Video & Transcript Research : 'algorithmic discrimination'
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CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 036 Feb 19th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- doctorate, she led Aurora's community relations department and developed programs that addressed discrimination
- :28.880>
addressed developed programs that addressed developed programs that addressed discrimination - <00:39:30.960>
strengthened <00:39:31.440>cultural discrimination strengthened cultural - discrimination strengthened cultural understanding<00:39:32.720>
and <00:39:33.040>supported
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the corrected journal from February 17, 2026, and then moved into third reading. Members passed several bills on final passage: HB 1013, concerning landlord use of ratio utility billing systems; HB 1064, modifying the youthful offender system; HB 1076, making transportation-related statutory changes; HB 1067, allowing use of the diseased livestock indemnity fund to address livestock health threats; HB 1042, concerning dry needling by occupational therapists; and HB 1025, exempting auctioneers from certain requirements of the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act. Vote totals were recorded for each, with HB 1042 and HB 1025 passing unanimously and the others passing by varying margins, including HB 1067 at 58-1 and HB 1076 at 40-19. Co-sponsors were then invited to add their names to the adopted bills.
During announcements, members highlighted upcoming committee hearings and events. Judiciary, Education, Health and Human Services, Transportation/Housing/Local Government, Finance, Statutory Revision, and Capital Development committees all announced meetings and bill agendas. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups, including Adams 12 Stargate, Emily Griffith Technical College, and Slavens Elementary fourth graders, as well as a Chaparral High School AP government class. There were also announcements about the Aerospace and Defense Caucus, Aerospace Day at the Capitol, and a Colorado Housing Coalition reception.
Several members made brief remarks honoring people and observances, including a detailed tribute to Barbara Shannon Banister for her civil rights and community leadership in Aurora, and a statement marking the first day of Ramadan and encouraging members to visit local mosques and participate in iftar events. At the end of the session, the majority leader moved to lay over the balance of the calendar until February 19, 2026, and the House agreed without objection. The House then stood in recess until later that day.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As a result, it is unlawful for the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against any person
- Although SB 329 was an important step in combating housing discrimination and expanding housing opportunities
- Therefore, while it is now prohibited to discriminate against households with rental assistance, it is
- for tenancy who qualify for or participate in rental assistance programs does not constitute discrimination
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 23, 2025, with a large regular-order agenda and first approved a consent calendar covering many bills. Several measures were then heard individually, with most receiving support from sponsors and stakeholder groups and no formal opposition in the room, though some bills drew respectful opposition or no votes. The committee also read and deemed approved a lengthy suspense calendar before taking up additional bills and public comment.
Among the bills discussed, AB 263 would extend temporary flow regulations on the Smith and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are completed; AB 309 would remove the sunset on pharmacists’ ability to provide sterile syringes without a prescription to support HIV and hepatitis prevention; AB 631 would require animal shelters to post intake and outcome data online; AB 792 would allow consolidation of bargaining for court interpreters; AB 867 would ban cat declawing except when medically necessary; AB 1206 would require pre-approved housing plans for small residential projects; AB 787 would require health plans to better help patients find in-network providers; AB 596 would protect workers’ right to wear face coverings unless unsafe; AB 282 would allow housing providers to prefer voucher holders without violating source-of-income discrimination law; AB 738 would create a limited rebuilding exemption for disaster survivors from newer solar requirements; AB 566 would require browsers and mobile operating systems to make global privacy opt-outs easier; and AB 622 would clarify CDCR’s authority to award credits to people serving indeterminate sentences who complete rehabilitation programming.
Most of these bills were reported out on roll calls, often with bipartisan or limited dissent. AB 309, AB 631, AB 792, AB 867, AB 1206, AB 787, AB 596, AB 282, AB 738, AB 566, and AB 622 all advanced, while AB 263 also moved forward despite opposition from the Siskiyou Board of Supervisors and the California Farm Bureau. AB 622 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters emphasizing rehabilitation, parole-board review, and cost savings, and opponents warning about public safety and the impact on serious violent offenders. The meeting ended after brief public comment on several other bills on the suspense file and then adjournment.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Because the work group should come up with a plan to prevent harassment, intimidation, discrimination
- 21.839>
intimidation, prevent harassment, intimidation, prevent harassment, intimidation, discrimination - c> and<00:09:23.600>
invasion <00:09:24.000>of <00:09:24.160>privacy discrimination - and invasion of privacy discrimination and invasion of privacy for<00:09:24.800>
injured <00:09
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met in a room change and first considered two judicial confirmations. It recommended consent for Governor’s Message 767, confirming Kanoi A.D. Jackson as circuit court judge for the Third Circuit (Hawaii County) for a 10-year term, and the motion was adopted with members voting aye and some members excused. The committee then recommended consent for Judicial Communication 28, confirming Sonia H. Toma as district family court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County) for a 6-year term. The chair noted prior concerns about the nominee, but said staff reviewed court records and found nothing problematic; the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously among those present.
