Transcript Highlights:

• Again, for A&M-Corpus Christi Institutional Enhancement... as part of our base budget.
• I will be, my name is Chloe Powers with the Legislative Budget Board.
• I would like to think we have a very simple budget.
• Thank you very much. team at the Texas at the Legislative Budget Board.
• item related to that and so an actual budget will help us to better protect All of us.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the May revision follows through with the governor's budget commitment to balance the budget over
• That would be budgeted as $25 million within CNRA's budget, $25 million within WCB's budget, and $75
• some context, the Governor's Budget assumed roughly $3.77 billion in both the current year and budget
• Having it in a reserve that you can, in our traditional reserve structure, the Budget Stabilization Account
• Budgets are about prioritizing.

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• last year's budget. last year's budget.
• your budget bill. your budget bill.
• Can't do that in the budget<01:42:04.639> bill. budget bill. budget bill.
• that we fund our budget, call it budget balancers.
• our budget, call it budget balancers. our budget, call it budget balancers.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Updates on cash management and budget.
• We were working on budget bills this morning and finally got those advanced.
• We're going through some budget cuts right now.
• We currently do budget about $3 million a year for replacements of water main.
• It's for the budget, the appropriators when we come to it.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget proposal identifies a number of tasks that need to be completed in the budget year.
• Budgets are cyclical. We recognize that this is a constrained budget environment, and...
• Budgets are cyclical.
• In the January Governor's drop of budget, it's the first time I've heard any... Governor's budget.
• Additional dollars in this budget.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we go back in January, we start the budget.
• We have crisis stabilization units.
• And so it also makes it difficult for our entities to budget appropriately and to stay on budget.
• We have a structural budget deficit. Yes.
• And so where are we finding these budgets?

Summary: The hearing focused on youth mental health and treatment access in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that youth distress, self-harm-related emergency visits, and difficulty obtaining care remain elevated, while workforce shortages and reliance on one-time funding continue to limit access. Assemblymember Lori Davies echoed concerns about unstable funding and said lawmakers need to hear directly from providers and families as they prepare for the budget and legislation. The chair framed the hearing as a chance to hear from county, school, provider, and student perspectives, especially in San Diego County, where needs are high and investments have not always matched demand. County and school officials described the current system and recent state initiatives, including the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, school-linked fee schedules, payment reform, and the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. San Diego County Behavioral Health said it serves Medi-Cal youth with specialty mental health needs through a broad continuum of care, including outpatient clinics, school-based services, crisis response, residential treatment, and new crisis and residential facilities. San Diego County Office of Education and San Marcos Unified School District described efforts to expand school-based services and reimbursement through CYBHI, but said implementation is slowed by complex billing rules, insurance-data collection concerns from families, administrative burden, and uncertainty about sustaining staff positions funded by grants or soft money. School counselor testimony highlighted reduced stigma through campus outreach and clubs, but also noted that counselor-to-student ratios remain well above national standards and that budget cuts threaten supports. Provider testimony stressed that the system remains fragmented and that youth often move between emergency rooms, inpatient care, outpatient therapy, schools, and county programs without smooth handoffs. A child psychiatrist described crisis cases in which the main choices are brief hospitalization or discharge with limited follow-up, and argued for stronger warm handoffs, more outpatient and intensive outpatient options, better school-clinic coordination, and broader use of mobile crisis and 988. Rady Children’s Hospital and Aurora Behavioral Health described large increases in behavioral health demand, expansion of integrated care, and major barriers tied to low reimbursement rates, delayed payments, and administrative complexity. Across the panel, witnesses called for more stable funding, clearer reimbursement rules, better parent education on warning signs, and stronger collaboration among schools, counties, hospitals, and community providers to reduce stigma and improve timely care for youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• in budgeting and making sure that we don’t find ourselves surprised mid-year.
• And then for the budget we're actually operating on, we have to reduce about $100 million.
• So expect those adjustments in the future-year budget as well.
• Expect those adjustments in the future-year budget as well.
• It's not budgeted.

