Video & Transcript Research : 'priority schools'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 9, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • executive director for the school executive director for the school facilities<00:47:53.040>
  • uncommon to other State uh other school uncommon to other State uh other school districts<00:48:
  • district but there's still 264 schools district but there's still 264 schools split<00:48:51.880
  • Our second swim lane is Central Maui schools, and again we have to build schools differently.
  • We are one school district.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Beechwood Independent: their projects include a high school and elementary school renovations, and their
  • the slides into each of the schools the slides into each of the schools individually<00:02:55.159
  • Department of Ed and then the school Department of Ed and then the school priority<00:03:33.200>
  • know we have slides for all 20 schools know we have slides for all 20 schools and<00:03:44.159><
  • So some schools had that happen.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The House Budget Review Committee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met, approved the minutes from its first meeting, and then received a presentation on the School Facility Assistance Fund audit. State Auditor Allison Ball’s office and its third-party contractor, Blue and Co., explained that the audit followed the scope set in the budget bill: to review each school project’s cost, available local resources, and eligibility criteria for state gap funding, with the Auditor of Public Accounts certifying the final report. The presenters walked through the 20 school projects identified for review and gave the current gap funding amounts found for each. Examples included Adair County at about $7.6 million, Augusta Independent at $5.3 million, B.S. Down Independent at just over $43 million, Fleming County at about $15 million, Garrard County at $14.9 million, Johnson County at $78 million, Somerset Independent at $1.7 million, Walton Verona at $48,000, Williams Town Independent at $7.4 million, and several others. They also noted that some districts were fully funded before the audit or withdrew because they had secured enough local funding, including Breathitt County, Kent County, and Lewis County. Washington County’s project was flagged as failing some House Bill 6 eligibility criteria even though the report calculated a $27.6 million gap. Members asked whether districts that secured funding on their own were being penalized, and the auditors responded that changes in gap amounts reflected several factors, including rising project costs and newly available local funding. They also said the audit did not attempt to determine whether local funds were earmarked for one project versus another, because the budget bill directed them to assess available local funding as provided. The committee requested the presentation slides, and the meeting concluded with no further questions and a motion to adjourn.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDU Public Hearing 03-12-2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This year, I have 12 OIA schools and seven ILH schools.
  • This year, I have 12 OIA schools and seven ILH schools.
  • , middle school, and feeder elementary school number of schools.
  • <00:45:40.359> one School number of schools and so one School number of schools and so one
  • school abandonment of public schools school abandonment of public schools that<01:06:05.359>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • You'll see the eligible expenses, which are in three priorities: priority one being GIS, and that's to
  • So the last priority would be priority three, which would be to match a grant.
  • So the last priority would be priority three, which would be to match a grant.
  • a private technical school?
  • ...school. Is that a government school or is that a private technical school?
Summary: The Oklahoma 911 Management Authority met with a quorum and approved the April 2 minutes and the February, March, and April 2026 financial reports. Members then adopted the FY 2027 budget, which included a 5% staff increase, a reclassification for the 911-988 liaison/training coordinator role, a new GIS specialist position, increased funding for training, travel, cybersecurity training, recruitment, GIS repository work, and technology roadmap items. The budget also set aside funds for NG911 deployment, grant closeouts, and a $3 million reserve for a one-time PSAP distribution program. The authority approved the $3 million one-time distribution to the 123 primary PSAPs and separately approved the distribution guidelines and priority list. The program will use the statutory population-and-land-area formula, with eligible uses focused on GIS Version 3 work, technology and equipment, and grant matching; salaries, construction, radio systems, OLETS, and mobile apps were excluded. The board also denied a hardship request from Washington County 911 to waive a 20% match for a radio console grant, finding the county had sufficient carryover and other funding sources. Members approved an Oklahoma technical school in-person telecommunicator training curriculum and simulator that meets minimum training standards, and authorized a statewide 911 telecommunicator recruitment campaign with ICG Advertising for $249,820. The authority also approved a compliance action plan for PSAPs that had not completed GIS remediation and repository uploads, setting a June 19 deadline before notice and possible escrow proceedings. Several grant requests were approved, including projects for Adair, Grady, Harper, INCOG, McCurtain, Roger Mills, Pauls Valley, and Washington County, covering NG911 fiber, ADA furniture, equipment, feasibility work, recorder upgrades, and radio console improvements. In committee and staff reports, members heard updates on 911 Day at the Capitol, the POP grant timeline, legislative activity, NG911 and GIS tools, cybersecurity training, operations committee work, 988 integration outreach, and statewide project progress. The coordinator also noted work on standards, NASNA leadership, and the need for PSAPs to obtain EM Grants logins ahead of the upcoming grant cycle. The meeting adjourned after no public comments or new business were offered.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 1/22/25

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lake-Savage Area Schools.
