Transcript Highlights:

• have access to the keys necessary to get into those classrooms in times of that an issue arises on a
• Brosmer, was denied direct access to district documents and instead instructed to file public records
• Brosmer, was denied direct access to district documents and instead instructed to file public records
• Financial information is difficult to access. Financial information is difficult to access.
• So we really need to have access to the line-item budget.

Summary: The committee first heard SJR 1104, a proposed constitutional amendment on voluntary religious expression in public schools. Senator Massullo said the measure would protect students and school personnel from discrimination for lawful religious expression, while not requiring prayer or religious activity. Questions focused on whether the proposal would change existing law, whether it could be used to protect coercive conduct by school officials, and whether the staff summary accurately reflected the bill. Public testimony included support from religious-freedom advocates and opposition from American Atheists and some senators who said the measure could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee voted to report SJR 1104 favorably. The committee then took up SB 1738 on educational facilities, which directs state education offices to review facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices to improve safety and accountability. Senator Yarborough offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusting the bill to preserve safe spaces during emergencies. The bill was reported favorably after brief discussion about balancing transparency, access control, and emergency safety. The committee also adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 824 on charter schools, replacing it with a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education, which would publish a statewide report; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next approved confirmation recommendations for appointees on tabs 7 and 8, then took up SPB 7036, a committee bill sponsored by Chair Simon. The package included school turnaround and early literacy changes, updates to school safety and health policies, early learning revisions, instructional changes, and educator pipeline provisions. The most contentious part was a proposal to let the state develop instructional materials; several senators questioned costs, guardrails, and whether the state should enter the textbook business. Simon said that portion was still being considered and that the bill would need safeguards if it moved forward. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1620 on public education, described by Senator Leak as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give individual board members direct access to district documents and staff, limit district attorneys’ ability to represent both the board and administration, strengthen nepotism rules, and prohibit nondisclosure agreements for employees. Testimony from Volusia County board members, educators, and advocates was sharply divided: supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and protect minority board members, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendent authority, expose confidential student or personnel information, and create confusion in district operations. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 1620 favorably. The committee then heard SB 1170 on cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, with an amendment changing the proposal from a statewide mandate to a district policy allowing parents of students with disabilities to request cameras. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, centered on protecting non-speaking and vulnerable students and documenting abuse; one witness opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate. The committee was still in debate on the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• system to increase awareness of and access to certain training programs.
• establish a pilot program and partnership with a school system to increase awareness of and access to
• access or links to the Department of Health around information on avoiding pregnancy, services for pregnancy
• to health care, access to family planning.
• Freiberg: And now, if you also want to make comments, and we want to honor your service as a female too

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first took up HB 987, which would move the Louisiana Geological Survey under the LSU Energy Institute to streamline energy-related programs. The author and members described it as an efficiency measure, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. Members then heard HB 513 on name, image, and likeness rules for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes. The bill was presented as a product of a task force and was supported by the Attorney General’s office, coaches, and a student athlete, who emphasized the need for guardrails, education, and protections against exploitation by agents or third parties. Questions focused on high school enforcement, parental consent, and what students may legally do; the committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered HCR 26, which asks BESE to incorporate the science of human growth and development, including prenatal development, into science or health standards and to provide instructional materials. Supporters said it would improve science education and show fetal development more clearly, while opponents raised concerns about medical accuracy, political influence, and lack of safeguards. An amendment requiring parental consent for instruction was offered but failed on a roll call vote, and the resolution was then reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 608 favorably as amended to protect confidentiality of documents tied to intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing, while preserving public disclosure of overall institutional spending. It also advanced HB 380, creating a pilot program to expand CDL workforce training through a community college and school partnership, and HB 392, which would require suicide hotline information on school websites, student ID cards, and, through amendment, visible signs in schools. The committee then reported HB 476 as amended, requiring Safe Haven law flyers in school restrooms, and began discussion of HB 682 to authorize veterans as school resource officers, with amendments addressing qualifications and training.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you have 38 homes that have been able to access this program?
• We use our nearly 400 partners across the state to deliver services directly.
• It's not statewide at this point, but we hope to get partners to service those counties.
• On the single-family development side, we also allow manufactured homes to access loans to develop manufactured
• Questions related to the services are not there, same thing with through services.

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact ripples outward to families, friends, and fellow service members.
• These things are essential to protect our service members and to uphold the integrity of our armed forces
• to truly show respect for their service and action to stop those devastating experiences that should
• For many students, school provides access to meals, counseling, and mental health services.
• access to these opportunities.

