Video & Transcript Research : 'underserved communities'

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CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So they're not just faceless vulnerable people in the community.
  • It's valuable to our communities. It protects us from disease. It's valuable to our communities.
  • The major projects funded through this were Community Wellness Hubs and the Community Health Improvement
  • They worked with communities. They hired people from the community, actually. It was great to see.
  • They worked with communities. They hired people from the community, actually. It was great to see.
Summary: The subcommittee held an oversight hearing on federal actions affecting California’s public health and family planning systems, focusing first on the freeze to Title X family planning funds and then on broader CDC/public health grant terminations. Chair and members described the cuts as abrupt, harmful, and likely to create major gaps in disease surveillance, vaccination, contraception, STI testing, and other preventive services, while also criticizing the federal administration’s explanation that the actions were tied to DEI or civil-rights compliance. The chair thanked Attorney General Bonta for legal action and said the hearing was intended to document the real-world impacts and inform state budget responses. Witnesses from Essential Access Health, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a Central Coast clinic, and other providers said California’s Title X network serves more than half a million low-income patients annually and relies on the funds for staffing, outreach, training, mobile and school-based clinics, and confidential care. They warned that the freeze has already forced reserve spending, delayed services, and could lead to layoffs, reduced hours, longer waits, and fewer appointments, especially for sexual and reproductive health care. Public comment included support for a proposed state backfill of Title X losses, with advocates emphasizing impacts on low-income, LGBTQ+, and communities of color. On the public health side, CDPH, county health officials, and local health officers testified that the CDC’s rescission of $11.4 billion in grants would affect California by an estimated $840 million and threaten lab capacity, immunization programs, health disparities work, and data systems such as CalConnect and vaccine registries. Sacramento County and others described how the grants supported outbreak response, sequencing, community vaccination clinics, and equity-focused partnerships, and said terminations had already led to canceled appointments, stopped contracts, and layoffs. Several speakers urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state “future of public health” funding and to backfill federal losses, while public commenters from HIV, immunization, labor, and county organizations echoed concerns about workforce losses and worsening health outcomes.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 11th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • things that they communicate via.
  • community and of our state.
  • So, we are trying to make sure that people in our community, providers in our community, know those resources
  • In most communities, and definitely including ours.
  • How are you getting the word out to the community?
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 12th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , those who not only build our communities in agriculture, those who build our communities in construction
  • community as well.
  • Sikh communities in California.
  • I rise in support of my community.
  • And not just the Asian Pacific Islander community, but in all communities.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 7th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the Jewish community stands in strong solidarity with the Indigenous community during California's
  • I rise in support of AB 108 because of my communities, and many communities across rural California.
  • I saw firsthand the devastation that my community, over 200,000 people in the community of Madera and
  • and the surrounding communities.
  • And now that hospital servicing the community and the surrounding communities, and now that hospital
Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a large daily file of bills and resolutions. Early procedural motions were adopted, including re-referrals and a motion to allow the Appropriations Committee to notice SB 73, which passed 46-15. Members also introduced several guests, including young legislators, schoolchildren, a championship girls’ basketball team, realtors, and CASA advocates. On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1389, a tribal gaming compact urgency bill for the Yurok Tribe, which passed 55-0 on the urgency and measure. The body then passed a series of bills on topics including trespass enforcement (AB 1632), pest control fees (AB 2380), county investment authority (AB 2080), pupil achievement gap reporting (AB 2149), transit board stipends (AB 1625), e-filing for workplace violence restraining orders (AB 2179), election eligibility restrictions for registered sex offenders (AB 2753), juvenile firearm possession and deferred entry of judgment (AB 2636), court access and First Amendment issues (AB 1544), physician medical record integrity (AB 1637), forced marriage protections (AB 2534), and local authority to restrict under-12 e-bike use in San Mateo County (AB 2595). Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with votes ranging from 53-0 to 63-0. The Assembly also adopted ACR 173, reaffirming California’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, Mexico, after adding 50 coauthors. Later, it adopted ACR 163 designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month after extensive testimony from the author and multiple caucus members emphasizing the crisis, data gaps, tribal sovereignty, and the need for more resources and action; 64 coauthors were added before the resolution passed by voice vote. The chamber likewise adopted ACR 180 designating Compost Awareness Week and ACR 182 establishing Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, both after coauthor roll calls and voice votes. The day concluded with urgent action on AB 108, which provides up to $25 million in one-time emergency bridge funding for distressed hospitals facing imminent closure. Members from both parties spoke in support, citing rural access, prior hospital closures, and the need to protect community health care; the bill passed 59-0 and was sent to the Governor immediately. The Assembly then handled consent calendar items, heard an adjournment in memory for labor leader Larry Mazzola Sr., and adjourned until Monday, May 11 at 1 p.m.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But we've decided to make the Latino community the community that we're going to make an example. of.
