Video & Transcript Research : 'TOPS Tech Award'
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FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It was awarded to 266 programs.
- It was awarded to 666, or 266 programs.
- additional years beyond the initial program years award.
- We award the funds to the school districts for that.
- We said the tech college is our partner. Thank you.
Summary:
The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training.
Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development.
Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WE'VE HAD $190 MILLION AWARDED FOR THIS.
- MAYBE YOU CAN'T ANSWER THIS OR NOT BUT DO YOU HAVE A TOP-FIVE THAT YOU KNOW RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR
- WE ALSO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE TOP 5, TOP 10 EMT IS UP THERE.
- AND WE APPLIED FOR THAT GRANT AND WERE AWARDED THAT GRANT AND THROUGH THAT AWARD WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE
- THEY WERE AWARDED $4 MILLION.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- On the top of page 7, the remaining programs in Gold D.C.
- Not for every credential awarded.
- Texas Tech ranks in the top 45 of the nation in terms of doctorates awarded.
- Thank you Representative Tepper to that point about Tech going back to tech.
- Center Tech.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture (9-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Bluegrass Ag Tech awards challenge grants, and these are to promising ag tech startups that are helping
- Bluegrass<00:21:10.799>
Egg <00:21:11.200>Tech <00:21:11.520>awards <00:21:12.159 - >
challenge Bluegrass Egg Tech awards challenge Bluegrass Egg Tech awards challenge grants<00: - into ag tech careers.
- for the first round of grant awardes. Uh for the first round of grant awardes.
Summary:
The committee met and approved the August 21, 2025 minutes. The main presentation came from Brandon Reid of the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy, who reported that implementation of the Kentucky Agriculture Economic Development Board created by Senate Bill 28 and House Joint Resolution 31 is ahead of schedule. He said the board has been appointed and has met several times, has adopted guidelines and an application process, and has launched its application on the KDA website. He also noted new staffing, including a project manager, and said the office is already working on projects, though some are confidential because of coordination with the Economic Development Cabinet and nondisclosure agreements. Members praised the effort and emphasized the importance of having agriculture represented in economic development work. Reid also described ongoing outreach by Commissioner Jonathan Shell, including farmer appreciation and classroom visits across the state.
The committee then heard from Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corp. executive director Jacob Ball about the Bluegrass Ag Tech Development Corp., a public-private partnership involving Lexington-Fayette, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky, and Altech. They said the organization aims to make Kentucky a national and international hub for ag tech, and that it has already awarded challenge grants to startups. Ball explained that the program focuses on animal protein, nutrition, sustainability, mid-size farm solutions, and Kentucky traditions such as distilling and equine. He reported that two rounds of grants have totaled $925,000, with the first round’s seven companies leveraging that into nearly $7 million in follow-on investment, supporting 56.5 Kentucky jobs and creating more than a dozen new jobs. The presentation also highlighted statewide outreach, including applications and engagement from counties across Kentucky, and the goal of expanding participation in eastern Kentucky.
Members expressed support for both initiatives and discussed the value of agriculture-specific expertise in economic development. Reid said the Department of Agriculture and the Economic Development Cabinet maintain regular communication and that the new board gives agriculture a seat at the table for future site and industry recruitment efforts. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 29th, 2026 at 11:10 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We was awarded to 66 266 programs.
- years be on the initial program year's award.
- So that gives about 3 years to do that year's award.
- The top top left American welding society.
- We said the tech colleges, our partner, we need to create that pipeline from the tech college to Santa
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 29th, 2026 at 11:09 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Montana Hagler, winner of the Milken Educator Award.
- Receiving the Milliken Award. Mr.
- Montana Hagler, winner of the Milken Educator Award.
- And winning this award, the Milken Award, is one of the... only the best of the best teachers win it.
- Go visit New Mexico Tech. New Mexico Tech. They're up in the rotunda.
Keywords:
nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 8th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Those programs that have been awarded increase in that capacity by nearly 300%.
- Those programs that have been awarded increase in that capacity by nearly 300%.
- colleges and tech centers, as well as our Florida College System institutions.
- And that's on top of the previous year's 6% increase. So think about that.
- That's on top of the previous year's 6% increase. So think about that.
Summary:
The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system.
Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit.
South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Sep 22nd, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead of top-down, it's reiterative.
- of top-down.
- Three of them are UNM, NMSU, and Tech. Navajo Tech is doing amazing.
- Now, the third award is called SPARC, and that's a true seed award.
- Proposals, and we'll be awarding more of them. So as and when we award these, we'll be updating it.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So who are we in the Texas Tech system?
- The one thing that makes Tech...
- Tech has been unique in that.
- I was impressed at Texas Tech.
- We will move on to Texas Tech Health Science Center and call up Lori Spearman, president of Texas Tech
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Federal grants have been awarded to some of these Alabama counties to teach this.
- Would local school boards determine if they award elective credit? Yes.
Keywords:
Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, STEM, science education, technology education, engineering education, math education, workforce development, career pathways, Alabama STEM Council, Department of Workforce, education policy, higher education, community colleges, K-12 education, teacher pipeline, STEM careers
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 27th, 2026 at 04:11 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- You'll see that's on the top part of this table.
- We've seen awards sort of fluctuate.