After a brief recess, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 55, which asks the judiciary to convene a working group to study the effectiveness of existing laws on domestic violence, temporary restraining orders, protective orders, and harassment by stalking in preventing continued abuse and harassment. Testimony was generally supportive. The Office of the Public Defender asked to be included on the working group and requested representation from the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence also supported including public defenders and said the effort needs funding to be effective. Other testimony emphasized survivor experiences, privacy concerns, and the need for broader research and protections for injured parties.
The chair recommended passing HCR 55 with amendments to include the public defender and a representative from the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, to allow the judiciary authority to add other participants, and to make additional text changes including removing redundant language. The committee voted to adopt the amended recommendation, and the resolution passed with members voting aye and some excused.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Families & Children (3-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And as Rep. said, dementia doesn't discriminate between political parties.
- into assisted living um and as repl said dementia<00:03:46.599>
doesn't <00:03:46.879>discriminate - <00:03:47.400>
between dementia doesn't discriminate between dementia doesn't discriminate
Keywords:
Roll Call – 00:14
Discussion on HB 479 – 00:49
Vote on HB 479 – 09:03
Review of 921 KAR 001:400 Proposed – 09:50
Notice of Half-Year Block Grant Status Reports – 10:08, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, passed over House Bill 291, and took up House Bill 479, an act related to dementia training. Rep. Derek Lewis, joined by Rep. Adriel Camel and Mackenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, explained that the bill would provide free dementia-specific training for Adult Protective Services workers and help them better recognize and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and the needs of people with dementia. Testimony emphasized the personal impact of dementia on families, the difficulty of navigating diagnosis and care, and the need to connect families to services. A senator asked about the bill’s data and scope, and Wallace explained that the county-level figures reflected Adult Protective Services referrals and diagnosed cases of Alzheimer’s or other dementia among people 65 and older. She also noted broader public health efforts related to brain health and a federal grant effort tied to those issues.
Several members spoke in support, including Sen. Denine, who described his father’s recent death after a difficult period with dementia and said the training would help families and workers identify and respond to the disease earlier. After discussion, Sen. Heron moved the bill, the motion was seconded, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass House Bill 479 with favorable expression. The chair said it should pass on the Senate floor.
Afterward, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulation 921 KAR 2:100 and found it reviewed with no questions. A child care block grant item was also presented for information only, with no questions raised. The meeting then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, the chair lays out Senate Bill 2713, Senator Middleton's bill about discrimination and membership
- This is about credit discrimination based on social credit score, credit score, and we...
- This is about credit discrimination based on social credit score, credit score, and we added in this
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs met with a quorum present and took up a series of pending bills, most of them election, ethics, political communications, alcohol, or business-regulation measures. Several bills were amended with committee substitutes before being voted out, including SB 2363 on unlawful publishing of another person’s vote, SB 2044 on political communications/electioneering, SB 2713 on discrimination and membership in professional or trade associations, SB 2337 on proxy advisor transparency, SB 946 on credit discrimination/social credit scores, SB 2334 on storage of alcoholic beverages by an airline permittee, and HB 1130 on cavern-entity liability. Authors generally described the substitutes as clarifying or narrowing changes, such as removing exceptions, adding an affirmative defense, striking the word “organization,” or making technical and definitional revisions.
The committee also advanced SB 2633 on a local option alcohol election, SB 2637 on bots and automated social media posts, SB 2781 on civil penalties related to political contributions and lobbying, SB 2782 on discovery requirements for sworn complaints before the Texas Ethics Commission, SB 3059 concerning the Alamo, SB 1861, SB 1367, SB 945, and SB 2043. In several instances, members recommended bills for the local and uncontested calendars after favorable action. The discussion was largely procedural, with brief bill descriptions and substitute explanations; no extended public testimony is reflected in the transcript.
