Video & Transcript : 'Imagination Library' :

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FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-30 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And imagine the agony of working in my office.
  • Can you imagine if it were a felony? Florida House of Representatives.
  • Imagine the environment, Senator Polsky, that we're in.
  • Imagine the environment, Senator Polsky, that we're in.
  • Imagine the environment, Senator Polsky, that we're in.
Summary: The Florida Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness for sexual assault survivors, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a memorial proclamation for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special-order bills, with senators also briefly discussing the session’s pace and thanking staff and colleagues for their work. The first major bill, on driving and boating offenses, was amended and passed 37-0. As amended, it increases penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide/vessel homicide offenses, and adds notice requirements and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. Senators also passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers 37-0, requiring Medicaid managed care plans to offer more after-hours and holiday access and ensuring more primary care appointment availability outside regular business hours. The Senate then passed a major condominium and cooperative associations bill, also 37-0, after extensive debate and multiple amendments. The measure extends deadlines for structural integrity reserve studies, adds flexibility for reserve funding and budgeting, tightens rules for managers and inspectors, limits certain requirements to buildings of three or more habitable stories, and extends the rescission period for condo purchases. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s sponsors for years of work responding to post-Surfside safety and affordability concerns. The longest and most contentious item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendment petition procedures. Sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse in the citizen initiative process by tightening circulator rules, requiring faster submission of signed petitions, adding voter notification, increasing penalties, and shifting costs to sponsors. Opponents argued it would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizens to qualify initiatives. The chamber adopted a series of amendments, including changes to the petition-circulator threshold, volunteer protections, submission timing, invalid-signature investigation thresholds, and notice/cure provisions, while debate continued over whether the overall package would protect election integrity or suppress citizen-led amendments.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/22/2026)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c> facilities such as public libraries, facilities such as public libraries, recreational<00:43:33.760
  • </c><01:46:10.159><c> a</c> you said that they couldn't imagine a you said that they couldn't imagine
  • :15:22.960><c> directly</c> might imagine, dumping sewage directly might imagine, dumping sewage directly
  • </c><04:51:12.320><c> a</c> have a system that's leaking, imagine a have a system that's leaking, imagine
  • And so imagine detached ADU by right.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Jun 15th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, we have a State Library Board, and we have libraries all across the state.
  • at your libraries and actually... ...I've already approached our library about that, and I was turned
  • Well, I can't think of a better use of a library.
  • Why not use those resources that we give to the State Libraries through our State Library Board to ensure
  • library.
Keywords: 1204, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Jan 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm sure he'll probably mention $10 million from the Library Archives account.
  • library at our Washington Library.
  • Also, there's a proposed $10 million sweep of the library archives building account.
  • And I'm starting to ask myself, why do I even have this library account?
  • Because I'm supposed to build it so I can build the library so we don't do GEO bonds.
Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy and Administration (02/20/2026)

Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • I can only imagine. I know I just went recently to a homeschooling graduation.
  • I I can only<00:38:58.320><c> imagine</c><00:38:59.440><c> uh</c><00:39:00.320><c> I</c><00:39:00.560
  • ><c> know</c><00:39:00.800><c> I</c><00:39:00.960><c> just</c><00:39:01.119><c> went</c> only imagine
  • Can you imagine that? Our normal legal presumption of innocence is going to be restored.
  • Can you imagine that? Our normal legal presumption of innocence is going to be restored.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Oklahoma Education Commission Apr 30th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Oklahoma Education Commission

Transcript Highlights:
  • Education, the Chancellor, or their designee, the head of career tech, and the head of the Department of Libraries
  • good for the regents, but I'm trying to make a tool that would be good for current tech, for state libraries
  • Cause I don't know who those would be, especially at the libraries, are more disconnected.
  • We could create a group for libraries. We could create a group for K-12.