Summary: The Revenue Estimating Conference met with four members present and first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized the FYI end-of-balance of $577,077,871 as nonrecurring revenue. The main business was revising the state revenue forecast for FY 2026, FY 2027, and the long-range outlook. The Division of Administration recommended a $113 million reduction to the FY 2026 State General Fund forecast and a $104 million reduction for FY 2027, citing weaker-than-expected individual income tax collections, softer corporate income tax receipts, and some weakness in general sales tax, partly offset by stronger motor vehicle sales tax and higher mineral-related revenues tied to oil prices. The Legislative Fiscal Office presented a somewhat different but broadly similar forecast, with modest net increases to the general fund bottom line in the current year and next year, emphasizing caution on income and corporate taxes and more optimism on sales, severance, royalties, and some other revenue streams. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the causes of the income tax shortfall, especially withholding and refund patterns after tax changes that lowered rates. Department of Revenue officials explained that withholding tables had been set with a cushion that may be producing larger refunds, and said changing the tables could quickly reduce overwithholding, though the effect would take time to show up. Members also discussed corporate collections, the lingering effects of the franchise tax repeal, the role of settlements and audits, and the extent to which collections are voluntary versus enforcement-driven. The Department of Revenue said corporate collections still had key filing and estimated-payment milestones ahead in May and June, and that refund and audit activity related to the former franchise tax would continue for some time. The conference then adopted the Division of Administration’s FY 2026 forecast, the FY 2027 recurring forecast, and the long-range forecast, along with the proposed inflation rates for the Millennium Trust and parish severance allocation. Members also adopted the incentive expenditure forecast, noting that the reported amount is only the REC-reported portion and that larger tax exemption amounts come off the top before appropriations. The Treasurer reported a General Fund cash balance of about $404.1 million as of May 5, 2026, and an interfund borrowing base of about $9.18 billion, saying cash levels were similar on average to the prior year. The meeting ended with a note that another REC meeting might be needed depending on the May 16 election, and the conference adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• going on in that budget. going on in that budget.
• Um hearing from the the budget.
• <00:03:50.080> from budget holds education proposals from budget holds education proposals
• <00:04:29.600> process this is part of the budgeting process this is part of the budgeting
• <00:26:58.080> out<00:26:58.240> of budget is stabilized are coming out of budget is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the concept of RIM, or renew, improve, modernize, is in the budget, has been appropriated that way
• So the concept of RIM, or renew, improve, modernize, is in the budget, has been appropriated that way
• So the concept of RIM, or renew, improve, modernize, is in the budget, has been appropriated that way
• So the concept of RIM, or renew, improve, modernize, is in the budget, has been appropriated that way
• we just need to try to aim for stability we just need to try to aim for stability at<00:41:13.480

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on March 14, 2025, and heard five University of Hawaii-related bills. SB 741 would create an external audit committee for the UH system and Board of Regents; UH and UHPA opposed it, saying existing internal and external audits already provide robust oversight, and the committee later recommended deferring the bill indefinitely as duplicative. SB 1252 SD2 would create a dementia training program for health care providers; the Alzheimer’s Association and other supporters said broader training is needed across the care workforce, while the university discussed using JABSOM as a coordinator. The committee deferred the bill to March 19 for an HD1 reflecting JABSOM’s suggestions and removing the appropriations/FTE language. SB 1502 SD1 would fund faculty positions, student programs, and facilities at UH Manoa and West Oahu for defense-sector workforce development. UH and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the measure, describing a pipeline for students into intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields, while one individual opposed it as too closely tied to military contracting and urged investment in other sectors instead. The committee amended the bill to remove FTE references and advanced it; the vote to pass with amendments was adopted, with several members voting aye and some excused. SB 1530 would require performance-based allocation of UH general funds and efficiency reporting. UH and the Attorney General’s office raised concerns, saying the bill’s metrics would apply across the entire general fund budget and were not practical as drafted; the committee also noted opposition from the Budget and Finance Department and individuals. SB 1624 SD1 would restrict RIM funds to renewing, improving, or modernizing existing facilities and require annual reports. UH opposed the bill and explained that RIM is a lump-sum approach used to address deferred maintenance and capital needs, with Board of Regents approval and quarterly reporting already in place; the Attorney General suggested constitutional amendments. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1624, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:33.520> revenue<00:24:34.000> that budget recognizes uh some revenue that budget
• more stability.
• more stability.
• <01:55:37.040> for critical to maintaining stability for critical to maintaining stability
• <02:02:28.080> deficit the state is facing um a budget deficit the state is facing um a budget

