Video & Transcript : 'entity registration' :
Page 366 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 27th, 2026 at 04:11 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- That's going to be things like athletics, educational television, and quasi-governmental entities.
- I think that would be the best entity to answer questions about those specific RPSPs. Thank you.
- I think that would be the best entity to answer questions about those specific RPSPs. Thank you.
- They're quasi-governmental entities. They're quasi-governmental entities.
- They're quasi-governmental entities.
Keywords:
high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/20/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- the situation where an existing facility might be purchased and acquired by an entirely different entity
- And those background checks for the new entity that's acquiring the facility would be required.
- Think we're going to close the hearing on that. by an entirely different entity.
- And by an entirely different entity.
- </c> background checks for the new entity background checks for the new entity that's<00:35:13.920><c
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transparent Artificial Intelligence Governance Alliance 12/11/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and their own servers and their own technology systems, etc., to have Minute as a shared services entity
- There may be a couple entities out there who maybe have yet to name someone to the community of practice
- services entity and then these<00:25:09.600><c> agencies</c><00:25:10.400><c> as</c><00:25:10.640><c
- There may be a couple entities<00:25:51.919><c> out</c><00:25:52.159><c> there</c><00:25:52.240><c> who
- out there who maybe have yet to entities out there who maybe have yet to name<00:25:54.159><c> someone
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Each of our budget committee members is assigned a deep dive of two to three judicial entities where
- So, the entities look at what needs they have.
- Then we work to encourage our entities. ...to request budgets that operate inside of that structure.
- So, each of our entities have to submit a questionnaire, answer questions, and we're looking back at
- So these are school districts, hospitals, and other entities.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Mar 27, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 40
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Many churches do, and I think we should continue working with our nonprofit entities, which includes
- Many churches do, and I think we should continue working with our nonprofit entities, which includes
- Many churches do, and I think we should continue working with our nonprofit entities, which includes
- Many churches do, and I think we should continue working with our nonprofit entities, which includes
- nonprofit entities which includes faith-based<00:57:42.000><c> organizations.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So we all agree that any publicly funded entity that's collecting our information and collects payment
- funded entities that ignore these standards to reimburse the state for the cost of recovery services
- Would file suit to say this: we believe this entity is a threat to public safety and public health.
- And if they are, we should all be worried that that entity is there. So that's what this is doing.
- They will have to ensure that the certification remains with the body and is given to the entity that
Bills:
HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217
Keywords:
Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service
Summary:
The committee first adopted a three-minute rule for the rest of the meeting by a 9-3 vote. It then took up SB 217, which would reorganize Orleans Parish courts by reducing judgeships in criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts and, through an adopted amendment, creating one civil district court with 13 judges and allowing hearing officers. Senator Morris argued the changes were based on caseload comparisons and population data; opponents from the Urban League and ACLU said the bill was driven by power rather than efficiency, relied on incomplete or inconsistent data, would strain the courts, and would reduce minority representation on the bench. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended by an 11-4 vote.
The committee next considered SB 197, which would reduce the number of judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal by two. Senator Morris again cited filings and caseload comparisons, while opponents argued the bill ignored the intensity and complexity of appellate work, could increase backlog and costs, and would disproportionately affect Black women judges. The bill was reported favorably by an 11-4 vote. The committee also adopted HCR 11, expressing support for the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard and the Youth Challenge Program, and reported favorably SB 85, creating an insurance fund for retired St. Charles Parish sheriff’s employees.
Several other measures were advanced with little or no opposition. HB 833 created the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force and was amended to add representatives from the coroners’ association, a survivor appointed by STAR, and a licensed clinical social worker; it was reported favorably. HB 816, with a technical correction, prohibited foreign adversaries from acquiring property near military installations and was reported favorably. HB 1053, dealing with definitions for dealers and retail dealers and allowing certain businesses to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages under agreed-upon floor amendments, was reported favorably. HB 153, as amended, removed the Office of Debt Recovery from the bill and limited it to prohibiting reporting certain criminal fines and fees to credit bureaus; it was reported favorably. SB 75, on cybersecurity reimbursement and baseline standards for local governments after cyber incidents, was reported favorably after testimony from GOSEP and others. SB 200, allowing expropriation of land near military bases owned by foreign adversaries when a court finds a threat to public health and safety, was also reported favorably after extensive testimony and discussion. Finally, HB 454, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act on chain of custody for human remains and internal organs, was converted into a substitute bill, adopted, and then introduced for further discussion, with the sponsor describing it as a transparency and accountability measure for grieving families.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/17/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:21:16.000><c> national</c> business, corporate entities, national business, corporate entities
- Since that time, the entity that had been doing the data collecting on this was defunded.
