Video & Transcript : 'educational outreach' :

Page 53 of 500
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jul 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also think that our partnerships with adult education, so The individualized education and training
  • And that's probably thanks to the investments in early childhood education.
  • harder for our educators.
  • And so that's what was really that kind of grassroots outreach.
  • So it's an ongoing outreach.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Three years ago, the House passed House Bill 299, which established education about Alzheimer's disease
  • and education.
  • It will promote care provider education in partnership with the Department of Health to improve care
  • and digital advertising, social media and public events, and include statewide mobile in-person outreach
  • Specifically, it brings in the disciplines of education, healthcare, employment, and housing services
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It really has been well attended, and we hope that the outreach will also get folks there this year.
  • As AI continues to rapidly shape education, employment, health care, and everyday life, we believe it
  • So that direct outreach to business owners and to community members has meant more service-disabled,
  • You're supporting employers and educating them.
  • I'm also thinking about your outreach to disability organizations as they have a roster of employers
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions. The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.
OR
Transcript Highlights:
  • and outreach on hazards.
  • and outreach hazards.
  • partners, provide surge personnel, deliver risk messaging to vulnerable populations, and support outreach
  • partners, provide surge personnel, deliver risk messaging to vulnerable populations, and support outreach
  • We have an education team where we provide free educational workshops and materials.
Keywords: 907, all
Summary: The committee met for a series of information sessions focused on housing stabilization, rental assistance, senior housing, and heat resilience. In the first panel, OHCS and NOAA described the state’s affordable housing preservation work, including the $35 million in 2025 stabilization funding used to reduce debt and keep distressed affordable rental projects operating, plus manufactured home park preservation efforts. OHCS said the portfolio remains under strain, with about a third of projects at debt coverage ratios of 1.0 or less and rising insurance and operating costs. NOAA urged faster closings on the stabilization awards, more funding in 2027, and broader rent assistance and process reforms. Committee members asked about the gap between current appropriations and need, and OHCS explained that the new Article 11-Q bond preservation program is structured differently and requires full refinancing rather than simple cash infusions. The committee then heard a detailed discussion of the state’s eviction prevention and rental assistance program, ORDAP. OHCS said the program is administered through community action agencies, prioritizes households at imminent risk of eviction, and is now funded at a much lower level than in the prior biennium, reducing expected service to about 8,200 households this biennium. The Oregon Law Center, a county community action agency, and Multifamily Northwest all agreed the program prevents homelessness and is effective, but they differed on whether assistance should be tied so closely to eviction court. Legal aid and community action witnesses said the current system is underfunded and that eviction filings are the clearest indicator of need, while Multifamily Northwest argued the process can push people into court unnecessarily and should be moved earlier when possible. Legislators raised questions about whether a pre-eviction model could be developed and about the costs of court involvement; one member shared a personal story about how rental assistance helped keep their family housed. Next, the governor’s office, OHCS, and OHA presented on the new senior housing initiative and healthy homes work. The governor’s housing director said Oregon is making progress on homelessness and housing production, with reductions in homelessness outside Multnomah County and an estimated 50,000 future units added to the pipeline through recent state actions. OHCS outlined the senior housing programs launched in May: a debt-financing program using elderly and disabled bond authority, an older adult housing development program funded through the senior property tax deferral revolving account, and a rehousing program for older adults that will use bridge funding and services to move at least 400 unsheltered older Oregonians into housing. OHA also described its Healthy Homes Grant Program, including $24.6 million already awarded, a new $5 million grant round for seniors and people with disabilities, and examples of home repairs and weatherization that help people remain safely housed. The final information session focused on home cooling and heat resilience. OHA presented data showing rising extreme heat days, more heat-related emergency visits, and likely undercounted heat deaths, especially among older adults, people with disabilities, low-income communities, and people without access to healthy homes. ODOE reviewed implementation of Senate Bill 1536, including a cooling needs study that found 58% of surveyed households in the studied housing types needed permanent cooling, with estimated statewide costs of $582 million to $1 billion. ODOE said its rental home heat pump and community heat pump programs have supported 4,638 installations so far, with a temporary reopening planned using remaining funds. The session ended with a remote presentation from a Community Action Partnership of Oregon representative, continuing the discussion of how community action agencies help deliver energy and anti-poverty services.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Wed Apr 16, 2025 @ 1:15 PM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • which requests the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to collaborate with relevant agencies for outreach
