Video & Transcript Research : 'Governor proclamation'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 27th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Just look how well that worked for Governor Scott Jensen.
- That is the check that we have put in place on our governor.
- We didn't just vote with our governor.
- But it happened under Governor Walz.
- by the governor, leaving millions of Minnesotans without a voice.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Governors appointed the commissioners, period.
- Governors appointed the commissioners, period.
- So a governor who's got an incompetent commissioner who makes a decision that the governor disagrees
- Under Governor Richardson, there was a move.
- This is not a poke in the eye of the governor.
Keywords:
wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 06:00 pm
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The joint committee has gone before the Senate Governor.
- Thank you to the former governors who are joining us here tonight, Governor Weld and Governor Michael
- And that's why I'm so proud to be your governor.
- Last year, I was the first governor here to cap Here in Massachusetts, last year, I was the first governor
- I have a portrait of a former governor, Samuel Adams.
Summary:
The joint convention of the Massachusetts Legislature convened to receive the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address. The session began with procedural motions to appoint committees to notify the lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor, followed by an invocation from Archbishop Richard G. Henning, the posting and retiring of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Governor was then formally admitted to the chamber and delivered the address, with a benediction afterward by Rabbi Elaine Zacker.
Governor Maura Healey’s address focused on affordability and public services. She highlighted actions and proposals on housing, including faster permitting, use of state land for housing, accessory dwelling units, down payment assistance, and expanded programs to help first-time buyers. She also discussed energy affordability, saying she would oppose utility rate hikes, pursue an energy affordability bill, and temporarily reduce electric and gas bills. On health care, she described efforts to cap costs, prevent prior authorization for insulin, ban medical debt reporting to credit agencies, and form a health care affordability working group. She also proposed making subscription cancellations easier, improving transportation through bridge repairs and transit investments, and strengthening protections for children on social media.
The Governor also emphasized education, workforce development, and economic competitiveness, citing the state’s top national education ranking, expanded pre-K and child care, literacy and tutoring investments, early college opportunities, and a goal of 100,000 apprentices over 10 years. She praised Massachusetts’ response to federal actions, including support for vaccines, food assistance, abortion access, and research funding, and she criticized the Trump administration on tariffs, health care cuts, and immigration enforcement. She also noted public safety and veterans’ issues, including new assisted-living protections after the Gabriel House fire and the rebuilding of veterans’ homes. No substantive votes on legislation were taken beyond adoption of the ceremonial orders and the final adjournment motion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes higher ed package that leaves $131 million aid shortfall unaddressed 5/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the governor did. So, the governor did.
- digging to find out who the governor digging to find out who the governor decided<00:04:58.960><
- to Governor Walz, who then appointed him to Governor Walz, who then appointed him to<00:06:13.520>
- And this is what the governor said. And this is what the governor said.
- second person that the governor second person that the governor appointed. appointed. appointed.
Summary:
The House took up House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill, which the author described as a bipartisan agreement. Representative Wolgamott highlighted a $1.5 million appropriation to Minnesota State to create an identification verification system to combat “ghost students,” a one-time $5,000 appropriation for trees at Bemidji State University, and other noncontroversial recommendations from the Office of Higher Education. He urged support for the bill and noted that amendments would be considered.
The main debate centered on an amendment by Representative Rarick to change how University of Minnesota regents are selected if the legislature fails to elect them. Rarick argued the amendment would keep the governor from appointing regents outside the legislative vetting process and prevent “pay-to-play” or donor influence, citing recent gubernatorial appointments and campaign contributions. Representative Kotter offered a secondary amendment to require that any fallback appointees meet RCAC eligibility criteria and to bar candidates who had recently contributed to legislative caucuses or leadership; supporters said it would reduce the appearance of pay-to-play while preserving the RCAC process.
Opponents of the secondary amendment, including Representatives Robbins and others, argued it did not address the real concern because it did not restrict contributions to the governor and would weaken the legislature’s role in regent selection. Supporters of the secondary amendment said it was a more objective, statute-based approach and raised separation-of-powers concerns with the underlying amendment. After debate, the secondary amendment failed on a 67-67 tie and was not adopted. The House then continued discussion on the underlying Rarick amendment, with members divided over legislative authority, gubernatorial appointment power, and the influence of campaign donations.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Kim Kramer, and I'm the Environmental Policy Coordinator for Governor Ron DeSantis.
- With the continued leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Year 2026-2027.
- The governor also recommends $19.4 million for the citrus industry to ensure The governor also recommends
- The Governor recommends $400,000 to continue supporting the data catalog.
- That concludes our presentation of Governor DeSantis's Floridians' First budget.
Summary:
The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call.
The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms.
The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 2
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It doesn't matter that it's the current governor or any other future governor or past governor.
