Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I assumed a smaller private school whose tuition is half of what the public schools received.
• This scholarship and, of course, other tuition opportunities empower our parents to pay for a private
• We will miss her terribly if she does not receive funding for tuition assistance next year.
• We will miss her terribly if she does not receive funding for tuition for tuition assistance next year
• Her family is not certain where she will for tuition assistance next year.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, this had created really some issues unless I was going to let tuition go really high, you know,
• We have a lot of mandated tuition waivers, and you probably have seen those numbers.
• It’s about $38 million of mandated tuition waivers that are provided to students.
• locks uh that and including the tuition locks uh that the<00:47:13.559> granted<00:47:13.960>
• more stable enrollment by doing tuition more stable enrollment by doing tuition guarantees<00:48

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Aaron Thompson, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, and Travis Pal briefed the committee on Kentucky higher education performance, affordability, workforce alignment, and budget needs. Thompson said the state has made progress toward its 60x30 attainment goal, reporting 56.2% of adults with a credential of value and a 6.4% one-year increase in credentials. He highlighted gains in completion, enrollment recovery after COVID, lower student borrowing and debt, and faster degree completion, saying Kentucky is now back to an average of 4.1 years for four-year degrees. He also emphasized that postsecondary education has a strong return on investment for both students and the state. A major theme was student success and access. Thompson described efforts to reduce barriers through test-optional admissions, the elimination of zero-credit developmental education, expanded wraparound supports, and Bridge programming for students not fully prepared for college. He also promoted Futurity, a student-facing information website, and said CPE wants modest ongoing funding to maintain it. He argued that higher education must work in a P-20 system with K-12, and that the state should better communicate the value of certificates, trade programs, and other credentials, especially for adult learners and men, who he said are underrepresented in college-going. The presentation also focused on performance funding, capital needs, and workforce initiatives. Thompson and Pal said performance funding has pushed institutions toward more need-based aid and lower costs for low-income students, but they want more base funding, more performance funding dollars, and relief from about $38 million in mandated tuition waivers. They also said asset preservation and deferred maintenance remain major needs, estimating roughly $7 billion in campus need overall. On workforce, they cited healthcare pipeline work supported by state funding and private partners, and said HB 200 continues that effort into aviation, aerospace, and defense. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the presentation, which ended with members indicating interest in further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• classifications that were paid substantially less than male-dominated classifications, and today there
• classifications that were paid substantially less than male-dominated classifications, and today there
• classifications that were paid substantially less than male-dominated classifications, and today there
• Our most recent data shows that they are the 138th most difficult job classification to fill.
• classifications that were paid substantially less than male-dominated classifications, and today there

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One-stop shopping on the tuition.
• So the tuition is high. Small Christian college. I apologize for that.
• So the tuition is roughly the same. Our in-state tuition is 8,954. We are UF.
• So the tuition itself is not expensive. There are fees that add up on that.
• So the tuition itself is not expensive. There are fees that add up on that.

Summary: The subcommittee met to examine Florida’s nursing education pipeline and the state’s persistently low NCLEX passage rates. Chair Tuck opened by noting the projected nurse shortage and Florida’s ranking near the bottom nationally for first-time NCLEX pass rates. The Department of Health explained the Board of Nursing’s approval process for nursing programs, including application requirements, probation standards, and termination for programs that repeatedly fail passage-rate benchmarks. The Florida Center for Nursing then presented statewide data showing Florida has more test takers than most states, but still trails the national average; the gap has narrowed in recent years, though Florida remains below average. Members focused heavily on why the state continues to underperform, with discussion of faculty shortages, clinical placement constraints, accreditation, student preparedness, and the large share of newer private for-profit programs among those placed on probation. Committee members asked about how probation works, what happens when programs improve, and whether the board requires corrective plans. They also questioned the relationship between program type and outcomes, the effect of Operation Nightingale, and how many students fail and retest. The Florida Center for Nursing said first-attempt pass rates are the standard measure and that students who fail are expected to remediate and retest, though costs vary. The center also said Florida’s data shows accredited programs outperform approved or probationary ones, and that the state’s nursing workforce challenges are tied to broader issues such as faculty vacancies, clinical site competition, and student demographics, including many students balancing work, family, and language barriers. A panel of nursing school leaders from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions then described strategies used to improve outcomes. These included transparent recruitment, early orientation, tutoring, success coaching, stronger faculty development, curriculum mapping to NCLEX standards, higher course benchmarks, mandatory remediation, simulation labs, and commercial NCLEX prep tools such as ATI, Kaplan, and HESI. Several panelists said their programs had improved after probation or had very high passage rates, and they emphasized that student success depends on academic preparation, clinical experience, and support services. Members also asked about tuition, program length, translation into other languages, and faculty recruitment; panelists said costs vary widely, faculty hiring is difficult because hospitals pay more, and some schools are considering medical Spanish and immersion options rather than full curriculum translation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our students continue to praise the tuition at in-state levels.
• Residents, which is huge, and our students continue to praise the tuition at in-state levels.
• And so one of the things we’ve also done, and it was a Rick Scott statement: no tuition increases.
• And obviously we haven’t had a tuition increase in... elements here and there, and that's sort of how
• And obviously we haven't had a tuition increase in. You know, and call you directly.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities. Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines. The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to them when the taxes committee is looking at those classification rates.
• to them when the taxes committee is looking at those classification rates.
• to them when the taxes committee is looking at those classification rates.
• to them when the taxes committee is looking at those classification rates.
• So when we talk about ENTC, that's adjusted net tax capacity. classification rates are not in this classification