  • And so having this collaboration with other agencies that would promote more initiatives and outreach
  • to educate and prepare our kupuna would be definitely important for future preparation.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on April 16 in Conference Room 430 and considered a single measure, SCR 22, which asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work with relevant agencies on outreach programs to help kupuna prepare for emergencies. The committee noted it had previously heard a similar HCR on the same topic. AARP Hawaii testified in strong support, saying older adults are often disproportionately affected in major disasters and that coordinated outreach and education for kupuna is important. Written testimony in support was also received from the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, B. Redi Manoa, the Kanioha Kaaulu Community Emergency Response Team, and one individual. There was no opposition or questions from members. The chair recommended passage of the resolution as is, and the committee voted to adopt it, with members present voting aye and several members excused. The meeting then adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • and other political subdivisions, school districts, and the state's public institutions of higher education
  • and other political subdivisions, school districts, and the state's public institutions of higher education
  • education for employers and employees alike.
  • Effective strategy would involve outreach and education for employers and employees alike.
  • There's no statutory requirement for the AG to invest in education outreach.
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2091, a collective bargaining measure that would require state agencies and other employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act to provide unions with employee contact and job information similar to what other public employers already must share. The sponsor and union witnesses said the bill would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication with represented employees; no one testified in opposition during the hearing portion shown. Action on the bill was deferred. The committee then moved to House Bill 2264, which would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to qualify for unemployment insurance if the separation results from that plan. The sponsor and a member described it as a narrow fix to clarify eligibility and reduce disputes. After brief supportive testimony, the committee voted 9-0 to report the bill out with a due pass recommendation. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers of their right to choose a provider, limit employer steering, speed utilization review, allow more flexibility from treatment guidelines, and change rules for reopening or continuing treatment on certain claims. Supporters, including injured workers, unions, attorneys, firefighters, and a psychiatrist, argued the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries said the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, raise costs, and create uncertainty. No final action was taken in the portion shown. The committee also heard House Bill 2105, as a proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice or results, limit voluntary access to certain records without a subpoena or warrant, require workplace postings, and create enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters said the bill would provide due process, transparency, and protection for immigrant workers; opponents, especially small business and agricultural groups, warned of conflicts with federal law, burdensome notice requirements, and severe penalties. The hearing continued with additional testimony, and no vote was taken in the excerpt provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Do we need to do targeted outreach? Do we need to change our scoring criteria?
  • Our proposal with BHSA is to continue to fund psychiatry education. In next year.
  • We obviously really are trying to put a lot of effort into outreach and education and prevention and
  • Nurse Midwifery Education Programs Funding. Thank you. Chair Menjivar, excuse me.
  • The formula investment will fund trauma-informed outreach and education done by community health workers
Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 5th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have schools, Medicaid, and higher education.
  • Notice did a heavy, heavy intensive outreach and engagement across the state.
  • I feel like from the presentation you're doing a lot of outreach.
  • Regarding tribal consultation, we have done a lot of tribal outreach.
  • And I can help you with some of that outreach if you need it. Thank you, Madam Chair.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/26/25