  • But he has about 300 documents we're offloading into our commons library for teachers to put into their
Keywords: 914, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Rep. Kristin Robbins departing member remarks 5/18/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House librarians, I don't know if you're watching, but I am a geek and I'm a frequent flyer at the library
  • am a geek and I'm a frequent flyer at am a geek and I'm a frequent flyer at the<00:03:52.000><c> library
  • ><c> they</c><00:03:53.200><c> are</c><00:03:53.400><c> always</c><00:03:53.720><c> there</c> the library
  • and they are always there the library and they are always there for<00:03:54.120><c> me</c><00:03:54.960
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Health Department policy bill 3/23/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and I was looking for those reports for the bill and I was informed by the legislative reference library
  • bill and I was informed by the by the legislative<00:05:29.440><c> reference</c><00:05:29.840><c> library
  • 30.800><c> that</c><00:05:31.120><c> in</c> Representative Nadell noted that the Legislative Reference Library
  • :38.959><c> the</c> health grant reports, for example, the health grant reports, for example, the library
Keywords: 1183, house
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Education Policy Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • sing the national anthem, or you can have someone play the trumpet, or you can go to the Smithsonian library
  • Smithsonian</c> you can go to the uh uh the Smithsonian you can go to the uh uh the Smithsonian &gt;&gt; library
  • 10.080><c> out</c><00:09:10.560><c> and</c><00:09:11.040><c> uh</c><00:09:11.360><c> so</c> &gt;&gt; library
  • and pick one out and uh so &gt;&gt; library and pick one out and uh so anyway<00:09:12.160><c> once<
Keywords: 1136, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Eight - Thursday, February 26

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There was nothing his hands couldn't shape and no vision his mind couldn't imagine.
  • But can you imagine I got five...
  • But can you imagine I got three daughters, five, three grandkids, and six great-grandkids.
  • I can't imagine what common sense went to.
  • I imagine that situation has changed because of the deliberations of this body.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 132-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize Black History Month, honor several Black colleagues and public servants, observe a moment of silence for the late Dr. Steven Leon, and deliver a lengthy tribute to the late Freeman Bosley Sr. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests and school groups, including congressional and local officials, mental health advocates, FFA students, championship volleyball players, elementary and junior high students, and other district visitors. The House then took up several bills on third reading. The most contentious debate was over House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1663, 1607, and 1973, which removed a sunset from Missouri’s restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports. Supporters framed it as protecting fairness and women’s sports; opponents argued it targeted a very small number of students, was discriminatory, and distracted from more pressing issues. After extended debate, the measure passed 98-37. The House also passed House Bill 2682, a school-related First Amendment bill, after debate over whether it would protect hateful student speech; it passed 99-47. Lawmakers next passed House Bill 2274, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, to make it easier for teachers to transfer credentials across states, especially for military families, by a vote of 133-13. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1883, dealing with sales tax on durable medical goods and certain auction items, passed 98-36 after criticism that it was too broad and would benefit high-end auction sales. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2085, a tobacco preemption bill that also allows localities to enforce a tobacco age of 21, passed 93-43 amid debate over local control and youth tobacco access. House Bill 2145, allowing businesses on two-lane highways to place signs across the road, passed overwhelmingly 142-2. Finally, the House passed House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 169, which would limit state and local spending growth to prior-year levels plus inflation and population growth, with emergency exceptions. Supporters called it a way to restrain government spending and align with the Hancock Amendment; opponents raised concerns about how it could interact with future tax policy, including the proposed income tax elimination plan. The resolution was discussed at length but ultimately advanced by vote.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 27, 2025 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • My budget recommends that we maintain full funding for our libraries. This includes $17.3 million.
  • That includes $17.3 million for state aid to libraries, and $2 million for the library cooperative grant
Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to consider its recommended fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and a conforming committee bill. Chair Shove presented an $18.5 billion TED budget, describing it as about 8.5% below the prior year’s TED budget and emphasizing recurring savings, reductions to vacant positions over 90 days old, and a focus on core agency needs. He highlighted funding for economic development, Visit Florida, Space Florida, affordable housing programs, military affairs, libraries, cultural and historic preservation grants, emergency management, and a $14.1 billion transportation work program. The committee then took up PCB TED 2501, which changes documentary stamp tax distributions by redirecting certain revenues to general revenue. The bill would reinstate the general revenue service charge on the supplemental housing-related dock stamp revenue, eliminating a recurring $150 million source for the State Housing Trust Fund, and would also redirect about $466 million from the State Transportation Trust Fund to general revenue. Chair Shove said the measure has no net zero fiscal impact on state revenues and does not alter the longstanding standard dock stamp funding for affordable housing or eliminate FDOT programs, arguing the bill preserves flexibility for future legislatures. Public testimony was split. Representatives from the Florida Transportation Builders Association and the Florida Public Transportation Association warned that the transportation trust fund reduction would significantly affect FDOT’s five-year work program, especially the Strategic Intermodal System, and could reduce planned capacity improvements and transit funding. Several members also raised concerns about the housing-related changes, arguing the bill undercuts commitments made through the Live Local framework and could weaken affordable housing efforts. In closing, Chair Shove defended the bill as a necessary tightening of recurring spending and said existing affordable housing and transportation programs would still be funded through other appropriations. The committee approved PCB TED 2501 on a 10-2 vote and reported it favorably before adjourning.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • This request is to match the total grant award from the Library Services and Technology Act from the
  • Institute of Museum and Library Services.