  • Safety is the highest priority at all of our schools.
  • their high schools.
  • Very limiting to schools.
  • We’re not grading schools.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • to our schools.
  • funding for our school districts.
  • Who want to be in those schools.
  • We saw in our own school district, Poway Unified School District, where we had a school that was In significant
  • B and school C. to school B, right?
Keywords: 988, house, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • I just, or those high schools, I had a high school just call me a month and a half ago, and it was because
  • There's a lot of students that feel as though when you go to school, you are starting out the school
  • I went to NDSC, and I know that science school, they get $4.5 million in dual credit from our high school
  • If you look at the student concerns priorities that we passed, we do have some specific priorities that
  • If you look at the student concerns priorities that we passed, we do have some specific priorities that
Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Jan 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, pictures communicate values, priorities, and narratives to our children.
  • You know, pictures communicate values, priorities, and narratives to our children.
  • But specifically, Florida law already directs patriotic programs in schools.
  • But specifically, Florida law already directs patriotic programs in schools.
  • Marquise McMillar, Orange County Public Schools.
Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 420, by Senator Burgess, would require George Washington and Abraham Lincoln portraits to be prominently displayed in social studies classrooms and K-5 classrooms, with the Department of Education selecting the portraits. Supporters framed the bill as a patriotic and educational measure tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, while senators raised concerns about exclusivity, precedent, local control, and whether the measure could be expanded politically. Burgess said the bill was intended to be nonpartisan, historically rooted, and not to affect curriculum, and he committed to seeking funding so it would not be an unfunded mandate. The committee reported SB 420 favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 206, by Senator Harrell, which revises teacher preparation and training related to autism spectrum disorder. The strike-all amendment requires teacher preparation programs to include autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, requires ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential by August 1, 2027, creates an Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program, authorizes salary supplements and stipends, and requires district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. Senators asked about implementation timelines, grandfathering current teachers, and whether the endorsement requirement should include a grace period; Harrell said she was open to further discussion and wanted to make the bill workable. Public testimony was largely supportive, including from an Orange County Public Schools representative and a parent of a child with autism. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 556, by Senator Berman, which allows students with disabilities to satisfy the high school physical education requirement by participating in Special Olympics for one year if included in the student’s IEP. An amendment also clarified that two years of marching band participation satisfies both PE and fine/performing arts credit requirements. Testimony supported the bill as an inclusive option that could reduce administrative burdens and give students more flexibility. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also voted to recommend confirmation of appointees in tabs 4 through 7, and then adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • school funding.
  • The costs are for TK and the K-12 schools. So it's in the K-12 schools. Okay.
  • If we're going to spend more on schools, let's do it because it's addressing a priority that you...
  • Let's, if we're going to spend more on schools, let's do it because it's addressing a priority that you
  • Are these programs only in schools, at schools, including students, or—?
Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 02/24/26

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • academic support to the medical school. academic support to the medical school.
  • priorities? priorities? >> President<00:25:51.440> Cunningham.
