Video & Transcript : 'direct care services' :
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Families and Children.(2-24-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- </c> Cabinet for Health and Family Services Cabinet for Health and Family Services and<00:10:09.839><
- ,</c><00:10:17.120><c> and</c> for children in foster care, and for children in foster care, and maintain
- We're in this care about this, too.
- Um, it's my understanding foster care.
Committee:
Senate Families & Children
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I think what I remember, less than 200,000 annually for their service to parks to manage monala.
- [snorts] >> For their service to parks to manage monala. >> I don't know the very minimum.
- </c> authority or in this case just to direct authority or in this case just to direct them<00:58:37.680
- </c> but he today testifying that he care but he today testifying that he care about<01:13:31.760><c>
- fishing but also directed the division fishing but also directed the division to<01:31:18.960><c> uh<
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony.
SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions.
The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- care setting and to partner with community organizations to improve access to care and health outcomes
- And here's an incentive to keep our service.
- Representative Blackman explained that rural Arizona has a child care problem and that child care is
- He referred to child care dollars from DES or DCS and said the goal is to help child care deserts establish
- SB 1112, mental health and services.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and introductions of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jane Peterson, and a University of Arizona presentation featuring meteorites and space-related materials. The chamber also adopted a proclamation honoring Mama Luisa’s Italian restaurant for 70 years of family ownership and service. After routine committee and Senate message announcements, the House moved into third reading and floor action on a large number of bills.
Several bills passed on third reading, including HB 2041 on child neglect, HB 2128, HB 2251 on midwifery, HB 2342 on planned communities/HOAs, HB 2402 on emergency medical services, HB 2403 appropriating money to AHCCCS, HB 2615 on parenting time, HB 2641 on firefighting foam, HB 2673 on incarcerated persons and mental illness, HB 2700 creating a Technology First Study Committee, HB 2951 on subscription cancellation/consumer protections, HB 2991 on minors’ access to technology content, and HB 4070 on human trafficking. Members’ comments reflected support for maternal care, consumer protection, parental controls, public safety, and services for incarcerated people with mental illness, while some members raised concerns about licensing, overbreadth, or unresolved amendments. HB 4018 on county officers failed on a 26-24 vote.
The House then reconsidered and sent HB 4018 back to third reading, but a subsequent motion challenging the chair’s ruling on whether a division had been called failed. The chamber also entered additional Committee of the Whole sessions to amend and recommend passage of HB 2136 and HB 2923, both of which were reported out as amended. In later Committee of the Whole work, the House recommended passage of HB 2188, HB 2239, HB 2437, HB 2445, HB 2502, HB 2620 as amended, HB 2931 as amended, HB 4004, and HB 4064, with some bills retained on the calendar and several measures referred to engrossing. The transcript ended while the House was continuing through consent-calendar and additional Committee of the Whole proceedings.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 12, 2025 - 10:15 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- But providers that provide companion services, personal support, nursing, those services that require
- Hilliard, care to comment on that. Mr. Hilliard, care to comment on that. Like Ms.
- Care to comment on that?
- ILAB, care to comment on bugs?
- Hilliard: Care to comment on that? Mr.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools.
Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements.
Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> employees doing custodial services. employees doing custodial services.
- There is educational support services.
- But in the past, between direct service claiming and administrative claiming, reimbursement was about
- :45.679><c> service</c><01:17:46.239><c> claiming</c> past um between direct service claiming past um
- between direct service claiming and<01:17:47.120><c> administrative</c><01:17:47.760><c> claiming</c
Summary:
The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools.
SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations.
SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE May 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- You're going to make sure those kids are taken care of.
- So just be careful.
- Yeah, so just be careful.
- typically if you see a child in need of services there’s a family in need of services, right?
- Managing service consulting is professional services provided in order to assist management in board
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And they're not just outdated, they actively hinder the delivery of care, benefits, and services that
- And they're not just outdated, they actively hinder the delivery of care, benefits, and services that
- Direct Minnesota IT services to provide guidance on how to follow the spirit of our data management laws
- Direct<00:48:49.240><c> Minnesota</c><00:48:49.640><c> IT</c><00:48:49.880><c> services</c><00:48:50.440
- ><c> to</c><00:48:50.560><c> provide</c> Direct Minnesota IT services to provide Direct Minnesota IT
Committee:
Senate Capital Investment
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Legislative Administration (10/08/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- That was taken care of very, very swiftly.
