Video & Transcript Research : 'Duluth Promise'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/26/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the first is a location that Family Promise wanted to purchase in order to build family temporary
- So, the first is a location that Family Promise wanted to purchase in order to build family temporary
- Unfortunately, the council voted down the necessary zoning change and therefore Family Promise had to
- And then my second testifier is David Fry, executive director of Family Promise, which I spoke about
- I am the executive director for Family Promise in Inoka County.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Developers come to a small or rural community with full promises of permanent jobs and the promise of
- <00:15:37.920>
full small or rural community with full small or rural community with full promises - of permanent jobs and the promises of permanent jobs and the promise<00:15:40.480>
of <00:15:40.600 - of property tax and in exchange promise of property tax and in exchange the<00:15:42.920>
city - <00:15:45.520>
water the city signs an NDA and promises water the city signs an NDA and promises
Keywords:
municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations
Summary:
The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register.
Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets.
Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:06:51.720>
process <00:06:52.319>on <00:06:52.560>its <00:06:52.800>promise - <00:06:53.680>
to deliver on its process on its promise to deliver on its process on its promise - Without it, many promising projects could face delays or cancellation, setting Minnesota’s transition
- And then would that $5 million just disappear because it's already been promised? Right?
- right and so that money just promised right and so that money just doesn't<01:13:03.040>
get <
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session B Jan 28th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I've always made a promise to myself that I'll read every bill that I will vote on, and I sat last night
- President Reagan articulated that vision As a shining city on a hill, a beacon of promise to the world
- , to continue that fight and to achieve something that we've promised, which is the American dream.
- Executive orders, promising to do mass deportation, make our people safer, work with law enforcement.
- You promise? Promise.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of an amended joint proclamation expanding the Legislature’s immigration agenda. The proclamation added items calling for financial penalties for government officials, enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law. The chamber then took up the special order calendar, beginning with Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill.
Most of the meeting was devoted to debate and questions on the strike-all amendment to SB 2B. Sponsor Senator Gruters described the bill as a broad immigration enforcement package aligned with President Trump’s agenda. He said it would require greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, strengthen participation in the 287(g) program, create a chief immigration officer and council, authorize financial penalties for noncompliance, provide bonuses for officers assisting ICE, and direct information-sharing with federal agencies. He also said the bill would bar DHSMV from issuing licenses or ID cards to unauthorized aliens and would end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Berman, Osgood, and others questioned the scope of the bill, whether it would affect schools, churches, cities, nonprofits, and green-card holders, and how the 287(g) provisions would work in practice. Gruters repeatedly said the operational focus was on jails and detention facilities, not street-level enforcement.
A major point of controversy was the bill’s proposed mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of certain capital offenses. Senator Fine said the covered crimes were the most serious capital felonies, including murder, child sexual battery, destructive-device offenses causing death, and certain trafficking offenses, and argued the provision was intended to withstand constitutional challenge. Senator Pizzo raised Eighth Amendment concerns and questioned whether the bill could mandate death sentences. The tuition waiver provisions also drew extended debate: Fine said the state would save about $41 million by ending discounted tuition for undocumented students, while Democrats argued the savings would not return to general revenue and that the policy would harm students who are already enrolled. Fine and Gruters said green-card holders would not be affected and that the bill targeted only students in the country illegally.
The discussion also covered appropriations and implementation. Senator Smith asked about the bill’s large funding levels, and Fine broke down the spending as including $375 million for the chief immigration officer, $100 million in grants to local law enforcement, $29 million for the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement, and $10 million for an unauthorized-alien transport program. Gruters said the funds would reimburse local governments and help address staffing shortages, while critics questioned the lack of benchmarks and the fiscal impact. No final vote or disposition on the bill appears in the transcript excerpt.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Opening Day Wed Jan 15, 2025, 10:00AM HST - Day 1
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- What I can promise you is that the House Majority will conduct itself honorably, give tireless effort
- , and hold to an unwavering promise to our children and our children's children that Hawaiʻi will always
- our upcoming session and I can promise our upcoming session and I can promise you<02:36:14.319><
- you is that the year what I can promise you is that the House<02:36:19.080>
Majority <02:36:19.840 - hold to<02:36:25.359>
an <02:36:25.560>unwavering to an unwavering to an unwavering promise
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:53.320>
of <00:15:53.400>what know, there's not a promising of what know, there's - not a promising of what the<00:15:53.640>
grocery <00:15:54.200>stores <00:15:55.200> accountable to the taxpayer, to promise accountable to the taxpayer, to promise them<00:42:33.560- This bill, they said, is one of the ways we can be accountable to the taxpayer and promise that the money
- <00:42:31.760>
the <00:42:31.840>taxpayer, <00:42:32.800>to <00:42:32.920>promise
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3603, and Representative Olson first offered and had adopted an A1 author’s amendment. Olson then explained that the bill would direct the Commissioner of Children, Youth and Families to seek a USDA waiver allowing Minnesota to bar SNAP purchases of items subject to state sales tax, such as prepared foods, chips, soft drinks, and candy. He argued the goal was to promote healthier nutrition, noted that other states have similar waivers, and said the change could help Minnesota qualify for significant federal rural health care funding.
