Transcript Highlights:

• It contemplated exactly the situation that we're in right now where there's less than 1% of job growth
• living than the rest of the state, it's deeply difficult to make that work financially and to find a job
• The cost of doing business as a state—a state is primarily an employer—and costs of providing good jobs
• And costs of providing, you know, good jobs for state workers with health care benefits continues.
• You know, good jobs for state workers with health care benefits continues to rise, just as employers

Summary: Senate budget writers, led by Chair June Robinson with Senators Noel Frame and Derek Stanford, rolled out the Senate operating budget and described it as a difficult supplemental budget shaped by flat revenue growth, rising maintenance costs, and uncertainty from federal actions, including H.R. 1 and tariffs. They said the proposal aims to preserve core services such as K-12 education, health care, food assistance, housing stability, and long-term care while making targeted reductions and avoiding broad-based tax increases like sales, property, or B&O tax hikes. A major focus of the discussion was how to pay for the Working Families Tax Credit and how to handle cuts in the Working Connections child care program. Robinson said the Senate budget uses policy changes, especially an attendance-based payment adjustment, rather than the governor’s proposed enrollment cap and waitlist, because lawmakers wanted to avoid destabilizing the child care workforce and reduce harm to families. She also said the Senate is open to negotiating with the House on the Climate Commitment Act use of funds for the tax credit, noting that the statute allows it, though some advocates oppose that approach. The senators defended using $750 million from the rainy day fund, saying it was preferable to deeper cuts and still leaves reserves above $1 billion in the near term. They also argued that Washington’s revenue system is too dependent on property and sales taxes and that a future “millionaires tax” could help stabilize funding, especially for education and other core services. In response to criticism from educators and Republicans, they said the state has made progress on school funding and that rising program costs reflect increased need and utilization rather than waste. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the event was a budget rollout and press Q&A rather than a formal committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Production is dramatically down and jobs are leaving our state, heading to other jurisdictions that offer
• This is our chance to make sure that every one of those dollars works to encourage jobs across our industry
• new trainees from my underrepresented communities into the workforce without affecting other union jobs
• and how actors were at home filling out and updating their resumes because they were trying to find jobs
• those actors and actresses right here at home in California and to really make a difference and the job

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, you've done an amazing job.
• to be had as we work to really finalize and get to a finished product. ...and you've done an amazing job
• And I, too, would like to say great job there. Great job. Your work is still not complete.
• You know, I believe you've done a fantastic job here.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to consider House Bill 2, the major public education and school finance bill. The committee first reconsidered and withdrew the prior committee substitute, then took up a new substitute. Senator Creighton explained several changes, including a correction to the golden penny yield weight, an increase in the special education evaluation incentive cap from $45 million to $67 million, timing changes to avoid a funding gap for Bluebonnet curriculum training grants, narrowed language affecting educator preparation providers, added facility-usage reporting language, incorporation of bilingual allotment language from Senate Bill 2185, removal of the $20 million annual cap on JROTC funding, and a prevailing-clause provision to make HB 2 controlling over conflicting measures. Members generally praised the bill’s historic funding level but raised concerns about details and future floor debate. Senator Menendez said he appreciated the special education, safety, and teacher pay funding but was not ready to fully support the bill because of inflationary pressures, facilities funding, and district-specific impacts, and indicated he might vote present. Senator Parker strongly supported the bill, emphasizing historic funding, teacher pay, and the need to continue refining the package. Senator Witt also said he would vote present while seeking more refinement, especially on certification issues for public and charter schools. Senator Bettencourt highlighted the bill’s scale, including about $8 billion in new funding and $1.3 billion for special education, while Senator Hinojosa asked for more flexibility in the basic allotment and thanked the author for bilingual education and coastal-area provisions. The committee then adopted the new committee substitute and voted to report HB 2 favorably to the full Senate. The motion passed 9 ayes and 2 present not voting, with the bill reported as committee substitute do pass and be printed.

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide psychological testing for all job applicants. Any questions? Thanks, Mandy.
• Okay, we can't have this ping-ponging back with our staff; it's not our job to do your job.
• We employ three firms throughout the state that do those jobs.
• We employ three firms throughout the state that do those jobs: Bardman Car in Birmingham, a firm here

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technical College, an institution that is been a driving force in preparing Texans for the high-demand jobs
• STC's impact is very clear, with an impressive 93% job placement. rates for their students.
• and I have a special connection to TSTC. got his welding degree from there and he is part of that 93% job
• It is also the Get-A-Job College.
• Good job! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you that they bring their perspectives, their viewpoints, their passions to get the job done
• We pray, Lord, that not only would you bless this House and each member, their families, their jobs,
• their bless this house and each member their families<00:02:12.680><c> their</c><00:02:12.920><c> jobs
• </c><00:02:13.319><c> their</c><00:02:13.520><c> businesses</c> families their jobs their businesses
• families their jobs their businesses their their their staff<00:02:16.480><c> but</c><00:02:16.640><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe we don't do the greatest job at telling everybody when to engage with us.
• We don't do the greatest job at telling everybody when to engage with us.
• And one of those things is doing our job right.
• It's not their job to look for fraud."
• </c> not their job to look for fraud." not their job to look for fraud."

