Video & Transcript : 'backlog of repairs' :
Page 455 of 500
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Transportation Authority Mar 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is just kind of a recap of that. Stephen, you want to talk?
- So this is just kind of a recap of that. Steven, you want to talk through that one? I can.
- But to do it ahead of time, I was kind of interested in how that came about. Okay, thank you, Mr.
- , and repair of the landings and aprons, coordination of communications, including press releases and
- that scale of a project.
Summary:
The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 and approved the minutes from its prior meeting before taking up the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff from DOTD explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including an aging 1964 vessel, reliability issues, maintenance and dry-docking needs, staffing challenges, and the lack of a spare vessel or backup terminal pair. They reviewed the procurement process, noting that after an unsolicited proposal from Labmar, LTA required a competitive solicitation, received only Labmar’s updated proposal, and then selected Labmar as the preferred proposer. Local input was also described: the Cameron Parish Police Jury issued a no-objection letter and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District gave written support, while no public comments were received at prior public comment opportunities.
The board first voted that the privatization proposal serves a public purpose, based on statutory factors such as public need, compatibility with transportation plans, reasonable cost, and improved efficiency. It then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement, with members emphasizing that the final contract terms would still need to be negotiated. Discussion highlighted that Labmar currently operates New Orleans ferry routes with high uptime, and that the Cameron crossing is important for local travel, emergency response, evacuation, industry, and tourism. Members also stressed the need to respect and retain current DOTD staff as the transition is negotiated.
Staff outlined next steps: negotiations are expected to continue through spring and early summer 2026, with a transition period over the summer and possible full Labmar operations in late summer if an agreement and funding are secured. Two new hybrid ferry vessels are under construction and expected in May and August 2026, temporary dock space and site improvements are underway, and training will include Labmar personnel. A feasibility study for terminal expansion found that adding and improving landing slips could cost roughly $30 million to $50 million, but current funding is insufficient; members asked for a phased, multi-year plan and budget breakdown for future consideration. The meeting ended with adjournment.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Transportation Authority Mar 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is just kind of a recap of that. Stephen, you want to talk? I can.
- solicited, just out of curiosity?
- But to do it ahead of time, I was kind of interested in how that came about. Okay, thank you, Mr.
- , and repair of the landings and aprons, coordination of communications, including press releases and
- that scale of a project.
Summary:
The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 with a quorum present and approved the September 10, 2025 minutes. The main item was the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including reliability issues with the aging Cameron No. 2 vessel, limited backup capacity, and staffing challenges. They also reviewed the competitive solicitation process that followed Labmar’s unsolicited proposal, noting that Labmar was the only proposer and that local entities, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury and Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District, had no objection to the concept.
Staff and counsel outlined the statutory public-purpose factors the board had to consider and described the scope of a potential agreement, which would cover vessel operations, maintenance, facilities, communications, dry docking, and emergency response. Board members praised DOTD staff and the Cameron ferry workers for their long service and emphasized the need for more reliable service and better contingency planning. Senator Abraham asked procedural questions about the unsolicited proposal and the solicitation process. The board first voted that the privatization proposal would serve a public purpose, then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement; both motions passed without objection.
The meeting also covered next steps. DOTD said negotiations would continue through spring and early summer, with a possible transition to Labmar in late summer 2026 if an agreement and funding are secured. Staff reported that two new hybrid ferries, the Holly Beach and the Cameron, are expected in May and August 2026, and that temporary docking and site improvements are underway. A feasibility study for terminal expansion estimated costs between $30 million and $50 million, with permitting and design likely taking at least a year and a half to two years. Members discussed the need for a multi-year funding plan, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- the people of Massachusetts.
- the people of Massachusetts.
- They're all expensive, and crumbling concrete foundations, as an example of an expensive repair, can
- In the case of California, I would say most of the cities and counties have opted in.
- There's the highest rent of $3 million in Lowell, $2,700, and sort of it goes on.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Pastor Richard Hamlin, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Cabot, and to remain standing for the
- purpose of the Pledge of Allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean.
- Members, this is part of the Treasurer of State.
- University of Arkansas.
- of Arkansas.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 01:53 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- majority of cases regardless of the timeliness of relocation. ...in the vast majority of cases, regardless
- of the timeliness of relocation.
- of time of 180 days...
- But at the end of the day, quality instruction over a period of time of 180 days is what many other states
- duties of the Commissioner of Agriculture over state-owned land.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JT Business, Financial Services & Trade w/State Government & Tribal Relations Dec 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, I'll give an overview of the history of the tribe, a general overview of the history of the tribe
- Given an overview of the history of the tribe, addressing certain pieces of legislation that have impacted
- people of this land.
- Them with the annual cost of tuition equal to the University of Washington's annual rate of tuition.
- Sort of. I guess. Sort of, I guess. Are you improving the air quality? Is that the goal?
Summary:
The joint House and Senate committee meeting heard public testimony on tentative tribal-state gaming compact amendments for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Staff from the Washington State Gambling Commission explained the compacting process, the role of ex officio legislative members, and that the amendments would next go to the Gambling Commission for a January 8, 2026 vote before possible governor review. The Port Gamble S'Klallam presentation emphasized how gaming revenue supports tribal government services, health care, housing, education, language revitalization, natural resources work, and community investment projects in Kitsap County.
