Video & Transcript : 'taxpayers' :
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So the summary says that the amendment, quote, benefits Florida taxpayers, but there is no assurance
- And so I’m curious about just the accuracy of it benefits Florida taxpayers.
- “It’s a taxpayer-funded safety net system that fills the gaps in local access.
- This is important because taxpayer dollars should not advocate for proposed Important because taxpayer
- to fight a taxpayer initiative.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 086 Apr 10th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas the home-educated students in Colorado save taxpayers an estimated $1 billion annually.
- </c><00:20:29.520><c> an</c><00:20:29.640><c> estimated</c> in Colorado save taxpayers an estimated in
- Colorado save taxpayers an estimated $1<00:20:30.520><c> billion</c><00:20:31.080><c> annually.
- an estimated $64 billion taxpayers an estimated $64 billion annually. annually. annually.
- and now we have um a bite out taxpayer and now we have um a bite out of<00:42:34.200><c> it.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journal, and then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026, as Home Education Day in Colorado. Senator Pelton spoke in strong support of home education, describing it as a parent-led choice that benefits students and families. The resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, and the current roll was added as co-sponsors.
The chamber then took up the consent calendar and passed House Bill 1229, House Bill 1244, and Senate Bill 153. HB 1229, which concerns the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health, drew three no votes from Senators Pelton, Zamora Wilson, and Baeza; the other two measures passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over third reading of bills until Friday, April 10.
In Committee of the Whole, senators considered Senate Bill 72, which increases criminal penalties for assaultive conduct involving a motor vehicle and adds causing death with a motor vehicle to criminally negligent homicide. The committee adopted the report and advanced the bill on second reading. Later, the chamber laid over Senate Bill 134 and House Bill 1084 until April 10, and then took up Senate Bill 140, which would exempt certain rare disease and plasma therapies from review by the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Sponsors and supporters argued the bill protects access for patients with rare diseases and prevents harm to treatment development, while opponents said it would weaken the PDAB’s affordability work and was too broad. Senators Weisman and Gonzales spoke against the bill, with Weisman citing concerns about the federal definition used and Gonzales defending the PDAB’s role in lowering drug costs; the debate continued in the transcript without a final vote shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 12th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As a child, pregnant and begging for help, do not give them more taxpayer dollars. Vote no.
- So I strongly... as taxpayers in Minnesota, we want to see our money going to things that matter.
- Minnesota taxpayers should not be forced to participate, passively or otherwise, in abortion.
- Let's end the taxpayers' funding of abortion. Let's bring real accountability.
- And by the way, Minnesota taxpayers are paying for all of that—one hundred percent.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 21st, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- All it's saying is that we're using, these are Texans' taxpayer dollars, and we, the Legislature, has
- Although these positions... ...and are held responsible for that by the taxpayers.
- They're paying twice for the same level of service. ...avoidance of a double tax to the taxpayers.
- They're sunk costs, essentially, that we're going to leverage for the taxpayers' benefit.
- This isn't just ineffective; it's a waste of taxpayer money.
Bills:
HB240 , HB2097 , HB2731 , HB3087 , HB3234 , HB3319 , HB3394 , HB3687 , HB4105 , HB4205 , HB4350 , HB4462 , HB4642 , HB4801 , HB5403 , HB240
Committee:
House S/C on County & Regional Government
Keywords:
quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code
Summary:
The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending.
Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.
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
Keywords:
collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:38:45.520><c> money</c> hardworking taxpayer money hardworking taxpayer money are<01:38:47.679
- And those all using taxpayer funds.
- Don't make taxpayers subsidize the process.
- Don't make taxpayers subsidize the process.
- House Bill 178 taxpayer funded farce.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> expense PL placed on placed on taxpayers expense PL placed on placed on taxpayers simply<00:42:54.960
- It has not made things more efficient or cheaper for taxpayers.
- It has not made things more efficient or cheaper for taxpayers.
- It has not made things more efficient or cheaper for taxpayers.
- </c><01:37:59.760><c> it</c> efficient or cheaper for taxpayers it efficient or cheaper for taxpayers
Bills:
HF1976
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- have been avoidable, and kind of how are we on that path to minimizing that cost that the state taxpayers
- have been avoidable, and kind of how are we on that path to minimizing that cost that the state taxpayers
- Kylin in congregate care, institutional facility would cost taxpayers that much annually for his care
- The more we can divert people out of the system, the more we can save our taxpayers.
- The more we can divert people out of the system, the more we can save our taxpayers.
Committee:
Senate Human Services
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- so it makes it a little their taxpayers so it makes it a little harder<00:37:06.760><c> to</c><00:37
- Sometimes the package that the district puts together is not in keeping with what the taxpayers' vision
- Sometimes the location of the project may be being built in the wrong community for what the taxpayers
- Sometimes the location of the project may be being built in the wrong community for what the taxpayers
- want or maybe doing the the taxpayers want or maybe doing the wrong<00:42:59.319><c> kind</c><00:42:
Committee:
House Education Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/18/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> taxpayers should have to cough money up. taxpayers should have to cough money up.