- </c> example, the director of safety services example, the director of safety services if<00:32:24.320
- </c> exemplary and noteworthy would take care exemplary and noteworthy would take care of<00:54:15.280
- Um and we do take care of >> Representative Wall, thank you.
- Um, and we do take care of that every year.
Summary:
The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then moved into a work session on its remaining bills. The main discussion centered on House Bill 477, which would establish a commission to study safety and security procedures at the New Hampshire State House. Members debated whether a new commission was needed, with several speakers arguing that security is already being reviewed through the bipartisan Joint Facilities Committee and existing security staff, including an outside consultant’s review. Others raised concerns that members do not always know how to report safety or behavioral issues and suggested better communication to the full membership about who to contact and what information can be shared.
The House clerk then explained the structure and authority of the Joint Facilities Committee under RSA 17-E, noting that it is a bipartisan legislative committee made up only of elected officials, with publicly listed members, defined duties, and the ability to meet in nonpublic session on sensitive matters such as security. The clerk said members can bring concerns to the committee, its chair, or their caucus leadership, and that some safety briefings are already given to all members when appropriate. Several members said they preferred keeping security matters limited to a need-to-know basis and opposed creating a new commission that could force public discussion of sensitive procedures.
The committee then voted on HB 477. Representative Sheen moved ITL, Representative Turkot seconded, and the motion passed 12-0, with Representative Wall voting no. The bill was sent to consent. After that, the committee began discussion of House Bill 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And so during her 20 years of service.
- </c> during the long days worked in service during the long days worked in service for<00:05:00.760><
- </c> going in a million different directions. going in a million different directions.
- ,</c><01:10:21.240><c> Chair</c> I think you probably care, Chair I think you probably care, Chair Franzin
- </c> And I'm going to bet that all of us care And I'm going to bet that all of us care that<01:10:36.600
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- care, and food with just wages.
- The bill does not discern whether the debt is emergent care, a single episode of care, or simple failure
- Rising health care costs means that more and more people are struggling to afford the health care they
- Rising health care costs means that more and more people are struggling to afford the health care they
- Just be careful there.
Summary:
The committee began with Senate Bill 5962 on spring blade knives, first suspending the five-day notice requirement. Staff explained the bill would remove spring blade knives from the list of dangerous weapons while keeping restrictions on carrying them in schools, child care, and other protected locations. Proponents, including Knife Rights and the prime sponsor Sen. T’wina Nobles, described the measure as a modernization and cleanup bill that would reduce confusion and support lawful use and manufacturing; one testifier strongly objected to the bill’s added location-based restrictions. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, and the hearing then moved on without a vote.
Senate Bill 6105 would raise the wage exemption from garnishment for medical debt judgments from 30 to 60 times the state minimum wage, while keeping the 80% disposable earnings exemption and adding notice requirements identifying the debt as medical. Sen. Marko Liias said the bill is intended to protect low-wage workers from severe financial hardship and reduce incentives to work off the books. Supporters from patient, consumer, AARP, and anti-poverty groups said medical debt is often unexpected and garnishment can destabilize families; opponents from collectors and trade groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked stakeholder input, could hurt providers, and should define medical debt more clearly. The hearing closed with no action taken.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 6203, which would clarify that out-of-state convictions can include foreign-country convictions for offender scoring if obtained with sufficient due process safeguards. The sponsor, Sen. Matt Boehnke, said the bill closes a gap in sentencing law; prosecutors supported the concept and suggested simplifying the language, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, defense attorneys, and public defense opposed it, citing undefined standards, difficulty verifying foreign convictions, and due process concerns. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment, which would expand who may petition for detention, change rules for assisted outpatient treatment and police assistance, require firearm surrender compliance procedures, and make other ITA changes. The sponsor and several providers and family members supported the bill as a needed modernization, while DCRs, disability advocates, behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and others raised concerns about due process, implementation, rural transport, capacity, and unintended consequences. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee May 6th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- . $200 million could have funded bookmobiles, social services, health care to the indigent.
- , health care to the indigent.