  • University of Minnesota Medical School University of Minnesota Medical School faculty<00:34:49.200
  • at any given time, medical school at any given time, medical school faculty<00:35:02.160> are
  • Uh the faculty of the medical school.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Special Session - Senate Floor Session - Part 2 - 06/09/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • about how that's one of our priorities about how that's one of our priorities should<00:13:44.079
  • Let's focus on our priorities.
  • Let's focus on our priorities.
  • And if money grew on priorities.
  • first ought to be our first priority. first ought to be our first priority.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • school school lunches<00:32:31.279> free<00:32:32.159> school<00:32:32.559> is<
  • Schools also don't think about how the school lunch money all adds up to be really expensive, since school
  • I went to school in 1970.
  • lunch costs for schools.
  • Perhaps there can also be plans to help schools grow school gardens.
Keywords: 910, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 29th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I agree good, clean drinking water is a priority.
  • And I mean, clean drinking water is a priority.
  • Drinking water is a priority for everyone.
  • key boxes at public schools and tightly integrating school mapping data with emergency response.
  • Principals Association and the school nursing, school-based health center nursing association had, and
Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB66, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB145, HB159, HB167, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB316, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB511, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB799, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1095, HB1126, HB1129, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1230, HB1235, HB1249, HB723, HB36, HB140, HB181, HB198, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB302, HB335, HB342, HB487, HB513, HB623, HB682, HB730, HB740, HB761, HB775, HB797, HB812, HB816, HB940, HB968, HB979, HB1028, HB1029, HB1038, HB1049, HB1084, HB1161, HB1194, HB1199, HB1201, HB1203, HB1247, HB1256, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB237, SB250, SB405, SB406, SB414, SB433, SB480, SB513, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB134, HB1117, SB42, SB274, SB382, SB449, SB300, HR74, HB463, HB715, HB998, SB80, SB268, SB444, SB479, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • , and this is directly addressing that. of those priority sets.
  • Page 9 is Permanent School Fund Corporation.
  • School Fund, turning to page 10. This is School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • Turning to page 13. special provisions for the school for the blind and school for the deaf item one
  • Moving to page 36, University of Texas Dale Medical School.
Bills: SB 1
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 3/12/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House File 6 covers the following priorities: where literacy is learning, local control is innovation
  • are performing in school.
  • “Well, I believe this fiscal note relies on false assumptions and misplaced priorities.
  • are performing in school.”
  • are performing in school.
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Education Funding (11/13/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • federal government unit to a school federal government unit to a school district<00:14:55.920>
  • be made available during the school day. be made available during the school day.
  • during school hours reimbursing students during school hours reimbursing schools<00:54:20.480> for
  • Now, one of the in high school.
  • kids should always be a priority period. kids should always be a priority period.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:37.040> for that represent the highest priority for that represent the highest priority
  • <00:14:21.440> backlog medium and low priority backlog medium and low priority backlog sites
  • Well, one of the number one reasons that kids in Minneapolis public schools miss school is because of
  • <00:42:34.160> miss<00:42:34.480> school Minneapolis public schools miss school Minneapolis
  • Board, School District 115.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The UT School of Public Health, San Antonio.
  • Ram Shaddad, the school welcomed its inaugural class during the fall of 2024.
  • HB 5089 by Guerin relating to the creation of a school By detachment of territory from an existing school
  • the student to attend a private school.
  • earned by public school students for the Committee on Public Education.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Finance Committee 3/27/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And with schools.
  • to to put them in in those schools. to to put them in in those schools.
  • within a school library.
  • our educators, families, and schools. our educators, families, and schools.
  • and our school impact on our schools and our school districts.<01:36:54.239> And<01:36:54.880
Bills: HF2430, HF2433
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our schools should never be spaces where children are fearful.
  • Families are afraid to send their children to school, drop them off at school; people avoid hospital
  • Families are afraid to send their children to school, drop them off at school, I don't know.
  • Families are afraid to send their children to school, drop them off at school, people avoid hospital
  • Kids are better in school and parents feel safe going to work.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses. Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role. Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.