Most measures were reported favorably to the full Senate, typically by recorded roll call votes of nine or ten ayes and zero or one nay. SB 2363, SB 2713, SB 1861, SB 946, SB 1367, and SB 945 each received one negative vote, while SB 2781, SB 2782, SB 3059, HB 1130, SB 2334, SB 2337, and SB 2043 were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously. After completing the agenda, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to these attacks, our transgender ohana had already faced discrimination across this nation and
- Ohana had already faced discrimination Ohana had already faced discrimination across<00:20:55.039
- , this bill, say no to discrimination, this bill, say no to discrimination, protect<00:21:37.600>
- Gender identity and gender expression are protected categories in Hawaii's non-discrimination law.
- Every ma major non-discrimination law.
Keywords:
accessible parking, disability, kupuna, public accommodations, small business exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, parking permit, blind, deaf, accessibility, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication, emergency services, commercial driver's license, first responders, public safety, authorized emergency vehicle
Summary:
The joint hearing covered House Bill 251, which would require hospitals to report costs associated with Medicare and uninsured patients, and House Bill 1875, which would expand protections for gender-affirming health care services. On HB 251, the Department of Health said it supported the intent but described the bill as complicated and potentially impractical as drafted because the department lacks the expertise to produce the required analyses without outside help. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation echoed those concerns, while the Queen’s Health System said it was willing to work with the department to provide the information. In committee discussion, officials explained that hospital support in Hawaii includes public hospital appropriations and the provider tax program, which uses hospital and nursing home contributions to draw federal matching funds; a department witness estimated the net benefit at about $150 million for hospitals and $20 million for nursing facilities, though exact figures would be provided later.
On HB 1875, the Insurance Division testified with concerns that the bill’s language on prohibited actions by malpractice insurers was broad and vague, and that a rate-increase prohibition could conflict with actuarially based insurance pricing. The division also noted it was not the primary enforcement agency for the statute. In contrast, many testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, PFLAG Oahu, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Democratic Party, and others. Supporters argued that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and protected by privacy and bodily autonomy principles, and that the bill would protect patients and providers from outside political interference. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 10, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- One, any federal or state law, specifically those that prohibit discrimination based on protected status
- It sounds like state-sanctioned discrimination to me, and after hearing the questions and answers from
- When we started dealing with civil rights in the law because discrimination was often based on how people
- Civil rights are protections that were created because discrimination was legal.
- legal protections that ensure individuals are treated equally under the law and protected from discrimination
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 7th, 2025
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- Whether it's a fire or a flood or something else, that natural disaster does not discriminate whether
- security, while also reducing the risk of human trafficking, racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination
- So if you're arrested for prostitution, that prostitution arrest can be used to, um, you know, discriminate
- Discriminate against you in any access to housing, uh, access to another type of job besides prostitution
- , um, you can be discriminated against in child custody issues.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, there was discrimination, too, even in the throes of war.
- These unsung heroes overcame discrimination, their sacrifice long overlooked, and their recognition long
- These unsung heroes overcame discrimination, their sacrifice long overlooked, and their recognition long
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard two resolutions. S.J.R. 14, authored by Senator Gabaldon, urges California’s congressional delegation to support federal legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and Navy Nurse Corps who served in World War II. Brigadier General Ruth Wong testified in strong support, describing the nurses’ frontline service, harsh conditions, discrimination, wartime trauma, and long-overdue recognition. Senators echoed support, noting the nurses’ sacrifices and the importance of honoring their service.
The committee also heard S.J.R. 17, authored by Senator Choi, which honors Republic of Korea veterans who fought alongside American troops in the Vietnam War and later became U.S. citizens. Senator Choi explained that the resolution asks Congress and the President to allow states to extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries without jeopardizing federal cemetery funding. The resolution was presented as a narrow request to recognize allied veterans who served with U.S. forces.
There was no opposition testimony on either measure. Both resolutions were moved and approved by the committee on roll call votes, ultimately passing 5-0 each and being placed on call before final adoption.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- , and earlier I talked about balancing discrimination protections with religious freedoms.
- , and earlier I talked about balancing discrimination protections with religious freedoms.
