Video & Transcript : 'direct care' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 3 Jun 9th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So we took care of the state grant program.
- So on January 1st, 2026, people will be able to have the time to care for a loved one, and time to care
- A million dollars is going to help family child care and center-based child care.
- And then that leads me to Early Care and Learning.
- How we're going to pay for health care, for example.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to highlight the importance of asset preservation and taking care of what we have.
- importance of asset preservation and importance of asset preservation and taking<00:01:43.840><c> care
- <c> we</c><00:01:44.880><c> have</c><00:01:45.880><c> the</c><00:01:45.960><c> governor</c> taking care
- of what we have the governor taking care of what we have the governor continues<00:01:46.680><c> to<
- it's constitutionally required uh care it's constitutionally required uh Medical<01:10:38.360><c> Care
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And then moving into the support for our seniors, both the home and community-based care...
- I want to shift gears to the health care budget and health care appropriations.
- And I know that there's a health care committee later today.
- HIV/AIDS has never been a partisan issue since the enactment of the Ryan White Care Act.
- We just don't know where those monies got directed to.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development.
Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- care staff to support that.
- , and that care requires a CNA.”
- setting of long-term care.”
- </c> patients out for the appropriate uh care patients out for the appropriate uh care setting<00:40:
- </c> them uh the problem is right now Direct them uh the problem is right now Direct Care<00:47:17.200
Keywords:
HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- This can make it difficult for such individuals to understand or follow police officers' directions.
- We're talking about a direct hit to jobs and local economies.
- That's why I do this work with care and love. It is a calling.
- Do not side with robots that will never give the service and care and safety that we provide.
- I won't care if someone is sick or needs help getting in.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing.
A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment.
Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So we are directing the administrator to take advantage of that expertise within the agency.
- So we are directing the administrator to take advantage of that expertise within the agency.
- Our job is to protect and promote Idaho history, and this will have a direct effect on that.
- And I feel lucky that the generations before me cared enough to protect them.
- This is directed at the treasurer’s office.
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 16 and March 17, 2026 minutes. It then introduced RS 33798, a proposal related to cooperative and group discount purchasing in the Department of Administration procurement division, and sent it for printing. The main policy item was Senate Bill 1422, a major rewrite of Idaho campaign finance law. Senator Harris and Secretary of State Phil McGrane said the bill would move the laws into Title 74, reorganize reporting rules, prohibit foreign contributions, require new disclosures for signature-gathering and independent expenditures, add pre-primary and pre-general reports, increase contribution limits modestly, and create a graduated fine structure. Questions focused on reporting thresholds, commercial recordkeeping, and the distinction between reporting violations and other violations. The committee voted to send SB 1422 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then heard House Bill 889, a broad update to the State Procurement Act. Representative Britt Raibolt said the bill clarifies procurement definitions, best-and-final-offer procedures, use of subject-matter experts, multiple-award contracts, bid scoring, prior performance, federal CMS approval timing, confidentiality of technical information, debarment, cooling-off periods, protest bonds, and disclosure of procurement-related spending. He said the goal was to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in large state procurements. After brief questions about the need for the overhaul and the definition of frivolous protests, the committee voted to send HB 889 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
House Bill 890, also presented by Raibolt, would repeal a surplus-property carve-out used in the ITD building sale and return disposal of surplus administrative property to the regular process under the State Board of Land Commissioners. The committee also advanced HB 900, which sets procedures for private insurance claims over $100,000 involving state property damage, requires appraisal opportunities, public notice of settlement offers, and a public hearing plus legislative notice if an agency relocates services or sells property after such a claim. Both bills received due pass recommendations.
The longest discussion was on House Bill 898, which would move the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society into the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Senator Den Hartog said the move would improve coordination on federal permitting and preserve SHPO’s functions, while opponents argued the current placement supports preservation work, grants, archives, and Section 106 review, and that moving SHPO into an office focused on energy and minerals could create conflicts of interest and weaken preservation outcomes. Testimony came from historians, preservation professionals, local commission members, utility and water industry representatives, and a youth witness, with supporters emphasizing streamlined permitting and opponents emphasizing mission alignment and public trust. The sponsor closed by saying the bill complies with federal law and that federal law allows states flexibility in where to house the office; the transcript ends before any final committee action on HB 898.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So we are directing the administrator to take advantage of that expertise within the agency.
- So we are directing the administrator to take advantage of that expertise within the agency.