  • This additional authority will support a non-recurring increase in the following categories: library
Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered 12 budget amendments, most of which were adopted without opposition. The first amendment transferred $8.2 million in Department of Corrections general revenue authority from salary incentives to contracted services to support the phased demobilization of Florida National Guard troops assisting with correctional staffing. Senator Pizzo questioned the length of the Guard’s deployment and urged a long-term staffing solution, while the department said the Guard presence was being reduced and that about 2,200 employees were in training. The Department of State received an additional $618,391 in federal grant authority for library grants and private cloud costs, and the Department of Transportation’s two amendments were zero-sum work program changes: one realigned funds to production-ready projects and another added three projects over $3 million each to the current-year work program. The commission then approved several Agency for Health Care Administration amendments tied to Medicaid supplemental payment programs. These included funding for the Florida Cancer Hospital Program, indirect medical education payments, disproportionate share hospital payments for the state mental hospitals, the Low-Income Pool program, physician supplemental and public hospital payments, Florida KidCare, and Medicaid services realignment. Members asked about possible federal disallowances in the LIP and physician/public hospital programs, and agency staff said some disallowances were likely but the amount was not yet known. For KidCare and Medicaid, staff explained the changes were based on the December estimating conference, enrollment shifts, and updated actuarial assumptions, including changes to managed care regions and program design. The final amendment restored budget authority for a hospital direct payment program after a prior payment, including a $24.3 million CMS-related amount and $3.2 million in administrative fees, was not processed before fiscal year-end and reverted. Senator Pizzo pressed the agency on how the payment was missed and whether any penalty applied; staff said the invoice was not received and processed in time and that communication issues contributed. After brief debate on each item, the commission adopted all amendments, with one recorded nay on the final item, and then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • the other piece is that question around transportation and access to those other activities, like library
  • I imagine all three rules we'll be talking about today have already been through the.
  • You can imagine my surprise when my child came home describing a character they are interacting with
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Mar 12th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:
  • with someone and have a public purpose, for example, and one of my favorites was the Dolly Parton Imagination
  • Library, we talked to them.
  • But you cannot imagine how much worse it was going to get... ...if not for y'all's actions.
Summary: The committee approved the February 12 minutes and then received updates on delinquent municipal water and sewer reports, noting substantial progress in bringing cities back into compliance. Several items were deferred at the request of local officials, including Fargo’s municipal accounting code report, Jericho’s misuse of street funds matter, Biggers, Holly Grove, Gilmore, and several private water and sewer reports lacking proper responses. The committee also filed a number of reports with no questions or with resolved findings. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on repeat audit findings and management responses. The City of Strong’s mayor described corrective steps on undeposited funds, improper use of solid waste funds, unsupported spending, IRS payroll tax issues, accounting controls, restricted fund transfers, and budget overruns; the committee commended the city’s efforts and filed the report. Calhoun County’s report, involving improper county spending for an appreciation banquet and altered receipts in the collector’s office, was also filed after discussion about educating local officials on constitutional spending limits. Other reports filed included Salem, Briarcliffe, Compton Water Association, and Montgomery County Regional Public Water Authority, while several private water reports were deferred or referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The committee reviewed a major regional solid waste management districts report, with significant findings for Pulaski County and Faulkner County involving unapproved payroll items, missing documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, lack of competitive bids, and weak internal controls; Benton County had fewer issues, and several districts had no findings. On motion, the Pulaski County report was deferred so district representatives could answer questions. The committee also heard from Nevada County, where unauthorized withdrawals and interlocal landfill agreement problems were discussed; the county judge said the issues were being corrected, and the report was filed. Later, the committee heard from the City of Grubbs about long-standing IRS debt and from Cross County Rural Water System about overdue audit posting and water quality problems; both witnesses described corrective efforts and ongoing funding or infrastructure projects, and the committee filed the reports after extensive discussion.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Dec 16th, 2025 at 09:08 am

Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Officially in the library, you'll find it.
