Video & Transcript : 'staff equity' :
Page 431 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- and keep those staff.
- </c><00:14:25.120><c> again</c><00:14:25.279><c> a</c> staff and keep those staff again a staff and keep
- It's not the department staff that do it.
- It's not the department staff that do it.
- There's certain staff that exist today. They existed before the road map started.
Summary:
The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses.
Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze.
Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors.
The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The current department staff—there's a team of about 16 that run the Medicaid integrity audit, so you
- We've also gotten some staff to focus more on transition management for that purpose.
- We do have staff that are dedicated to a state recovery now in Medicaid.
- Bivey and the staff, trying to outline where we're ahead of this.
- Bivey and the staff trying to outline where we're ahead of this is a big lift.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing on the Division of Medicaid within the Department of Health and Welfare. Legislative Services analyst Alex Williamson reviewed Medicaid’s five budgeted programs, enrollment groups, staffing, historic spending growth, and the distinction between ongoing base adjustments and one-time enhancements. She explained that most Medicaid spending is in trust and benefit payments, discussed the large FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget changes, and walked through the governor’s recommendations, including hospital assessment fund alignment, claims forecast updates, MMIS procurement funding, estate recovery, program integrity support, and population forecast adjustments.
Members asked extensive questions about the 4% provider rate reduction, the expansion population, federal match rates, and the effect of House Bill 345 and federal changes on Medicaid costs and eligibility. Williamson and Deputy Director Sasha O’Connell said the expansion population has declined, but costs are driven by utilization, provider rates, pharmacy, hospital, developmental disability, behavioral health, and long-term care services. They said the department is pursuing cost containment through prior authorization, redeterminations, higher cost sharing, and program integrity efforts, while noting that expansion is codified in law and any repeal or major eligibility change would require legislative action and could affect hospital assessment revenue and other offsets.
The committee also discussed the MMIS replacement project, with lawmakers emphasizing milestone-based funding and risk control. O’Connell explained the estate recovery request as a replacement case management system plus contractor support to help recover Medicaid costs from estates, and said the program is federally required and revenue-generating. Several members raised concerns about backlogs, contractor costs, and whether AI or other technology could improve efficiency in program integrity and estate recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the discussion remained informational and focused on the governor’s budget recommendations and possible future reductions or policy changes.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- um, uh, first of all, I want to thank you um for all your hard work and as well as um you and your staff
- and um as well as the finance staff for working especially because we worked on Easter Sunday and get
- and um as well as the finance staff and um as well as the finance staff for working especially because
- I mean, your staff and the ways and means staff, they worked really hard. They're very diligent.
- </c><00:56:15.119><c> 15</c><00:56:15.599><c> million</c> staff, and workforce housing. 15 million staff
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And after your testimony, just work with our staff to make sure you're in the system.
- I spoke to staff from Haven from hope.
- Chair Creighton and your staff as the bill moves through the process. Thank you very much.
- I want to commend the senator's staff. Thank you so much to Tara and Walker.
- I know, Senator Crane, your staff has been amazing to work with.
Bills:
SB604 , SB843 , SB1636 , SB2395 , SB571 , SB1224 , SB1832 , SB2392 , SB747 , SB2623 , SB2624 , SB2185
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/26/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- I know staff is here if they have more technical questions or want to compare it to currently, or if
- </c><00:18:18.919><c> that</c> um I I've been reminded by by staff that um I I've been reminded by by
- staff that only<00:18:19.480><c> voting</c><00:18:19.880><c> members</c><00:18:20.880><c> uh</c><00:
- </c> on our already overworked election staff on our already overworked election staff and<00:39:40.200
- We're trying to eliminate wasted staff time.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Feb 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For the record, Megan Morris, staff to the committee.
- I think the staff briefing was very good and concise about what the problem is before you.
