Video & Transcript : 'job mobility' :
Page 445 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Any type of work, any type of job, any type of assignment, she will take on.
- She did a tremendous job during this session.
- Members, help me thank DeAngelo Coulter for a job well done. Thank you. Well done.
- One of our main jobs, I believe, is public safety and protecting our constituents.
- One of our main jobs, I believe, is public safety and protecting our constituents.
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator West, approved the previous day’s journal, and then adopted several recognitions, including Senate Resolution 625 honoring the McLennan Community College Dance Team for winning two 2025 National Dance Alliance national titles. The chamber also recognized University of Texas Rio Grande Valley interns, the doctor of the day, and the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families. The governor’s withdrawal of a Texas Lottery Commission nomination was received and the nomination was returned, and the Senate appointed numerous conference committees on pending bills.
The body then took up and passed several measures, often by suspending the rules and the constitutional three-day rule. Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23 were concurred in House amendments as part of property tax relief, with supporters emphasizing homeowner savings. House Bill 20 creating the Applied Sciences Pathway Program passed after a floor amendment and was described as a way to expand career and technical education and help students earn industry certificates in high-demand trades. House Bill 2594 passed to expand venue options for prosecuting certain theft and cybercrime cases, and House Concurrent Resolution 167 was adopted to correct a typo in House Bill 1314.
The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, Senate Joint Resolution 5, and Senate Bill 6. SB 9 and SJR 5 were presented as major bail-reform measures, with supporters saying they would strengthen public safety, clarify appeal procedures, and give judges and prosecutors more tools in serious cases; the debate included questions about records, counsel, and the standards for denying bail. SB 40 dealt with nonprofit bail-bond funding, and SB 6 addressed electricity and data-center growth. The chamber also passed House Bill 423 on digital asset service provider reporting and auditing, with amendments adding protections for cryptocurrency kiosks and a technical correction.
Additional bills passed included House Bill 4690 on motor fuel standards, House Bill 1094 on transportation protection agreements, Committee Substitute for House Bill 2731 on roadside vendors and solicitors in certain border counties, Committee Substitute for House Bill 127 on protecting higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft, and House Bill 549 on airway clearance devices at public school campuses. The Senate granted or requested conference committees on a long list of other measures, including HB 4, HB 145, HB 493, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3556, and multiple Senate bills. The session ended with adjournment until the following Friday morning.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 23rd, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- it is an important initiative to not only take care of the land but also produce food and provide jobs
- This is an ungrateful job. It's true, it just gets more expensive too, right?
- Happy to answer any questions, but I think the chairman will do a better job.
- On College Station A&M, the water that is used, it is our job to make sure that we use...
- The reality is, Allen and his district do a great job, and they'd be fully in compliance with this.
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You have a challenging job.
- I do want to say I think our maintenance teams are doing a really good job keeping buildings.
- And to answer that question, I did my job for the day. Thank you.
- Aside from my aforementioned commitments, I work two on-campus jobs and a third off-campus job.
- As a full-time student with a part-time job, I can tell you firsthand that it's not enough.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And so many data centers are also going in our community, which the analysis did an excellent job of
- Investing in the modernization of our manufacturing sector is a win for jobs, helping to maintain more
- than 1.2 million in-state manufacturing jobs, a win for creating new high-road jobs, a win for keeping
- facilitate the deployment of necessary technology to improve production methods, create good-paying jobs
- I just want to thank you for the bill, too, and love to hear the impact it has on high-road jobs as well
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on grid reliability, affordability, clean energy infrastructure, and industrial decarbonization. AB 222, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require more data reporting on data centers and aim to prevent ratepayers from bearing related grid costs; supporters said better information is needed to plan for rapidly growing electricity demand from AI and data centers, while opponents warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and cost-shifting concerns. The bill passed the committee on a 13-4 vote, with the roll left open for absent members.
AB 941, by Assemblymember Bonta, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of priority transmission projects to speed clean-energy infrastructure buildout. Supporters argued that transmission delays are slowing California’s climate goals and raising costs, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA process, staffing, and prioritization. The bill passed 15-0. AB 1191, by Assemblymember Tangipa, would make existing large hydroelectric facilities eligible for the Renewable Portfolio Standard; supporters framed it as a way to lower rates and ease affordability pressures, while opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS by substituting existing resources for new renewable development. That bill failed on a 4-11 vote.