  • The Latino community, but the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, all of our immigrant communities
  • With diverse communities who all too often feel underserved and overlooked.
  • , to be safe in our community.
  • Palisades community. and the Manhattan Beach community who mourn him today.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This lack of support amplifies inequities in underserved communities and delays recovery efforts.
  • And the communities would ask, why are you leaving?
  • And that's just not the level of preparedness that a community deserves, particularly a community that's
  • defined as a high fire risk community.
  • One of your community.
Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • allowing them to go to their community allowing them to go to their community pharmacy<00:05:20.240
  • , They will come to rural communities, They will come to rural communities, it'll<00:26:40.799>
  • accountable community organizations, the accountable community organizations, the best<00:28:16.399><
  • what is happening in rural communities what is happening in rural communities uh<00:29:48.000>
  • 29:49.520> will uh versus urban communities and will uh versus urban communities and will there
Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Richardson, which would require Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for services already within their legal scope of practice. Richardson and Taylor Williams of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association argued the bill would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, reduce emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs by using pharmacists as lower-cost providers. Members asked whether the bill’s language simply aligned Medicaid with an earlier commercial parity law, and Richardson confirmed that it did. He also cited prior study work, research articles, and examples such as strep/flu testing and medication therapy management as covered services. The bill passed unanimously, and several members commented in support, including concerns about pharmacy access and the need for pharmacists to remain available to patients. The committee then took up a concurrent resolution sponsored by Sen. Meredith calling for a feasibility study of a proposed new Medicaid delivery model. Meredith argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid spending is growing unsustainably and that current managed care arrangements are not improving outcomes enough. He proposed an accountable community health care organization, described as a locally owned, not-for-profit public-private partnership combining elements of accountable care models, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, improving outcomes, and lowering costs. He said the study would examine a five-year program and ultimately test the model in five regions, with initial focus on the Lincoln Trail, Green River, and Barren River area development districts. Members asked about the study timeline, vendor costs, rural versus urban impacts, and provider recruitment; Meredith said the resolution would be studied by November and that no fiscal note had been prepared. The resolution passed unanimously.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Land Grant Jul 14th, 2025

House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • That underserved communities have lawyers in the future.
  • When you're talking to a community, did they have a grant of land made to an individual or to a community
  • The last communal use of a commons for the general economic well-being and health of a community was
  • , or they may have had a community but...
  • It's a community center that provides a lot of good stuff for our community.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Nov 13th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • communities.
  • I coordinate workshops, conferences, and community events.
  • We had to also keep in mind our community.
  • Community and how you would go about doing that.
  • Sustainable communities.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the things, though, that we continue to hear from communities, particularly rural communities,
  • In fact, we're seeing not great uptake in some of these communities.
  • But certainly how we give back to those communities and how we meet with those communities, and I plan
  • We're also proud to support our communities.
