Video & Transcript : 'taxpayers' :
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty - Tuesday, March 24
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 100% with the taxpayer.
- That lawsuit cost Missouri taxpayers over $300,000.
- This is going to cost Missouri taxpayers a million dollars.
- Your public schools and your taxpayers exclusively lose out if we spend $60 million of taxpayer dollars
- It saves taxpayers' money.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> fraud uh both saving Minnesota taxpayers fraud uh both saving Minnesota taxpayers and<00:20:37.120
- :20:38.720><c> that</c> and federal taxpayers money in that and federal taxpayers money in that process
- And so, we need to make sure that taxpayer dollars are accountable to taxpayers and that these employees
- And so, we need to make sure that taxpayer dollars are accountable to taxpayers and that these employees
- . taxpayers. taxpayers.
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:21:51.440><c> eligible</c> for for uh property taxpayers eligible for for uh property taxpayers
- Um, there may be reasons to think carefully about how easy it is for local property taxpayers to bear
- Um, there may be reasons to think carefully about how easy it is for local property taxpayers to bear
- Um, there may be reasons to think carefully about how easy it is for local property taxpayers to bear
- Um, there may be reasons to think carefully about how easy it is for local property taxpayers to bear
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> millions of dollars from the taxpayer. millions of dollars from the taxpayer.
- President, taxpayers paid for this report.
- President, taxpayers paid for this report.
- </c> protect taxpayers. protect taxpayers.
- </c><04:03:04.720><c> on</c> transparency to Minnesota taxpayers on transparency to Minnesota taxpayers
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:27:05.840><c> return</c> safety, number one for taxpayer return safety, number one for taxpayer
- </c> increase, all at taxpayer expense. increase, all at taxpayer expense.
- </c> several million dollars in taxpayer several million dollars in taxpayer dollars<04:02:13.199><c>
- The taxpayer takes the loss.
- </c><04:30:39.520><c> money</c> the $3,000 this CO era taxpayer money the $3,000 this CO era taxpayer
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/13/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an unnecessary burden to put on the taxpayer.
- It's an unnecessary burden to put on the taxpayer.
- So, I would agree that as taxpayer.
- taxpayers taxpayers and<03:08:21.520><c> um</c> and um and um I'm<03:08:23.920><c> sorry</c><03:08:24.319
- </c> with with taxpayer dollars. with with taxpayer dollars. >> Yes. >> Yes.
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee Mar 17th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Is this really a benefit to our taxpayers?
- So that is a cost to the taxpayers for that. And the estimated cost is about $9,000 to $10,000.
- So that's returned to the taxpayers of the city of Bismarck and to Burleigh County.
- We listen to the taxpayers and their concerns.
- They’ve received positive feedback from taxpayers in that regard.
Summary:
The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees.
A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale.
The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> increasing transparency for taxpayers increasing transparency for taxpayers and<00:35:26.960><c>
- :57.040><c> are</c> Although obviously the taxpayers are Although obviously the taxpayers are paying.
- </c> taxpayers who own homes and businesses. taxpayers who own homes and businesses.
- </c> as taxpayers. as taxpayers.
- c><04:47:37.600><c> payers</c> communities where local taxpayer payers communities where local taxpayer
Committee:
House Education Funding
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Our taxpayers have earned it.
- ><00:53:47.280><c> the</c> County taxpayers are subsidizing the County taxpayers are subsidizing the
- </c> should have the scrutiny that taxpayers should have the scrutiny that taxpayers I<01:26:34.400><
- ><c> we</c><01:26:37.760><c> make</c> Taxpayers are demanding that we make Taxpayers are demanding that
- </c> will save critical time and taxpayer will save critical time and taxpayer dollars<01:42:59.040><
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (11-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not good to our taxpayers.
- It's not good to our taxpayers.
- It's not good to our taxpayers.
- It's not good to our taxpayers.
- It's not good to our taxpayers.