- Our job is to protect and promote Idaho history, and this will have a direct effect on that.
- And I feel lucky that the generations before me cared enough to protect them.
- This is directed at the treasurer’s office.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And you directed me to a 1989 AG's opinion. I appreciate that— that you said...
- I think that this is a very good step in the right direction.
- And I think that we have to be really careful that we don't infringe on that.
- And I think that we have to be really careful that we don't infringe on that.
- And I think that we have to be really careful that we don't infringe on that.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Families & Children (3-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Employees and volunteers will be required to report known direct private communication, at which point
- private communication at known direct private communication at which<00:03:40.239><c> point</c><00:03
- The guidance counselor directed Bry to secretly record conversations with her parents.
- Bry to secretly record directed Bry to secretly record conversations<00:07:22.280><c> with</c><00:07
- It's a Pediatric Extended Care Center, and these are children who are medically fragile.
Keywords:
Roll Call – 00:11
Discussion on SB 181 – 01:05
Vote on SB 181 – 24:16
Discussion on HB 242 – 31:00
Vote on HB 242 – 32:14
Discussion on HB 164 – 33:26
Vote on HB 164 – 39:55, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Families and Children heard Senate Bill 181, which would require school districts to use only traceable forms of communication for staff, coaches, and volunteers when contacting students, require reporting of known private direct communication, notify parents, protect minors’ anonymity in EPSB investigations, and extend the investigation period for sexual misconduct cases to 120 days. Senator Lindsay Tichenor said the bill is meant to restore safeguards for children and families and address inappropriate private communications between school personnel and students. The committee also heard testimony from Stacy and Brad Brisco, who described allegations that an Anderson County guidance counselor had communicated privately with their daughter, encouraged her to pursue emancipation and CPS involvement, and used school channels to facilitate contact; they said the resulting abuse report was unsubstantiated and that the school system and EPSB had not acted promptly. Ashley Nation also testified in support as a survivor of educator sexual abuse, arguing that traceable communication policies are needed to prevent grooming and misconduct and that the bill does not stop communication, only makes it transparent and accountable.
Members asked questions about what counts as traceable communication and whether schools already have policies. Tichenor said traceable communication could include paper notes, email, and apps such as ClassDojo or Google Classroom, and said the bill requires a trail parents can access. She also said some districts have ethical standards but they are not consistently followed, and that state-level action is needed. Senator Denine suggested the bill should allow districts more flexibility to choose among trackable platforms, noting that some systems already use tools like Dojo and Remind; Tichenor said a floor amendment would address that concern. Senators Williams, Meredith, Mills, Wise, and others voiced support, emphasizing child safety and the need for timely EPSB action.
The committee then voted 9-0 to pass SB 181 with a favorable recommendation to the Senate floor. Afterward, the committee took up House Bill 242, sponsored by Representative Samara Heavrin, which would increase transparency in the child welfare system by making Kentucky child welfare data available to researchers while preserving privacy protections. With no questions, the committee approved HB 242 as well, also by a favorable vote, and members briefly noted support for the bill and the need for better data to inform child welfare policy.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/13/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your time. school my daughter deserves better care school my daughter deserves better care
- </c><00:21:25.159><c> for</c> of resources and Continuum of Care for of resources and Continuum of Care
- Available in the correct care setting and with the correct care teams, especially for youth boarding
- </c> Medicaid as a result acute care Medicaid as a result acute care hospitals<01:18:17.239><c> are</
- </c> units to Alternative levels of care units to Alternative levels of care further<01:18:37.159><c>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jan 12th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- It now costs an average of $4,361 more per year for a family to care for a child with a mental health
- health care services that support mental health risks. caregivers receive mental health care services
- They're taxpayer costs across the system, Medi-Cal and publicly funded care.
- And the state, they come to the states and the counties to help us take care of these babies.
- It can include texting and other mechanisms in that direction. And it can include social media.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Energy Development and Transmission Committee Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Direct communication with local stakeholders.
- It's a high-voltage direct current project.
- But at the same time, I got to be careful how I say this.
- But it's a balancing act, and you need to take care of home first.
- They're still not taken care of.
Summary:
The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval.
Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development.
Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines.
Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Does anyone care to change their vote? Does anyone care to change their vote?
- </c><00:20:35.880><c> If</c> anyone care to change their vote? If anyone care to change their vote?
- </c><00:26:29.360><c> If</c> anyone care to change their vote? If anyone care to change their vote?
