Video & Transcript : 'backlog of repairs' :
Page 462 of 500
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Mar 25th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- the surface of the ground, and ensuring that fences are repaired if they're damaged.
- First of all, I agree with like 75% of this bill.
- For these projects, the burden of which ultimately flows to customers of the members of the association
- Much of that language is actually modeled on what Grain Belt, of all people, Much of that language is
- of those rights as part of the 30-day notice letter.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
Summary:
The Special Committee on Rural Issues heard House Bill 3375, sponsored by Rep. Koslow, a broad eminent domain reform measure aimed at protecting landowners, especially farmers and ranchers. The bill would create protections for beginning farmers and ranchers, require 15 days’ notice before surveyors enter property, extend the response period in eminent domain cases from 10 days to 60 days, bar eminent domain for wind and solar facilities, require land restoration and maintenance after construction, increase compensation to 125% of fair market value in certain cases, add tax-liability compensation, change treatment of heritage and blight-related compensation, and allow attorney’s fees when a landowner wins a higher award than the condemning authority offered. Members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, its effect on energy development, and several drafting and implementation issues, including surveyor access, maintenance standards, and whether the bill could create conflicts with existing attorney-fee provisions. The sponsor said he was open to changes and noted that an HCS would address some drafting errors and feedback.
Testimony in support came from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a landowner/banker, and attorney Brent Hayden, who argued that landowners are often pressured into quick, low offers and should be treated as partners rather than obstacles. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, due process, compensation, and restoration standards, and that it would not stop infrastructure development. Hayden described current eminent domain practice as giving landowners little leverage over route selection or restoration and said the bill would create needed discipline for condemning authorities. Several supporters also defended the wind-and-solar restriction as a response to the amount of land those projects can require and to concerns about using eminent domain for generation projects.
Opposition came from the Missouri Energy Development Association, municipal utilities, and MoDOT. Opponents said they agreed some reforms may be reasonable but warned the bill, as written, could increase costs, delay projects, and create litigation risk that would ultimately be passed on to customers and taxpayers. MoDOT said the fiscal impact could be substantial, potentially doubling annual right-of-way spending. Utility representatives also cautioned that the bill could conflict with existing attorney-fee rules and should be aligned with compromise language from other legislation. The hearing ended without a vote or committee action, with the sponsor and witnesses indicating further negotiations and possible revisions were expected.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 22nd, 2026
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- 1% of the cost of the home.
- at the end of March of this year.
- They've done hundreds of thousands of yards of concrete with them.
- The amount of pounds of water versus the amount of pounds of cement in a mix, and we have to meet that
- That adds tens of thousands of dollars again onto the cost of a new home.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Six - Thursday, April 2
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Next order of business is introduction of special guests.
- of so many people in the state of Missouri.
- requirement of end-of-life care.
- is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- I don't want to belabor the point of some of my Of Missourians.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 124-1 vote, and numerous introductions of student groups, health professionals, and other guests. Committee reports were then read, including several bills recommended “do pass.” The chamber also heard a personal privilege speech from a St. Louis County member responding to a North St. Louis County school track meet shooting, calling for stronger action on gun access and firearm safety.
The main floor work focused heavily on appropriations and capital projects. House Bills 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were debated and passed, covering reappropriations, maintenance and repair projects, new capital improvements, and remaining ARPA pandemic funds. HB 2017 passed 137-9, HB 2018 passed 127-21, HB 2019 passed 98-48, and HB 2020 passed 127-24. Members emphasized that the bills largely used previously appropriated or federal funds, while some Democrats raised concerns about general revenue spending and one-time infrastructure projects.
The House also adopted and finally passed Senate-amended HB 2641 on hemp/cannabis-related regulation, with changes on privacy, worker organization, effective date, and age restrictions; it passed 125-21 on adoption and 126-23 on final passage. HB 2423, dealing with Department of Finance staffing and capacity, passed unanimously after Senate adoption. Other measures passed included HB 1919 on electronic filing parity with IRS rules, HB 1768/2060 on short-term rental property tax classification, HB 1855 adding Alpha-Gal Syndrome to reportable conditions, HB 2355 creating a Food is Medicine pilot option, HB 1717/1643 on psilocybin therapy for veterans and first responders, HB 2372, a broad health care package, HB 2408 on the deaf-blind fund, HB 3000 on auditor/siganture-related procedures, HB 2898 restoring land bank tools, and HB 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” strengthening DWI penalties and ignition interlock requirements.