- Amber King with LeadingAge California, representing nonprofit providers of care services and housing
- They're keeping children out of foster care systems and reducing the strain on state-funded social services
- Grandparents caring for children in the foster care system, and informally to keep them outside of the
Committee:
Senate Revenue and Taxation
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, a healthc care provider. wording. Uh, a healthc care provider.
- And do I care? Well, I guess I care, but would I deny them their right to free speech?
- . care. care.
- </c><05:01:16.080><c> state</c><05:01:16.320><c> at</c><05:01:16.480><c> a</c> care services here in
- our state at a care services here in our state at a time<05:01:16.718><c> when</c><05:01:16.958><c> we're
Committee:
House Judiciary
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE May 4th, 2026
REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.
Transcript Highlights:
- And it is time to fund services for all of the Hunters.
- service, civil service, public service like yours.
- Military service, civil service, public service like yours, all of which demand substantive and significant
- to work and take care of their families and their children.
- No services are being cut in this bill.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Health care workers are very familiar with it, that says if you believe certain things have happened
- And I care deeply about education in this state. And I'm a fourth-generation educator.
- And I care deeply about education in the state, just as you do.
- So we offer this for current teachers, in-service teachers, to continue to improve their practice to
- This is a group of institutions of higher education that are working together to prepare pre-service
Committee:
House Education
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, and the National Defense Service Medal.
- So thank you very much for your service. Thank you. Thank you, Representative Sawyer.
- Into service faster instead of wading through drawn-out, repetitive procurement cycles.
- districts and provides for a decreased contract limit for hospital service districts.
- That doesn't include the annual service contract.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 1157, which would create a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank to provide another funding mechanism for transportation-related projects, including roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, and other surface transportation needs. Chairman Borek and DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD said the goal is to leverage state, federal, local, and private dollars, using models from Florida and other states. Members asked about board makeup, staffing, project selection, administrative costs, and how the bank would differ from capital outlay and existing transportation programs. Testimony in support came from business and economic development representatives, including Michael Hecht of Greater New Orleans, Inc., who said infrastructure is critical to major economic projects and that the bank could attract outside capital. The bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then took up several local and procurement-related bills. House Bill 860, allowing fillable electronic public bid forms, was reported favorably. House Bill 972, naming a portion of Highway 93 in Lafayette Parish the Desert Shield Desert Storm Memorial Highway, and House Bill 965, naming a portion of Highway 163 the Sergeant William Billy Earl Collins Jr. Memorial Highway, were both reported favorably after brief testimony honoring veterans and law enforcement. House Bill 692, authorizing local governments to enter group purchasing agreements, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 685, allowing use of FAST Act cooperative procurement for public motor vehicles and rolling stock, drew support from transit officials and was reported favorably after a roll call vote, with one member voting no.
The committee also advanced House Bill 982, which designates portions of highways in Morehouse Parish in memory of local residents killed in a crash after attending an LSU game; it was reported with amendments. House Bill 506, creating special prestige license plates for local high schools as a fundraiser, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 839, lowering the contract limit for hospital service districts to use construction management at risk from $2 million to $1 million, was reported by substitute after testimony from hospital leadership and industry representatives. House Bill 1072, revising powers and emergency procurement authority for the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported favorably after discussion about its relationship to DOTD and emergency repairs.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 887, which revises construction management at risk procedures, including committee makeup, scoring, and financial qualification requirements; it was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 647, creating timelines and an annual application process for waterway projects under a waterway assistance program and fund, was reported by substitute. The last major item discussed was House Bill 873, which would fund pursuit intervention technology and training for law enforcement through a $2 fee on driver’s licenses. The bill was presented alongside emotional testimony from the widow and daughter of Sergeant Grant Candies and from a St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff’s captain, all urging safer equipment and better training for officers. Members expressed strong support, and the discussion continued into funding and grant administration details.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> they provide such essential services they provide such essential services including<00:03:51.920
- The other direction, as Senate Bill One was the first passed. >> Mr.
- Uh the other direction as humble brag.
- The service Uh the viewing is at 11:00.
- The service is<00:31:27.600><c> at</c><00:31:27.840><c> 12:00.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees.
The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading.
On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 27, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> a commitment to personal service, a commitment to personal service, McCartney<00:08:16.720><c>
- </c><00:10:17.360><c> They</c> of care. These hurdles are harmful. They of care.