- </c><00:51:02.600><c> or</c><00:51:02.760><c> if</c> out if we can find another entity or if out if we
- can find another entity or if we<00:51:03.000><c> can</c><00:51:03.160><c> find</c><00:51:03.400><c>
- or some money to fund either an entity or some money to fund this this this before before before we<
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- personal information through a public record request from using that data to solicit individuals or entities
- Simply, that'll be the appropriation of funds and then the shared cost between these two entities to
- </c> shared cost between these two entities shared cost between these two entities to<00:13:10.079><c
- Generally, those two entities work in lockstep, is been my experience over the last 12 years.
- And right now, all of those entities get money before the victim does.” “Yeah.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Feb 11th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- You cannot run a government, a company, an institution, or any entity for that matter with the chaos
- Those audits have covered a wide range of entities, from the MBTA to the Department of Elementary and
- The mandate tells us to audit all these entities at least once every three years.
- The law tells us that we're required to audit these entities and says that we're allowed to do that as
- So, being able to do what Steve was saying with respect to the higher-risk entities, being able to audit
Summary:
The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds.
Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy.
Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context.
Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Feb 11th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- You cannot run a government, a company, an institution, or any entity for that matter with the chaos
- Those audits have covered a wide range of entities, from the MBTA to the Department of Elementary and
- The mandate tells us to audit all these entities at least once every three years.
- The law tells us that we're required to audit these entities and says that we're allowed to do that as
- So, being able to do what Steve was saying with respect to the higher-risk entities, being able to audit
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-WTL-EDT-EIG, WTL-AEN Public Hearings 03-19-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> inviting other entities into farming. inviting other entities into farming.
- And the intent of this bill as I read it is to help agricultural entities maintain a cash flow so you
- entities entities maintain<00:29:12.200><c> a</c><00:29:12.280><c> cash</c><00:29:12.640><c> flow</c
- a lot of it really kind of comes down to having the ability to case-by-case basis regulate these entities
- ,</c><00:39:44.720><c> including</c> regulate these entities, including regulate these entities, including
Summary:
The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture.
The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee Jul 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- one of general applicability if it is a binding directive on all participants of a program who are entities
- one of general applicability if it is a binding directive on all participants of a program who are entities
- outside of the regulatory, If it is a binding directive on all participants of a program who are entities
- transfer of operational control and responsibility for an existing charter authorization to a different entity
Summary:
The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARC) met on July 31, 2026 to consider a citizen petition challenging the Washington State Charter School Commission’s April 2026 continuity of operations policy. Staff explained JARC’s authority under the Administrative Procedures Act and framed the issue as whether the Commission was using a policy in place of a rule, and whether that policy was within legislative intent. Staff also reviewed the Charter School Commission’s statutory framework, including limits on charter terms, transfer provisions involving the State Board of Education, and the Commission’s new process for identifying nonprofit operators to assume existing charter contracts when schools close or contracts are surrendered, revoked, or not renewed.
The petitioner, Cesar Harrison, argued the Commission had created a new transfer mechanism through policy rather than rulemaking, potentially bypassing statutory procedures and extending charter authority beyond the five-year framework. Commission Executive Director Marcus Hardin responded that the policy was only a procedural framework for evaluating proposals, not a transfer of contracts or creation of new authority, and said the Commission had used similar discretionary processes before. Public testimony from the Washington Education Association supported the petition, emphasizing that the policy should have gone through formal rulemaking for transparency and public input.
After discussion, committee members asked staff about the statute’s silence on contract continuation and the relationship between the Commission’s practice and legislative authorization. The committee then voted 7-0, with two members excused, to find that the Charter School Commission is using a policy or interpretive statement in place of a rule and that it is not within the intent of the Legislature as expressed by the statute. Staff explained that the finding will be sent to the agency, which must hold a hearing and then notify JARC of its intended action; JARC may later object to that action or take further steps. The committee then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It removes the requirement for a commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes
- minor or minor's parent to bring a civil action against a covered company, developer, or a commercial entity
- H.B. 2991 would require any commercial entity that provides access to materials deemed harmful to minors
- H.B. 2991 would require any commercial entity that provides access to materials deemed harmful to minors
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Retirement and Government Resources 2ND REVISED Apr 7th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Retirement and Government Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It will require that state entities must report contracts, and the vendors must report subcontractors
- 16 and 17, in the description of agency, board, commission, department, or other state government entities
- if it doesn't include counties and cities, how can it include schools because those are not state entities
- if it doesn't include counties and cities, how can it include schools because those are not state entities
Keywords:
state government, vendor contracts, subcontracting, public database, contract assessment, transparency, retirement, law enforcement, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, school resource officers, public safety, public finance, contract management, service-driven contracts, state accounting, intangible assets, Oklahoma Police Pension, disability benefits, mental health, retirement system
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget Apr 6th, 2026
Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, that's my concern is if we're anticipating these outside nonprofit entities are going to be able
- We're hearing from our child care entities that they might close with...