Summary: The Assembly met on July 17, 2025, after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through a long ceremonial and floor session. The chamber recognized the 2025 Science and Technology Policy Fellows, the 2024-25 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellows, and the 2025 Assembly Fellows, and also heard guest introductions honoring Brad Webb of Legislative Counsel, youth advocates supporting AB 1231, the Live Oak Lady Lions softball team, the new UC President J.B. Milliken, the Rohnert Park 11-and-under Cal Ripken All-Star team, and arts leaders from Auburn. The Assembly also took up several procedural motions, including removing some bills from the consent calendar and noting absences. On the floor, members adopted ACR 12 designating November 1 as Fernando Valenzuela Day, with broad support and 66 co-authors, and later adopted H.R. 56 recognizing August 2025 as Chicano Heritage Month, with 65 co-authors. The Assembly also adopted ACR 101 naming a portion of State Highway Route 46 the James Dean Memorial Highway, and H.R. 50 proclaiming November 25, 2025, as Elimination of Violence Against Women Day, with members emphasizing survivor support and prevention. In each case, authors and supporters highlighted the cultural, historical, or public-safety significance of the measures. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments on several bills, including AB 359 on the Political Reform Act, AB 594 on student health insurance protections, AB 1085 banning license plate obstruction devices and penalizing sellers, AB 1286 on public employment transparency, and AB 1505, the Agriculture Committee omnibus bill. AJR 14, urging federal attention to the impact of tariffs on California ports, passed 44-1 after debate over trade policy and port jobs. AJR 17, calling for modernization of immigration law and a pathway to lawful status for long-term undocumented residents, passed 47-7 after extensive debate focused on immigrant families, the economy, and federal enforcement actions. The Assembly also adopted the resolutions by voice vote where required and recorded the roll-call results for the joint resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fund core public services.
• owing to counties for critical services.
• We rely on these funds to provide essential services to our residents, especially as costs continue to
• retain access to fingerprint results from the FBI and comply with IRS guidance to retain employee access
• retain access to fingerprint results from the FBI and comply with IRS guidance to retain employee access

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• to Health and Human Services, potentially to the Department of Labor.
• And what we do is To use these kinds of services to really transform people's lives.
• million in contractual services to provide legal services and professional guardianship services for
• to provide legal services and professional guardianship services for clients.
• be able to access right away instead of waiting for legal services and paid professionals to do that

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in new costs, limiting their ability to deliver essential services.
• decision of diverting money from other public services or finding ways to stretch general funds to cover
• Like many other communities across the state, the county is struggling to maintain access to critical
• We believed then, and still believe today, that AHS's decision to move forward with substantial service
• that, yes, jurisdictions utilize these inspection fees to fund general services.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> providing access to free mental health providing access to free mental health supports<00:11:20.200
• </c> Services provided to our firefighters Services provided to our firefighters there<00:11:48.279><
• safety, providing access to surplus badges for certain employees.
• fines that are to be used to provide direct services to victims here in Minnesota.
• , making them eligible to receive a portion of court-imposed fines used to provide direct services to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• People were being detained and transferred out of state without access to legal counsel.
• across</c><00:59:05.800><c> the</c> services to small businesses across the services to small businesses
• and retail to personal services.
• The impact is to personal services.
• </c> in accessing financial support needed to in accessing financial support needed to sustain<01:12:

Bills: HF4477

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• hire a billing service to help us collect.
• access to paid family who will not have access to paid family medical<01:49:58.119><c> leave</c><01:49
• to this particular benefit, you could cut a check for access to that benefit.
• system or as that victim tries to access other services that they're eligible for. local government
• > that</c><03:48:08.640><c> they're</c> to access other services that they're to access other services

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• , appropriating monies to the legislative branch for the Legislative Services Office and the Office of
• My concern is not with military service, which I deeply respect, but with ensuring that any pathway to
• Activity, parents use access to those activities as a way to help them discipline and manage and hold
• use access to those activities as a way to help them discipline and manage and hold their kids accountable
• These include the right to live in a safe and healthy environment, freedom from abuse, access to timely

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it updates some of the uh investigative and uh arrest data that we were able to access.
• Uh the bill also contains a proposal related to personal data protection for human services judges.
• So this just adds those uh human services judges who are very similar to the administrative law judges
• And then it that we were able to access.
• 00:10:59.760><c> to</c><00:11:00.000><c> report</c> self-service, or fraud to um to report self-service