For Port Gamble S'Klallam, the proposed changes include expanded credit and wager limits, more gaming stations and player terminals, language for a second facility, and adoption of an electronic table games appendix similar to other tribes. Members asked about pre-screening for high-limit tables, including how the tribe would define problem gambling and self-exclusion; tribal counsel said internal minimum control standards were still being developed and more detail would follow. A question about green crab removal in Port Gamble Bay was deferred for follow-up because the natural resources director was not present.
The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe described its history, sovereignty, gaming operations, and how gaming revenue supports member programs such as nutrition assistance, education aid, homeownership down payment help, and charitable giving in Skagit County. Its amendment would allow electronic table games after the tribe removed traditional table games due to staffing and cost pressures, with the goal of remaining competitive. Committee members also asked about air quality and smoking-related provisions in the compact; the tribe said it maintains separate smoking and non-smoking areas and supports smoking cessation efforts. Chairs from both chambers closed by thanking the tribes for their contributions to members, local communities, and natural resource protection.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 15th, 2025 at 04:00 pm
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- It was kind of a number pulled out of there.
- And so we think the safety of our Department of Correction workers is very, is very The safety of our
- of Corrections.
- That just kind of changes the methodology of how it gets built.
- , but I'm just reading the mission statement of one of these companies here.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee reconvened in the afternoon and took up only Senate Bill 2015, the Department of Corrections budget. Representative Steeman explained that the budget reflected major changes from the Senate version because bed contracts with Grand Forks and Burleigh-Morton were still unresolved when the Senate acted. He described rising inmate populations, added county/regional jail payments, deferred maintenance and repair funding, planning money for a new Missouri River Correctional Center, software and equipment upgrades, victims of crime grants, and a one-time diversion/deflection center grant for Fargo funded through the Community Health Trust Fund. He also outlined funding for body cameras, tasers, and protective vests, and a Native American reentry program/report provision, along with a legislative management study on sentencing, corrections, and parole oversight.
Members asked about the possibility of private or design-build alternatives for the new Missouri River Correctional Center. After discussion, the committee adopted language directing the steering committee to oversee design and construction and to explore other options. There was also discussion of the importance of maintaining North Dakota’s correctional rehabilitation culture, the cost and availability of out-of-state placements, and the current number of inmates housed in regional, county, and interstate facilities.
The committee adopted the amendment to engrossed Senate Bill 2015 and then approved the bill as amended on a 21-0 vote, with two members absent and not voting. Representative Steeman was designated as the carrier. The chair then thanked members for their work and announced the committee would reconvene the next morning to continue with remaining bills and budget work before adjourning.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy and Natural Resources Apr 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Point of clarification: I work for the Department of Environmental Quality and not the Department of
- All of that.
- That was kind of the kiss of death right there. And a joke.
- a repairable septic system within 10 years of receipt of notice of noncompliance or before the completion
- of sale of a property, whichever is sooner.
Committee:
House Energy and Natural Resources
Summary:
The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with Senate Bill 2267 on on-site wastewater systems. DEQ testified that the bill would make DEQ the sole agency responsible for developing statewide wastewater code and licensing installers, replace local public health unit codes, create enforcement authority and civil penalties, and provide a $99,500 general fund appropriation for implementation. Members discussed whether the bill and proposed amendments adequately protected existing functioning or nonconforming septic systems, and DEQ said it would compare the Senate amendment with the committee’s draft and return the next day with feedback.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2339, a wildfire mitigation plan bill, and adopted amendment 02001 with a change from “Shell” to “May” on one line. After amendment, the bill passed 9-3 on a do pass as amended vote, despite opposition from members who argued it created a utility carve-out, reduced liability exposure for utilities, and incentivized safety without requiring compliance. The companion study bill, Senate Bill 2340, on fire service operational response needs also received a do pass recommendation, and the committee later agreed it should be handled on the floor before the mitigation bill so the two measures could be explained together.
The committee also approved Senate Bill 2210, a study bill on watershed boundaries, with members noting it would help inform ongoing work on related water legislation. Finally, Senate Bill 2325, dealing with ordinary high watermark determination, received a unanimous do not pass recommendation after members expressed concern that high-water-mark language is difficult to define and may be better addressed in a separate study or resolution. The committee adjourned after noting that DEQ would return the next day with proposed amendments and that work on Senate Bill 2276 would continue with interested parties.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/11/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:34:34.960><c> Safety,</c> of Justice, the Department of Safety, of Justice, the Department of
- the</c> want to do some of that because of the want to do some of that because of the situation<00:50
- of conduct of theft um as the course of conduct of theft defined<01:11:27.120><c> by</c><01:11:27.280
- of how this type of theft is example of how this type of theft is occurring.<01:20:40.320><c> Um,</c
- ><c> age</c><03:45:21.040><c> of</c> of whether the adult knows of the age of of whether the adult knows
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:10:44.399><c> higher</c> sure of the status of the higher sure of the status of the higher education
- I think all of us had a taste of too.