  • in person to both share resources and listen to community needs.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held an informational hearing with invited testimony from MassDOT leadership, the MBTA, Massport, and the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. MassDOT officials outlined work across highways, rail and transit, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and aeronautics, emphasizing major capital spending, bridge and roadway programs, transit grants, rail expansion, airport safety, and modernization efforts. They highlighted Chapter 90 and municipal grant programs, the Compass Rail and West-East Rail efforts, RMV upgrades such as electronic titles and driver licensing systems, and aeronautics work on airport pavement, drones, and advanced air mobility. Committee members focused on safety, service access, and project implementation. Questions to MassDOT covered automated enforcement and rising roadway fatalities, the Allston multimodal project’s federal funding, Complete Streets access for rural communities, and South Coast Rail staffing and future electrification. The RMV was asked about the Work and Family Mobility Act, Real ID demand, and appointment access, especially in Metro West. Members also raised concerns about South Coast Rail operations, Keolis staffing, and whether the Stoughton route remains part of future plans; MassDOT and MBTA officials said they are working on staffing, service reliability, and long-term expansion, while noting that nothing is off the table for future rail improvements. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng reported progress including workforce growth, elimination of subway speed restrictions, expanded reduced-fare access, bus network redesign, South Coast Rail launch, and commuter rail signal upgrades. He said the agency is pursuing a new commuter rail operating contract designed to support future regional rail, electrification, and higher-frequency service, while maintaining service and workforce stability amid funding uncertainty. Members also asked about fare collection data privacy and the impact of state funding levels; Eng said the MBTA needs the governor’s proposed funding to preserve service and staffing, and that the fare system’s data are encrypted and handled through a secure vendor system. Massport CEO Rich Davey reported record activity at Logan, Worcester, and the cruise and maritime facilities, along with major capital and climate investments such as sustainable aviation fuel planning, shore power at Flynn Cruiseport, renewable diesel, and expanded ground transportation. He said Massport is planning for continued passenger growth and managing congestion through parking, HOV, and curbside changes, while monitoring federal policy, tariffs, and air traffic control staffing issues. Federal Funds Director Quentin Palfrey described the administration’s efforts to secure federal infrastructure dollars, citing about $9 billion in federal awards since the start of the administration, including major transportation grants for the Cape Cod Bridges, Allston, West-East Rail, North Station drawbridge replacement, roadway safety, and clean school buses. He warned that changing federal policies, grant delays, and possible future congressional actions create uncertainty, but said the office is working case-by-case with municipalities and agencies to protect awarded funds and find alternative financing where needed.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 4th, 2026 at 09:06 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • , and also the community in the walking trails and WTRC.
  • Most community colleges are called community colleges because it's the community.
  • A supplemental to Luna Community College.
  • The station serves many unserved or, Underserved areas.
  • So it's in this and the smaller, Communities.
Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • for seniors and the aging community in that county.
  • All of these are critical in our community.
  • Good morning, community members. My name is Marcus Schmidt.
  • On the disability community.
  • It's community inclusion.
Bills: HF2434
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Jan 27th, 2026 at 11:14 am

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • communities around the state.
  • In one of our 33 communities, urban, rural, and travel communities around the state.
  • communities statewide.
  • It's a road in and out of our communities.
  • and some communities, Mr.
Keywords: 996, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 19th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We need more people like him involved in our process, in our communities.
  • And so it's a huge loss to the East Texas community.
  • El Paso Community Foundation, Gigi's Playhouse of El Paso.
  • His legacy and his community. Advocacy is unmatched.
  • communities.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Community Affairs Mar 17th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • CREATED A VERY STRONG ECONOMIC COMMUNITY.
  • JOHN'S THE APOSTLE AND WE URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THE BILL DIVERSITY IN COMMUNITY MAKES COMMUNITIES VIBRANT
  • AND WE ALWAYS NEED VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.
  • CHAPTER 163 IS THE COMMUNITY PLANNING ACT.
  • WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PLANNING ACT, THE FOCUS IS ON THE WORD COMMUNITY.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The goal of the training is to make communities safer.
  • Different barriers affected community and cultural awareness training.
  • And so I'd like to know how that is communicated and is it in writing.
  • I live in Beery, Washington, but I'm in Yakima today for a community event.
  • communities access and navigate online services.
Keywords: 904, all
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee held a hybrid hearing to receive three State Auditor’s Office performance audits. The first audit examined implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act. Auditors said the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training, but six community/cultural topics were still unfinished, the patrol tactics curriculum was incomplete in one area, and the agency lacked a systematic project management approach. They reported that most officers had not completed the 40 required hours, with low participation in patrol tactics training, weak communication, limited data to track compliance, and ineffective incentives or consequences. Committee members questioned staffing, liability, and enforcement, and the Commission said it generally agreed with the findings and had begun implementing recommendations, including improving training development and communication. The second audit reviewed Washington’s digital equity planning. Auditors concluded the state lacked a comprehensive, unified digital equity strategy, a designated lead, and reliable funding. They said the existing PEAR/Impact Plan, BEAD five-year plan, and NTIA-approved digital equity plan each addressed parts of the issue but none provided a full statewide framework with clear authority across agencies. The Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office and the Office of Equity said they agreed with the findings and were open to working with the legislature and the Digital Equity Forum on a more structured approach. A public witness described local and regional digital equity planning efforts and emphasized the importance of coordination and community-based work. The third audit focused on Commerce’s management of the Digital Navigator Program. Auditors said Commerce did not consistently use a competitive process, did not adequately vet grantees and subgrantees, wrote contracts that lacked clear deliverables and monitoring requirements, failed to enforce reporting, and paid $10.7 million without sufficient documentation to verify reimbursement eligibility. They said agency staff had raised concerns that were ignored and that some payments and contract expansions occurred despite warnings. Commerce officials said new leadership had already begun major contract-management reforms, including centralized oversight, risk assessments, clearer documentation standards, and staff training, and they said they would pursue recapture where appropriate. Committee members expressed strong concern about accountability, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Environmental Regulation May 1st, 2025

Environmental Regulation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's very, very close with multiple people living in this community.