- Affordable Care acts discrimination Affordable Care acts discrimination protections<01:16:10.719
- <01:16:28.280>
protections balancing discrimination protections balancing discrimination protections - <01:29:31.880>
for protects against discrimination for protects against discrimination for
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232 from prime sponsor Representative Mark Pearson, who said the bill is intended to protect conscience rights for health care professionals and students, especially in relation to abortion and sterilization-related procedures. He argued that protecting ethical objections would help retain and recruit medical workers in New Hampshire, reduce moral injury, and preserve patient access to care. Pearson said the bill is not meant to allow discrimination based on protected characteristics and emphasized that it is limited to objections to specific procedures, with an amendment added to address concerns raised by Chairman Lynn.
Members questioned Pearson closely about the scope of the bill and amendment, including whether it could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers or receptionists, whether a provider could refuse emergency care, and who would determine when an emergency exists. Pearson said the bill does not apply to emergency situations or to treatment after an abortion has already occurred, and he stated that emergency triage would control in obvious emergencies. He also said the intent was not to allow a person to take a job and then unexpectedly refuse duties, and he suggested the amendment could be tweaked to clarify its application to facilities and staff.
Additional questions focused on whether the bill should be broader than the procedures listed, how it would interact with federal conscience protections, and whether it could affect contraception-related services, including pharmacies. Pearson responded that the bill addresses the specific issues raised by people he and his wife had spoken with, and he was open to revising the amendment to reduce ambiguity. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- All it does is allow formerly incarcerated people who feel that they have been discriminated against
- All it does, you already have, the Human Relations Commission already screens discrimination claims.
- I'm like, that's reason to discriminate because I'm not going to hire you.
- And not the movie world discrimination, but. Okay. Yeah.
- So you're not discriminating? No, I mean, I don't care. Money's green. Let's roll.
Summary:
The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote.
The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Meaning if you have this condition or that, we can't discriminate.
- One says we can't discriminate, so either you need to go into that statute and say, notwithstanding the
- non-discrimination statute, we can discriminate here because that's what it is: you're charging different
- statute we can discriminate here because that's what it is you're charging different cost sharing but
- I wasn't going to get up here and say anything about this, but we want to bring up the discrimination
Bills:
HB2176, HB2333, HB2435, HB2447, HB2617, HB2683, HB2686, HB2725, HB2726, HB2906, HB2953, HB2958
Keywords:
health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on several health care bills. HB 2726 would require Access contractors to cover diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a new prescription tongue-stimulation device; supporters said it offers an effective, less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and outcomes, while Access was neutral and raised concerns about cost and bypassing its normal clinical review. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then approved HB 2726 as amended on an 8-4 due-pass vote.
HB 2435 would create a pathway for internationally trained physicians to receive a provisional Arizona medical license, with a later amendment adding a four-year supervised rural practice requirement and automatic conversion to a full license if criteria are met. Supporters argued it would help address severe physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, especially for cardiology and other specialties, and several doctors testified about their experience and the need for more access. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said the state already has a case-by-case licensure process for foreign-trained physicians and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and allow insufficiently vetted applicants. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 as amended on a due-pass recommendation.
HB 2958 would require Access to cover comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 pilot program and reporting requirements. The sponsor and public health advocates said preventive dental care during pregnancy can reduce infections and improve maternal and infant outcomes, and the bill drew broad support from health and advocacy groups. The committee passed HB 2958 on an 11-1 due-pass vote.
The committee also approved HB 2176, which changes criteria and timelines for health care institution licensing complaints and informal dispute resolution, with supporters saying it would improve transparency and predictability for hospitals while preserving enforcement authority. Finally, the committee heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from paying certified registered nurse anesthetists less than physicians for the same anesthesia service; opponents argued it would interfere with contract negotiations and raise costs, while supporters said insurer reimbursement cuts are harming rural access and shifting costs to hospitals. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any committee vote on that bill.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Sep 23rd, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- To give you a sample, the restricted information could be something like our tax audit algorithm or our
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- process management, and I contributed to some technological breakthroughs that allow our optimized algorithms
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 21st, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We have supply and demand. algorithm.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You can use algorithms. You can have students use blocks and manipulatives.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of budget proposals focused on education finance, with repeated questions about whether the state’s investments are coordinated, targeted to the highest-need students, and likely to produce measurable results. On the first item, the administration proposed $1 million for a study of California’s curriculum framework, standards, and instructional materials process, plus $250,000 for supplemental ELA/ELD guidance. CDE and Finance said the study would examine how other states organize standards, frameworks, and adoptions, while the chair and members questioned why California has gone so long without updating some standards, what the study would actually accomplish, and whether the proposal was too vague to justify the cost. The issue was held open.