- So this was a bill that had a lot of input with some really good smart people at the staff level and
- So this was a bill that had a lot of input with some really good smart people at the staff level and
- Requests to staff by Tuesday, February 24th, the day after the hearing, at 10 a.m.
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6103, which would make Medicaid payments for services provided by rural emergency hospitals subject to appropriation. Committee staff explained that rural emergency hospitals are a federal Medicare provider type created in 2020, that they may provide emergency and limited outpatient services but not general inpatient care, and that Washington currently has no designated rural emergency hospitals. The bill would update state law so these facilities can be recognized in the Medicaid statute; staff said the fiscal note showed no fiscal impact.
Public testimony was entirely in support. Lisa Thatcher of the Washington State Hospital Association said the bill is needed to align state law with the federal designation, allow cost-based reimbursement similar to critical access hospitals, and preserve eligibility for SNAP-related payment treatment. Todd Nida, CEO of East Adams Rural Health Care, said his facility is seeking to become the first rural emergency hospital in Washington and warned that without the bill, conversion would reduce reimbursement and threaten financial viability.
No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the public hearing on SB 6103. The committee then announced upcoming budget release, hearing, amendment, and executive action dates, and adjourned.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, come on down to the table, and we do have amendments if staff wants to hand them out.
- Jess Nicholson, the Chief of Staff writes the following.
- Jess Nicholson, the Chief of Staff, writes the following.
- Staff can hand that out now. Good morning, Representative Bell. Good morning.
- Staff can hand that out now. Good morning, Representative Bell. Good morning.
Committee:
Senate Insurance
Summary:
The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments.
The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state.
HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- I invite the members, staff, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor Richard
- In addition to House staff, one member, Speaker Brian S. Evans, attended.
- In addition to House staff, one member, Speaker Brian S. Evans, attended.
- You and the work that you did and to our staff and the work that they did.
- and the work that you did you and the work that you did and to our staff and the work that they did.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Representatives Liguori and Márquez, chief of staff told me yesterday first reads going or third reads
- This is about inappropriate touching between staff members at schools, and we've heard on a number of
- of Education, because they've been investigating hundreds of cases of inappropriate contact between staff
- and students. ...of inappropriate contact between staff and students.
- members. ...serious forms of misconduct by staff members.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- know, often in my world: if we have a kiddo at lunchtime who is being disrespectful to the classified staff
- For students that are on IEPs, does that often come with additional staff and staff... ...are on IEPs
- , does that often come with additional staff and staff support to be able to meet the requirements specified
- For students that are on IEPs, does that often come with additional staff and staff So. are on IEPs,
- does that often come with additional staff and staff support to be able to meet the requirements specified
Committee:
House Education
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (2-12-26)
Economic Development & Workforce Investment
Transcript Highlights:
- And we just want to thank you all for all the work that you do for the staff.
- </c><00:00:53.199><c> We</c><00:00:53.360><c> got</c> introduce some of our staff.
- We got introduce some of our staff.
- </c><00:01:06.080><c> Also</c> the work that you do for the staff.
- Also the work that you do for the staff.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Because they don't have paid staff. They don't have social workers. They don't have counselors.
- Because they don't have paid staff.
- We don't have unlimited staff. We don't have unlimited money.
- And there will be staff hours that will Executive director, and there will be staff hours that will be
- I don't have unlimited staff time. I don't have a chief of staff. So I look at this as something.
Committee:
House Government Efficiency
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there questions from staff? Seeing none, we will hear from our prime sponsor.
- This might be a question for you or it might be for staff.
- Tracy Taylor, staff to the committee.
- Any questions for staff? Seeing none, we'll hear from our prime sponsor.
- Jacob Lipson, staff to the Environment and Energy Committee.
Summary:
House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations.
The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding.
Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- For the record, my name is Will Tronson, staff for this committee.
- Madam Chair, members of the committee, Allison Mendiola, committee staff.
- Mendiola, committee staff. Before you, as the chair mentioned, is Senate Bill 5911.