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not your job, right?
• However, we get the job done to snuff out fraud, we need to do it.
• However, we get the job done to snuff out fraud, we need to do it.
• However, we get the job done to request.
• </c> the job done. So, thank you, Mr. Chair. the job done. So, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To be good at this job, you have to have a keen interest in people and their stories.
• </c> benefits matters to be good at this job benefits matters to be good at this job you<00:20:39.320
• </c><00:57:17.440><c> at</c> even even an appropriate job at even even an appropriate job at representing
• I just, you know, I sit on the Jobs Committee.
• </c><01:26:12.679><c> thank</c> veterans because that's our job thank veterans because that's our job

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If Grit's available, they run the Warrior Wellness Program in Pasco County and have done an amazing job
• 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.
• Good job. We can't do enough for our veterans, can we?

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the rest, or the bulk of it, goes to an individual who was injured on the job essentially. would
• </c><00:02:34.160><c> injured</c><00:02:34.560><c> on</c><00:02:34.800><c> the</c><00:02:34.959><c> job
• </c> was uh injured on the job essentially. was uh injured on the job essentially.

Bills: SF3446 , HF3247

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: claims against the state, settlement, appropriations, exoneration, corrections claims, claims, state appropriation, corrections, community service, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> uh to handle all three of those jobs, uh to handle all three of those jobs, right?
• and get into that job.
• </c> LBA actual job titles for all of this. LBA actual job titles for all of this.
• So these positions, those 41 jobs, nobody's working them. They're jobs.
• </c> those 41 jobs, nobody's working them. those 41 jobs, nobody's working them.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• But our pool does a great job of holding down utilization, does a great job of managing claims.
• We do a great job of having discounts in those claims.
• and someone can't take them away from their job.
• It died even though everybody did their job.
• Everybody did their job, and we still failed. And now we need to do our job and fix this problem.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , family wage jobs, including 130 union electricians, accounting for more than 27,500 hours.
• We feel it's a strategic investment that produces jobs, capital, and long-term investment.
• That's at least 80 jobs annually for 18 years.
• Along with that, there's been a lot of fear—fear that my job might get me or my family hurt.
• The bill lists specific job classifications that are included in the bill.

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule and then heard House Bill 2521 on firearm background check fees. Staff explained that the bill would remove the $18 fee cap and allow Washington State Patrol to set fees based on actual program costs, which could be about $33 to $35 per check. Supporters said the change was needed to keep the background check system operating and avoid delays and layoffs; opponents argued it would burden lawful gun owners and amount to an unconstitutional tax or barrier to a constitutional right. No vote was taken in the hearing. Members then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language-accessible public programs, which would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines, address interpreter and translator shortages, and require agency implementation reporting. Testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the need for consistent access for limited-English-proficient residents and the benefits for schools, families, and state services. The committee also heard Second Substitute House Bill 2479 on wage recovery, which would create a wage recovery fund to provide partial advance payments to low-wage workers with meritorious unpaid wage claims and adjust wage penalty provisions. Employers, labor advocates, and legal services representatives largely supported the bill as a bipartisan, worker-protection measure funded by penalties rather than the general fund. The committee next took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy tax incentives, which would replace existing property tax and excise tax provisions with a new state and local renewable energy excise tax structure and related grant programs for local governments and tribes. Counties, utilities, developers, and tribal representatives generally supported the bill’s goal of stabilizing tax treatment for renewable projects, though several witnesses said they wanted amendments to address rates, timing, and late-stage project impacts. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5932 on alternative jet fuel incentives, which would change the timing and duration of existing tax preferences; supporters said it would provide certainty for emerging sustainable aviation fuel projects, while one refinery sought clarification and a broader county threshold. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2238 on statewide food security, directing the Department of Agriculture to monitor food system performance and develop a statewide food security strategy. Agricultural groups, grocers, anti-hunger advocates, and farmers supported the bill as a coordination effort to improve food access, affordability, and supply chain resilience. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1903, which would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce; supporters said it would address growing unmet need and complement existing utility programs, while opponents said it did not address the root causes of rising energy costs. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 on large energy-use facilities (data centers), both of which drew mixed testimony centered on balancing emissions, ratepayer impacts, reliability, and environmental or tribal concerns. No final votes were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not our job.
• Our job is to do the best job that we can do for the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to improve
• That's our job.
• And sometimes there are That's our job.
• </c> they do a wonderful job. they do a wonderful job.

