Video & Transcript : 'taxpayers' :
Page 42 of 442
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a limit to what kind of families can access this program, can access these taxpayer funds?
- We have limited taxpayer funds. And everything we do is a choice here.
- It's our knowledge of the impacts of School Choice on students, public schools, and taxpayers.
- I just think with limited taxpayer funds there are better school choices.
- elite private school in the state to get taxpayer funds?
Committee:
House Public Education
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:07.920><c> seeking</c><00:03:08.440><c> a</c> brought by taxpayers seeking a brought by taxpayers
- </c><00:03:40.360><c> and</c> arbiter between taxpayers and arbiter between taxpayers and government.
- Taxpayers really appreciate this boring predictability, for it saves them time and money.
- </c><00:41:31.160><c> or</c><00:41:31.520><c> the</c> what the taxpayers or the what the taxpayers or
- </c> would be borne by the local taxpayers would be borne by the local taxpayers who<01:13:37.640><c>
Committee:
Senate Taxes
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- So basically, they save the taxpayers that difference there.
- To that point. ...accruing new debt for our taxpayers, and that new debt is accrued at 7%.
- It took me about 20 years to realize the worst bet for taxpayers anywhere you can find...
- It creates a permanent one-way increase in taxpayer obligations.
- Taxpayer obligations.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1.
Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4.
Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Not only could not use taxpayer money.
- So, little taxpayers pay the difference.
- </c> taxpayers that are wearing the pants. taxpayers that are wearing the pants.
- And it would frankly is our taxpayers.
- </c> result for our taxpayers. result for our taxpayers. Thank<00:37:24.800><c> you.
Committee:
Senate Commerce
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It's no cost to the taxpayer. There's not a nickel that costs the taxpayer. It's a good bill.
- There's not a nickel that costs the taxpayers.
- This is not a taxpayer savings account for people.
- So, not using taxpayer dollars to fund private entities.
- HCR 2040 keeps the taxpayer resources focused on students.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (10-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Taxpayers can access their filing history and make new filings and payments.
- Taxpayers can access their withholding.
- So, Kentucky One Stop was our first taxpayer registration and return filing portal.
- Thank you. volume of taxpayers hitting the site. Um volume of taxpayers hitting the site.
- </c> taxpayers that we were seeing come in. taxpayers that we were seeing come in.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding.
The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays.
The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You're strengthening Alabama homes, which is your grant program, as taxpayer funded?
- taxpayer, taxpayer money through a constitutional amendment that you are absolutely 100% running a grant
- This is taxpayer money that was ratified by the people of Texas for a specific purpose.
- So has anybody given any logic to why we put taxpayer dollars there?
- I think it'd be expected of us because the taxpayers, we are the fiduciaries for the taxpayer dollars
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/05/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- This is taxpayer dollars.
- This isn't our This is taxpayer dollars.
- This is taxpayer dollars. There money. This is taxpayer dollars.
- But one correction is that it's not taxpayer dollar proceeds. Thank you.
- </c> taxpayer dollar proceed. taxpayer dollar proceed. >> Thank<01:04:48.720><c> you.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota needs our rle school taxpayers Minnesota needs our rle school districts<00:10:08.600><c> to
- It's practical, it's forward-thinking solution, and it benefits our schools, our taxpayers alike.
- It's practical, it's forward-thinking solution, and it benefits our schools, our taxpayers alike.
- It's practical, it's forward-thinking solution, and it benefits our schools, our taxpayers alike.
- It's practical, it's forward-thinking solution, and it benefits our schools, our taxpayers alike.
Committee:
House Education Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:19:11.440><c> of</c> the state and not on the taxpayers of the state and not on the taxpayers
- </c> and confidence that the scarce taxpayer and confidence that the scarce taxpayer dollars<00:52:26.319
- And if we found taxpayer is made whole.
- We are all taxpayers and we don't tolerate uh any fraud.
- We are all get because I'm a taxpayer.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 5/5/26
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of taxpayer money. of taxpayer money.