Not all bills advanced: HB 3239, which would have expanded and funded the workforce diploma program through MoCAP, failed 55-95 after criticism that it shifted K-12 formula money and stripped vendor standards. HB 2760, the “Praise Act” on treatment of houses of worship during emergencies, drew extended debate on religious liberty, public health, and consistency in emergency orders; the transcript cuts off before the final vote is shown. Throughout the day, members frequently cited bipartisan support for health, public safety, and administrative bills, while several measures drew sharper partisan or policy disagreements over funding, regulation, and local control.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is about reform of kind of the bureaucracy and process of the juvenile reform system.
- I'm President of Missouri Fraternal Order of Police.
- This has been a priority of ours for... Executive Director of the Municipal League of Metro St.
- of our state, citizens of our state.
- of a child under 18 years of age.
Committee:
House Children and Families
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- past chair of.
- of SB 1242.
- repairs, along with the roof, the streets, maybe a pool or a rec center, all of those are things that
- And so rather than kind of step into that morass, we... ...some of them wanted it, some of them did not
- They go a long way in taking care of a lot of our issues.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- of AB 1585, along with the Family Winemakers of California.
- It is the beliefs of millions of California families, of parents.
- of some of our visits to our partners.
- One of the great privileges of the last 20 years of me... ...importance of this.
- One of the great privileges of the last 20 years of me practicing law has been working on this matter
Committee:
House Governmental Organization
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (02/07/2025)
State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:58:13.280><c> the</c> be shipped one end of the of the of the be shipped one end of the of the of
- the</c> another example of the problems of the another example of the problems of the Jones<01:01:21.799
- of of the Jones question about the harms of of the Jones act<01:08:20.880><c> in</c> act in act in my
- </c> end none of them could do it because of end none of them could do it because of the<01:49:03.400
- of the line of question and that's some of the line of argumentation<02:07:18.880><c> that</c><02:07
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/27/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Manchester roads are in need of repair more than ever.
- </c> um of of the bill. um of of the bill.
- Manchester roads are in need of repair<02:13:52.719><c> more</c><02:13:52.960><c> than</c><02:13:53.119
- in turn will cause those schools to close for periods of repair.
- We will all but guarantee an of repair.
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Feb 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- With the help of this bill, the possibility of cases where firearms are placed in the wrong hands of
- Paul Jewell, on behalf of the members of the Washington State Association of Counties.
- This is the culmination of about three years of work.
- of the people, up to a total of three-eighths of 1% of the taxable property in the district.
- of the Senate and House of Representatives.
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.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, writs of procedendo, writs of certiorari, writs of quo warranto, writs of mandamus.
- I'm not aware of the exact number, but it does tend to create a backlog because you don't have that flexibility
- out of locations, out of homes, out of apartments that they don't own.
- Several of them or one of them?
- Several of them are one of them. I'm sorry? Several of them or one of them?
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day.
Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously.
The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure.
The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration Mar 2nd, 2026
Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- So we do see a lot of their contracts and a lot of their statements of work. “Through IT.
- From what we've seen is that it's really alleviating some of the backlog work, but it's not at that place
- So all of those things are kind of key components to making the rest of the system work.
- And so the pause of '26, we kind of lost sight of the other things, frankly.
- Of course, a lot of it, again, got put on pause.
Summary:
The subcommittee held an informational hearing on the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) within the Office of Administration, with no quorum present and no formal action taken. Chair Voss said the purpose was to review ITSD’s programs, budget needs, and future plans, and members emphasized the value of an informed appropriator. Representative Riggs cautioned that the state should avoid jeopardizing federal broadband funding and asked that AI-related work remain consistent with federal expectations.
ITSD leadership, including CIO John Loren and Deputy CIO Tara Damp, outlined the division’s scope and recent modernization efforts. They said ITSD supports 15 executive agencies plus the governor and lieutenant governor, manages about 1,200 production software solutions, handles roughly 35,000 help desk requests per month, and defends against billions of cyberattacks monthly. They highlighted investments in layered security, data center and network redundancy, a unified Microsoft 365 environment, modern development tools, and portal platforms. Damp reviewed the history of IT consolidation, noting budget reductions after 2007, then increased investment beginning in 2020 and especially with ARPA funds in fiscal 2023. Members asked about spending projections, subscription-based licensing, procurement modernization, and the role of non-consolidated agencies such as MoDOT and Conservation.