Public testimony was divided. Patrick Garofalo of the Minnesota Grocers Association opposed the bill, saying SNAP is a supplemental program and that the proposal would be difficult to administer at retail stores, create confusion, and expose retailers to serious penalties for mistakes. He argued the state tax code is not a nutrition standard and pointed out inconsistencies, such as some candy-like products still being taxable or some healthy items being treated as prepared food. Will Hagen of Minnesota Retailers also opposed the bill, warning it would require costly point-of-sale changes, retraining, and would turn store employees into enforcers while creating cross-border shopping problems. Matt Schmidt of the American First Policy Institute supported the concept, saying SNAP should emphasize nutrition and that restricting unhealthy purchases would reduce taxpayer subsidies for junk food and soda.
Members then debated the bill’s logic and practicality, including questions about which snacks would or would not be allowed under the tax-based standard. Representative Sencer-Mura offered an H2 amendment, framed as applying the same restrictions to legislators’ own per diem spending; Representative Hansen responded that the comparison was not equivalent and raised concerns about household circumstances and accessibility. The H2 amendment was put to a vote and did not prevail. The committee then continued member discussion on the bill.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So we categorized it as a promising level of evidence.
- The $500 is rooted in the actual New Mexico Appleseed pilot, which found some initial promising outcomes
- Presenters, is there a scenario where we may consider adding funding based upon promising results to
- I would say we also defer to you all as legislators, in terms of if you're seeing promising results from
- able to see how those dollars, including the budget, are working for them when they are breaking promises
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on S.F. 1832 - Jobs and Labor Omnibus - 05/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Online 102 for the Promise Act uh627.
- Online 102 for the Promise Act grants<00:13:41.839>
uh <00:13:42.000>a <00:13:42.240> - These sections provide administrative clarifications for administration of the Promise Act loan and grant
- 28.000>
and <00:43:28.240>grant <00:43:29.000>programs <00:43:30.000>on promise - act loan and grant programs on promise act loan and grant programs on R72<00:43:31.520>
Senate
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- I promise it'll be a softball one.
- Is that a promise or a threat?” “Yeah. A promise.” “Promise. I promise.” “Okay.
- Is that a promise or a threat?” “Yeah. A promise.” “Members, any questions?
- Just go ahead and point out, because I have promised the members we're going to get it down before 10
Bills:
HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984
Keywords:
digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending.
In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-02-13 (12:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I told them and I promised them that I would do everything I could to protect them and to ensure
- And to those students at the Winter Park High School ROTC program that I made a promise to.
- These are students who have had the incredible opportunity to call Florida home, and we made a promise
- These are students who have had the incredible opportunity to call Florida home, and we made a promise
- we made 10 years ago is a promise that we plan to keep.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, quorum call, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rules and Ethics Committee special order report for February 13, 2025 was adopted, setting the day’s special order calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up immigration-related special order items, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C, which urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. Members debated federal immigration policy and state cooperation with DHS, and the memorial passed 85-27.
The House next considered Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses related to unlawful entry and reentry into Florida and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, including Supremacy Clause, due process, and Eighth Amendment concerns, and several speakers argued it would create separate classes of people and invite litigation. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow or expand exemptions, including protections for Venezuelans on TPS, certain Haitian TPS and humanitarian parole recipients, undocumented people brought to Florida as children working in critical professions, and a proposal to delay action pending court rulings; all of those amendments were rejected. The bill passed 85-29.
The chamber then took up Senate Bill 2C, which would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establish a local law enforcement immigration grant program and advisory council, repeal the undocumented-student fee waiver, and appropriate more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as supporting cooperation with federal immigration agencies and ending the in-state tuition incentive for undocumented students. Early questioning focused on the impact on “dreamers” and whether the bill would effectively raise their tuition costs; the sponsor said it removed the incentive of in-state tuition but did not bar attendance. The transcript cuts off during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 1920 addresses a small but significant issue in the California College Promise Program.
- Under current law, students receiving the Promise fee waiver can lose their eligibility if they earn
- That promise is why I'm here today.
- And my promise to her was that I would work for the rest of my life to help find a cure for ALS.