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:49.279> for budget um to the base budget for budget um to the base budget for prisoners
• So we'll move to discussion and questions to the bill. stability is foundational for all of our stability
• <00:28:21.360> to um strategies for that in our budget to um strategies for that in our budget
• <00:58:25.040> that you is a compromised um um budget that you is a compromised um um budget
• <01:10:19.360> everyone excuse me, a a budget year. everyone excuse me, a a budget year. everyone

Bills: HF2300, HF2432, HF2445, HF2443, HF2439, HF3023, HF1615, HF2563

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget is built on a two-year budget.
• And this year is in the second year of the two-year budget, and we call it the budget adjustment.
• Line 30, DCF Youth Stabilization Line 30, DCF Youth Stabilization Facility,<01:04:05.560> $772,000
• <01:23:54.680> in facilities and budgets for uh youth in facilities and budgets for uh youth
• There was money that was set aside in last year's budget, in the '26 budget, to conduct an environmental

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our operating budget was out of balance by $16 billion, and our transportation budget was out of balance
• It's not part of your budget.
• Is that something to get him to support the budget?
• billion, give or take, in revenue in the budget.
• In 2009, 25% of our operating budget disappeared, and, 25% of our operating budget disappeared, and we

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a post-sine-die press availability to describe a difficult 2025 session and the major budget and policy outcomes. They said the state faced a $16 billion operating shortfall and an $8 billion transportation gap, along with inflation, slowing revenue, federal uncertainty, and a new governor. Despite that, they said the chambers reached balanced operating and transportation budgets while trying to avoid harming vulnerable residents or overburdening working families. The leaders highlighted several priorities they said were advanced: increased school funding, including about $1.4 billion more for special education; housing measures such as rent stabilization, parking minimum reforms, lot-splitting, and middle-housing enforcement; and public safety funding, including a $100 million one-time law-enforcement appropriation requested by Governor Ferguson. They also discussed a community reinvestment approach and said local governments would have more flexibility to fund community safety. They acknowledged that balancing the budget required painful cuts and tradeoffs, including delays to child support pass-through payments and TANF benefits, reduced support for higher education and student aid, higher child-care copays and fewer child-care slots, closure of one prison and four reentry centers, and reductions in managed care payments. They also said the tax package included modest business tax increases, including a surcharge on some large businesses and sales tax changes for certain services, and that a wealth tax remained alive for future sessions even though it was not part of this year’s budget. Much of the discussion focused on the new governor’s role and whether there was tension over his review of the budget and bills. Leaders said communication with the governor and his staff had improved over the session, that they expected him to carefully review the legislation, and that they were not reading anything into his absence from the press conference. They repeatedly emphasized bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, and several speakers described the session as one of the most challenging they had experienced, citing the budget gap, federal uncertainty, and recent personal losses in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:18:41.600> and connection, economic stability, and connection, economic stability, and
• > disabled meaningful stability for disabled meaningful stability for disabled veterans<01:02:
• So, thank you for your stability.
• It means stability for to health care. It means stability for their<01:04:20.079> family.
• They will take from all budgets.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you are here to testify on S. 303, An Act for Community Institution Stabilization.
• And you are here to testify on S-303, an Act for Community Institution Stabilization. Welcome.
• And similarly to when the governor, a lot of times, she copies and pastes things in the budget without
• for an um Chair Fiola, you introduced an amendment recently for the new budget for an ombuds person,