AB 1280, by Assemblymember Garcia, would expand state grant programs to support thermal energy storage projects for industrial decarbonization. Supporters said it would help modernize manufacturing, cut pollution in disadvantaged communities, and preserve jobs, with broad support from environmental and clean manufacturing groups and no opposition testimony. The bill passed 17-0. AB 1117, by Assemblymember Schultz, would require the CPUC to offer optional dynamic electricity rate tariffs for customers to shift usage away from peak periods; supporters said it could lower bills and improve grid efficiency, while utilities said they were not opposed to the concept but wanted more flexibility and time in the regulatory process. That bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved its consent calendar and other noncontroversial items, with several measures moving forward unanimously.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 12th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Sir, I appreciate the job you're doing. you've done in the past four years have been trying at the very
- But I appreciate the job that you and the wardens have done and the role y'all have played there. in
- Good job. Look, about half the bills that I pass every session come from constituent ideas.
- Tempere has done a great job authoring this bill.
- Conviction of some kind as somebody trying to get a job. We're always concerned about the.
Keywords:
firearm acquisition, gun smuggling, criminal offenses, ammunition, terrorism, public safety, Texas criminal procedure, federal law enforcement, state arrest authority, search and seizure, felony offenses, federal air marshal, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Defense police, military police, Homeland Security, Public Safety, veterans affairs, federal officers, joint law enforcement authority
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (2-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- want to be clear, though, that the vast majority of contractors and adjusters that we see do a great job
- want to be clear, though, that the vast majority of contractors and adjusters that we see do a great job
- job and provide<00:04:18.040><c> essential</c><00:04:18.600><c> services</c><00:04:19.600><c> to</c>
- I think they are doing a very good job.
- I think they are doing a very good job.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:06
SB24 Discussion: 01:08
SB24 Vote: 13:22
SB18 Discussion: 14:40
SB18 Vote: 21:54, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If Grit's available, they run the Warrior Wellness Program in Pasco County and have done an amazing job
- He's doing a good job of keeping it low. That's fine. Everybody, go meet Grit.
- A good job of keeping it low. That's fine. Everybody, go meet Grit.
- Good job. We can't do enough for our veterans, can we?
Summary:
The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and first postponed consideration of one bill at the sponsor’s request. The committee then took up SB 1514, a public records measure relating to Space Florida. Senator Burgess explained that the bill creates a public records exemption for meetings of the Board of Space Florida when trade secrets are discussed, arguing the exemption is needed to protect sensitive business information and support Space Florida’s mission. There were no questions or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee next considered CS for SB 502, which Senator Wright presented. The bill would allow Florida to exercise concurrent state and federal legislative jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses committed on U.S. military installations when federal jurisdiction has been waived and the conduct is also a state crime. Senator Wright said the change is intended to move juvenile cases out of federal court and into the state juvenile justice system, which he said is better suited to rehabilitation. The bill received no questions or debate and was also reported favorably by roll call vote.
After the votes, members briefly recognized guests from a Pasco County veterans wellness program, including Chris Sowell, Samantha Verbansock, and their dog Grit. With no further business, the committee adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a geek. and he's, uh, done a great job. and all and he's, uh, done a great job. and all of<02:21:
- </c> never had a job that breaks your heart. never had a job that breaks your heart.
- </c> Job, you will be able to do your job. Leader Stevenson, do you remember that conversation?
- </c> and vote for us and help us do our jobs. and vote for us and help us do our jobs.
- :46:15.200><c> thing</c> our caucus, a great job doing this thing our caucus, a great job doing this
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 22, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This means jobs, living wage jobs with retirement benefits, jobs in the middle class.
- This means jobs, living wage jobs with retirement benefits, jobs in the middle class.
- This means jobs, living wage jobs with retirement benefits, jobs in the middle class.
- This means jobs, living wage jobs with retirement benefits, jobs in the middle class.