- I do want to just brag on New Mexico Tech because New Mexico Tech has an above-average graduation rate
- That cost New Mexico Tech $120,000.
- However, all awards for TEF have been made.
Keywords:
high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Econ. Dev., Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- opportunities in that space, and let's also put energies and resources behind betting on those high-tech
- winners like agri-tech, aerospace, you name it.
- on the things that they are doing while we also are cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship from top
- on those high-tech winners like agretech<00:03:15.920>
Aerospace <00:03:16.920>you <00: - to bottom so Entrepreneurship from top to bottom so that's<00:03:49.799>
our <00:03:50.000>
Keywords:
00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call
00:34 Economic Development Cabinet
27:51 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers.
Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties.
The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- and recognize all of his achievements over the span of his career serving as the coach at Arkansas Tech
- All of his achievements over the span of his career serving as the coach at Arkansas Tech University
- One of her awards that she received was the Service Above Self Award, which really speaks to her character
- candy store in Arkansas, and as the top fifth... ...national recognition as the top candy store in Arkansas
- and as the top fifth candy store in the United States.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:30 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Yet, on top of all that, the state says you must also prove yourself again.
- Current Oklahoma law provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers at public colleges and career tech for
- Members of PCS was put in place just to kind of put up some extra criteria for career techs that may
- Because all of the schools would be top-notch, so I would encourage you to vote no on this and let's
Bills:
HB3674, HB4326, HB4331, HB3029, HB2963, HB3551, HB2973, HB3019, HB3461, HB2961, HB3261, HB3759, HB3429, HB3069, HB3372, HB3705
Keywords:
school resource officer, sexual assault training, law enforcement training, CLEET, school safety, mental health, continuing education, HB4326, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, Oklahoma's Promise, scholarship, tuition assistance, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, eligibility expansion, adopted students, foster care, DHS custody, child-placing agency, tribal custody
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Rural Health Transformation Committee Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So the award itself... The award itself: $198.9 million.
- And this is tech, data, and providers.
- You can look at the first year and see that the award year starts on 12/29/25, and the award year ends
- So this is a different award than what our normal awards are.
- On top of that, we have to do federal reporting.
Summary:
The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an extensive briefing from the Department of Health and Human Services on North Dakota’s federal Rural Health Transformation award. HHS leaders Pat Traynor, Donna Auckland, Jonathan Ollum, and Krista Freming described the $198.9 million award, the tight federal timelines for obligating and liquidating funds, and the need for rapid procurement, CMS approval, and technical assistance. They outlined broad funding priorities including connect tech/data, care closer to home, workforce recruitment and retention, and a “Make North Dakota Healthy Again” prevention initiative focused on chronic disease, movement, nutrition, behavioral health, and community connection. They also emphasized that the program cannot fund new buildings or supplant existing funding, and that sustainability will be a key requirement for all projects.
The department previewed likely first-round grant opportunities, including recruitment and retention incentives, technical assistance and equipment grants for rural providers, financial analysis support for rural hospitals, and exploration of a unified electronic health record option. Freming also reviewed four policy bills tied to the award: a presidential fitness test, nutrition continuing medical education, the Physician Assistant Compact, and pharmacist scope-of-practice changes, explaining that these policy actions affect future scoring and funding. HHS said it will work with tribes, local public health, hospitals, medical and pharmacy associations, and other partners, and will use a website, listserv, listening sessions, and committee updates to communicate opportunities.
Committee members raised concerns about how the money will reach rural residents, whether newspapers and existing local communication networks will be used, how “rural” and “frontier” will be defined, how faith communities might participate in behavioral health efforts, and how HHS will avoid CMS delays and supplanting issues. HHS responded that the focus will be on where the patient lives and on rural community need, that local public health units and existing structures will be part of outreach, and that technical assistance and template applications will help speed approvals. The committee approved the December 4, 2025 minutes, then recessed into divisions for further work on the appropriations bill and the four policy bills, with the full committee set to reconvene the next morning.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jul 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- To your exact point, especially when we're dealing with what we call hard tech, deep tech, it's a lot
- At Roadrunner, we focus on deep tech, hard tech. It takes a lot of money to build these devices.
- Great things about the Advanced Energy Award was that it marked a dramatic increase in the award amount
- We are a national semi-finalist for that Award.
- So we were awarded a tech hub in conjunction with Colorado and Wyoming last year, and we're semi-finalists
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 10th, 2025 at 08:35 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So that's on top of the $15 million they have already received a 3% increase.
- I could have the same conversation about tech and what they're doing in there.
- On top of that, we have adult education programs.
- Last year, we awarded over 12.
- OK, so top 10, which is great. Very strong.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Those programs that have been awarded increase in that capacity by nearly 300%.
- Those programs that have been awarded increase in that capacity by nearly 300%.
- colleges and tech centers, as well as our Florida College System institutions.
- programs, the top seven, where you can see who's using those and where they're going.
- And that's on top of the previous year's 6% increase. So think about that.
Summary:
The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs.
Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later.
Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Nov 12th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- First of all, let me tell you about New Mexico Tech.
- I've been at New Mexico Tech now for nine months.
- But at New Mexico Tech at the moment, we have over 18 million dollars in grants that we were awarded
- Means is new tech considers, we suggest new regulations.
- That's new tech.