- How about we check in at maybe 115 and see where we're at if our staff can help us out with that?
- be leaving with all things that they needed to be in place in order for them to be safe, for the staffs
Committee:
Senate Human Services
Keywords:
incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, children, youth, financial stability, care services, department of children and families, housing assistance, foster care, pilot program, social services, accountability
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not in the staff analysis. It's not available here as something that I know.
- It's not in the staff analysis.
- McKay, or staff director, or to Chair Leek. Thank you.
- McKay, or staff director, or to Chair League. Thank you.
- And I want to particularly thank our staff, and we're looking forward to a good year.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410.
The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate.
In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of William Briggs, of Texas, to be Deputy Administrator, and Casey Mulligan, of Illinois, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, both of the Small Business Administration. Mar 12th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I am grateful and honored by President Trump's nomination for the Chief of Staff.
- Leffler, the Associate Administrator of Capital Access, and all of the relevant SBA staff to make sure
- You expressed to my staff that you take that independence seriously, however, we know that Elon Musk's
- And my own staff was on ground to assist those people that had been impacted by the tornado.
- I think that what I tell my staff all the time is information is power.
Keywords:
SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support
Summary:
The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, here to watch the moment of contemplation today are my office staff, so I'd like to take a moment
- Holani; my committee manager, Jamie Weisberg; assistant committee clerk, Kiro Williams; our staff attorney
- My office staff, so I'd like to take a moment and introduce them and have them stand and be recognized
- Holani; my committee manager, Jamie Weisberg; assistant committee clerk, Kiro Williams; our staff attorney
- I move that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th. all of your staffs
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and opened with a moment of contemplation honoring Bob Marley. Several senators spoke about Marley’s life, music, and activism, emphasizing his messages of peace, justice, unity, and resistance. One senator highlighted Marley’s 1979 visit to Hawaii and his influence on Hawaiian and “Jawaiian” music, while another introduced members of the Marley family and recognized their continuing musical work and cultural legacy. The Senate also recognized staff members from one senator’s office during the introductions.
After the contemplative remarks and guest introductions, the presiding officer asked for a few minutes for photographs. The chamber then processed Governor’s Message No. 665, withdrawing a nomination to the Campaign Spending Commission, and Governor’s Messages Nos. 666 to 668, transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions. Those messages were referred according to the Order of the Day, and Standing Committee Reports Nos. 480 to 674 were adopted by motion without objection.
In announcements, the presiding officer thanked the SMA team and legislative staff for efficient work on a record number of bills during the first lateral, noted the upcoming three-day weekend, and extended birthday wishes to Clerk Carol Taniguchi. The Senate then adjourned by motion until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (6-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Everything that is before you staff.
- They do a sacrifice from our staff.
- I do want to u attention to our staff.
- </c> Um we're losing one of our staff Um we're losing one of our staff members,<00:05:10.960><c> someone
- </c> with the applications with their staff. with the applications with their staff. that<00:09:36.399
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:50
Approval of Minutes 00:01:21
KOAP Report 00:01:42
Community Farm Alliance and KY Double Dollars 00:20:25
Feeding Kentucky 00:40:55, 958, all
Summary:
The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs.
A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations.
The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So if I'm going to have my former staff, because I sold my company out, working on a railroad track,
- So if I'm going to have my former staff, because I sold my company out, working on a railroad track,
- staff in the department.
- </c> absorbed within existing staff in the absorbed within existing staff in the department<00:40:09.640
- I just want to let you folks know we have a new staff person.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm going to do kind of the first half of this, and then I'll hand it over to Chief of Staff of the
- Well, I'm sorry, we also have— that's right, Chief of Staff Greg Wilson.
- I'm the Chief of Staff at the State Department of Education.
- I'm the chief of staff at the State Department of Education.
- I'm the Chief of Staff at the State Department of Education.
Committee:
Senate Education