Transcript Highlights:

• ERIC POOLE – WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK? >> ERIC POOLE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, in the back, we have. our district engineer from the best district in the state, Eric Likens
• Well, we might want to bring our district engineer, Eric Lackens, over.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Verdin. Dr.
• Scott mentioned, my name is Eric Verdin.

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Keywords: health policy, lifespan, quality of life, community health, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting was marked by discussions surrounding health policies aimed at enhancing the lifespan and quality of life for the community members. The chairperson initiated the session with personal reflections on the importance of extending not just the years of life but also the quality of those years, especially from the perspective of parents and grandparents. Members engaged in thoughtful dialogue regarding potential legislative measures that could address public health in a more holistic manner, emphasizing the need for community outreach and effective health education programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Gonzalez to be a trustee on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The New York State Senate Finance Committee met to consider a slate of roughly 30 gubernatorial nominations to state boards, authorities, commissions, and advisory councils. The nominations included appointments to the Advisory Council on Agriculture, the Dormitory Authority, the Power Authority, NYSERDA, the Public Health and Health Planning Council, the Gaming Commission, the Thruway Authority, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, SUNY and Cornell boards, and several other entities. Senator O’Mara introduced the list, and Senator Liu presided in place of Chair Liz Krueger. During the meeting, Senator O’Mara asked whether Mark Schroeder listed for the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority was the same person nominated to the Convention Center Operating Corporation; Senator Liu confirmed that it was the same individual. No testimony on the merits of the nominations was presented, and no discussion of the nominees’ qualifications was recorded beyond that clarification. Members were instructed to mark their vote sheets with aye, nay, or aye without recommendation for each nomination. After a brief period for voting, the committee adjourned. No roll-call results or final disposition of the nominations were announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And next we have Batsadi, Jessica, Eric, and Lee.
• My name is Eric Berg.
• My name is Eric Berg.
• The message to kids like Eric is, you don't belong here.
• Before attending MHS, Eric received just one hour of school-based physical therapy each week.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn this over to Eric Schenck. Sure. Thank you, Senator. So the public Great.
• I'm going to turn this over to Eric Sheehan. Sure. Thank you, Senator.
• And I'm going to turn it over to Eric, and you can talk a little bit about some of the commission work
• I don't know, Eric, if you want to talk about some of the work that came from the commission.
• I don't know, Eric, if you want to talk about some of the work that came from the commission.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Eric. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Senator<00:21:10.600><c> Eric.
• </c> Senator Eric. Thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Eric. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• And thank you, Senator<00:21:44.000><c> Eric.
• </c><00:21:45.720><c> Ouni,</c> Senator Eric. And thank you, Mr. Ouni, Senator Eric.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric McLofflin, Intervention 911, in support.
• Brian Baker, Hina Malaka in support.<00:37:37.839><c> Eric</c><00:37:38.079><c> Mclofflin,</c><00:37:
• Eric Mclofflin, Intervention support.
• Eric Mclofflin, Intervention 911<00:37:40.240><c> in</c><00:37:40.480><c> support.
• <00:43:27.920><c> for</c><00:43:28.079><c> the</c> Eric Nucci, finance officer for the Eric Nucci, finance

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first is Eric. I might be saying your last name incorrectly. Is it Mish Mishi?
• My name is Eric Mishi.
• ><c> saying</c><01:20:09.520><c> your</c><01:20:09.679><c> last</c><01:20:09.920><c> name</c> Eric.
• I might be saying your last name Eric.
• My name is Eric Mishi. I'm committee. My name is Eric Mishi.

Bills: HF1392 , HF2233 , HF695 , HF2228 , HF1289

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Linda, David, Miriam, Kyle, Suzanne, Eric.
• Eric doesn't even fill his prescriptions with us yet.
• Linda, David, Miriam, Kyle, Suzanne,<00:58:38.599><c> Eric.
• These are all names of Suzanne, Eric.
• Eric doesn't even fill do it on his own.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• If you don't mind, Representative Eric has a question. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• :12.720><c> instance</c><00:35:13.560><c> um</c><00:35:13.960><c> if</c> Thank you, Representative Eric
• 41.800><c> thank</c><00:35:41.960><c> you</c><00:35:42.119><c> representative</c><00:35:42.599><c> Eric
• </c> process thank you representative Eric process thank you representative Eric did<00:35:42.920><c>
• uh let's go bullet point one that Eric uh let's go bullet point one that you<01:04:33.079><c> conduct

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we're going to have three new presenters: Eric Ross, Kentucky Psychological Association; Janie
• </c> we're going to have uh three new we're going to have uh three new presenters<01:29:43.880><c> Eric
• </c><01:29:44.239><c> Ross</c><01:29:44.679><c> Kentucky</c> presenters Eric Ross Kentucky presenters
• Eric Ross Kentucky Psychological Psychological Psychological Association<01:29:47.880><c> uh</c><01:
• </c><01:30:13.760><c> Russ</c> two minutes thank you I'm Dr Eric Russ two minutes thank you I'm Dr Eric