- They're taxpayers as well.
- They are taxpayers.
- They're taxpayers as well.
- They are taxpayers.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- um I know that while schools taxpayers um I know that while schools want<00:20:03.640><c> to</c><00:
- </c><00:20:11.880><c> and</c><00:20:12.039><c> for</c><00:20:12.200><c> the</c> schools for taxpayers
- for a substantial district and taxpayers for a substantial time<00:22:50.640><c> period</c><00:22:51.640
- money these are these pay for taxpayer money these are these pay for themselves<00:29:33.200><c> we're
- </c> creating long-term savings for taxpayers creating long-term savings for taxpayers house<00:53:16.520
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to markup an original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Senate Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- In other words, taking billions of dollars from taxpayers who didn't go to college to pay for those who
- This regulation, by the way, if implemented, would increase taxpayer costs by billions.
- Talk about a waste of taxpayer dollars.
- They want to take American taxpayer dollars and subsidize solar.
- If anybody around here really thinks that's a good idea, taxpayer dollars. To fire 16 IGs.
Committee:
Senate Senate Budget
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 43 Apr 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . $4,500 payout with taxpayer money, right?
- But this is not a bill about energy or reducing costs to our taxpayers.
- Taxpayers fund emergency response.
- Response, taxpayers help rebuild infrastructure, taxpayer support disaster recovery, and it's our families
- I believe our courts should remain open, and I believe Oklahoma taxpayers should not be left holding
Keywords:
Oklahoma City, terrorism, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, memorial, remembrance, first responders, community support, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, fossil fuels, liability protection, climate change, energy independence, oil and gas
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/31/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #15 & #16
Transcript Highlights:
- on Ways and Means, requires the Department of Revenue to prescribe forms and instructions to the taxpayer
- Then DOR is required to prescribe forms and instructions based on conformity to the taxpayer.
- on Ways and Means, requires the Department of Revenue to prescribe forms and instructions to the taxpayer
- Then DOR is required to prescribe forms and instructions based on conformity to the taxpayer.
- Then DOR is required to prescribe forms and instructions based on conformity to the taxpayer.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees.
A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work.
The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 4th, 2026 at 08:25 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- support of this bill, and Madam Speaker, I'm asking for your support of this bill to support the taxpayers
- But Madam Speaker, it is not efficient for the taxpayer for the state of Washington to require some local
- What costs taxpayers the most is when these permits cause delays in the construction timelines, in times
- You don't respond to the voters, the taxpayers, the people who pay into the Sound Transit District.
- You don't respond to the voters, the taxpayers, the people who pay into the Sound Transit District.
Bills:
HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002
Summary:
The House received a Senate message that Substitute House Bill 1570 had passed the Senate, then moved several bills from Rules to the second reading calendar, including Substitute Senate Bill 5242 on anaphylaxis medications in schools and Senate Bill 6132 on Inland Port District debt. The chamber then took up several bills, beginning with Senate Bill 5988 on Department of Health accreditation fee authority for opioid treatment programs. Amendment 2336 to cap the fee at $17,000 was debated at length but rejected, and a separate amendment to add safe-injection-site language was ruled out of scope. Senate Bill 5988 then passed 62-34.
Substitute Senate Bill 6309 on enhanced municipal permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects drew multiple amendments focused on Sound Transit’s authority. Amendments to require written consent from abutting property owners, to add flood-zone and seismic/critical-area protections, and to address public-records issues were either rejected or ruled beyond scope, though the local government committee amendment was adopted. The bill passed 56-38. The House also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5886 on digital personality rights and Senate Bill 6136 on transparency in workers’ compensation rate-setting, both with strong bipartisan support.
Later, the House passed a series of additional bills: Substitute Senate Bill 6034 codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs; Gross Second Substitute Senate Bill 5395 on prior authorization reform, with remarks emphasizing limits on AI in health care decisions; Substitute Senate Bill 6248 creating the Washington Travel Insurance Act; Substitute Senate Bill 5720 establishing uniform consumer debt default judgment procedures; Senate Bill 5995 on port modernization funding and labor considerations; Senate Bill 6103 affecting rural hospitals; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6110 creating a work group on e-motorcycles; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5156 allowing smaller elevators to support accessible, more affordable housing; Substitute Senate Bill 6269 updating motor fuel definitions to include hydrogen; Substitute Senate Bill 6189 giving Thurston County more time to pursue an aquatics public facilities district; and Senate Bill 6134 requiring unemployment applicants to acknowledge repayment obligations if retroactive union pay is received. Most of these bills passed with large margins, and the House adjourned after completing final passage votes.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-04-29 (9:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in court, and then asking those same taxpayers to pay to defend it.
- What we are doing today is spending taxpayer dollars to create a map that will most certainly, we are
- spending taxpayer dollars to create a map that will most certainly be challenged in court, and then
- asking those same taxpayers to pay to defend it.
- Only a bill the taxpayer will be paying for in court for years.