  • And I imagine we'll be talking about how to address that.
  • And if it's there, I imagine it can be shared with other people, but that's an update brief update of
Keywords: 996, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 9, 2025 - 03:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would imagine if you invest in 15 different tools, how do we know they're being utilized and optimize
  • Our health programs are showing the greatest pressure as you can imagine.
  • over 40 fees, fines and penalties that are authorized in the statute all the way down to the overdue library
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 27th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And it breaks my heart for his family and for what I can only imagine they have been through.
  • Imagine going to a music festival like Coachella or Burning Man and listening to... ...music until dawn
  • The battalion was led by Major Charity Adams, and according to the Library of Congress, the Six Triple-Eight
Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB108, SB125, SB251, SB318, SB378, SB379, SB396, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB650, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB763, SB854, SB875, SB916, SB924, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB987, SB988, SB1006, SB1019, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1146, SB1185, SB1194, SB1202, SB1252, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499, SB1527, SB1547, SB1596, SB1697, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB925, SB1362, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB1352, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SB378, SB710, SB916, SB1019, SB1146, SB1194, SB1253, SB1499, SB213, SB925, SB1362, SR263, SR311, SR333, SCR8, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 20, 2025 - 08:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I can tell you since the president has officially changed the name designation, I would imagine that
  • How would that impact those books that might be in the libraries and are less likely to be updated on
  • But yes, I think if the designation does change, then I would imagine there would have to be some statute
Summary: The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members. The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote. The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 11, 2025 - 10:15 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • faculty productivity, special projects, volume and other materials, and audio, visual requirements for libraries
  • It’s about $680,000 divided into the $1.7 billion, I would imagine, right?
  • So you can imagine the number of grant awards being sent out and processed with no additional staffing
Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to review funding models for the Florida College System and district workforce education programs, with an emphasis on how new dollars are allocated in the program fund and how performance and targeted funding are incorporated. Chancellor Hebda explained the Florida College System model, including base program funding, student success and pipeline funds, performance incentives for industry certifications, and the 2022 president-developed formula that weights enrollment, workforce enrollment, completions, small-college factors, and regional cost differences, plus a targeted funding floor for colleges below a minimum per-FTE level. Vice Chancellor Goodman then outlined the district workforce model, which uses lagged enrollment, program cost weights, local revenue offsets, small-district adjustments, and unmet-need calculations to distribute lump-sum appropriations to school districts offering workforce education. The department also provided updates on several grant programs and funding delays. Goodman said the Workforce Development Incentive Grant, Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education Startup Grant, and teacher apprenticeship/mentor bonus programs all involve multi-year awards and often require reversions and reappropriations because projects are delayed, extended, or not fully obligated by year-end. She said the department is moving toward an electronic grants system and had already adjusted internal deadlines to speed awards, while acknowledging some reimbursement delays and explaining that mentor bonuses for teacher apprentices will not be paid until the first cohort reaches the statutory timing requirement. Members asked about tracking whether CTE students work in their trained fields, how Xello is used to inform students about career pathways, how FTE is calculated, whether the funding formulas could encourage growth over quality, and how students with disabilities are counted in workforce funding. Questions also focused on tuition, enrollment trends, and the gap between college and university funding. The committee heard that tuition has remained flat for more than a decade, enrollment has rebounded from COVID and is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, and the college system’s funding per FTE varies widely. Valencia College President Kathleen Plinsky testified in support of the proposed formula and an additional $200 million for the Florida College System, saying Valencia is the second-largest college in the state but ranks last in per-FTE funding, which has made it difficult to recruit and retain faculty and admit qualified students in high-demand programs like nursing. The committee took no vote and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

January 14, 2025 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the library that we depend on is not open because the elevator is out.
  • So you can imagine the shell shock that our local residents had that experienced 7 feet from Helene and
  • You can imagine with 24 municipalities and our unincorporated area, what a juggling act that is to keep