Video & Transcript : 'endorsement' :
Page 45 of 143
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- leader who is actively hurting our communities, those children, those families, those educators, and endorsing
- He concluded that a yes vote supports kids, families, and educators, while a no vote endorses lies.
- supports kids, families, and educators, while a no vote cowers to a leader hurting communities and endorsing
- those those children, those families, those educators,<01:10:31.840><c> and</c><01:10:32.159><c> endorsing
- </c> educators, and endorsing their lies. educators, and endorsing their lies.
Committee:
House Education Policy
Keywords:
school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the front of this is a congressional endorsement, and that endorsement, this is actually printed by
- American citizens. who were trying to end the unholy practice of slavery. which this body still endorses
- official duties, and the religious message was not part of a formal school program or otherwise endorsed
- They are not endorsed by the school.
- The difference here is this is endorsed by the school and it's It's in the classroom and it's foisted
Bills:
HB4 , HB54 , SB 10 , SB 24 , HB4 , HB54 , HB775 , HB850 , HB 1122 , HB 1249 , HB1405 , HB2336 , HB2757 , HB3372 , HB3622 , HB4442 , HB4687 , HB4893 , HB5089 , HB5515 , HB5606 , SB10 , SB24 , HB1573 , HB3369
Committee:
House Public Education
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Smith had both independently put together crafted legislation dealing with this, so we're glad to endorse
Committee:
House Judiciary
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this is a work in progress and what this bill is our endorsed plumbers apprentice bill.
Summary:
The committee took up several business and commerce measures, beginning with HB 2970, which would change Oklahoma’s state fossil from Saurophaganax to Sauroposeidon because the former has been identified as a chimera. The author and members discussed the dinosaur’s size, its discovery in Oklahoma, and the tourism and educational value of highlighting the state’s prehistoric resources. The bill received a do pass recommendation and was reported out of committee by a 15-1 vote.
Members then advanced HB 3338, a pool industry regulation bill, and HB 3443, which increases permit fees for oversized and overweight loads to fund weigh station improvements. HB 3443 was described as an inflation adjustment to fees that had not changed since 2008 and as an industry-supported idea; it passed 14-2. HB 3800, described as a cleanup bill from last session, and HB 3818, a home and auto savings account bill with the tax portion removed to avoid a fiscal impact, both received favorable committee action, with HB 3818 passing 17-0.
HB 3783, the endorsed plumbers apprentice bill, drew the most discussion. Supporters said it would let trade school graduates take the exam sooner and better align training with workforce needs, while the union pipefitters and plumbers were said to oppose it. The author outlined possible amendments, including minimum training hours and a penalty for unlicensed work, and then laid the bill over until Thursday so amendments could be finalized. The chair also laid over HB 2471 for further amendment and discussion with the Workforce Commission before the committee’s final meeting later in the week.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Reproductive Rights Mar 18th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a former hospital chaplain endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Virginia and Texas.
Summary:
This transcript is from a Faith Days at the Capitol press conference supporting Texas abortion-related legislation, especially Senate Bill 31 and House Bill 44, referred to as the “Life of the Mother Act.” Speakers said the bills would clarify the medical-emergency exception in Texas law so doctors can provide evidence-based care when a pregnancy threatens a patient’s life or health, and several noted concerns about delayed treatment, loss of fertility, and women leaving Texas because of uncertainty under current law. Faith leaders from Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Jewish, and other traditions described pastoral experiences with women and families affected by the abortion ban and said their religious beliefs support protecting the life of the mother.
Multiple speakers emphasized that the current legal climate has created fear for pregnant Texans, especially those facing miscarriage or high-risk pregnancies, and argued that SB 31 would restore clarity, physician discretion, and religious freedom. Several also linked the issue to broader concerns about maternal mortality, including the higher risks faced by Black women, and framed the bill as a matter of bodily autonomy and family well-being. A Catholic attendee and clergy members shared personal stories about daughters, granddaughters, and congregants who could be harmed by delayed care.