Summary:
The committee heard a staff report on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS), a multi-phase project intended to improve interoperable radio communications for first responders. Staff said Kentucky State Police did not appear to have violated statutes or regulations, but the project lacked an overall master plan, clear milestones, and consistent documentation, which contributed to delays, spending issues, and deployment problems. The report recommended updating the Kentucky Field Operations Guide to reflect SERVS and noted that the project has been funded in phases since 2018, with appropriations totaling roughly $216 million across 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, while about $109 million had been spent by the end of fiscal year 2025.
The report raised concerns about project sequencing and oversight. Staff said most spending was concentrated in special mobile equipment, with Motorola accounting for about two-thirds of all SERVS expenditures and the top four vendors making up 81 percent of spending. They also said a sample of Motorola payments suggested possible late payments, though they could not confirm whether interest was paid. Staff criticized the use of master agreements for a project of this size, the lack of a centralized ledger, and the absence of a documented timeline or risk mitigation plan. They recommended stronger procurement and planning requirements, including possible legislative changes requiring approved master plans for large capital projects and additional funding conditions tied to SERVS master agreements.
Land acquisition and deployment progress were identified as major bottlenecks, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Staff said the project began in western Kentucky using existing tower sites, but the remaining work is concentrated in harder-to-acquire areas, with more than 95 percent of new towers still incomplete. They said the Division of Real Properties did not begin formal contract work on acquisition until October 2024, despite earlier coordination, and recommended earlier consultation on future projects. Staff also noted that the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee had not been active in oversight, and survey results showed limited awareness and involvement among first responders. Committee members agreed that the lack of an initial implementation plan and the continuing need for funding reflected broader planning problems, and they discussed the need for a clearer end-to-end game plan rather than continuing to fund the project without a defined completion path.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1172 is about saving taxpayer money. It is about saving taxpayer money at the local level.
- We cannot stand idly by, and we owe taxpayers a system that they can trust.
- And we owe taxpayers a system that they can trust. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on SB 1379.
- That invites litigation, that invites legal exposure, and additional costs to the taxpayers.
- That invites litigation, that invites legal exposure, and additional costs to the taxpayers.
Committee:
Senate Local Government
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Capping Property Taxes / Resuming the Fight Against Fraud / A New Senator Takes Her Seat Mar 13th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It makes the polluters pay and relieve some of the pressure on local taxpayers and agencies that are
- says the burden off of taxpayers, she says the biggest<00:08:42.159><c> polluters</c><00:08:42.800><
- </c> some of the pressure on local taxpayers some of the pressure on local taxpayers and<00:09:14.640
- A popular bipartisan approach to preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars is back again this
- </c> preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars<00:10:
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- You look at the costs incurred upon the taxpayer, and it is detrimental to keep this pushing down the
- And so we decided to do conformity because by doing that, then it gives Idaho taxpayers the benefit.
- And we're talking about almost all Idaho taxpayers will benefit from that, from low-income earners to
- And so we decided to do conformity because by doing that, then it gives Idaho taxpayers the benefit.
- And we're talking about almost all Idaho taxpayers will benefit from that, from low-income earners to
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 3/23/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, with that members, our taxpayers.
- Ordered a payback of $1.1 million in taxpayer dollars because it was fraudulently obtained money.
- </c> oversight to better protect taxpayer oversight to better protect taxpayer dollars. dollars. dollars
- Members, a yes vote is a vote to protect taxpayer dollars and stop the fraud.
- The clerk will take the roll. protect taxpayer dollars and stop the protect taxpayer dollars and stop
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Taxpayer protections: unlike the personal lines clearinghouse, which involves taxpayer resources through
- This keeps taxpayers off the hook while enabling a market.
- It's about getting taxpayers and limiting their risk.
- It's taxpayer dollars. Typically, we think of the check and the balance...
- It's taxpayer dollars.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Press Conference 5/6/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Taxpayers of Minnesota expect these assets to be taken care of.