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be tuition.
• If their salaries were paid with the tuition and fees special fund, then the tuition and fees special
• If their salaries were paid with the tuition and fees special fund, then the tuition and fees special
• If their salaries were paid with the tuition and fees special fund, then the tuition and fees special
• out-of-state tuition.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• choice, and charter school tuitions.
• , pay tuition to get into another school in Williamstown.
• However, Hancock has to pay the tuition for them.
• Williamstown and Lanesboro, and we were part of the district through the tuition agreement.
• of approximately $18,000 that we pay through tuition agreement.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements. The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock. Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This fall, I will attend a university in the honors program with a full tuition scholarship.
• The program is just not funding tuition.
• We will miss her terribly if she does not receive funding for tuition assistance next year.
• We will miss her terribly if she does not receive funding for tuition for tuition assistance next year
• Her family is not certain where she will for tuition assistance next year.

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a classification problem.
• I think most of the things are about I think most of the things are about classification.<00:16:57.200
• That is beside the classification.
• It's not a classification<00:17:06.679> problem.
• That's just, you classification problem.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures. Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers. In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, in 2022-23, UC began implementing a tuition plan that increased some tuition charges each
• In 2024-25, CSU began implementing a tuition plan that increased tuition charges for all students each
• Two, the universities have access to non-state money, namely tuition revenue.
• In 2022, we launched the UC Native American Opportunity Plan, which covers tuition and most mandatory
• But the tuition increase is helping, but it will never cover the loss of the compact.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tuition relief was previously<00:14:54.240> connected<00:14:54.639> to<00:14:54.800>
• > a<00:14:54.959> tuition<00:14:55.360> freeze previously connected to a tuition freeze
• American Indian student tuition American Indian student tuition waiverss.<00:21:42.559> On
• Their stipend ends up getting gobbled up by fees and tuitions.
• as it relates to college and tuition. as it relates to college and tuition.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also restricts increases in the tuition rates charged by receiving schools, both public and private
• attending a public school or an independent school, or another school capable of receiving public tuition
• There's a lot of interdistrict tuitioning that happens in that region, and that's one of the reasons
• that we put those tuition caps and controls in the yield bill.
• If you are a tuition district, that's... >> I can barely hear you.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And tuition transportation is another one I recall that were all funded out of General Funds.
• And tuition transportation is another one I recall that were all funded out of General Funds.
• And tuition transportation is another one I recall that were all funded out of General Funds.
• And tuition transportation is another one I recall that were all funded out of General Funds.
• And tuition transportation is another one I recall that were all funded out of General Funds.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote. The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House. Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's less tuition, fairly significantly less tuition, than they would pay for that same student to go
• It's less tuition, fairly significantly less tuition, than they would pay for that same student to go
• The difference is... the difference between the Pinkerton tuition and the Next tuition, I believe, is
• <00:48:56.880> I<00:48:57.280> believe tuition and the next tuition I believe tuition
• tuition to finish. tuition to finish.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the October 15 minutes and a brief discussion of the committee’s report process, including the likelihood of a minority report and a deadline of November 1 for any separate report. Members then heard from Jod Adams of the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools, who gave an overview of charter schools in the state: there are 37 charter schools, with 6,034 students last year, and schools are formed by certified teachers, parents, or nonprofit organizations. She said charter schools receive about $9,180 per pupil in adequacy aid and charter school grant funding, must fundraise for additional money, and are governed by their own boards under their charters and bylaws. Members asked about admissions, governance, transportation, and special education. Adams said charter schools are open enrollment, not geographically based, and may use lotteries when applications exceed available seats. She explained that districts and charter schools coordinate on special education and busing, with the sending district responsible for special education coordination and certain transportation obligations depending on where the student lives and attends. She also said charter schools are public schools, not selective, and that each school’s board operates independently of the local district school board, though some schools may have special arrangements. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on funding and statutory obligations. Adams and members discussed how special education aid follows the student, while charter schools do not receive some district-level aid such as catastrophic aid; free and reduced lunch funding and Title funds can go to charter schools. Members also raised concerns that some state laws and administrative rules do not clearly specify whether they apply to charter schools, creating confusion and, in some cases, causing districts to perform services such as dyslexia screening for charter students without additional funding. Adams agreed that clearer statutory language would help and noted that charter schools are subject to many state requirements, including testing and reporting, even though not every public-school rule applies to them.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just allowing farmers to remain under their agricultural tax classification if they open up a
• <00:01:47.360> This<00:01:47.560> is property tax classification.
• This is property tax classification.
• <00:01:54.080> if their agricultural tax classification if their agricultural tax classification
• . classification. classification.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CSU also saw a 6% increase in tuition revenue in 2024-25.
• The first is that we adopted as CSU a multi-year tuition increase in fall of '23.
• And that amounts to about a 5% increase, a five-year tuition increase raising tuition about 6% per year
• How is the tuition increase? How is what this cut?
• How is the tuition increase? How is what this cut.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason that is increased, as you well know, is the tuition cost at all the institutions of higher
• know,<00:05:25.600> um<00:05:26.479> the<00:05:26.720> the<00:05:27.199> tuition
• <00:05:27.759> cost you well know, um the the tuition cost you well know, um the the tuition
• 58.480> your Guard within any of those states, your Guard within any of those states, your tuition
• Um, this has certainly tuition was free.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 15 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from the Mississippi National Guard leadership on deployments, operations, and the Guard’s budget request. The general described ongoing missions involving Mississippi units at the southern border, the National Capital Region, and Operation Safe and Beautiful, as well as the Guard’s role in Operation Midnight Hammer through the Meridian refueling unit. He also noted continued training of international partners at Camp Shelby and emphasized the Guard’s statewide, national, and global reach. The budget presentation focused on a modest increase over the prior year, including funding for state employees and the Youth Challenge Academy, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, the state education assistance program, readiness center maintenance for armories, and an increase in AC escalation authority from $164 million to $225 million to allow spending of federal funds on approved projects. The general said federal investment in Mississippi National Guard activities totaled $784 million in FY25, with $384 million for payroll, and explained that most permanent positions are federally reimbursed. Members discussed the state education assistance program, which the general said has helped stop recruiting losses to neighboring states by making Mississippi more competitive on tuition benefits. He said the program especially helps retain midcareer noncommissioned officers and supports younger service members who may lack health coverage when called to state active duty. Senators also asked about Camp Shelby Youth Challenge facilities and armory projects; the general reported that recent appropriations have improved the campus, that the program remains among the top three nationally, and that armory work is moving forward in Amory, Southaven, Corinth, and Carthage. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with expressions of appreciation and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• OF STATE STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE BUT WE KNOW OUT OF STATE STUDENTS OFTEN TIMES PAY HIGHER RATES OF TUITION
• WE HAVE ABOUT 34,000 OUT OF STATE STUDENTS IN UNDERGRADUATE AND ABOUT 45 PERCENT OF THOSE ARE ON TUITION
• WAIVER IS MEANING THEY GET IN STATE TUITION.
• IT IS $54 MILLION OF LOST REVENUE IN OUT OF STATE IN STATE TUITION OUT OF A SEVENTEEN AND A HALF BILLION
• BE UG FOR APPROVAL UP TO THAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION AND THEY WANT TO INCREASE THE OUT OF STATE TUITION