- Part of the promise of Proposition 64 was creating a legal cannabis market where products are sold safely
Summary:
The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, completed the prayer and pledge, and then held a lengthy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support of HR 107, emphasizing AAPI contributions, resilience, and the need to oppose hate and discrimination. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 observance, including community leaders, educators, advocates, business leaders, and cultural institutions.
After guest introductions, the Assembly took up the Daily File and passed a series of measures, including AB 2050 on HOA reserve funding, AB 2106 on lawsuits involving licensed design professionals, AB 1794 on direct home delivery of enteral formula, AB 1829 on CalWORKs-related student aid, AB 2038 extending wildfire insurance moratorium protections, AB 2281 on election cybersecurity, AB 2448 on protecting sensitive medical information, AB 2568 on water district board compensation, and AB 1658 on county public contract change-order authority. Most of these bills passed with broad support, though AB 2050, AB 2038, and AB 2448 drew some no votes.
The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and election administration, after a contentious floor debate over election trust, voter access, and decorum. Additional measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including AB 2125 on notice in water-rights adjudications, AB 2784 on State Bar fees, AB 1614 on e-bike passenger restrictions, AB 2503 on high school heat safety guidelines, AB 1703 on osteopathic title protections, AB 1920 on community college Promise eligibility, AB 1999 on veterinary workforce and animal shelter care, and ACR 123 recognizing Duan Wu Jie. The chamber then began consideration of ACR 189 designating May 2026 as Foster Youth Awareness Month, with supportive remarks from members, before the transcript cuts off.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 1920 addresses a small but significant issue in the California College Promise Program.
- Under current law, students receiving the Promise fee waiver can lose their eligibility if they earn
- That promise is why I'm here today.
- And my promise to her was... I couldn't talk to her, because she died in the middle of the night.
- Part of the promise of Proposition 64 was creating a legal cannabis market where products are sold safely
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service.
After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously.
The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session May 5th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Peterson, there are over 7,000 promises in the Bible, and the one that I like to count on every
- but we're trying to ensure first and foremost that a child will be always eligible for Oklahoma's promise
- off on the first three years of that math requirement so the child can be eligible for Oklahoma's promise
- high school in math and science make them and continue to allow them to be eligible for Oklahoma's promise
- We want to ensure again that the first three years allow the kid to remain eligible for Oklahoma's Promise
Bills:
SR44, HCR1027, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53, HB1185, HB1937, HB2035, HB2137, HB2166, HB3148, HB3323, HB3466, HB3498, HB3661, HB3678, HB3710, HB3977, HB3986, HB4104, HB4108, HB4142, HB4191, HB4274, HB4275, HB4322, HB4336, HB4484, HB3880, HB1687, HB3673, HB1170, HB2959, HB3718, HB3021, HB3443, HB3501, HB4143, HB4326, HB2992, HB3660, SB171, SB1325, SB1980, SB2045, HB4422, HB4423
Keywords:
Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 097 Apr 21st, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As everyone knows, RTD has not fulfilled many of its promises made to voters over the past 25 years.
- all know, has not fulfilled many of we all know, has not fulfilled many of its<00:43:21.360>
promises - made to voters over the its promises made to voters over the past<00:43:23.600>
25 <00:43:24.080 - Numerous unfulfilled promises across the district for RTD lines that communities have paid for are still
- Urge an I vote. unfulfilled promises across the district unfulfilled promises across the district for
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received messages from the House on several bills and conference committee matters. The House concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 1305, 1373, and 1406, repassing them as amended, and requested conference committees on a number of other bills. The Senate also noted several bills and resolutions as correctly engrossed or revised.
On the consent calendar, the Senate passed House Bill 1110 on protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation, Senate Bill 78 on higher education administration and data-sharing changes, and Senate Bill 151 on PERA modifications. Senators Carson, Seymour Wilson, Baisley, Rich, and Liston asked to be recorded as no votes on SB 151, which passed 29-5. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 6 on parity for non-opioid pain management drugs; Senator Mallicoat opposed it as costly and too restrictive, while Senator Weisman and Senator Baisley supported it as a response to the opioid crisis. SB 6 passed 29-5. Senate Bill 15 on commercial sexual activity with a child and Senate Bill 101 on landfill methane emission compliance both passed unanimously.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 159 on early parole procedures for youthful offenders by a 22-12 vote, and Senate Bill 158 on youthful offender parole procedures by a 23-11 vote. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of bills, beginning with House Bill 1071 on local governments placing automated vehicle identification systems on interstate highways. Amendments addressing privacy and local safety concerns were adopted, and the bill was approved. The committee then considered Senate Bill 150, a major RTD governance reform bill. Supporters said it would reduce the board size, add expertise, preserve elected representation, and respond to long-standing RTD performance problems; opponents raised concerns about appointed members, labor-seat conflicts, and whether voters should approve the changes. Multiple amendments were adopted, including changes to board term limits, public finance expertise, conflict-of-interest recusal, a future review after 15 years, and districting/petition provisions. One amendment requiring a ballot referral before the board changes was debated, with the sponsor urging a no vote and another senator arguing for asking the voters first.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- oppression and joins in the hope for free and fair elections to finally arrive in Cambodia, as was promised
- They rebuilt their lives in Lowell, bringing with them resilience, hope, and a deep belief in the promise
- This is our chance to reclaim the promise of self-government. Let us seize it.