• So it was accepted into the House, and I'm in the House bill right of the budget.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held its first public hearing of the session, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola with Sen. Barry Finegold. After housekeeping on livestreaming, virtual testimony, and written testimony deadlines, the committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on S. 303/H. 503/S. 305 and H. 491, all related to worker ownership and business succession. Testimony generally supported expanding employee ownership, right of first refusal for workers, and incentives for owners to sell to employee groups. Speakers from worker co-ops, technical assistance organizations, lenders, and business owners said these measures could preserve local businesses, protect jobs, build worker wealth, and help communities retain valued services and storefronts. On S. 303, Vincent Lawrence Dixon described a proposal to create tools such as a special community trustee, right of first refusal, and community institution landmarks to help communities preserve important local properties and uses when owners cease operations. On H. 491 and the employee-ownership bills, witnesses including Matthew Page Lieberman, Caleb from Circus Cooperative Cafe, Sarah Acefa of Dorchester Food Co-op, Halsey Platt, Kevin O'Brien, John Abrams, Virginia Berman, Stacey Cordero, Adrian Roman, Alex Popali, Adam Trott, and Ethan Tupelo emphasized that worker-owned businesses can be more resilient, support democratic participation, and help with business transitions as owners retire or close. Committee members asked questions about the tax incentive threshold, the timing and mechanics of the right of first refusal, and whether the bills would affect sale prices or business succession. Rep. Kristen Kassner also testified on H. 490, which would create a special commission to inventory the Commonwealth’s built environment, infrastructure, permitting, and land-use barriers to help Massachusetts adapt vacant or underused spaces for the next economy. She said the commission would help identify opportunities for housing, climate and energy tech, advanced manufacturing, and other uses, and members discussed commission composition and data sources. At the end of the hearing, the chair read a series of additional bills into the record, noted an upcoming Economic Development Expo, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the out years of the budget, we have over $300 million in new revenue that's coming into the state
• that will help stabilize our budgets into the future.
• that will help stabilize our budgets into the future.
• that will help stabilize our budgets into the future.
• that will help stabilize our budgets into the future.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House DFL leaders reflected on the end of session, saying the legislature accomplished major priorities despite a narrow partisan split and a tense political environment. They highlighted passage of a $705 million package to stabilize HCMC, anti-fraud measures, IT upgrades, property tax cuts, tab fee cuts, and a housing bill that included $40 million for rental assistance. They also said the session was unusually orderly and productive compared with recent years, and credited the power-sharing arrangement with reducing prolonged floor fights and encouraging more individual bills and conference committee work. At the same time, they emphasized several disappointments, especially the failure to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures and legislation to curb ICE abuses or respond to Operation Metro Surge. Leaders argued Republicans blocked even modest gun safety proposals, including enhanced extreme risk protection orders, and said they would take those issues to voters in the next election. They also said the campaign message would focus on affordability, health care costs, hospital stability, gas and energy prices, and school safety. In response to questions, leaders defended the transparency of the session’s negotiations, saying the underlying ideas had been debated publicly for months even if final packages were released late. They also said the $40 million rental assistance funding was intended to help people affected by Operation Metro Surge, and argued that maintaining Minnesota’s road network requires adequate long-term funding even if the distribution of costs changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• stabilization services.
• stabilization services.
• They provide stability, community, and cultural connection for so many children in our state.
• as compared with non-relatives stability as compared with non-relatives and<00:53:35.480> so<
• So the ombuds person is Misty C., and the budget, I believe, has the last term...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative packages off the Senate floor, like emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilizing
• We the Senate had a very strong position on our response to the federal budget call it HR 1.
• Senate Democrats, um ready to work um to respond to what we've experienced and put forth a strong budget
• Um when we think budget call it HR 1.
• and proposals to meet the moment, budget and proposals to meet the moment, and<00:04:44.919> much

