7/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Due to significant layoffs early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the state's UI trust fund relied on an advance
- </c> lay layoff notices to about 170 staff. lay layoff notices to about 170 staff.
- There are costs associated with layoffs, severance, all of those sort of things.
- ,</c> are costs associated with layoffs, are costs associated with layoffs, severance,<00:59:10.079><
- There was a massive surge in layoffs.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 29th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Bills:
HB146 , HB333 , HB517 , HB828 , SB87 , SB93 , SB98 , SB118 , SB125 , SB199 , SB277 , SB294 , SB306
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
sports wagering, gambling, elections, local control, revenue generation, inmates, housing, corrections, Department of Public Safety, local jurisdiction, criminal justice, juvenile justice, jury trial, felony offenses, crime of violence, sex offenses, correctional facilities, in-custody deaths, medical oversight, independent investigations
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the next iteration of a teacher retention and recruitment bill that allows for doubling now the
- scholarshipping amount for Students who are entering our teacher prep programs and colleges of ed or
Bills:
SB1189 , SB1295 , SB1297 , SB1330 , SB1333 , SB1338 , SB1341 , SB1344 , SB1355 , SB1377 , SB1378 , SB1546 , SB1859 , SB1946 , SB1990 , SB1998
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Keywords:
school security, funding, public schools, security enhancements, resource officers, domestic violence, fatality review, revolving fund, database, public safety, Oklahoma, census accuracy, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, federal census, grassroots outreach, marketing campaign, SB1330, Pardon and Parole Board, parole board, pardon board
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the next iteration of a teacher retention and recruitment bill that allows for doubling now the
- scholarshiping amount for students who are entering our teacher prep programs and colleges of ed or
- ...bill that allows for doubling now the scholarshiping amount for students who are entering our teacher
Bills:
SB1189 , SB1295 , SB1297 , SB1330 , SB1333 , SB1338 , SB1341 , SB1344 , SB1355 , SB1377 , SB1378 , SB1546 , SB1859 , SB1946 , SB1990 , SB1998
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Keywords:
school security, funding, public schools, security enhancements, resource officers, domestic violence, fatality review, revolving fund, database, public safety, Oklahoma, census accuracy, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, federal census, grassroots outreach, marketing campaign, SB1330, Pardon and Parole Board, parole board, pardon board
Summary:
The committee met in an appropriations setting and first laid over Senate Bill 1946. It then advanced Senate Bill 1344, creating an insulin access affordability program at the Health Department, on a 19-1 vote. Senate Bill 1295, establishing a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board revolving fund and database, was amended to delete a section and then passed 21-0. Senate Bill 1355, creating a program for memorials and headstones for eligible National Guard veterans, also passed unanimously.
Members then advanced several other measures, including Senate Bill 1998 to help smaller towns qualify for quality events incentives, Senate Bill 1330 raising Pardon and Parole Board salaries, Senate Bill 1297 creating a decennial census revolving fund to support outreach for the 2030 census, and Senate Bill 1189 extending the school security fund for three more years at $50 million annually. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1338 making the Heroes Literacy Instructional Team permanent, and Senate Bill 1546 increasing scholarship support for teacher preparation students.
Additional bills passed included Senate Bill 1378 creating the Olympics and Oklahoma Revolving Fund, Senate Bill 1859 creating an OSBI cyber crime and fraud unit fund, Senate Bill 1341 creating a Career Counseling Revolving Fund, Senate Bill 1377 directing DHS to provide bags for foster children’s belongings, and Senate Bill 1990 broadening the Incentive Evaluation Commission’s comparative analysis of incentives. Several bills had appropriations stripped by amendment at the chair’s request before passage, and the committee repeatedly discussed fiscal impacts, local matching expectations, transparency, and whether programs should remain state-funded or rely on local or philanthropic support. The meeting ended with adjournment and notice of a meeting the following week.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 28th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we really want to force teachers to become gender police?