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first considered two concurrent resolutions. SCR 76, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, would create a Kentucky School for the Deaf Governance Task Force to examine the school’s future governance and its relationship with the Kentucky Department of Education. Bledsoe described the school’s long history and said the task force would give the small deaf-school community more voice. The committee adopted the resolution unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up SCR 131, sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, to continue the Efficient and Effective Districts Task Force from 2024. Wise said the prior task force met about 10 times and focused on student achievement and district policy, and the new version would continue that work as a legislature-only task force. The resolution passed unanimously with favorable expression. Members next considered HB 240 on primary school promotion. Rep. Truitt explained that the bill would require students who are not ready in kindergarten to repeat kindergarten, while a committee substitute softened the approach by allowing a school to hold a child back in kindergarten but requiring action in first grade. He said the bill aligns with existing reading-screening efforts and is intended to strengthen early literacy foundations. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression; Sen. Williams briefly explained his support as favoring performance-based advancement. The committee also approved HB 298, which would change the identification of schools for comprehensive support and improvement from every three years to annually, require KDE recommendations during management audits, add professional development in reading and math, and require effective instructional resources. The committee substitute also allowed districts with multiple CSI schools to contract for a turnaround vendor. The bill additionally carried employee-misconduct provisions from prior sessions, including disclosure requirements for applicants; the only change discussed was removing the word “investigation” from one disclosure section. HB 298 passed unanimously with favorable expression, and the committee also adopted a title amendment. Finally, the committee heard HB 424 on employment at public postsecondary institutions. Rep. Tipton said the bill would require performance and productivity reviews for faculty at least every four years, clarify appointment and removal authority for presidents at certain institutions, and expand “cause” for dismissal to include failure to meet performance and productivity requirements. Dr. Ray Horton, speaking for faculty groups, proposed a small substitute that would tie any performance measures to existing employment contracts to preserve academic integrity and avoid unintended changes to tenure processes. Members discussed how tenure works at Kentucky universities, and the committee was still in the middle of considering the proposed substitute when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It looks like there are two other individuals who also asked to testify, specifically Eric Simonson as
• who also asked to testify that be who also asked to testify that be specifically<00:19:44.200><c> Eric
• Eric Simonson, right?
• Eric Simonson, right? Former Senator Simonson. Thank you, Mr.
• My name is Eric Simonson. I represent the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to start with some level setting: Superintendent McIntyre, Superintendent Eric Melby from
• Eric Nelson, and Superintendent Renee Case Evenson.
• </c><01:06:38.319><c> Nelson</c><01:06:39.319><c> and</c> we have Aaron Nelson Dr Eric Nelson and we
• have Aaron Nelson Dr Eric Nelson and superintendent<01:06:40.480><c> Renee</c><01:06:41.119><c> case<
• Eric Nelson, and I proudly serve as principal at Chatfield Secondary School.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Sinkervynne, her husband Kenneth, Gerard Dwyer and his wife Cynthia Strope, Kathleen Dwyer and her partner Eric

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, suspended the rules, and referred a petition to the Committee on Health Care Financing. The chamber also recognized guests from Kingsley Montessori School and presented a citation to their teachers for visiting the State House and showing interest in civic history, including Patriots’ Day-related history and artifacts from Lexington and Concord. The Senate extended best wishes to the school and its teachers for continued success. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. A reference was made to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 15, noting April as Autism Awareness Month and the governor’s annual proclamation. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Ann Theresa Dwyer of South Boston, with remarks honoring her family, education, public service, and devotion to loved ones. Following a moment of silence, the Senate agreed to adjourn. The meeting ended with the Senate adjourning in memory of Ann Theresa Dwyer, and the next meeting was announced for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I would also add, uh, this committee has received an email from Eric Power, the Honorable Eric Power
• </c><02:30:41.520><c> Power,</c><02:30:42.319><c> uh</c> Eric Power, the Honorable Eric Power, uh Eric
• For the record, my name is Eric Power from Brooklyn.
• </c> So thank you, Eric, for taking my question.
• &gt;&gt; All right. and<05:04:05.680><c> Eric.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Paredes with the California Faculty Association in support and a proud sponsor of this bill.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• I have Bill Matheson, Eric Machino, if I say that correctly, and Debbie Myers.
• I have Bill Matheson, Eric Machino, if I say that correctly, and Debbie Myers. Good afternoon.
• So, my name is Eric Miskino. I'm a resident of Plymouth, and I'm here to testify on H. 3888.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jessica Tang, Sadi Sivongjay, and Eric Berg, I think you're testifying as a panel. There you are.
• My name is Eric Berg.
• As the director of MESHA, the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, I know that Jessica and Eric

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a lengthy hearing on a large slate of bills focused primarily on charter school policy and vocational technical education. Committee members opened with ground rules for testimony, including a two-minute limit, written testimony acceptance, and a live-streamed format. The committee then heard testimony on bills to expand collective bargaining rights in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, reform charter school funding and reimbursement, allow enrollment preferences for high-need students in charter lotteries, and require BESE to consider district impacts when approving new or expanded charters. Several witnesses, including union leaders, parents, educators, and legislators, argued that charter growth has strained district budgets and that funding formulas should be reworked to better protect public schools; charter advocates and alumni countered that charter schools serve high-need students well and should not be penalized for their success. A major portion of the hearing focused on vocational technical education bills, including proposals to expand access and capacity, create a large grant program, and increase MSBA reimbursement rates for vocational school construction. Supporters described long waitlists, strong labor-market demand, and the higher cost of building and maintaining vocational schools, while municipal officials emphasized the tax burden on local communities. The committee also heard testimony on charter school reimbursement bills that would extend the state’s reimbursement schedule, with witnesses from districts such as Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford describing large net losses to charter tuition and arguing for longer reimbursement periods and structural reform. The committee took no final votes during the hearing. In one instance, the chair said a bill would be held open until a missing senator could testify. Members asked several detailed questions about charter admissions lotteries, special education placements, funding formulas, and the practical effects of proposed charter caps and reimbursement changes. The hearing remained informational, with witnesses and committee members presenting sharply different views on whether the bills would improve equity and opportunity or harm existing public school systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you both will come take a seat, and Eric Pratt will be on deck after they're done.
• coming out on a Friday afternoon and announced the first witnesses: Abby Wu and Sanika Kapoor, with Eric
• Eric Pratt, come on up. I am in opposition to 2320.

Committee: Senate Law & Justice