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 2260, a Judiciary Committee clone of portions of the larger DHS policy bill, and adopted the A1 amendment, which was described as largely technical but also incorporating changes from the related human services bill. The bill was presented as covering several DHS-related policy areas, including background studies transparency, anti-kickback provisions for medical assistance and child care assistance, and personal data protections for human services judges. The amendment also added a number of provisions related to direct care and treatment, competency restoration billing and data sharing, fraud enforcement tools, behavioral health fund eligibility, and clarifications to prior law. Testimony from DHS Office of Inspector General legislative director Ardian Diddy emphasized that the bill would improve transparency in background studies, update investigative and arrest data access, extend a limited set-aside to similar provider types, and correct an effective-date error from last session. He also said the anti-kickback language would mirror federal Medicaid law for medical assistance and create a state-level prohibition for CCAP, giving DHS and law enforcement more tools to investigate fraud and misuse. Additional provisions would add human services judges to existing personal data protections for judicial officials. Diddy also explained amendment sections from the governor’s fraud package, including authority to act against entities convicted of fraud or theft, data-sharing improvements, and a disqualification from management and billing positions. Members raised questions about possible conflicts of interest involving DHS employees with outside LLCs and about the need for stronger safeguards against fraud. The chair and other members referenced recent fraud cases and said the bill would help prevent similar abuses. Christy Grumman of DHS testified on the judge privacy section, saying there are about 35 human services judges and describing a recent incident in which a judge received violent threats serious enough to require the family’s temporary relocation by the State Patrol. Representative Hudson supported the anti-kickback provisions as a needed codification of agency authority. The committee then approved the amended bill and recommended it be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety, Finance, and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:17.160><c> access</c> emergencies we've been able to access emergencies we've been able to
• 17:13.560><c> in</c> license to provide the best services in license to provide the best services in
• in Rochester in 2011 to improve long-term access to rehabilitation and therapeutic wellness care.
• programs, which do not pay the cost to provide services.
• We want to make sure that rehabilitation services remain accessible to individuals with the greatest

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh I I'd also say service to motans.
• </c><01:23:36.400><c> that</c> allow us to be able to access that allow us to be able to access that
• have access to the same types of benefits that large employers have been able to have.
• have access to the same types of benefits that large employers have been able to have.
• have access to the same types of benefits that large employers have been able to have.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is kind of a rural access and affordability bill to me, and to preserve a husbandry animal practice
• So this is kind of a rural access and affordability bill to me, and to preserve a husbandry animal practice
• So this is kind of a rural access and affordability bill to me, and to preserve a husbandry animal practice
• So this is kind of a rural access and affordability bill to me, and to preserve a husbandry animal practice
• So this is kind of a rural access and affordability bill to me, and to preserve a husbandry animal practice

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:17 – Attendance Roll Call 02:09-- Discussion of SB 69 26:57 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met briefly and took up Senate Bill 69, a measure creating a certification path for non-veterinarians who perform equine dental work, especially floating teeth. Sponsor Sen. Robin Webb and supporters said the bill was the product of about two years of open meetings and stakeholder discussions, and that it would provide accountability, insurance access, and a way to grandfather in long-time practitioners with additional training. They framed it as a rural access and affordability issue, arguing that many horse owners, especially in remote areas, cannot easily reach or afford large-animal veterinarians and that the bill would preserve a long-standing husbandry practice while setting limits so certified providers could not perform surgery. Opposition came from equine veterinarians Dr. Brad Tanner and Dr. William Rainbow, who agreed there is a shortage of large-animal veterinarians and that floating teeth is necessary, but argued the bill’s scope goes beyond simple husbandry. They said the proposed authority would include procedures such as tooth removal and other work they consider surgery, which should remain within veterinary practice because of the need for sedation, pain management, and broader oral and physical exams. They also objected to the title “equine dental provider,” saying it could mislead owners into thinking the person has dentist-like training, and suggested a term like “equine teeth floater” would be clearer. Tanner cited a KVMA survey he said showed only 14 of 214 respondents supported indirect veterinary supervision in the bill. Members asked about continuing education, the “good moral character” licensing language, and whether people with past criminal records could be excluded. Supporters said continuing education would be required through certification programs and that character determinations would be handled case by case, with reference to broader second-chance licensing efforts moving through the legislature. Rep. Stalker asked for clearer terminology and educational guidance for consumers; the witnesses reiterated that the public should understand the difference between floating teeth and a full dental exam. After discussion, the committee moved to a roll call vote on the bill, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• access to affordable health people need, access to affordable health care<02:16:38.719><c> and</c><02
• Access to the American economy is a privilege.
• They are jeopardizing access to prenatal care.
• So I want to thank you for your service.
• get by, where we didn't have access to health care, where we didn't always have access to reliable housing