- This means jobs, living wage jobs with retirement benefits, jobs in the middle class.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:36:52.040><c> That's</c><00:36:52.280><c> our</c><00:36:52.440><c> job.
- You know, if we want to go out, I'll go out and do two other jobs.
- </c><01:04:30.440><c> I'll</c> I'll go out and do two other jobs.
- I'll I'll go out and do two other jobs.
- Today, ARB employs over 200 people in the United States in high-quality technology jobs.
Bills:
HF3794 , HF4472 , HF4410 , HF4347 , HF4412 , HF4398 , HF4397 , HF4201 , HF4199 , HF4203 , HF3706 , HF4071 , HF4120 , HF4175 , HF4188
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
Keywords:
surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that's jobs all the time, right?
- </c><00:32:22.200><c> or</c> get some of these smaller jobs or get some of these smaller jobs or perhaps
- And the last thing I'll incredible job.
- She's done a good job helping us on ways and means.
- She's done a good job helping us on ways and means.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately.
A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Public Higher Education Study Committee (05/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> bar balancing responsibilities for a job bar balancing responsibilities for a job or<00:20:41.120
- And so it is the job.
- It's the job of that office to ensure they're included.
- She felt it's her and so it is the job.
- It's the job is impeding their success.
Summary:
The committee heard updates from the chancellors of the state university system and the community college system on ongoing restructuring, collaboration, and enrollment trends. The university system said its office move to the NHTI campus is ahead of schedule and should save students about $250,000 a year while creating revenue for the community college system. Both systems described continued work on transfer pathways, direct-admit outreach, shared advising, and broader efforts to shrink footprints, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in response to declining enrollment and demographic pressure.
A major topic was a possible federal change to Pell Grant eligibility that would require students to enroll in at least 7.5 credits. The chancellors said most community college students are part-time because of work and family responsibilities, and that the change could affect roughly 2,000 current Pell recipients and make it harder for students to afford or sustain enrollment. Members also discussed how the state’s governor’s scholarship statute largely benefits full-time students, suggesting possible future statutory changes. The chancellors explained how credits typically work, noting most courses are three or four credits and that students would likely need to add an entire course to meet the proposed threshold.
The committee also discussed the broader higher education landscape, including declining high school cohorts, competition among New England institutions, and the need to right-size capacity. One member raised concerns about the health of regional campuses such as Plymouth and Keene; the chancellors said incoming enrollment is down at UNH and Plymouth and holding at Keene, attributing the trend to demographics rather than one campus drawing students away from another. They emphasized the importance of community colleges, adult learners, and short-term workforce programs as part of the state’s future education mix.
Finally, the committee touched on the value of the university system’s research enterprise. The chancellor said about $250 million a year flows into the university system in federal research grants, with about $9.5 million currently under stop-work orders from federal agencies. She said the immediate concern is not DEI-related but federal cuts and possible caps on indirect cost recovery. Members noted that the R1 research designation supports business partnerships, student opportunities, and economic development projects such as West Edge in Durham.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/01/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> up high and were unable to complete job up high and were unable to complete job functions<00:53:
- So this bill could create over 300 new jobs for IRT alone, not to mention all jobs created during the
- not to mention all jobs created IRT loan not to mention all jobs created during<01:34:56.199><c> the
- </c> already one of the most dangerous jobs already one of the most dangerous jobs in<01:36:19.600><c
- Jobs.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> higher paying job, higher paying job, >> right?
- The the job description doesn't same.
- It makes our job very, very hard.
- It makes our job very, very hard.
- </c> public sector law jobs. public sector law jobs. >> Thanks,<02:07:20.000><c> chair.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies.
Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/22/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:48:43.720><c> of</c> that they don't do a very good job of that they don't do a very good job
- My issue is, given the stress of the job, given the physical activity of the job, I'd rather not increase
- So, you know, I I able to do their job.
- </c> you're looking at the entire job. So. you're looking at the entire job. So. Agreed. Agreed.
- And if you have any questions, great job with the...
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- And if they're doing their job, awesome.
- And if they're doing their job, awesome.
- And if they're doing their job, awesome.
- And if they're doing their job, awesome.
- And if they're doing their job, awesome.