The committee then took up a proposed $25 million statewide literacy network within the system of support. CCEE and CDE said the network would coordinate multiple existing literacy leads, create a clearinghouse of evidence-based resources, and improve coherence across the state’s many literacy initiatives. Members pressed on how a one-time, five-year allocation could support a long-term system, how the work would reach distressed and rural districts, and whether the proposal would translate into classroom change rather than just another layer of coordination. The issue was also held open.
Next, the committee reviewed a $500 million proposal to expand literacy coaches and reading specialists and to create a math coaches program. CDE described the existing literacy coach cohorts as producing positive reports from participating LEAs, while the LAO recommended modifications, especially for the math coach portion, including limiting eligibility to elementary schools, setting minimum grant amounts, directing funds to eligible school sites, and making eligibility automatic rather than application-based. Members focused on whether coaches were actually being placed at the schools with the greatest need and whether the state has a coherent long-term strategy for literacy and math investments. The committee also heard a $40 million proposal for training and implementation of K-2 reading difficulty screeners, which the LAO said was reasonable but could be reduced because $25 million had already been provided for training; CDE said the new funds were needed for full implementation, procurement, and sustainability. Finally, the committee heard a $10 million proposal for a developmentally appropriate TK multilingual learner screener, with CDE explaining why the preschool language-identification process is different from K-12 EL assessment and the chair asking staff to explore whether a single, more consistent approach could be developed. The meeting concluded with a presentation on universal school meals and kitchen infrastructure, including a $31.5 million backfill, an $84.1 million increase for projected meal growth, a COLA adjustment, and $150 million for kitchen upgrades and training to support freshly prepared meals.
TX
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Please do not allow the governor's budget to discriminate against non-public students and their families
- Please do not allow the governor's budget to discriminate against non-public students and their families
- Please do not allow the governor's budget to discriminate against non-public students and their families
- Please do not allow the governor's budget to discriminate against non-public students and their families
- governor's budget to discriminate governor's budget to discriminate against<00:09:47.079>
non-public
Summary:
The Education Finance Committee met on February 5, 2025, to hear testimony from representatives of Minnesota’s Catholic and other nonpublic schools, focused on state nonpublic pupil aid, transportation, counseling, nursing, and related support programs. Meg Forette of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis argued that Catholic schools serve more than 30,000 students across many districts, educate a diverse population, and achieve strong academic results while operating at far lower per-student costs than public schools. She urged lawmakers to reject proposed cuts to nonpublic funding, saying they would be inequitable and harmful to lower-income families, and also raised concerns about state teacher-licensing requirements conflicting with Catholic values.
Trisha Menshu, principal of St. John Paul II Catholic School in Northeast Minneapolis, described a student body with high levels of poverty, learning needs, and academic gaps, and said state-funded nurse and guidance-counseling services are essential to keeping students safe, healthy, and on track for high school. She said the school absorbs many costs itself, including medical supplies and significant staff time, and credited the support programs with helping students make strong academic growth and graduate on time. In response to a senator’s question, she clarified that the school uses the nursing aid for limited nurse time and pays other medical-related costs from operating funds, with no billing back to public school districts.
Committee members asked follow-up questions about the relationship between teacher licensing and Catholic values, and about how medical needs for nonpublic students are funded. Forette said the concern was not with welcoming all students but with how DEI-related trainings and language are presented in ways that conflict with Catholic teaching. The committee then moved on to the next testifier, Andrew Hiliker of Stella Maris Academy in Duluth, who began by describing his school’s growth and the state’s role in supporting all students, regardless of school choice.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Aug 2nd, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- leader in the White House, doubling down on our state's shameful history of intentional racial discrimination
- Racial discrimination and a violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- together through the ages, communities that get special treatment because this body has intentionally discriminated
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Congressional Redistricting, Select Aug 2nd, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- leader in the White House, doubling down on our state's shameful history of intentional racial discrimination
- To take that ability and power away is straight up intentional racial discrimination and a violation
- That gets special treatment because this body has intentionally discriminated against them for centuries