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • , referral, and education.
  • , referral, and education.
  • , referral, and education.
  • , referral, and education.
  • , referral, and education.
Keywords: 1183, house
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Feb 5th, 2025

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • interim committee, interim health committee, and one was that even in our institutions of higher education
  • That includes adult education, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Senior Employment Programs
  • Work very closely with their local educational institutions.
  • My main passion is direct street outreach, mainly in the International District.
  • Not every company uses occupation and education.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 17th, 2026 at 09:11 am

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • That one is the education programming component, the SNAP education that is no longer a federal program
  • On line 120, we still have for marketing and educational outreach.
  • So we still need to be there for educational outreach and marketing, so I'd like to flag that one.
  • Higher Education Department.
  • Chair, just on the Hispanic Education Act, the Black Education Act, and the Bilingual Education Act not
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council 5/27/26

Transcript Highlights:
  • Cara has a passion for public education and outreach focused on the long-term health and sustainable
  • </c><00:05:07.520><c> and</c> a passion for public education and a passion for public education and outreach
  • </c> So we attachment B1 is um outreach So we attachment B1 is um outreach expenses<01:53:48.960><c>
  • This was an education process. >> Fair enough.
  • </c> an education process. an education process. &gt;&gt; Fair<02:41:03.439><c> enough.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-10 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • be entitled an act relating to the linking industry to nursing education fund.
  • be entitled an act relating to the linking industry to nursing education fund.
  • When we debate public education, a child's future is being shaped.
  • We educate our children and provide for We choose our own leaders, we educate our children, and provide
  • Education, understanding, and not banning conversations about who we are.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Mar 16th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Her role is to educate, advocate, and offer transparency. Recovery legislation.
  • Annalisa Gonzalez-Ortega is a first-generation Mexican-American educator, becoming her own advocate.
  • Telma Boak is a Beriesa Union School Board trustee and has been a lifelong educator for more than 40
  • Overseeing all food distribution and outreach services for the homeless.
  • Regina Donahue is a retired educator and corporate secretary for the Mary R.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through routine procedural business. A motion to suspend the rules for AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, failed on a 43-16 vote. The body then proceeded to the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. The main floor action centered on House Resolution 81 recognizing Women’s History Month. Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from several caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the contributions of women in California history and current public life, as well as ongoing issues such as violence, discrimination, wage gaps, and representation. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 74 coauthors, and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also held a lengthy Women of the Year ceremony, recognizing honorees from across the state for community service, advocacy, education, health care, public safety, housing, labor, and civic leadership. Later, the Assembly took up ACR 153 designating March as Irish Heritage Month. Members spoke about Irish American history, immigration, labor, public service, and California’s ties to Ireland. The resolution received 70 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved consent calendar items, including AB 1597 and AB 1549, both by 69-0 votes. The Assembly announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Families and Children.(2-24-26)

Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:
  • 10:27.600><c> health</c> provide greater outreach to health provide greater outreach to health departments
  • </c><00:19:58.240><c> aspect</c> those inmates and the educational aspect those inmates and the educational
  • You know, I'm a strong believer that education begins at birth.
  • You know, I'm a strong believer that education begins at birth.
  • You know, I'm a strong believer that education begins at birth.
Keywords: 958, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 31st, 2026

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Changes to a primary system will require a fair amount of voter outreach to educate them on the new system
  • Changes to a primary system will require a fair amount of voter outreach to educate them on the new system
  • Be necessary to educate voters as part of this process.
  • education.
  • My view is that the primary election is the education of the voter.
Bills: H5001
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • , education, and engagement.
  • , education, and engagement.
  • ..especially while they're playing in physical education, within the schools.
  • That is something that motivates me to continue with my education.
  • with my own education and be able to help my own people.
Keywords: 988, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:10:24.800><c> in</c> visit um this week for a um education in visit um this week for a um education
  • And we're mainly here for education purposes.
  • And we're mainly here for education purposes.
  • And we're mainly here for education purposes.
  • We'd love to outreach Eastern Kentucky.
Keywords: 958, all
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.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-10 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • be entitled: An act relating to the linking industry to nursing education fund.
  • be entitled: An act relating to the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund.
  • When we debate public education, a child's future is being shaped.
  • We educate our children and provide for we choose our own leaders, we educate our children, and provide
  • Education, understanding, and not banning conversations about who we are about.
Keywords: 998, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Dec 9th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • This brief is a follow-up to the 2025 Early Child Educate Area...
  • Our outreach to encourage registered homes is... in expansion projects.
  • Our outreach to encourage registered homes is working.
  • And it's pretty Republican in education to do a voucher system.
  • Moving on to a summary of higher education. Thank you.
Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.