- We're hearing from our child care entities that they might close with the changes that have been made
- apportionments and the earmarks based on Re-evaluating the apportionments and the earmarks based on the very entities
Bills:
SB1177
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriation bill. The chair and budget authors explained that the proposal was built to balance the budget using a mix of general revenue, cash sweeps, and other fund transfers, including money from unclaimed property, revenue stabilization, and other statutory funds. Members also discussed a proposed $35 million OWRB revolving loan fund tied to ARPA interest and a $200 million transfer from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund as part of a long-term savings strategy.
A number of agency-specific items drew questions. Members reviewed the OPEB employer contribution reduction, rent coverage for state agencies, child care and Head Start funding, Department of Corrections revenue from ICE-related agreements, sheriff grant funding, and education funding, including about $99 million in additional formula funding, a $2,000 teacher pay raise, and reading-related appropriations such as Strong Readers and Just Right Reader. The committee also discussed mental health funding, including a $30 million consent decree line, a proposed privatization of CCBHC services with an estimated $10 million savings, and related reduction-in-force costs. Other topics included Attorney General transfers and litigation funding, higher education allocations, Langston University extension funding, historical society requests that were not funded, and a biosolids pilot program.
During debate, supporters argued the bill fulfilled the constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget and highlighted increases for education, health care, and water infrastructure. Opponents criticized the use of one-time cash, tax cuts, and what they described as special-project spending, while raising concerns about transparency and underfunded services such as child care and transportation. After debate, the committee voted 18-5 to pass Senate Bill 1177.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- movement that we have noticed, and also the national folks have been alerting us on, and that's foreign entities
- mind foreign people coming in; there are certain agreements that we can have with certain foreign entities
- , but not adversarial foreign entities.
- risk can be compounded by opaque ownership structures and connections to adversarial governments or entities
Summary:
The Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs heard four measures and advanced each on a do pass recommendation. SB 1199 was amended to require the Arizona Department of Agriculture to post the Salt River horse herd agreement on its website. Supporters said the change would improve public transparency and access to the agreement governing the Salt River wild horse herd; the department said it was neutral and noted the agreement is already on the state procurement website. The bill passed 6-3 after members debated whether the requirement should be in statute or handled administratively.
SB 1761 appropriates General Fund money to the University of Arizona for the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Experiment Station over multiple fiscal years. Senator Tim Dunn and supporters from the Arizona Farm Bureau said the funding would strengthen agricultural research, extension services, rural counties, and water and crop-related innovation. Several members said the bill was important to Arizona agriculture even though the amounts would still be subject to budget negotiations; it passed 6-1 with one present vote.
SB 1198, as amended, continued the Arizona Beef Council and the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for eight years. Testimony from the Beef Council and veterinary board emphasized that both entities are industry-funded or self-funded and provide ongoing services without taxpayer dollars. Some members objected to combining the two continuations and to the eight-year term, but the bill passed 4-3 with one present vote.
SB 1683 expanded restrictions on land ownership and related transactions involving foreign adversary nations and agents, especially near critical infrastructure and military installations. Supporters, including representatives tied to Luke Air Force Base and the bill sponsor, argued it would address national security risks and protect training and mission security. Opponents said the bill broadened the scope of prior law too far without enough justification. It passed 5-3 and the meeting adjourned.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- that we have noticed, and also the national folks have also been alerting us on, and that's foreign entities
- mind foreign people coming in; there are certain agreements that we can have with certain foreign entities
- , but not adversarial foreign entities.
- risk can be compounded by opaque ownership structures and connections to adversarial governments or entities
Keywords:
Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing, commodity council, livestock, cattle industry, ranching, rural affairs, self-financed program, sunset extension, continuation bill, market development, beef products, Arizona agriculture, Title 41, Title 3, sunset review, marketing order, producer assessment, Salt River horse herd
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- your general assumption because there's a difference between mill rates set by other governmental entities
- governmental</c> uh mill rates set by other governmental uh mill rates set by other governmental entities
- 56.080><c> property</c><00:08:56.480><c> values</c><00:08:56.880><c> go</c><00:08:57.040><c> up,</c> entities
- So if property values go up, entities.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Government Oversight REVISED - HB3852 -Added Mar 5th, 2026
Government Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, with House Bill 3415, we are opening Title 74 and again asking that state entities report contracts
- And again, asking that state entities report contracts and vendors to OMES.
- Constitutional entities will be asked to abide by the Central Purchasing Act.