The committee also discussed future funding needs and benchmarking. ITSD said its current spending is about $287 million, with a projected ongoing need of about $345 million to maintain and modernize services, while Gartner comparisons suggested Missouri spends less per employee and as a share of operating budget than peer states. Members asked for more detailed fiscal-year spending profiles for major initiatives and for clarification on what is and is not included in the projections, including Social Services and HR1-related work. ITSD said it would provide additional detail.
A major portion of the hearing focused on AI strategy and governance. Tim Marsheski, ITSD’s director of AI and innovation, described a cautious, pilot-based approach centered on secure use, human oversight, and data governance. He cited examples such as an internal HR chatbot that reduced average response time from about 45 minutes to two minutes, pilots with DESE data transformation, and efforts to use AI for code assistance, document scanning, and workflow support. Members asked about workforce impacts, training, closed versus open models, and whether AI could help with auditing and fiscal analysis. ITSD said it is still early on workforce forecasting, but it is building governance, acceptable-use policies, and feedback loops to test tools, measure results, and scale only when they provide value and remain secure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Utilities and Energy Committee and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We are kind of the poster child for the opposite of that.
- And, of course, there are a lot of citing considerations that go into. to other areas of the country,
- the range of the range of...
- So are, you know, sort of an oversight of these sort of issues.
- So are you, you know, sort of oversight of these sort of issues?
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- of Arizona.
- And then, of course, those of us who prefer to have something in hand, we have to think of our obstacles
- Chairman, members of the committee, Michael Rossi here on behalf of Pima County, in strong support of
- Right now, in the state of Arizona, is any type of...
- I could be governor of these states, so I figure myself governor of half the state of Arizona.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1167, which would allow municipalities and counties to satisfy certain public-notice requirements by posting advertisements, publications, and printings on their official websites. The sponsor argued the bill is permissive, intended to modernize notice practices, reduce costs, and help governments meet statutory deadlines, while a Blackmun amendment required a six-month transition period in which notices would still be published in newspapers and the public would be alerted to the change. Newspaper and media representatives, along with tribal and rural community advocates, opposed the bill, arguing that print notices remain important for transparency, historical recordkeeping, and access in areas with limited internet service. Supporters from county and local government said newspaper publication schedules have become unreliable and that websites are a more effective way to reach the public. The committee adopted the Blackmun amendment and then passed SB 1167 as amended on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then considered SB 1021, as amended by a strike-everything that would require the Auditor General to refer evidence of possible criminal activity involving health profession regulatory boards to the Attorney General, with procedures for investigation and conflict-of-interest handling. The sponsor and amendment sponsor said the measure would create a mechanism for criminal findings in audit work to be acted on. With no opposition testimony, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1021 as amended on a 4-3 vote.
Next was SB 1011, which would require county medical examiners or forensic pathologists to review an infant’s immunization and vaccination history, along with any countermeasures administered in the prior 90 days, in sudden unexplained infant death cases. The sponsor said the bill was a data-collection measure meant to improve accuracy, transparency, and prevention efforts. Opponents, including vaccine advocacy and disability representatives, said Arizona already collects this information, that unsafe sleep is the primary issue in most SIDS cases, and that the bill could fuel misinformation about vaccines. The committee passed SB 1011 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee also heard SB 1013, a merit-based public employment bill that would prohibit hiring based on conditions other than merit. Supporters said it would ensure public employees are selected by qualifications and objective criteria; opponents argued existing law already bars discrimination and that the bill could create litigation risks and hinder outreach to underrepresented communities. The committee passed SB 1013 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 1015 and a strike-everything amendment that would replace the bill’s original detransition-liability language with the Arizona Thriving Families Act, creating a family and medical leave insurance program within Medicaid beginning in 2029. The original bill sponsor defended the underlying detransition-related liability concept as accountability and support for detransitioners, while opponents said it would function as a discriminatory backdoor ban on transition care for minors. The transcript ends during debate and explanation of the strike-everything amendment, before a final vote on SB 1015 is shown.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of us like to hang it on refrigerators, some of us like to put it on calendars, and some of us just
- Chairman, members of the committee, Michael Rossi here on behalf of Pima County, in strong support of
- So at some point there is sort of economies of scale, sharing things that sort of get built into that
- expanding to 90, going to the cost of potentially a new building, cost of salaries, cost of pensions
- I could be governor of these states, so I figure myself governor of half the state of Arizona.
Committee:
House Government
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- of this state.
- So most of the time, that's the door of.
- So can you kind of clarify some of that up?
- we have this kind of weird gaming of the system.
- of a voter.
Committee:
House Elections
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government. (2-17-26)
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- When you look at the timeline of Curtis Boyd, he was in and out of police custody dozens of times for
- One of the top crimes that matched the Kentucky sexual assault kit backlog was flagrant non-support.