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• us not to rely solely on our own strength, but to remember... ...new session to help us not to rely
• support directly to the families who need those child care services.
• be able to access child care in order to get to work.
• be able to access child care in order to get to work.
• That's not really need to be able to access child care in order to get to work.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have access to services that this great wealthy country provides for the folks that are here.
• We're talking about tens of thousands of individuals that will be taken off that will lose access to
• Those individuals at the end of the year will lose access to that care.
• We want to make sure we keep people, allow folks to continue to have access with health care.
• We want people to continue to have access now and into the future. Thank you all.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate DFL lawmakers, joined by Unidos Minnesota and other allies, held a press event responding to a budget deal they said would end MinnesotaCare coverage for roughly 20,000 undocumented adults at the end of the year while preserving coverage for children. Speakers, including Rep. Cedrick Frazier, Sen. Sandy Leafman, and Emilia Gonzalez Davalos, argued the agreement was cruel, would harm vulnerable families and essential workers, and was being justified under a false claim of fiscal responsibility. They said the affected people are Minnesota residents who work, pay taxes, and contribute to the state, and they rejected the idea that private insurance markets are a viable substitute. The speakers emphasized that many enrollees are receiving ongoing care such as cancer treatment, dialysis, insulin, and asthma medication, and warned that losing coverage would push people into emergency rooms and increase costs for hospitals and communities. They also said the deal set a dangerous precedent by using mixed-status families and undocumented workers as bargaining chips in negotiations. Several speakers framed the issue as part of broader attacks on immigrant communities at the federal and state levels. In response to questions, the lawmakers said they had not been given meaningful input on the agreement, that the DFL leadership had tried to make the “least harm” choice, and that the members speaking would vote no on the provision. They said their focus was on this specific health-care agreement rather than other budget bills, and they indicated the program’s cost was within projections, citing about 20,000 enrollees, roughly 17,000 adults, and spending under $4 million so far. The event ended with a call to continue fighting the deal and to pursue a Minnesota public option and broader long-term coverage solutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been told as far as making it more difficult to access public records for DCYF providers.
• A variety of sales taxes on services that hospitals use is going to cost hospitals $15 to $20 million
• I mean, we want to make sure that folks have access to affordable health care, but I need to look at
• needs to be covered or a certain kind of service needs to be covered, that can be great because a lot
• cut services, then that's not going to be good for anybody.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders held a joint media availability focused on affordability, budget concerns, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. John Braun and Drew Stokesbary said Washingtonians are still struggling with the cost of food, gas, housing, child care, and health care, and argued Democrats are not advancing bills that would ease those pressures. They criticized a draft income tax proposal they said would function as a small business tax, especially because it would disallow loss carryforwards and could discourage investment in housing and other capital-intensive sectors. They also objected to a proposed tire fee and a bill they said would prevent tire sellers from telling customers about the tax. The Republicans said they planned to raise budget and tax concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, and Stokesbary said he had introduced a budget-savings bill to consolidate University of Washington investment management with the State Investment Board. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify citizen initiatives, calling it anti-democratic, and said they want stronger oversight and legal reforms related to DCYF and state liability in child welfare cases. Braun and Stokesbary said they were open to discussing tort reform and a civil claims process, but emphasized the underlying problem is state failure in protecting children. On health care, they said they were still reviewing a bill to eliminate interest on medical debt and a separate 340B drug-pricing proposal, warning both could have unintended effects on hospitals, patients, and drug innovation. They also said they support the idea of protecting children online and in schools, but want any social media, AI chatbot, or cell phone-related bills written carefully to avoid First Amendment problems and unintended consequences. On public safety, they expressed concern about a bill restricting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, arguing law enforcement needs such tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with the Republicans reiterating their opposition to tax increases and their focus on affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• A variety of sales taxes on services that hospitals use is going to cost hospitals $15 to $20 million
• Like I said a second ago to Jonathan, I mean, we want to make sure that folks have access to affordable
• drug needs to be covered or a certain kind of service needs to be covered, that can be great because
• to everybody else who has to pay into the system, how it impacts access, how it impacts coverage.
• cut services, then that's not going to be good for anybody.

Summary: Republican legislative leaders used the availability to focus on affordability, budget pressures, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. They criticized a circulating draft income tax proposal as a de facto small-business tax, arguing it would hurt LLCs, S corporations, housing investment, and the broader economy. They also attacked a proposed tire fee, a possible cigarette tax increase, and other tax ideas as regressive or hidden from consumers, while saying Republicans would not support any tax increases and urging budget cuts and spending restraint instead. The leaders said they planned to raise these concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, along with questions about his budget and how he reconciles prior opposition to a wealth tax with support for an income tax. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify initiatives for the legislature, calling it anti-democratic, and said the majority was ignoring or undermining voter-driven policy efforts. On child welfare, they criticized DCYF oversight and supported stronger accountability, including a bill to fix the state’s “imminent harm” standard and another proposal to stop the state from collecting certain federal disability and survivor benefits from foster youth. Other topics included tort liability reform, where Republicans said the state’s repeated failures in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation are the underlying problem, not just the cost of claims, though they were open to limited reforms such as disclosure of litigation financing. They also discussed the 340B drug pricing program, saying it is complicated and could affect hospitals, FQHCs, patients, and pharmaceutical innovation. On public safety and technology, they expressed cautious support for bills regulating kids’ social media and AI use, but stressed First Amendment concerns and the need to avoid private rights of action; they were more skeptical of a bill limiting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, saying law enforcement needs effective tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with Republicans reiterating that affordability was their top priority.