  • It strengthens legislative oversight, promotes transparency, and empowers communities.
  • All of those facilities are incredibly important to my community and, of course, of great interest.
  • The quicker we know, the better we can be prepared to let our community know.
  • underserved in terms of access to environmental and emergency information.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So a community like Brockton really suffers a lot more than other, more affluent communities.
  • and providers to deliver meaningful communications access to communities.
  • Thank you. ...deliver meaningful communications access to communities and just reducing those barriers
  • I filed this legislation based on numerous communications I have had with those living in the community
  • and neighborhood communities.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs. Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • So about $7 million for the Community Development Block Grant, $6.7 million for the Community Services
  • I mean, are they in communication with Grand Sky and with UND so that everybody that's getting a grant
  • For federal funds, for example, that LIHEAP program, Community Development Block Grant, Community Services
  • These funds spurred additional community and economic activity in communities that would not have been
  • These funds spurred additional community and economic activity in the communities that would not have
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're very appreciative of their outreach and their communication.
  • But they've been pretty supportive and pretty open to communicate.
  • They're pretty supportive and pretty open to communication.
  • So we made a real priority of communicating with communities across Massachusetts, of working closely
  • leaders to really go out into communities and hear about the impacts directly.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The inaugural hearing of the newly named House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability focused on how federal policy changes could affect Massachusetts, especially in education, health care, research, infrastructure, climate, and business conditions. Chair LaNatra said the committee was created to monitor federal funding decisions and their impacts on state programs and services. Members introduced themselves, then heard testimony from Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Sarah Mills of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Quentin Palfrey, the governor’s Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure. Howgate argued that the Trump administration and new Congress pose ideological, practical, and process-related risks to Massachusetts, citing proposed cuts to Medicaid, education, research, and other domestic programs. He said federal dollars make up about a quarter of the state operating budget and capital plan, warned against using one-time reserves to backfill ongoing federal cuts, and urged the state to prioritize core services while protecting areas where Massachusetts is especially strong, such as higher education and research. In response to committee questions, he said the House Medicaid proposal would still cost Massachusetts hundreds of millions and that international student and NIH-related changes could harm the state’s labor force and innovation economy. He also advised that the state communicate clearly without overreacting to daily federal developments. Mills testified that AIM members are most concerned about uncertainty, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and NIH reductions. She said tariffs are raising costs, disrupting supply chains, and hurting small and medium-sized businesses, housing construction, and exporters, with AIM’s business confidence index falling to its lowest level since the pandemic. She said Medicaid cuts would raise employer health costs, reduce productivity, and strain the health care system, while NIH cuts would threaten Massachusetts’ life sciences and academic research ecosystem. In questions, she said AIM has increased federal outreach, is coordinating with the U.S. Chamber and the Massachusetts delegation, and is hearing concerns from employers about immigration compliance and workforce disruptions. Palfrey described the Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to maximize federal funding, including a biweekly interagency council, a municipal partnership effort, and a statewide roadshow. He said Massachusetts has secured nearly $9 billion from major federal laws for projects such as the Cape Cod bridges, Allston Multimodal, grid modernization, clean-energy school buses, and broadband. He also said the administration launched a public website to track federal impacts and is working with municipalities, nonprofits, and the Attorney General on grant changes, legal issues, and litigation. In response to questions, he warned that cuts to NOAA, NSF, Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs could affect services and the state budget, and said the administration is tracking changes to federal grant applications and conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only.