- Your support of H. 3888 represents a critical step toward reclaiming the promise of limited government
- , government that is truly by Step toward reclaiming the promise of limited government, government that
Summary:
The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia.
Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books.
A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Nov 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Canyon, brings together state, county, and community partners committed to delivering this long-promised
- Out of that healing came a promise: never again.
- Never again would their sacrifices be ignored and promises to them quietly set aside.
- Yet there is one promise still unfulfilled for our Orange County veterans: a final resting place in the
- This is the promise we owe our heroes, and in the section for peace officers and firefighters, we pay
Summary:
The hearing focused on the long-delayed Southern California Veterans Cemetery project at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim, with opening remarks from Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Tom Umberg, and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia emphasizing the project’s importance to Orange County veterans and families. Anaheim city leaders, including the mayor pro tem and council members, voiced strong support and described the city’s role in planning, utilities, and final approvals. Quirk-Silva reviewed the project history, including prior legislation, county and state funding commitments, and the recent federal determination that the site meets VA criteria for a state veterans cemetery.
The first panel, representing the veterans community, included the American Legion, American Gold Star Mothers, and Valor. They argued that Orange County—home to a large veteran population—still lacks a local veterans cemetery, forcing families to travel long distances to Riverside or elsewhere. Testimony stressed the emotional and practical burden on aging veterans and grieving families, and called for immediate action and possession of the property. Some speakers were sharply critical of CalVet and the pace of the process, saying veterans have waited too long and that the project should move forward without further delay.
The second panel, from Orange County, described the county’s and cemetery district’s support and the unique opportunity to develop a shared site for a public cemetery and a separate state veterans cemetery. County officials said the county has dedicated land and funding, and that shared infrastructure—roads, utilities, grading, and access—could reduce costs substantially if the two projects are coordinated. They also said the county is ready to transfer the property to CalVet when appropriate and that the project has already cleared major local approvals and litigation.
The final panel from DGS and CalVet explained the state’s feasibility study and current planning work. DGS said the 2023 study estimated the state’s portion of phase one at about $126 million, largely driven by site work and grading, though that estimate may change as assumptions are updated. CalVet said it is working with DGS and the county on a revised concept plan to lower costs and refine the timeline, and that legislative budget action will be needed to authorize spending from the Southern California Veterans Cemetery fund. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational, and the main action was continued coordination among the state, county, city, and veterans groups, with public comment at the end overwhelmingly urging faster construction.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- These are promising signs that some colleges were able to use the earnings to hire additional faculty
- shows how colleges are increasing their budgets for nursing, education, and social work, signaling a promising
- It is promising to see that the 2021-22 academic year undergraduate enrollment in social work programs
- We have about 40 minutes, so I'll give you five minutes if you promise to stay within that time.
- But I'm wondering, do any of you know if Presbyterian has kept that promise that they would continue
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not just our slogan; it's a promise. We need help fulfilling that promise.
- critical step in ensuring that every child receives the education they deserve. has access to the full promise
- The House version of House Bill 2 gives ...us a path forward to keep the promise to our teachers, our
- Our kids deserve full funding, and Governor Abbott promised us full funding.
- raise the basic allotment and restore local control. ...And now that vouchers have passed, keep your promise
Bills:
HB2
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There's this promise of money coming in. It's not guaranteed; it may come through.
- The promise of the money is still a little bit better than not getting it at all because a year from
- In terms of labor negotiations, obviously the negotiators are looking at that promise of the money. .
- So, we only count the money we have in the bank that comes with a promise that we know is going to be
- When the UCOP budget goes down, these programs will be impacted, I promise you.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-26 (3:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- amendment restores that commitment and reverts the age back to 21 so we can continue to honor the promise
- to those families and honor what we promise to the citizens of Florida.
- I'm urging you to keep your promise to this state, keep your promise to the families in Parkland, and
- I'm urging you to keep your promise to this state, keep your promise to the families in Parkland, and
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations.
Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins.
The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.