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The interview focused on the Minnesota Senate DFL’s end-of-session accomplishments and frustrations. The senator said the caucus entered the session expecting little to get done in a divided, election-year legislature, but instead passed a range of major measures, including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, gun violence prevention, an independent Office of the Inspector General, consumer protections for homeowners associations, and a $1.2 billion bonding/infrastructure bill for water, roads, and bridges. He said the bonding bill was a success but criticized the limited funding for lead pipe replacement, noting only $15 million was included. He also discussed affordability measures, especially a vehicle tab fee reduction negotiated in connection with the bonding bill, saying Democrats wanted the relief to take effect sooner but Republicans pushed implementation to January. He described other unfinished or blocked items, including a small business relief package tied to Metro Surge and efforts to protect Medicaid and SNAP from federal changes. He said many Senate proposals were developed through committee hearings and were meant to be negotiated publicly, but argued the House often failed to do comparable work, leading to last-minute deals and more party-line votes. The senator was sharply critical of federal actions under the Trump administration, saying cuts and mandates were harming states, counties, Medicaid, and SNAP, and weakening the state-federal partnership. Looking ahead, he said interim work will likely focus on procedural changes and health care, including stabilizing HCMC and supporting rural hospitals. He said the session’s work was aimed at serving Minnesotans first, and expressed optimism about the upcoming election season and the possibility of changing legislative practices next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Early education and care cannot be separated from the broader conversations about economic stability,
• Family economics, health care access, and housing stability, alongside strong school community schools
• These services foster economic stability and mobility, including programs that you're familiar with:
• This is their approach to student support, and this is what they fund in their school budgets.
• built it into its budget and also drawn in local philanthropy to support implementation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its final hearing of the session on H. 5187 and S. 3022, the Enough Act, with Chair Andy Vargas and Senator Adam Gomez opening by thanking committee members and stakeholders for their work during the session. The bills were described as a grant-based, place-based anti-poverty initiative intended to support cradle-to-career services by funding local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and backbone entities that can coordinate housing, education, health, workforce, and family supports in high-poverty neighborhoods. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers including Strategies for Children, Chelsea Public Schools, Bunker Hill Community College, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Rep. Antonio Cabral, the Harlem Children’s Zone’s Kwame Owusu Kesse and Jeffrey Canada, former Education Secretary Paul Reville, AFT Massachusetts, United Way, the Boston Foundation, Give Black Alliance, Eastern Bank Foundation, and others argued that poverty is a systems issue that schools alone cannot solve. They emphasized the need for local control, community voice, coordinated services, and long-term public-private investment, often citing examples from Chelsea, New Bedford, Springfield, Lowell, Boston, and other communities, as well as the Harlem Children’s Zone and Maryland’s similar model. Committee members asked several questions about how the bill would function in practice, including what organizations would do on day one, how it would interact with existing efforts like community schools, McKinney-Vento, and the Student Opportunity Act, and how it would be sustained over time. Witnesses said the act would help create or strengthen backbone organizations, reduce duplication, align existing resources, and leverage philanthropy and future revenue sources for long-term sustainability. No vote was taken during the hearing, but multiple speakers urged the committee to report the bill favorably and quickly.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget proposal identifies a number of tasks that need to be completed in the budget year.
• Your comment that the timing doesn't match up between the state's budget timeline, the state budget process
• Assemblymember, I think that this is why in lean budget times, frankly, and in lush budget times, we
• Haney and all the members who signed on to the letter to the Budget Committee and to the Budget Chair
• Fund in the state budget.

Keywords: 988, house, all