Video & Transcript Research : 'Red Wing'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair, it looks like we'll start with Sheriff Eric Lang from Crow Wing County.
  • On the evening of January 26, a public safety officer, Deputy Matt Jorgens of the Crow Wing County Sheriff's
  • 12 cases allegedly involving a firearm: Max at 0%, Pine County at 1%, Nobles at 6%, Benton and Crow Wing
  • <01:39:34.080> When<01:39:34.320> I Benton and Crow Wing at 8%.
  • When I Benton and Crow Wing at 8%.
Bills: HF1567, HF2809, HF3380
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/12/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • up in this gallery, and I'm delighted to see another sea of red.
  • Not microschools, only school districts, and it's a whole lot of red tape.
  • HB 405 AI was red tape for school districts.
  • We saw a sea of red up there earlier today.
  • First and foremost, she has been the wind beneath my wings in my work here.
Keywords: 1182, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 3rd, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you can vote and push the green button, you'll result in red consequences, and shame on you.
  • If you can vote and push the green button, you'll result in red consequences and shame on you.
  • AB 1138 is not about red carpets and premieres. It's about...
  • As was mentioned, this is not about red carpets or people walking down red carpets.
  • It's about people laying red carpets.
Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Feb 24th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Why did that, why was that not a red flag to somebody in the agency?
  • Yes, it requires and deserves. a thorough investigation because it's definitely, definitely a red flag
  • Another red flag. I can't even tell you how many red flags are up.
  • This includes States red and blue, large and small.
  • I note that it looks like we're out of time the red lights blinking so I would just like to refer you
Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (02/11/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was the only female in the entire wing.
  • I had to go to a different wing of the high school to get to the ladies' room.
  • <01:42:45.840> of wing.
  • I had to go to a different wing of wing.
  • Also, there are places in the country that have a non-binary wing.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Confirmations Committee Apr 16th, 2025

Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:
  • south of Alabama all the way up to the northern tip in the majority of our units, with exceptional wings
Keywords: 923, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:30 pm

Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is shrinking other spaces, adjusting spaces in the tower and on the, you know, or the J-Wing or wherever
Bills: SB2014
Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on the remaining bill and related amendments. Joe Morse asked the committee to include a $219,000 general fund replacement for rent that would no longer be collected from Career and Technical Education after the 15th floor of the tower becomes legislative space under the Legislative Council’s jurisdiction. Members discussed that state law currently requires rent only from executive branch office space, not legislative or judicial space, and there was no objection to adding the request to the amendment package. The committee then revisited a set of amendments it had previously discussed, including whether to include funding for Prairie Public. Senator Dwyer argued against any Prairie Public funding, citing its reserves, endowment, and charitable gaming revenue, and said the state should prioritize other needs. Senator Irby supported a one-time infrastructure contribution as the state shares in related infrastructure costs. Senator Sickler said Prairie Public still provides unique local programming, but that a one-time infrastructure item would be a reasonable compromise rather than ongoing operating support. A motion was made and seconded to provide Prairie Public $850,000 from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund for infrastructure needs. The roll call vote failed 3-2, with Senators Sickler and Irby voting aye, Senators Dwyer and Burkhard voting no, and Chairman Wanzek voting yes. After that vote, the committee indicated the amendment package was otherwise complete, though leadership had asked that final action on the bill be held for a little longer. The meeting adjourned with the understanding that more amendments could still be brought forward before the next meeting.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Disasters do not discriminate between red states and blue states. Preparedness is not partisan.
  • They didn't see us as Democrats or Republicans, red states or blue states.
  • They didn't see us as Democrats or Republicans, red states or blue states.
  • s nonpartisan judiciary and replace it with partisan right-wing judges.
  • <02:22:12.960> The with partisan right-wing judges. The with partisan right-wing judges.
PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session (Jun 25 2026)

Pennsylvania House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • gallery, Representative Jared Solomon from the 202nd District welcomes the Civil Air Patrol Pennsylvania Wing
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including the Civil Air Patrol Pennsylvania Wing Cadet Color Guard, district office staff, and a guest page. A quorum was established with 202 members voting on the master roll. The chamber also noted that Deputy Sergeant Hopkins is retiring after three years of service, and several committee meetings were announced for later in the day. The main floor action was on House Bill 2198, which repeals the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment. Supporters argued the exemption is no longer needed because data centers are large, profitable companies that should pay their share, and cited a projected future cost to the Commonwealth of about $517 million annually. Members in favor also said data centers place heavy burdens on local water, land, and electricity resources and should not receive taxpayer subsidies. Opponents argued the bill conflicted with broader data center policy discussions and that the House was moving too quickly after passing related infrastructure legislation the day before. After debate, the House took a recorded final vote and passed House Bill 2198 by a vote of 197-5. The bill was sent to the Senate for concurrence. The House then moved several bills from the table calendar to the active calendar and adjourned until Friday, June 26, 2026, at 12 noon unless recalled sooner by the Speaker.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy and Administration (01/21/2026)

Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • part<03:57:38.239> of<03:57:38.479> out<03:57:38.560> the<03:57:38.720> red
  • <03:57:38.960> class schools now as part of out the red class schools now as part of out the
  • red class or<03:57:39.680> on<03:57:39.920> the<03:57:40.080> weekends<03:57:40.479
  • well and they were using a text series that was well laid out, you know, it wasn't somebody just winging
  • it by any means she was just winging it by any means she was really<05:48:27.200> thoughtful<
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Legislative Administration (02/19/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then the Office of Legislative Services will take the final version of the bill and put it in a red
  • The final version of the bill is put in a red jacket with a cover sheet and sent to the Secretary of
  • On November 17, 2023, I was returning to Concord from a meeting and I was sitting at a red light when
  • The Joint Facilities Committee, which is a nonpartisan committee, is the administrative wing that deals
  • that that deals administrative um Wing that that deals with<02:23:33.960> the<02:23:34.160>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first dealt with scheduling and housekeeping, including a plan to take a hard break at 2:00 p.m. for an early bill, hold a brief executive session, and then continue with the remaining afternoon bills. The chair also noted the next likely meeting date would be March 12, when the committee expected to take up the remaining bills before crossover deadlines. The main substantive item was House Bill 142, which would recognize the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and related remembrance purposes. Prime sponsor Rep. Michael Moffett described the bill as a bipartisan measure revised to address earlier concerns, arguing that the flag honors fallen service members, can be personalized with names, and complements rather than detracts from the American flag. He said many other states have already adopted it and suggested the committee could amend details such as the number of days and locations for display. He also raised practical issues about flag dimensions and whether the bill should use "shall" or "may" for display requirements. Testimony was divided. Janine Nutter opposed the bill, saying she supports Gold Star families but objected because the flag resembles the Viet Cong flag and because she believes the American flag should remain the sole symbol representing servicemembers. Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee under RSA 115:8, also opposed the bill, saying the committee believes the American flag is the only symbol needed, while still praising the work of Honor and Remember in creating personalized flags for families. Committee members asked questions about where the flag would be flown, whether the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is already displaying it, and how the bill’s language would interact with cemetery policies and committee discretion. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 03/27/25

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Haley Brown, and I am currently a student at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing
  • My name is Haley Brown, and I am currently a student at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • And we'll start feeding folks off of the audit onto other audits, new audit topics waiting in the wings
  • /c><01:07:26.559> waiting<01:07:26.799> in<01:07:26.960> the<01:07:27.119> wings
  • >> new audit topics waiting in the wings.
  • >> new audit topics waiting in the wings. uh<01:07:28.000> and<01:07:28.480> uh<01
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division III (05/20/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Dartmouth would spend their money to improve, I don't know, a wing or something like that.
  • 14:55.440> a their money to improve, I don't know, a their money to improve, I don't know, a wing
  • <00:14:57.360> We<00:14:57.600> would wing or something like that.
  • We would wing or something like that.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 118, as amended, which contains several unrelated provisions with a modest fiscal note. Nathan White of the Department of Health and Human Services explained that section 1 would change the personal needs allowance for Medicaid-eligible residents of private and county nursing homes from an adjustment every five years to an annual adjustment, increasing the state cost by about $50,000 per year. He also described section 2, a one-time appropriation of about $160,000 to make certain Hampstead employees whole for missed bonuses and lost leave during the state’s transition of the facility to Dartmouth management. White then outlined sections 3 through 5, which would create a dedicated fund for Hampstead lease revenue to cover the state’s contractual obligation to match Dartmouth capital improvements dollar-for-dollar up to $3 million. He said the state receives about $1.141 million in lease revenue in the first year, with a 3% annual escalator, and that the fund would hold lease revenue until needed for reimbursement. Members questioned how the matching arrangement would work, what happens if Dartmouth spends before the fund has enough money, and whether the state could refuse to match certain improvements. White said Dartmouth has final determination under the agreement if disputes arise, and that if the bill does not pass the state could face difficulty meeting the obligation without cutting services or finding other general funds. Several members also raised policy concerns about the personal needs allowance becoming an automatic cost driver. Brian Clark, attorney for the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, clarified that current law requires the allowance to be updated at least every five years, but the legislature could change it in an off year if it chose. He also explained that the allowance is money residents retain from their own income, such as Social Security, as part of Medicaid cost-of-care calculations, and that the department does not regulate how residents keep those funds. No vote was taken during the discussion, and the committee paused to correct the bill copy before continuing testimony.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Floor Session 5/7/25 - Part 1