- </c> member of the committee. member of the committee.
- one of the presenters maybe kind of amplify this.
- </c><00:40:45.920><c> uh</c> website of each one of those uh website of each one of those uh localities
Committee:
House Local Government
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate of the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas will come to order.
- Following message from the Secretary of State: I, Jane Nelson, Secretary of State of the State of Texas
- to the laws of the state of Texas.
- of the people of Texas. to knowing and understanding the resilience of the people of Texas.
- Pro Tempore of the State of Texas, of the Senate, of the State of Texas.
Bills:
SCR7
Summary:
The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the oath of office to the senators-elect, and Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, emphasizing priorities such as foster care, the budget, border security, school choice, and maintaining Texas’s economic growth and constitutional principles. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also welcomed members and guests, noted the Senate’s bipartisan culture, and highlighted the chamber’s organization for the session.
The Senate then held its organizational election for President Pro Tempore. Senator Tan Parker nominated Senator Brandon Creighton, and Senator Paul Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising Creighton’s background, legislative record, and leadership. The chamber voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the front and sworn in as President Pro Tempore by State Minister Scott Wall. Creighton delivered remarks about his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including education, border issues, energy, and Texas sovereignty.
After the leadership election, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days during the specified January period. The resolution passed by a recorded vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus at 10 a.m. in the Betty King Room.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session / Gov. Bob Ferguson State-of-the-State Address Jan 13th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate has arrived at the request of the chair of the joint session.
- The Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate will escort President of the
- The clerk will call the roll of the members of the House.
- Clerk will call the roll of the members of the Senate.
- Chairman of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Greg Abramson.
Summary:
The joint session of the Washington Legislature convened to receive Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address, with the House and Senate roll called and a quorum confirmed. The chamber recognized Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular corps members, and other guests before the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. The governor opened by thanking those present and highlighting recent flooding as a major test of the state’s resilience, praising first responders, National Guard members, WSDOT crews, and local leaders for their response and recovery efforts.
In his address, Ferguson said Washington’s economy remains strong but argued the state must make major investments in transportation, ferries, housing, and affordability. He proposed more than a billion dollars for bridge repairs, $164 million for road paving this summer, another billion dollars for three new ferries, and a $244 million housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, more K-12 funding, and affordability measures such as utility bill credits and expanded energy assistance. He criticized federal immigration enforcement tactics and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill limiting masked law enforcement, and said Washington should rely on science-based public health guidance through state-led efforts.
The governor also highlighted several bills and proposals he said he would support, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, improved crash data access, wildfire air support for local fire departments, fee refunds when agencies miss processing deadlines, and a campaign to improve FAFSA completion rates. He said his administration has already reduced processing times for several licenses and wants government to be more responsive. After the address, the joint session was dissolved by motion and vote, and the House then adjourned until January 14 at 10:30 a.m.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session / Gov. Bob Ferguson State-of-the-State Address Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate has arrived at the request of the chair of the joint Senate.
- The Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate will escort President of the
- The clerk will call the roll of the members of the House.
- The clerk will call the roll of the members of the Senate.
- Chairman of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Greg Abramson.
Summary:
The joint session of the Washington Legislature convened to receive Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address, with the House and Senate, Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular representatives, and other guests formally introduced. The meeting also included the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield.
In his address, Governor Ferguson said the state remains strong economically but faces major challenges from recent historic flooding, aging transportation infrastructure, ferry reliability problems, the housing shortage, and affordability concerns. He proposed major budget priorities including more than a billion dollars for bridge and road maintenance without raising taxes, another billion dollars for ferries, and a record housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, and more support for K-12 education, along with utility assistance and early learning expansion funded in part by a large private gift.
The governor also criticized federal immigration enforcement practices and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill to prohibit masked law enforcement and require identifying information, and backed shifting vaccine recommendations to the state health department. He highlighted several bipartisan proposals he said he would sign, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, crash review access to medical information, wildfire air resources for local fire departments, and fee refunds for missed agency deadlines. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session was dissolved by motion and the House adjourned until the next legislative day.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study May 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm gonna do a, a quick sort of synopsis of, of the run of show this morning.
- Um, many of who's, who's their leaders actually brought an idea of, of what they used to call an equity
- of dirty data in terms of like, half FTEs making $100,000.
- So, I don't mean the next few slides as a sort of um like, Parade of, of accomplishments necessarily.
- That kind of got lost in some of the other details, but as as part of that whole calculation.