- It doesn't matter that it's the current governor or any other future governor or past governor.
- It doesn't matter that it's the current governor or any other future governor or past governor.
- It doesn't matter that it's the current governor or any other future governor or past governor.
- <00:35:11.800>
have of Minnesota should the governor have of Minnesota should the governor
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 18th, 2025
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gubernatorial term limits proposed 3/9/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 4/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So is it Governor Walz running for governor andor running for president after today?
- So is it Governor Walz running for governor andor running for president after today?
- So is it Governor Walz running for governor andor running for president after today?
- it Governor Walls running for governor<00:04:50.080>
andor <00:04:50.639>running <00:04: - 50.880>
for <00:04:51.199>president governor andor running for president governor andor
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Apr 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That's something obviously Governor Ferguson wanted. Is that a sweetener?
- The governor is an important part of the budget process, right?
- Governor Inslee did that regularly, maybe not in as public and vocal a way as we saw this year from Governor
- I think it was clear that the governor is not a budget writer in the sense.
- We're not going to predict anything about Governor Ferguson's decisions.
Summary:
House and Senate Democratic leaders held a post-sine-die press availability to describe a difficult 2025 session and the major budget and policy outcomes. They said the state faced a $16 billion operating shortfall and an $8 billion transportation gap, along with inflation, slowing revenue, federal uncertainty, and a new governor. Despite that, they said the chambers reached balanced operating and transportation budgets while trying to avoid harming vulnerable residents or overburdening working families.
The leaders highlighted several priorities they said were advanced: increased school funding, including about $1.4 billion more for special education; housing measures such as rent stabilization, parking minimum reforms, lot-splitting, and middle-housing enforcement; and public safety funding, including a $100 million one-time law-enforcement appropriation requested by Governor Ferguson. They also discussed a community reinvestment approach and said local governments would have more flexibility to fund community safety.
They acknowledged that balancing the budget required painful cuts and tradeoffs, including delays to child support pass-through payments and TANF benefits, reduced support for higher education and student aid, higher child-care copays and fewer child-care slots, closure of one prison and four reentry centers, and reductions in managed care payments. They also said the tax package included modest business tax increases, including a surcharge on some large businesses and sales tax changes for certain services, and that a wealth tax remained alive for future sessions even though it was not part of this year’s budget.
Much of the discussion focused on the new governor’s role and whether there was tension over his review of the budget and bills. Leaders said communication with the governor and his staff had improved over the session, that they expected him to carefully review the legislation, and that they were not reading anything into his absence from the press conference. They repeatedly emphasized bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, and several speakers described the session as one of the most challenging they had experienced, citing the budget gap, federal uncertainty, and recent personal losses in the Legislature.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 4/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House and Senate and governor work.
- House, in the Senate, and our governor. House, in the Senate, and our governor.
- <00:10:41.680>
Walls what do you make of um Governor Walls what do you make of um Governor - We met with the governor this afternoon.
- We met with the governor this leaders.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House higher education committee approves omnibus bill 4/16/26
Transcript Highlights:
- governor could or could not appoint. governor could or could not appoint.
- limiting who the governor can choose? limiting who the governor can choose?
- governor be included in that section? governor be included in that section?
- I am so tired of hearing governor he when um the governor could be a man or woman.
- when um the governor could governor he when um the governor could be<00:55:14.720>
a <00:55:14.960
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4252 and first heard a walkthrough of a DE2 amendment that largely incorporated Office of Higher Education technical and statutory cleanup items, including reporting consolidations, updates to postsecondary registration and licensing statutes, and an anti-fraud provision. New provisions in the DE2 would require public postsecondary institutions to explain developmental courses before enrollment and obtain a written acknowledgement, revise the state grant tuition cap, add a $1.5 million ongoing appropriation in FY 2027 for an identity verification system to combat enrollment fraud, and provide $5,000 one-time funding for reforestation at Bemidji State University. Fiscal staff also noted additional special revenue fund revenue and expenditures tied to licensing and registration litigation response.
The main debate centered on the A8 amendment offered by Representative Rarick, which would require the governor to appoint University of Minnesota regents only from candidates recommended by the joint legislative committee if the legislature fails to elect regents. Rarick argued the amendment was needed to address what he described as conflicts of interest and pay-to-play concerns in recent gubernatorial appointments. Several members questioned whether the language was constitutional, whether it actually addressed conflicts of interest, and whether it should instead refer to ARCAC-screened or ARCAC-recommended candidates. Nonpartisan staff said the governor’s appointment power is addressed in the university charter, not directly in the constitution, but could not definitively assess constitutionality if challenged.