- </c> middle of the day, more than 1% of middle of the day, more than 1% of motans<00:48:24.559><c> were
- </c> kind of troubled by the direction of kind of troubled by the direction of some<01:22:06.480><c>
- So there of of uh uh reimbursement.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Secretary of State for the use of Secretary of State for the use of accessible<00:47:11.000><c>
- of of um business blames a one class of of um business fossil<03:32:43.960><c> fuel</c><03:32:44.319
- of the committee minority of majority of the committee minority of the The committee, having considered
- </c> all three of those metrics the number of all three of those metrics the number of people<04:02:37.960
- </c> attend of the state of the attend of the state of the vote<04:11:10.800><c> 206</c><04:11:11.399
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> this section of of tenant holding over. this section of of tenant holding over.
- </c> with, you know, 90% of of what was just with, you know, 90% of of what was just said<00:39:20.920
- </c><00:52:54.960><c> to</c><00:52:55.080><c> do</c> business of filing of of having to do business of
- </c> also sort of the general disruption of also sort of the general disruption of the<00:55:36.560><
- </c> deposit, some of it might be patterns of deposit, some of it might be patterns of behavior<01:00
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-08 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of Cities T and Towns and all of it. of Cities T and Towns and all of it.
- Restoring the system, or not restoring the system to a state of good repair, will cost significantly
- cost and cost of installation, repair, and operation by the owners.
- </c> the payment of cost and cost of the payment of cost and cost of installation,<01:34:47.679><c> repair
- cost of um um of cost of asphalt and the cost of um um of diesel<01:41:56.480><c> fuel</c><01:41:56.880
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (10-22-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:06:29.800><c> fund</c> Uh we get 5% of the corpus of that fund Uh we get 5% of the corpus of that
- </c> we have 18 of those covering about 14 of we have 18 of those covering about 14 of our<00:18:15.560
- :59.960><c> the</c> of the country is kind of going in the of the country is kind of going in the other
- I'm the Director of the Division of Family Support for DCBS. is just kind of give an overview of the
- <c> parents</c> the end of dependency of needy parents the end of dependency of needy parents by<00:28
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year.
Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed.
Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 118 May 12th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One consisting of a payment of $8,32 on One consisting of a payment of $8,32 on July 1, 2027, and two
- fee of $4,16800 consisting of a payment of 2,00 $17 on July 1, 2027, and two payments of $17 on July
- I By 2031: A. 90% of cobalt; B. 90% of nickel; and C. 50% of lithium.
- By 2035: A. 90% of cobalt; B. 90% of nickel; and C. 80% of lithium.
- > of the equivalent of a of 23 years of of the equivalent of a of 23 years of batteries<05:39:42.080>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- use of it.
- of a child.
- Carlos Solorzano, CEO of the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco and CEO of the Latin America
- I'm here to speak in strong support of SB 1103, what we call the Repair Act.
- SB 1103, the Repair Act, answers that fear by preserving a clear record of the facts.
Committee:
House Privacy and Consumer Protection
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- of the University of St as the president of the University of St Thomas<00:15:50.399><c> it</c><00:15
- of the the 18 of a high level overview of the the 18 and<00:24:50.799><c> of</c><00:24:50.919><c> course
- </c> of them have that opportunity because of of them have that opportunity because of the<00:36:50.040
- c> for</c><01:18:59.880><c> the</c> the use of of negative values for the the use of of negative values
- </c><01:20:11.120><c> the</c> uh side of the formula to 100% of the uh side of the formula to 100% of
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (9-24-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- of the cost of point of view in terms of the cost of each<00:18:41.560><c> one</c><00:18:41.680><c>
- </c> this sort of out of our control. this sort of out of our control.
- In the interest of time, I won't remind everyone of the health status of the state of Kentucky, but we
- 00:54:20.680><c> create</c><00:54:21.080><c> a</c> best of each of them and create a best of each of
- </c> because of the lack of access. So, yes. because of the lack of access. So, yes.
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027.
The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- > offers</c><00:03:37.840><c> its</c> of Delegates of Maryland offers its of Delegates of Maryland offers
- :14.640><c> bill</c> one of the underlying parts of the bill one of the underlying parts of the bill
- </c> of the cost of the bridge to Maryland. of the cost of the bridge to Maryland.
- </c> period of years to a cap of 5 billion. period of years to a cap of 5 billion.
- of all of you have never stand in front of all of you to<01:35:13.360><c> talk</c><01:35:13.600><c>
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course. Thank you're in rapid fire. Of course.
- 22.720><c> uh</c><00:49:22.960><c> of</c> like the cohabitating of uh of like the cohabitating of uh
- </c> a project 11 and 12 of on their list of a project 11 and 12 of on their list of needs.<01:20:16.400
- c><01:28:05.199><c> old</c> hundreds of miles of um um old hundreds of miles of um um old timber<01:28
- </c> manage as part of this track of land. manage as part of this track of land.
Committee:
Senate Capital Budget