- needs a specific care that that care<00:10:32.160><c> is</c><00:10:32.399><c> delivered</c><00:10:33.360
- </c><00:18:10.799><c> to</c> thank him for his dedicated service to thank him for his dedicated service
- to improve services at the IRS.
Bills:
HB3317 , HCR75 , HR227 , HB7959 , HB8364 , HB6431 , HB6903 , HB5334 , HB2347 , HB5366 , HB6495 , HB7971 , HB6956 , HB4930
Keywords:
gratuity, death benefit, civil servants, line of duty, federal employees, compensation, survivor benefits, emergency appropriations, Iran, military force, War Powers Resolution, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, Congress, national security, agriculture, National Agriculture Day, support, industry impact, celebration
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 17th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We will miss Liz’s leadership and integrity, her institutional knowledge, and the care she has shown
- Over 3,000 people traveled to attend his service.
- They remind us that public service is not just about policy.
- that supports healthy aging and preventative care.
- This bill also directs the CPUC to create clear timelines for IOUs to process utility service connection
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Our budget is so significantly small that we're considering sacrificing wage increases or services and
- To say, hey, we need to take care of this.
- That is part of the service.
- I don't think that they care about that.
- This bill is a step to force that in the right direction. I appreciate the bill, and I vote aye.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal enforcement for unpaid court fines, fees, restitution, and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework and end arrest warrants and contempt proceedings for nonpayment. Representative Chris Lopez said the bill would let people keep working and repay debts through wage garnishment and other civil tools, while a Justice Action Network representative testified in support. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment limiting challenges to a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior one, then passed HB 2825 with a 7-0 due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million for Gila County flood relief. Gila County supervisors, mayors from Globe and Miami, the county emergency manager, and public works staff described severe flooding, deaths, major debris and sediment removal, damaged roads and utilities, and the county’s inability to meet matching-fund requirements for federal or state grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal review, and the need to act before monsoon season. HB 2070 passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation.
Next, HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual report from the first Monday in July to the second Monday, was supported by the Arizona Library Association as a simple timing fix for smaller and rural libraries. It passed 6-1. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, was presented as a way to reduce regulatory confusion and costs for small businesses; it also passed 6-0 with one member absent. The committee then approved HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court, after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority, by a 4-3 vote.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/16/2026 - Finance Advisory Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- But the key issue here is the direction of change.
- Most of that's in health services.
- So this includes health services, legal services, educational services, but most importantly, housing
- services.
- I don't really care about the population increases. I care about productivity increases.
Summary:
The Finance Advisory Committee received an update on the state revenue forecast and broader economic conditions. Staff said the April forecast was more cautious than January’s, citing greater uncertainty from the Iran conflict and other macroeconomic risks. Available general fund resources for the four-year period were revised down from $577 million in January to $378 million in April, with no change to expenditure estimates. George Hammond of the University of Arizona then presented on the national, state, and local economy, emphasizing risks from geopolitical conflict, tariffs, federal policy uncertainty, labor supply constraints, and elevated housing costs. He said Arizona job growth had been weak and driven mainly by health care, while inflation in Phoenix remained moderate but shelter and consumer commodity prices were still elevated. He also noted that population growth is increasingly dependent on net migration as natural increase slows.
Panelists generally echoed the cautious outlook. Liz St. Clair said Arizona’s near-term revenue outlook still had some support from tourism and a strong spring season, but rising fuel costs and the duration of the Middle East conflict could pressure discretionary spending and revenues. Jim Rounds argued the economy was likely headed for a soft landing, though he warned that federal borrowing, inflation, workforce shortages, and energy reliability remain concerns; he also criticized leaving the Rainy Day Fund unused. Danny Court said the housing market remains under pressure on the ownership side, while rental supply and industrial demand have been relatively strong, and he noted sticky inflation and immigration declines as additional risks. Doug Walls explained that large employment benchmark revisions were affecting Arizona’s job numbers, and said the latest report showed slower but more balanced growth, though labor force declines and a higher unemployment rate were concerning. Lorenzo Romero added that business activity appears resilient in the low-hire, low-fire environment, but warned about debt burdens, uneven wage growth, and ongoing uncertainty. No votes or formal actions were taken.