Representative Charlie Geren, the House author of HB 44, said the bill was the most important he had carried in his 24 years in the Legislature and pledged to work to get it passed. Representative Josie Garcia also spoke in support, saying existing medical ethics and malpractice rules already hold providers accountable and arguing that supporting mothers is consistent with being pro-life. The event concluded as a coordinated advocacy effort, including mention of a postcard campaign that had gathered more than 6,000 submissions since January 14.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- They claim to support informed consent while endorsing policies that punish refusal, coerce compliance
- They claim to support informed consent while endorsing policies that punish refusal, coerce compliance
- They claim to support informed consent while endorsing policies that punish refusal, coerce compliance
- </c> support informed consent while endorsing support informed consent while endorsing policies<02:07
- by the Manchester Union even endorsed by the Manchester Union leader. leader. leader.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/29/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, it could be something as simple as the reciprocity of the endorsement.
- Um, it could be something as simple as the reciprocity of the endorsement.
- Um, it could be something as simple as the reciprocity of the endorsement.
- Um, it could be something as simple as the reciprocity of the endorsement.
- Um, it could be something as simple as the reciprocity of the endorsement.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , just trying to make it a little bit easier for folks, and that aligns with some of the other endorsements
- So our current medical cannabis program in Minnesota requires that people who have the medical endorsement
- The current medical cannabis program in Minnesota requires that people who have the medical endorsement
- or are a med combo medical endorsement or are a med combo business<00:15:50.000><c> currently</c><00
- So a mezzo business would have to have all of the endorsements which are required to be a macro, which
Committee:
House Ways and Means
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/25/2026 - Senate Government
Senate Government Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- constitutionally prohibits the state from compelling an applicant, employee, student, or contractor to endorse
- that no student, staff, applicant, or employee is subject to racial discrimination, nor forced to endorse
- ideologies promoting it. ...or employee is subject to racial discrimination, nor forced to endorse ideologies
- just the active explicit discrimination in action, but also in terms of compelling applicants to endorse
- I also previously ran for Phoenix mayor and was endorsed by the police.
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from the prior February meetings and then took up several measures. HCR 2013, designating June 2026 as “Celebrate Life Month” in Arizona, drew emotional testimony from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton about their lives with spina bifida and support for the resolution. Senator Kennedy and others questioned the purpose of the resolution, arguing the state should focus on concrete supports for families, but the motion passed 4-1 with two not voting.
Members then advanced HB 2327, which clarifies protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records, with an amendment excluding voter registration records; it passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2258, adding La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, also passed unanimously among those voting. HB 2397, expanding HOA/COA disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, was amended twice and passed 5-1; supporters said it would improve transparency about assessments and defects, while opponents warned about cost and administrative burdens, especially for smaller associations. HB 2015, imposing penalties for late federal/state financial reporting by state organizations, passed 4-2 despite concerns that the automatic penalties were too harsh and could be out of agencies’ control.
The committee also approved HB 4049, allowing DCS to hire its own counsel and directing the Attorney General to represent the state’s interest in certain cases involving alleged DCS misconduct, though some members argued current law already addresses conflicts and that DCS had not been consulted. HB 4087, authorizing placement of a Barbara Love memorial in the governmental wall, passed without opposition. HB 2100, allowing counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, passed 4-2 amid debate over water adequacy and the risk of “wildcat” development. HB 2460, preempting local fees and penalties tied to abandoned or stolen movable business property such as shopping carts, passed 4-2 after extensive testimony from cities, retailers, and advocates over local control, costs, and theft prevention. Finally, HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional amendment recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, began hearing testimony; supporters framed it as bodily autonomy, while opponents, including pediatric and public health advocates, warned it would weaken vaccine requirements and outbreak protections for schools and children.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I get a phone call saying, hey, endorsements went out for one particular union, which is pretty significant
- every one of them, a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- Thank you. ...a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- go through a purity test interview to make sure that I could be reconsidered for somebody to be endorsed
- You can imagine what I said on that Zoom call from Tel Aviv: endorse my opponent, go ahead.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions.