- Taxpayers of Minnesota expect these assets to be taken care of.
- are found in the public right-of-way or buried under private property and do it at no cost to the taxpayer
- </c><00:02:14.560><c> cost</c><00:02:15.160><c> to</c><00:02:15.360><c> the</c><00:02:15.480><c> taxpayer
- </c> at no cost to the taxpayer at no cost to the taxpayer or<00:02:17.360><c> to</c><00:02:17.480><c
Summary:
House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward.
Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs.
In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- To obtain the exemption, the taxpayer must file an application with the county assessor before beginning
- If a taxpayer began construction before the effective date of the act, then the taxpayer may apply for
- that are filed at the county level, I can say that our folks routinely see confusion on the part of taxpayers
- that are filed at the county level, I can say that our folks routinely see confusion on the part of taxpayers
- So I guess I'm still not sure that taxpayers who are unaware of this would not be dinged by that type
Committee:
House Finance
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Due to the fact that there are fewer than three taxpayers that claim this exemption, the department cannot
- 2% to 3% for all premiums and prepayments for health care services collected or received by the taxpayer
- The tax is equal to 1% of all premiums and prepayments collected or received by the taxpayer for health
- The tax is equal to 1% of all premiums and prepayments collected or received by the taxpayer for health
- Because I think the issue around keeping public lands that have been purchased with taxpayer dollars
Committee:
House Finance
Keywords:
coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- municipality or county, would not have to pay this fee, but if it's an industry that's going to use taxpayer
- funds, they're going to utilize those taxpayer funds to pay that 5%.
- This is where they're taking, getting taxpayer dollars to take and help their business.
- “This bill will ensure a more level playing field for all taxpayers and property owners.
- This will also reduce administrative mailing costs and cover the cost to taxpayers and administrative
Committee:
Senate Local and County Government
Summary:
The Senate Local and County Government Committee considered several bills dealing with municipal regulation, penalties, incentives, fireworks, and tax increment financing. Senate Bill 1519 would allow low-impact home-based businesses to operate without additional municipal permitting or zoning restrictions, while still requiring compliance with state and federal laws and applicable professional boards. Members questioned how the bill would define “no-impact” businesses, how it would affect short-term rentals and home-based services like nail salons or dispensaries, and whether it reduced local oversight. The bill passed 7-2.
Senate Bill 1775 clarified that municipalities may impose penalties for traffic-, alcohol-, and drug-related offenses that are less than or equal to the state statutory penalty, and set caps for other municipal fines. After extended questioning over whether the bill lowered or matched state penalties, a legislative analyst was brought in to explain that the measure was intended to resolve confusion about municipal authority. The bill passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1900 would direct 5% of the value of state economic development incentives to cities or counties for infrastructure, with members raising concerns about how the funds would be split, whether counties or cities would control them, and how the bill would apply in unincorporated areas. The author said he was open to revising the language, and the bill passed 11-0.
Senate Bill 1948 would expand the time frame for licensed fireworks sellers to sell consumer fireworks year-round and would also bar counties from prohibiting private outdoor consumer fireworks displays, subject to burn bans and other safety limits. Questions focused on safety, county zoning, and whether the bill relied on an outdated building code reference. The bill passed 8-2. Senate Bill 2080, a request bill from county assessors, would require assessors to be included as an information resource in TIF/TID processes, align district boundaries with parcel lines, and allow administrative fees to cover assessor costs. Members debated the justification and size of the fee and whether it would burden local governments, but the bill passed 8-2.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Every Texan looks at this as an accountability mechanism for taxpayers.
- These are local public projects funded with taxpayer dollars.
- This is really about making sure that taxpayers have accountability over our projects and that Texas'
- Leaving the taxpayers to bear the cost of delays, rework, and failed oversight.
- The accountability and organization that the PLAs provide are vital. for protecting taxpayers from cost
Bills:
HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427
Committee:
House State Affairs