- </c><00:29:46.280><c> If</c> anyone care to change their vote? If anyone care to change their vote?
- </c><00:36:17.320><c> If</c> anyone care to change their vote? If anyone care to change their vote?
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Washington's ability to build a strong health care workforce depends on ensuring that all Washington
- Washington's ability to build a strong health care workforce depends on ensuring that all Washington
- It is available on our website, and we are routinely emailing direct. Notifications.
- It is available on our website, and we are routinely emailing direct targeted communities of interest
- We have health care providers with incumbent workers ready to roll in the program.
Summary:
The Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee held courtesy hearings on three bills before moving to executive session. House Bill 2443 would create an Armed Forces Reserve post-secondary education grant for members of the Armed Forces Reserve and their spouses or dependents, with repayment required unless the reservist serves one year for each year of benefit received. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to extend educational support similar to what Washington National Guard members already receive. Testimony was generally supportive, emphasizing military readiness, recruitment, and fairness to reservists; one clarification was made that the bill applies to Armed Forces Reserve members broadly, not just the Army Reserve.
House Bill 2567 would restore Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award amounts for students attending four-year private, not-for-profit institutions. The sponsor and many students, school leaders, and private college representatives argued the 2025 cuts were inequitable, harmed low-income and first-generation students, and limited student choice. Supporters said the state’s dedicated financial aid account has grown and that the cuts disproportionately affected students at private institutions. Opponents, including representatives from public universities, argued state dollars should prioritize public institutions and questioned whether aid should be shifted away from state schools. Testimony was mixed but heavily pro, with sign-ins reported at 1,584 total, including 1,572 in support.
House Bill 2498 would change nursing education oversight by limiting the Board of Nursing’s authority where programs are nationally accredited and by expediting approval for new programs. The sponsor and several community college leaders said the bill would reduce unnecessary barriers, speed program expansion, and help address the nursing shortage, especially in rural areas. The Board of Nursing, nursing educators, employers, and professional associations opposed the bill, arguing that state oversight is needed for public safety, Washington-specific workforce needs, and consistent standards, and that the board is already revising its rules through an open process. The committee then took executive action on two other bills: it passed Second Substitute House Bill 2363, allowing supervised music therapy practice for up to six months while exam results are verified, with an amendment delaying implementation to January 1, 2028; and it passed Substitute House Bill 2422, shifting private security guard license fees from applicants to employers and delaying implementation to November 1, 2026, by a 9-7 vote.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill would take care of that.
- of our home and take care of our students just a little bit better.
- </c> bill today is going to help us take care bill today is going to help us take care of<00:18:38.320
- It has a direct impact on their education, a direct impact on the behavior in the classroom, and whenever
- House File 51 is a practical, achievable step in the right direction.
Keywords:
HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the full cost of attendance includes some key direct and indirect costs.
- and attendance includes some key direct and indirect<00:39:44.960><c> costs.
- </c><00:42:31.119><c> tuition</c><00:42:31.599><c> and</c> direct costs, that's like tuition and direct
- Dependent, they may have to pay for child care.
- You aspire direct service organization.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It looks like it's more than 2 minutes though for this panel, since y'all are direct, super-duper direct
- It creates, if we’re not careful, a bit of a pendulum effect.
- It creates, if we’re not careful, a bit of a pendulum effect.
- We don't really care who does the data, provides the data.
- We don't really care who does, you know, the, uh, data.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House.
The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending.
The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I do apologize for that, but we had to make very careful decisions.
- A little bit of background on my professional efforts over the years: health care services.
- And I care deeply about the protection of students on college campuses.
- Would any of those individuals care to speak on this nominee, Rebecca Matthews? Seeing none?
- I care deeply about this university and its community, and I want to see them thrive.
Summary:
The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor.
The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- And I do apologize for that, but we had to make very careful decisions.
- And I care deeply about the protection of students on college campuses.
- And also, what can you What can you do to direct that?
- . ...and to think in new directions.
- I care deeply about this university and its community, and I want to see them thrive.
Summary:
The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections.
The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced.
The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- The direct and indirect costs, such as lost productivity, The direct and indirect costs, such as lost
- But in those studies, is there direct causation as opposed to the correlation?
- I don't care. I didn't realize we were partitioning our responses.
- I don't care whether the court is Republican or Democrat. Don't care.
- You know, we've never had the conversation, so I want to be careful.