The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries.
The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins.
Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I get a phone call saying, hey, endorsements went out for one particular union, which is pretty significant
- every one of them, a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- Thank you. ...a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- go through a purity test interview to make sure that I could be reconsidered for somebody to be endorsed
- You can imagine what I said on that Zoom call from Tel Aviv: endorse my opponent, go ahead, I'll get
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day in Florida. Later, the Senate adopted a memorial-style recognition of the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on health care coverage, veterinary licensure, and affordable housing.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a public assistance/Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described five major changes: stronger anti-fraud authority, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes to reduce costs, and a SNAP fraud-reduction plan with photo ID and work requirements. Democrats offered amendments to condition the work requirement on Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP photo ID use by caregivers, seniors, disabled people, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators then questioned implementation details, exemptions, and eligibility impacts. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed CS/HB 7031 on taxation, substituting it for the Senate bill and adopting a technical amendment, by a vote of 34-0.
The chamber passed a series of other bills, generally after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. These included a computer science education bill adding digital literacy and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry bill and related public records exemption, a bill designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, a local government electronic payments bill, a legal tender bill repealing a sunset on gold and silver recognition, public records exemptions for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a stablecoin pilot program, local government spending transparency requirements, a digital voyeurism bill expanding privacy protections to private fenced yards, an insurance licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework, and a medical freedom bill addressing vaccine information, conscience exemptions, ivermectin access, and the mRNA mandate sunset. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with recorded votes ranging from 31-3 to 34-0.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-06 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I get a phone call saying, 'Hey, endorsements went out for one particular union, which is pretty
- every one of them, a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- A lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed.
- go through a purity test interview to make sure that I could be reconsidered for somebody to be endorsed
- You can imagine what I said on that Zoom call from Tel Aviv: endorse my opponent, go ahead.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills.
The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning.
The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I get a phone call saying, 'Hey, endorsements went out for one particular union, which is pretty
- every one of them, a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- A lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed.
- go through a purity test interview to make sure that I could be reconsidered for somebody to be endorsed
- You can imagine what I said on that Zoom call from Tel Aviv: 'Endorse my opponent. Go ahead.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading.
The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I get a phone call saying, hey, endorsements went out for one particular union, which is pretty significant
- every one of them, a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- A lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed.
- go through a purity test interview to make sure that I could be reconsidered for somebody to be endorsed
- You can imagine what I said on that Zoom call from Tel Aviv: endorse my opponent, go ahead.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-06 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I get a phone call saying, hey, endorsements went out for one particular union, which is pretty significant
- every one of them, a lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed
- A lot of whom went home on Thursdays while I was here on weekends, they all got endorsed.
- go through a purity test interview to make sure that I could be reconsidered for somebody to be endorsed
- You can imagine what I said on that Zoom call from Tel Aviv: endorse my opponent, go ahead.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Was this something that was endorsed by that committee?
- I don't know if it was endorsed.
- I don't believe that we went through the endorsement process for this bill. Mr.
- in my district, I don't see where any of the farm and ranch groups or cattle growers or anybody endorsing
- Do you know anything about why they are not endorsing it?
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- BDS Boston endorsed the mapping project that targeted Jewish and Israeli and Zionist institutions across
- a fight over BDS apparently a non-binding resolution Cambridge undertook such a vote BDS Boston endorsed
- A lot of the people in the unengaged community would endorse those tropes.