Committee:
Senate Revenue
Keywords:
property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval, ballot measure, general election, tax referendum, special purpose tax, Wyoming taxation, W.S. 18-9-201
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity (9-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- But I want to does a phenomenal uh job.
- </c> did a great job. Safe travels, son. did a great job. Safe travels, son.
- But if you would introduce great job.
- ,</c> those families um to education, to jobs, those families um to education, to jobs, and<00:59:07.280
- :02:33.040><c> of</c><01:02:33.200><c> regulated</c> sector jobs a lot of regulated sector jobs a lot
Summary:
The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met in September 2025, established a quorum, introduced new member Larry Forester, and approved the minutes from the August 26 meeting. The main presentation came from Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Johnson, who discussed the district’s work serving English language learners and multilingual students, including immigrant and refugee families. They said Warren County now serves roughly 5,500 multilingual students out of about 19,000 total, representing about 92 languages and 90 countries, with 57 certified multilingual teachers, a GO Center, migrant and refugee advocates, and the state’s first international high school.
The presenters emphasized that the district welcomes immigrant families and that students and parents generally value public education, but they described major challenges tied to accountability and funding. They explained that multilingual students are tested after one year in the system, even though many need more time to become proficient in English and grade-level standards, and they argued that current graduation-rate rules can unfairly penalize schools when transient students enroll briefly and then leave. They also said the cost of serving this population has risen sharply, with special revenue and especially general-fund spending increasing substantially over the past decade, prompting the district to reallocate resources from EL teacher assistants toward translation technology and additional certified staff.
Committee members asked questions about how long-term multilingual students compare with the general student body and whether the district’s data show similar graduation outcomes. Clayton said he did not have the specific comparison data at hand but believed students who stay K-12 generally reach proficiency. He and Johnson asked legislators to consider giving students more time before accountability measures apply and to shift some graduation accountability from individual schools to the district level for highly transient populations, while still maintaining accountability. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, February 23, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> interim and let's do a good job on it. interim and let's do a good job on it.
- to the next job.
- to the next job.
- </c><00:37:17.920><c> On</c> carry from one job to the next job.
- On carry from one job to the next job.
Bills:
HB0086
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I told you, I think you do a good job. I think you have great staff.
- How long does the search for a job last?
- for a job last?
- They need a part-time contract: 20 hours of work, 20 hours of job-seeking.”
- Number one, Wesley, good job.
Summary:
The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages.
Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation.
The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee considers tax break on daycare costs, HF495 3/26/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Teachers are underpaid and often forced to work second jobs just to get by and make ends meet, and parents
- ><00:04:41.920><c> just</c><00:04:42.280><c> to</c><00:04:42.400><c> get</c> forced to work second jobs
- just to get forced to work second jobs just to get by<00:04:42.880><c> and</c><00:04:43.040><c> make
- Representative Johnson, you've done a great job on a bill that's not yours.
- Representative Johnson, you've done a great job on a bill that's not yours. I've got a couple.
Summary:
The committee heard presentation on HF 495, a bill intended to help families with rising child care costs by allowing a subtraction from taxable income for licensed child care expenses. The author said the measure would provide immediate relief to families while broader child care supply and affordability problems are addressed, citing a revenue analysis estimating about 81,700 returns affected and an average tax decrease of $639. The bill was described as applying only to licensed child care centers, family child care, or group family child care under chapter 142B.
A virtual testifier, Annel Velasco of St. Paul, opposed the bill. She said child care is indeed expensive but argued the proposal is only a small patch that does not address structural problems such as provider closures, low teacher pay, and lack of available slots. She also said the subtraction would disproportionately benefit higher-income families and would not help providers or teachers.
Members debated whether the bill should be more targeted. Representative Smith and Representative Lee argued the proposal is uncapped, expensive, and structured as a subtraction rather than a refundable credit, meaning it would mainly help higher-income households and could divert resources from other credits such as the working family tax credit or child tax credit. Representative Swedzinski supported the bill as allowing families to keep their own money and said child care costs are high across income levels. Chair Gomez and others emphasized that the child care system has broader structural failures, including low pay and lack of slots, and said this bill would address only one part of the problem. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.