Keywords: 00:32 Call to Order and Roll Call 02:30 Road Fund Report 17:22 Approval of Minutes 18:07 High Growth Counties Projects 56:00 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hasn't DOGE done a job? Do you feel like they've done their job when it's come to? Yes, ma'am.
• with Representative Berault, I'm just, Amadeh, I'm wondering, do you not think DOGE is doing their job
• Hasn't Doze done a job? Do you feel like they've done their job when it's come to? Yes, ma'am.
• think with Representative Barrel, I'm just, Amadei, I'm wondering, do you not think Doge is doing their job

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 26 for what was described as the last meeting of the legislative session. H.R. 318 was voluntarily deferred without discussion. The committee first took up H.R. 298, which would have directed the Louisiana Department of Health, with the legislative auditor, to study LDH’s relationships with certain nonprofits, foundations, professional associations, and other nongovernmental entities. The author presented amendments narrowing the definitions, but LDH testified the language was still too broad, would still require substantial review of contracts, memberships, conferences, and related interactions, and would still carry a significant fiscal note. Members raised concerns that hospitals, provider associations, nonprofit care facilities, and other stakeholders could be swept in. The author then voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405, which establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities, directs LDH to work with facilities on care standards and remediation for lower-rated homes, and requires reporting and transparency for families. The bill drew broad support from members and stakeholders, including nursing home and senior advocacy groups, and was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 290, which asked LDH to study a possible correlation between gender-affirming hormone therapy medications and psychosis or related psychiatric conditions in people 26 and younger, prompted questions about the purpose of the study and concerns that it could affect broader policy debates. The author, a licensed clinical social worker, said the request was intended to examine whether medications were being used too quickly and what effects they might have on adolescent mental health; after discussion, the author voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, urging LDH and commercial insurers to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers operating under a crisis receiving center license. Testimony focused on the Bridge Center for Hope, described as the state’s only Level 3 crisis receiving center, and the need to revisit Medicaid reimbursement for the first 23 hours of crisis care. With no questions or objections, the resolution was adopted. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff, and the committee adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of our job. Part of our job is to build the entire state.
• And you think this is an easy job. It's not an easy job.
• And so it's not an easy job because every one of these committed members, you're important to me.
• And LLC and staff do a great job and do hard work for us, and sometimes we overwork them and yell at

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jerry Job, vice chancellor for government relations, who many of you all know right here.
• We know this: by 2031, 3 out of every 4 jobs in the US will require some kind of education or training
• We also know that over 40% of jobs will require a bachelor's degree or higher.
• If you want to compete for jobs, investment, and innovation, we have to invest in people who make that
• I'm gonna let Vice Chancellor Job answer that, but first of all, thank you all for that program.

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• important role that tribal nations play across Arizona in strengthening local communities, supporting jobs
• , guiding discussions on energy, Supporting jobs, guiding discussions on energy and water, and helping
• are also the largest employers in their regions, providing hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of jobs
• Chairman, great job.
• Thousands of Arizonans have jobs created directly and indirectly by tribal gaming operations.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held the joint protocol session for the 31st Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, opening with a tribal blessing, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed tribal leaders, elders, and guests, emphasizing the importance of government-to-government collaboration, tribal sovereignty, and the role of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes in issues such as water, energy, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. The tribal address was delivered by Fort Mojave Chairman Timothy Williams, who focused heavily on Colorado River water rights, drought, climate change, and the need to include tribes in any future river management framework as current guidelines expire. He also discussed tribal economic development, education, public safety, border security, and the importance of protecting culture, language, land, and water. Thana Autumn Nation Chairman Verlin Jose similarly stressed unity, tribal sovereignty, border issues, water stewardship, and the economic impact of tribal gaming, arguing that tribes should be full partners in state and federal policy discussions and opposing a fixed border wall. Dr. Laura Tohi of the Navajo Nation gave a poetry reading and spoke about her background, the importance of language and oral tradition, and her role as Arizona State Poet Laureate. Her poems centered on food, water, weaving, and homeland. The session concluded with closing remarks from legislative leaders thanking participants for their perspectives and contributions, and the joint protocol session was dissolved. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of my jobs with TxDOT have been related to the design-bid-build process, which is a low competitive
• They've done a good job.
• What is the optimum size of a job that you prefer for your business?
• They discovered that the $150-$200 million jobs can be broken down.
• In these longer-term jobs, it's going to go away.

Bills: SB35 , SB1113 , SB1365 , SB1394 , SB2243 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2199 , SB2200 , SB 35

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County