- amongst the state and its subdivisions, from the county and city level, and even our constitutional entities
Bills:
HB1739, HB1784, HB1889, HB2116, HB2206, HB3625, HB2939, HB3028, HB3265, HB3313, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3420, HB3588, HB3748, HB3721, HB3852, HB4132, HB4263, HB4303, HB4311, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434
Keywords:
retirement, law enforcement, disability benefits, pension system, Oklahoma, education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, public retirement systems, pension, retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, inflation adjustment, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, firefighters pension, police pension
Summary:
The committee opened with prayer, laid over House Bill 1784 as dead, and then heard a long series of measures, many related to pensions, retirement systems, elections, and state procurement/reporting. Early bills included HB 3588 on debtor-creditor law updates, HB 3748 on county partnerships with four-year institutions, HB 4303 extending the municipal ordinance publication deadline from 15 to 30 days, HB 4311 increasing the treasurer’s share of the unclaimed property administration fee from 4% to 6%, and HB 3028 allowing CareerTech to charge processing fees. All of these advanced on due pass votes, with some opposition on HB 3588, HB 4311, and HB 3028.
A major block of the meeting focused on retirement and pension policy. The committee advanced HB 4428 and HB 4429 on proxy advisor transparency and fiduciary voting standards for retirement systems, with the author arguing they would improve transparency and keep pension decisions focused on financial returns rather than ESG/DEI considerations. Other pension-related bills that passed included HB 4132 creating a cybersecurity safe harbor for local governments, HB 1889 fixing a COLA gap for certain retired police officers and firefighters, HB 3265 defining “mental health specialist” for disability applications, HB 1739 reinstating a half-pay provision in the state law enforcement retirement system, HB 3313 changing the Retirement Freedom Act by raising contribution and match rates and eliminating vesting, HB 2116 expanding eligibility for State Fire Marshal officers, HB 2206 allowing newly hired school resource officers to join OLEERS, HB 3625 expanding school district investment options, and HB 3721 creating a survivor-benefit election for children of certain public safety officers. Most of these passed with little or no debate, though HB 1739 drew questions about actuarial “safe harbor” language and pension funding.
The latter part of the meeting centered on a package of government contracting and transparency bills from Representative Strom. HB 3413, HB 3414, HB 3415, HB 3416, HB 3417, HB 3418, and HB 3420 would require more detailed reporting of contracts, subcontractors, consulting services, and post-contract assessments; create public posting and reporting requirements through OMES and Central Purchasing; revise bidding rules for state, county, and municipal entities; require vendor ownership disclosures; allow live-streamed bid openings; and add misdemeanor penalties for violations of Central Purchasing rules. Strom said the package was intended to improve accountability, documentation, and protection of taxpayer dollars. The committee also passed HB 3852 clarifying poll worker list requirements for county election boards, HB 4434 requiring gubernatorial notice when out of state, and HB 2939 removing fax-machine references from statute. Most measures were adopted with policy recommendations and passed on strong votes, and the meeting ended with Chairman West thanking members for their work and adjourned the committee.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But smaller businesses and medium-sized businesses that are pass-through entities, they're basically
- But smaller business and medium-sized business that are past two entities, they're basically the source
- And then what's now happening is that we have to put on regulations regarding the energy use of entities
- be doing is taking a step back and looking at energy diversity and finding a way to allow those entities
Summary:
Senate and House Republican leaders used the weekly media availability to criticize the Democratic majority’s budget and tax proposals, framing the session around affordability and fiscal restraint. They said the operating budgets rely on unsustainable one-time money, rainy day funds, and an income tax proposal they argued is unconstitutional and likely to drive businesses and wealthy residents out of Washington. They also said House and Senate Republicans offered budget amendments aimed at property tax relief, restoring money to public works, and reducing reliance on new taxes, but those efforts were rejected.
The lawmakers also highlighted several bills they said failed to advance, including juvenile rehabilitation reforms, child endangerment/child fatality reporting measures, and tort reform. Braun said he plans to raise those issues, along with the income tax and budget concerns, in a meeting with the governor, and asked whether the governor would veto the income tax if his conditions are not met. Connors and Abbarno added that Republicans are still working with some Democrats, including on a constitutional amendment approach to any income tax, but said the majority is moving too quickly and without adequate safeguards.
Other topics included the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on California transgender policies, which Republicans described as a win for parents’ rights and potentially relevant to Washington school policy, and a House bill affecting data centers, which they opposed as harmful to jobs, energy innovation, and local tax bases. They also criticized additional taxes under consideration, such as nicotine, prescription drug, bag, bottle, and data-center-related taxes, arguing these would worsen affordability. The session ended with Republicans saying they had little influence in the budget conference process and vowing to keep fighting the income tax and other tax increases through the final days of the session.