- money, that he has failed to taxpayer money, that he has failed to hold<00:52:43.040><c> his</c><00:
- I mean, the dysfunction that continues to this day that allows billions of our taxpayers' dollars to
- dollars to be billions of our taxpayers dollars to be stolen<01:09:54.400><c> and</c><01:09:54.640><
- </c> center and has made taxpayers the mark. center and has made taxpayers the mark.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- the taxpayers.
- the taxpayers.
- the taxpayers.
- the taxpayers.
- the taxpayers.
Committee:
House Housing
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of the San Diego Association of Governments, which is our regional transportation agency, because taxpayers
- disregard by management resulted in improper customer charges and an estimated $2 million lost to taxpayers
- staff, as well as myself and Don, the seriousness that we take our responsibilities in managing taxpayer
- funds and working at a taxpayer-funded agency.
- These are significant taxpayer investments made with the promise that they would improve outcomes for
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to consider new audit requests. The State Auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, with several expected to be published over the coming months, and noted that litigation is delaying the Huntington Beach air show audit. The committee approved a consent calendar of four audit requests covering UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring.
The committee then heard Assembly Member DeMaio’s request for an audit of SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to restore public trust and examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly handled. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency manages many funding sources, undergoes frequent audits, and has strengthened internal controls; they said the requested review would be duplicative of existing oversight. After debate, the committee voted the request down.
Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, focusing on whether grantees and BSCC are accurately reporting outcomes and recidivism data and whether oversight is sufficient. BSCC said the program already has multiple oversight layers, including Controller audits, and cited reported improvements in homelessness, employment, and recidivism outcomes. The committee approved the audit. Finally, Senator Cortese’s audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and contract oversight was heard, with supporters citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network problems, and retirees’ out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently ran an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that it uses performance guarantees. The committee approved that audit as well, then completed add-on votes approving the earlier consent calendar items before adjourning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Joint Legislative Audit
Transcript Highlights:
- of the San Diego Association of Governments, which is our regional transportation agency, because taxpayers
- disregard by management resulted in improper customer charges and an estimated $2 million lost to taxpayers
- staff, as well as myself and Don, the seriousness that we take our responsibilities in managing taxpayer
- funds and working at a taxpayer-funded agency.
- These are significant taxpayer investments made with the promise that they would improve outcomes for
Committee:
Senate Joint Legislative Audit
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- That's their choice to do so, but not on taxpayer dollars.
- It's like being a...” “...but it's not on taxpayer dollars.
- Taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar credit up to $1,700.
- Speaker Pro Tem, I would add that parents are lifelong taxpayers.
- Fast forward four years: we're at a billion dollars of taxpayer money going into this program.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Conservation and Natural Resources Feb 23rd, 2026
Conservation and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And I really don't think that's what Missouri taxpayers want the conservation to do with their money.
- If they were budding the property, the idea there is to protect the taxpayer.
- We've got to protect the taxpayer.
- If we're going to do a public good, that's great, but let's protect the taxpayer at the same time.
- Let's protect the taxpayer.
Committee:
House Conservation and Natural Resources
Summary:
The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 2202, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, which would allow active-duty military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, and youth during youth hunt seasons to receive certain hunting permits at no cost. Mayhew argued the bill would help recruit younger hunters, support military members and disabled veterans, and would not threaten conservation funding because the conservation fund has maintained substantial balances. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal impact, possible constitutional issues, effects on Pittman-Robertson federal reimbursements, and whether the bill duplicated existing Missouri Department of Conservation exemptions. Some members supported the concept of honoring veterans but suggested other funding mechanisms or clarifying language, and MDC said it would revise the fiscal note after misreading some figures.
Testimony on HB 2202 was mostly opposed or informational. An Army veteran testified against the bill, saying current MDC rules already provide significant exemptions for veterans, active-duty personnel, and seniors, and warning the bill could reduce revenue and federal matching funds. MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffreys said the department already offers numerous veteran and military exemptions and supports veteran hunts through partnerships with NGOs, but also explained the agency’s fund balance is being used for major capital projects and is expected to decline. Several members and the sponsor debated whether conservation revenues are being held in reserve unnecessarily or are needed for ongoing projects and future obligations.