Members were divided: some supported the goal of cleaner governance but said the amendment was not ready or did not match the problem being described; others argued the legislature had failed to complete its own regent appointments and that the amendment was a response to that failure. No vote on the A8 amendment or the bill was reached in the portion provided, though a roll call was requested on the amendment and the chair indicated the bill would continue through amendment consideration before final discussion and vote.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- With the continued leadership of Governor DeSantis and the With the continued leadership of Governor
- The governor also recommends $19.4 million for the citrus industry to ensure The governor also recommends
- The governor recommends $400,000 to continue supporting the data catalog.
- That concludes our presentation of Governor DeSantis's Floridians' First Budget.
- So we took a look at the program needs for next fiscal year, and the governor felt...
Summary:
The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably.
Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage.
The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 15 (1-28-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor, Governor Andy Basher, I have no doubt, was mixing some politics with his official duties
- The<00:32:20.640>
governor, The governor, The governor, Governor<00:32:23.360>Andy <00: - 32:23.679>
Basher, Governor Andy Basher, Governor Andy Basher, I<00:32:25.679>have <00: - <00:42:20.000>
and there and telling other governors and there and telling other governors - here and there, that we have a governor here and there, that we have a governor that<00:42:49.680
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers.
The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- So today we come praying for our governor and our lieutenant governor.
- We pray that You would grant Governor Ivy wisdom beyond experience to lead this state.
- Message from the Governor: Senate confirmation number four appointing Napoleon Bracie to the Alabama
- Message from the Governor: Senate confirmation number eight appointing Kevin Kid to the Alabama Board
- Message from the Governor: Senate confirmation number nine appointing Kathy Sawer to the State Board
Keywords:
Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 920, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:37:09.119>
is HHS services now that the governor is HHS services now that the governor - The governor and lieutenant governor are making some very difficult decisions, not easily made and not
- The governor and lieutenant governor are making some very difficult decisions, not easily made and not
- The governor and lieutenant governor are making some very difficult decisions, not easily made and not
- <01:43:00.000>
may may uh count on that, the governor may may uh count on that, the governor
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 06:00 pm
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Admit the Honorable Governor, Lieutenant Governor. What is that? Thank you. Hi there.
- Bless and inspire our Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, the legislators, all the
- Admit Her Excellency Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth. Governor of the Commonwealth.
- And thank the governor, lieutenant governor, and the whole administration in that effort to build hope
- and lieutenant governor While the sergeant-at-arms escorts our governor and lieutenant governor, the
Summary:
The House and Senate met in joint convention for the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Before the address, the chamber handled routine organizational motions, including recesses, the appointment of committees to escort the Lieutenant Governor, constitutional officers, and the Governor into the chamber, the posting of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and an invocation and benediction. The joint convention then heard Governor Maura Healey’s address, followed by remarks from legislative leaders and a closing benediction.
In her speech, Governor Healey said the state is strong and highlighted accomplishments from the past session, including tax cuts, expanded child care support, the Affordable Homes Act, transportation improvements, federal funding gains, veterans’ services, and health care measures. She also emphasized ongoing priorities such as reducing housing costs, improving transit and infrastructure, expanding primary care and mental health services, supporting education and career pathways, strengthening clean energy and AI investment, and protecting reproductive health care. She called for abolishing tenant broker’s fees, creating a statewide graduation standards council after the MCAS requirement change, and continuing efforts to address the emergency shelter system and other cost pressures.
No roll call votes were taken on legislation during the address itself, but the convention adopted the various ceremonial orders and motions by voice vote. After the Governor’s remarks and the benediction, the joint convention adjourned, and the House later adjourned to meet the following Tuesday in informal session.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I think an important part of the proposal from the governor and lieutenant governor is that there are
- lieutenant governor Flanigan's tax lieutenant governor Flanigan's tax proposal proposal proposal
- <00:04:46.960>
lieutenant Proposal from the governor lieutenant Proposal from the governor asking governor lieutenant governor are asking governor lieutenant governor are asking uh<00:- lieutenant governor Governor walls lieutenant governor Flanigan<00:37:43.200>
took <00:37:43.599
Summary:
The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs.
The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate.
Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House panel debates GOP resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against governor, AG Apr 15th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- calling for the impeachment of Governor calling for the impeachment of Governor Tim<00:12:11.040
- And<00:15:27.360>
when <00:15:27.480>the <00:15:27.560>governor And when the governor - As a for Governor Walz's impeachment.
- accountability of the governor. accountability of the governor.
- You guys don't like the governor and attorney general. You don't like the governor.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk, it's time to inform the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor and the Executive Council that we
- President, the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor have been notified that we are assembled and they
- Awaiting the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor's Council members.
- Governor. This is my darling son, Monica, Kim, your tenant governor. It's no for you.
- Thank you, Governor. The Governor, that is awesome.
Summary:
The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators.
The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session.
In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement.
The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.