Summary:
The meeting began with roll call, approval of the May 5 minutes, and opening remarks thanking commissioners and the public for their attendance. The commission then heard testimony from former Ambassador Alan Solomont, who argued that antisemitism is rising in multiple forms, including white nationalist antisemitism and antisemitism tied to anti-Israel rhetoric after October 7. He said campus antisemitism should be addressed with nuance, distinguishing protected political speech from conduct that targets Jewish students, and warned against weaponizing antisemitism to attack higher education, civil liberties, or federal research funding. He urged the commission to use multiple definitions and frameworks, including IHRA, Nexus, and the Jerusalem Declaration, and to focus on campus-specific solutions, civic education, and civil discourse. Commissioners asked him about Tufts’ antisemitism training, the role of the federal government, the use of the IHRA definition, and how to improve civic education; he emphasized local campus responses, broader civics instruction, and protecting democracy and due process.
The second major witness was Professor David Weber of Boston University, who testified on the BDS movement and anti-BDS laws. He described BDS as a campaign targeting Israeli businesses, universities, and institutions, and argued it functions as a propagandistic and discriminatory effort that fuels antisemitism and chills dialogue on campuses and in public life. He cited examples such as SodaStream, Ben & Jerry’s, and Brown University, and said anti-BDS laws in 37 states have been effective and constitutional because they regulate government economic activity rather than suppress speech. Weber urged Massachusetts to adopt an anti-BDS statute or executive order, saying the state’s large Jewish population and economic ties to Israel make the issue especially important. Commissioners questioned him about which states have such laws, the impact on dialogue and campus culture, possible legal frameworks, and whether BDS is really aimed at the Israeli government or at individuals and institutions; he maintained that BDS targets people and entities connected to Israel and that anti-BDS measures can help draw a line against illiberal conduct.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Here in Massachusetts, this policy has been endorsed by the governor, the lieutenant governor, the auditor
- We seek their endorsements. We seek their political contributions.
- We seek their endorsements. We seek their political contributions.
Summary:
The hearing focused on several labor-related bills, especially proposals to give legislative employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, close a prevailing wage loophole for off-site prefabrication work, and strengthen enforcement against wage theft. Committee chairs opened the hearing by explaining the hybrid format and asking witnesses to keep testimony brief. Multiple legislators testified in support of the legislative staff union bill, saying staff deserve the same bargaining rights as other public employees and that unionization would improve pay, benefits, retention, and workplace dignity. Witnesses also discussed how the bill would likely be structured, with separate House and Senate bargaining arrangements or locals, and emphasized that it would only create the option to unionize, not require it.
A second major topic was the prevailing wage bill addressing off-site fabrication and prefabrication in construction. Union leaders, contractors, and workers described how more work is being shifted from job sites into shops, especially in sheet metal, HVAC, electrical, and pipefitting work, and argued that the law should treat that work the same as on-site construction when it is part of a public project. They said the current loophole lets some contractors underbid by paying lower wages off-site, while responsible contractors already pay prevailing wages in their shops. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers, preserve apprenticeship and training standards, improve safety and quality, and make enforcement easier through certified payroll and clearer definitions.
The committee also heard testimony on wage theft legislation. Representative Dan Donahue, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, AFL-CIO representatives, and carpenters’ union witnesses described wage theft, misclassification, labor brokers, and tax fraud as widespread problems that hurt workers, honest contractors, and public revenues. They supported giving the Attorney General stronger enforcement tools, adding contractor accountability up the subcontracting chain, and protecting workers from retaliation and from delays that can cause claims to expire. A separate witness supported a bill to extend the statute of limitations for Wage Act cases while AG investigations are pending, and another supported changes to help hospital workers enforce timely payment rights. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports on the bills.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/11/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- nominee's tenure on the board, Planned Parenthood adopted a policy urging candidates seeking its endorsement
- Now, the organization went so far as to withdraw its endorsement of then-Tempe council member Lauren
- organization required candidates to affirm or discuss as a condition of receiving the organization's endorsement
Summary:
The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote.
Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations.
Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- nominee's tenure on the board, Planned Parenthood adopted a policy urging candidates seeking its endorsement
- Now, the organization went so far as to withdraw its endorsement of then-Tempe council member Lauren
- organization required candidates to affirm or discuss as a condition of receiving the organization's endorsement
Committee:
Senate Director Nominations