- But these families that lost 19 kids and two teachers have a right to know what happened.
- When I called her mom, her mom said that when she was in preschool, the teachers lined up the kids at
Keywords:
sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 28th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- As a teacher myself and a veteran, As a parent with kids in public schools, I had never needed any kind
- These earned days are lost value for both the teacher and the school.
- I'm a public school teacher testifying on my own behalf for HB56.
- Teacher training is essential; teaching math effectively requires a deep understanding of the subject
- This version of House Bill 123 ensures that K-3 math teachers receive high quality training. training
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
Keywords:
HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention, math intervention, teacher academy, literacy academy, mathematics academy, interventionist academy, K-3 assessments, school readiness, prekindergarten, tutoring grant, parent-directed tutoring
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I was an infant teacher, preschool daycare teacher, fresh out of high school, so I knew what the specs
- I was an infant teacher, preschool daycare teacher, fresh out of high school, so I knew what the specs
- Special ed kids have a main teacher.
- Special ed kids have a main teacher, an aide, maybe two, a general ed teacher, plus all the specialists—speech
- Oh, it was the same teacher. Same teacher. Okay.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing focused primarily on special education-related bills, with testimony centered on two major themes: transition planning for students aging out of school-based services at age 22, and the fiscal strain special education costs place on districts. Committee members explained hearing procedures, noted the House was in formal session, and periodically stepped out for votes while staff recorded testimony. A separate bill on special education due process was also taken up briefly, along with a bill on special education finance and another on equitable access/data reporting.
On House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, witnesses from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, self-advocates, and Senator Comerford described the “Turning 22” transition as a crisis point that often leaves families without adult placements, services, or clear communication. Testimony emphasized earlier planning, more accountability, better data collection, and a commission to improve coordination and residential placement. Several parents and advocates shared personal accounts of traumatic transitions, delayed placements, and the need for plans to begin at least a year before age 22. The committee later closed testimony on these bills after hearing from all signed-up speakers.
House Bill 4217, on special education due process, drew support from Representative Sullivan-Almeida, parents, and advocates who argued that the burden of proof should shift from families to school districts. Testimony described costly legal battles, delays, and parents having to become experts in reading instruction or hire advocates and attorneys to secure services. Brody Dwyer, a 10-year-old student with dyslexia, and his mother described how evidence-based instruction helped him after years of struggle. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 546/Senate Bill 317, which would require DESE to publish cross-tabulated data on race, disability, gender, income, and other factors; advocates said this would better expose disparities and help address the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, on House Bill 691/Senate Bill 430, school leaders, educators, and union representatives testified that special education costs are outpacing district budgets and that increasing circuit breaker reimbursement and creating a commission to study long-term sustainability would help prevent staffing cuts and service reductions. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee repeatedly closed testimony on individual bills as speakers finished and moved through the agenda.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- , teachers' aides, substitute teachers, includes teachers, teachers' aides, substitute teachers, graders
- Those were teachers. Teachers that teach. Employees.
- I was a teacher.
- Having been a public school teacher, having been a teacher, I get worried that the unfunded... ...teacher
- My wife's a teacher. Obviously, she's a charter school teacher.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a lot of carriers that have employees furloughed or in layoff status.
- But if anybody could look, there's still layoffs at these major companies.
- I'm a Jewish high school teacher in St. Louis.
- You say, maybe that teacher was just bad at her job. Maybe she was.
- As far as I know, the teacher did not report this.
Committee:
House Emerging Issues
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Military and Veterans Affairs Jul 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Graduates are working here as teachers, law enforcement officers, and other government and private sector
- We're requesting clarification on the rationale for the proposed $30,000, I mean, a $30,000 staff layoffs
- And I think this is just important because I think 30,000 layoffs, even though it wouldn't all be in
- a roll call vote on approving the letter in your packet to the VA Secretary regarding the $30,000 layoffs
- A variety of healthcare professions, but also for teachers.