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I recognize the member from Crow Wing, Representative Heintzeman. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Keywords: 1183, house
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • and Jukes continue: Although considered penal anomalies, there are four therapeutic community prison wings
  • Regional Lockup, not for a Dukes County House of Corrections, and not for a new Shirley Prison hospital wing
  • Regional Lockup, not for a Duke's County House of Corrections, and not for a new Shirley Prison Hospital Wing
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hybrid hearing covering public construction, business regulations, and honorary designations, with most of the discussion focused on two matters: a five-year moratorium on new jail and prison construction (S. 2114/H. 3422) and a bill designating June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day (S. 2152/H. 3305). The chair emphasized that the hearing was public, testimony would be recorded, and speakers should generally keep remarks to three minutes. Senator Comerford introduced the prison moratorium bill, saying it would pause new construction while allowing renovations, and Senator Friedman introduced the Tourette awareness bill and a separate Tuskegee Airmen commemoration measure, asking for favorable action on both honorary designations. A large portion of the hearing featured remote testimony from incarcerated people at MCI Framingham and MCI Shirley in support of the prison moratorium. Witnesses repeatedly argued that Massachusetts does not need a new women’s prison, that the incarcerated population is declining, and that funds would be better spent on mental health care, addiction treatment, vocational training, pre-release programming, housing, and repairs to existing facilities. Several speakers described poor conditions, limited programming, and the need to address trauma, domestic violence, and substance use as root causes of incarceration. One committee member responded to testimony by noting that incarceration numbers are going down, that the state is working on housing and workforce opportunities for people returning home, and that the committee wants to expand pathways to employment and reentry. The Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day bill drew testimony from the bill’s young sponsor, Owen Rosenthal, his parents, medical professionals, and advocates. They described Tourette syndrome as a misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition, said awareness would reduce stigma and improve diagnosis and support, and cited the need for education in schools, workplaces, and the medical community. The Tourette Association of America supported the bill, noting underdiagnosis, co-occurring conditions, pain, and mental health risks associated with Tourette syndrome. Committee members praised the youth advocates and asked that written testimony be submitted electronically. The hearing ended without any recorded votes or final committee action in the transcript provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Limiting local governments from mandating HOAs 3/2/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lightfoot is probably in the wing somewhere. He may certainly wish to speak to it as well.
  • Lightfoot is probably in the wing Lightfoot is probably in the wing somewhere.<00:03:35.320> Uh,
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: House File 2614 was heard with a delete-everything amendment adopted at the outset. The bill, as explained by the authors, would prevent local governments from requiring amenities or common property that effectively force the creation of a homeowners association, while still allowing developers to create HOAs voluntarily when needed. The authors said the language was negotiated with stakeholders, including the League of Minnesota Cities, and was intended to be moved on to the Housing Committee for further discussion. Supportive testimony came from Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. They argued that unnecessary HOA mandates can raise housing costs, reduce homebuyer choice, and shift public infrastructure costs onto homeowners through dues in addition to property taxes. Testifiers cited examples involving single-family developments, a Burnsville case involving a large roof assessment and disputed ACH withdrawal, and the Heritage Park development in Minneapolis, where an HOA was required but later became difficult to dissolve. They said the bill would preserve HOAs where they are genuinely needed, such as townhomes or shared-amenity developments. Members raised questions about the removal of county-specific language in the amendment, the meaning of the bill’s references to services and common property, and whether the bill would still allow neighborhood signs or other developer-requested features. A major point of concern was stormwater ponds and drainage infrastructure: one member argued that prohibiting cities from requiring HOA maintenance of such facilities could shift costs to taxpayers, while the authors responded that the bill was meant to stop cities from mandating discretionary amenities and that maintenance issues had been partly addressed in the amendment. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was discussed for referral onward.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • addition to being the parent organization of Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood today is the political wing
  • self-identifies the terrorist group as a In fact, the Hamas Charter self-identifies the terrorist group as a wing
  • Quote, 'The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine.
Summary: The committee met to hear several measures, beginning with HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, both memorials urging Congress to review and potentially designate the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations. Supporters argued the groups have documented ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood’s stated goal of undermining Western civilization, citing the Holy Land Foundation case, FBI concerns, and testimony from national-security advocates. Opponents, including CAIR representatives, Muslim community members, and civil-rights advocates, said the memorials relied on guilt by association, would stigmatize Muslims, and lacked a factual or legal basis; they emphasized CAIR’s civil-rights work and warned of First Amendment concerns and community harm. After extensive debate and questions about the relationship between national and Arizona CAIR entities, the committee approved HCM 2001 and HCM 2002 on 4-3 votes, with members on both sides explaining their votes at length. Supporters framed the measures as simple requests to Congress based on existing federal findings, while opponents called them political theater and discriminatory. The committee then recessed briefly. When the committee returned, it heard HB 2009, which would prohibit committees primarily organized to influence constitutional amendments from accepting foreign national contributions and require donor verification and disclosure of out-of-state funding. The sponsor said the bill is meant to help voters understand outside influence on Arizona constitutional initiatives and suggested it could be broadened to all ballot measures. The bill passed 4-3. The committee then took up HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on elections that would limit voting to U.S. citizens, ban foreign contributions to candidate and ballot measure campaigns, require government-issued ID, and adjust early voting and mail-ballot rules. A late amendment clarified that the citizenship requirement applies to primary, general, and municipal elections, set early voting to end the Friday before an election, and refined mail-ballot rules while preserving federal overseas military voting requirements. The sponsor argued the measure would make Arizona elections more secure and efficient, while critics said it would create barriers and longer lines. The transcript cuts off during sponsor questioning on the amendment and ballot-access provisions.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Even in retirement, Roger remains a pillar of his community by volunteering with the Red Cross, serving
  • President Trump is the border security president, and no narrative from the national media or left-wing
  • It will help rural Utah by boosting Utah's energy sector due to provisions slashing the bureaucratic red
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on the Census Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:30 am

Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's this narrative from the right wing about the need to destroy, to decimate people that don't look
  • census was happening but didn't know what a complete count working group was, and so for me that was a red
  • census was happening but didn't know what a complete count working group was, and so for me that was a red
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held an early planning hearing on how Massachusetts can maximize participation in the 2030 census, with Chair Will Brownsberger and Vice Chair Rebecca Rausch emphasizing the need to start well in advance. The first panel, made up of leaders from the Massachusetts Voter Table, MassVOTE, MIRA, and MESA, stressed that grassroots community organizations are trusted messengers and should be funded early to do multilingual outreach, training, and direct assistance in hard-to-count communities. They described lessons from 2020, including the shift to internet response, reduced federal census infrastructure, the importance of coordinated statewide networks, and the need to begin messaging several years before Census Day because building trust and staffing outreach takes time. Panelists repeatedly warned that immigrant communities are facing heightened fear because of federal immigration enforcement and the possibility of a citizenship question or other federal changes, making census participation more difficult. They said 2020 funding arrived too late to fully staff and train outreach teams before the pandemic, and argued that future resources should be deployed earlier and more flexibly. In response to committee questions, they estimated Massachusetts should invest roughly $8 million to $10 million or more in state census outreach, with one proposed model of about $3 million to $5 million at the start, additional funding in the middle years, and a larger final push closer to 2030. They also suggested that funding should support communications infrastructure, translation, social media and ethnic media outreach, and possibly a permanent complete count structure or trust fund to preserve institutional knowledge. A second panel from Common Cause Massachusetts and the ACLU of Massachusetts echoed the call for stronger, earlier investment and stronger privacy protections. They urged the legislature to expand existing census line items, consider a trust fund or other dedicated funding stream, and coordinate census outreach with other state programs that already work through trusted community messengers. The ACLU testimony focused on racial inequities in census counts and warned that federal efforts to exclude non-citizens or add a citizenship question would deepen distrust and undercount immigrant communities. Committee members asked about the 2020 overcount/undercount results, funding levels, timing of grant distribution, and whether census outreach should be routed through the Secretary of the Commonwealth or other state mechanisms; no votes were taken, and the hearing moved on to a later panel on immigrant-community outreach.