The committee then heard House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, which would create a Soil Erosion Control Fund Act to help homeowners associations finance erosion mitigation projects through assessments, state fund allocations, and matching local or grant dollars. Wellenkamp and supporters said erosion and flooding are causing major property damage, especially in water-rich and river-adjacent areas, and that the bill would give communities a practical tool to address problems that are too expensive for cities or counties to solve alone. Members from affected districts described severe flooding and erosion impacts, and the sponsor said the bill includes safeguards such as HOA nonprofit status, homeowner approval, and repayment terms to protect taxpayers.
HB 1734 drew broad support from witnesses including the Community Associations Institute, a stream restoration business, the Missouri Municipal League, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, and a St. Charles County lobbyist. Supporters said the proposal would help stabilize land, protect homes and property values, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce long-term public costs. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 1734 concluded with no further business and adjournment.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- here to express my concern regarding the continued efforts by our state legislature to reallocate taxpayer
- So this bill allows, gives the option to the voter to allow taxpayer funded dollars to fund campaigns
- Their own form of public financing, they can do so, whether it's taxpayer dollars, whether it's donations
- So this doesn't require the taxpayer dollars necessarily go to any particular person?
- David Bullock on behalf of Taxpayer Oversights for parents and students. We are in strong support.
Committee:
House Elections
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The cost if it was borne by taxpayers, it's got to be a big number.
- I am pleased to speak about the Paul Gessing: Government Accountability to Taxpayer Office contained
- So we are really talking about $2 billion that is still owed to the taxpayers in New Mexico.
- There's over $100 billion similarly floating around that really belongs to taxpayers, that we need some
- The Government Accountability to Taxpayers Act will clearly recommend legislation to the legislators
Committee:
Senate Senate Rules
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Nine - Tuesday, April 28
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Those are taxpayer dollars.
- Do you have a website that taxpayers can go to to see the— Do you have a website that taxpayers can go
- And likewise, what you spent your per diem on, that's taxpayer dollars.
- It wouldn't apply to taxpayer dollars spent, say, at the police.
- Religious education doesn't belong in taxpayer-funded, public, education.
Summary:
The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 123-1 roll call vote. Members then spent time introducing guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and school groups from several districts. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a member’s son’s birthday.
On third reading, House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, drew debate over whether ending clock changes would improve convenience or create safety and health problems by leaving more commutes in darkness. Supporters argued it would align with public preference and reduce disruption, while opponents warned of circadian and safety concerns. The bill passed 107-31 with two present. The House then moved to perfection of House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which reclassifies SALT/pass-through entity items as deductions rather than tax credits for reporting purposes; both were described as cleanup and efficiency measures and were perfected without opposition.
The chamber then took up House Bill 2426, a broad parental rights bill covering medical, educational, privacy, and related decision-making for children, and a major amendment focused on individualized education plans (IEPs). Supporters said the bill and amendment strengthen parental involvement and require stricter judicial review, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, school district administration burdens, transparency requirements, and possible conflicts with existing law on truancy, medical care, and records. House Amendment 1 was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate continued on the underlying bill with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-09 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That has been a cost of Florida taxpayers up to the billions.
- And this is... ...when we ask our taxpayers to operate within their means, that we do the same.
- Over a half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money has already been spent.
- Over a half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money.
- It does it without burdening the taxpayers.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the chamber had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, with budget negotiations still unresolved and the 2026-27 budget not expected to be completed that week. The special order report was adopted, setting the day’s calendar and debate times.
The chamber then took up several Senate bills, mostly technical or open-government sunset review measures, and passed them with little or no opposition: SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on Florida statutes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004 on public-records or meeting exemptions; and SB 7022 on public records related to exams. Members asked questions on a few of these bills, especially the exam-records bill and the military and gaming-related exemptions, but the measures generally advanced without amendment. Votes ranged from unanimous to modest opposition, with SB 7026 passing 106-3 and SB 7022 passing 101-8.
The most substantial debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had been misused and that the Legislature should retain control over spending; several members supported her position, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. A strike-all amendment from Rep. Griffiths was adopted instead, adding accountability provisions and expanding the fund to cover man-made emergencies as well as natural disasters. The bill then passed 82-25. The House also passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS/SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues, with SB 488 still under amendment debate when the transcript ends.