Video & Transcript : 'business' :

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ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 2nd, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our position here is that this bill actually frees up, makes it easier for businesses to do business.
  • ...position here is that this bill actually frees up, makes it easier for businesses to do business
  • We could lose our business, our income.
  • businesses and livelihoods.
  • or risk the ruin of their business to defend it.
Summary: The committee met to hear House Bill 557, which would preempt local governments from adopting or enforcing anti-discrimination ordinances that go beyond state law. The sponsor, Rep. Bruce Skaug, and supporters argued the bill would create statewide uniformity, reduce burdens on businesses, and protect religious liberty and conscience rights. Testifying in support were representatives from Alliance Defending Freedom and Idaho Family Policy Center, a former Hitching Post owner, Sandpoint’s mayor, and several private citizens who said local ordinances had created legal risk, especially in housing, employment, and public accommodations. They emphasized concerns about compelled participation in same-sex weddings, gender identity policies, and the cost and uncertainty of local enforcement. Opponents, including the Association of Idaho Cities, officials from Victor, Boise, and Moscow, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, clergy, and other residents, said the bill would strip local control and weaken protections for LGBTQ people. They argued that city ordinances fill gaps in state law, improve safety and trust, and help with housing and employment discrimination. Boise and other city representatives said their ordinances were adopted in response to constituent concerns and had not produced the harms claimed by supporters; Boise also said it had no complaints from businesses alleging coercion under its ordinance. Several opponents said the bill would make communities less welcoming and could harm economic development. Committee members questioned witnesses about uniformity, local authority, housing protections, and whether similar laws exist in other states. Supporters cited state preemption examples and said other states have enacted similar laws; opponents cited constitutional concerns and the Romer v. Evans case. No final vote or action on HB 557 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair continued taking testimony from both sides.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's why we've been having good conversations with the business community, including tech businesses
  • for lowering the business and occupation tax on, you know, it's not just big businesses, it's also hospitals
  • The bill proposes reducing B&O taxes on small businesses and on big businesses.
  • So if you're in a business that's a service business... ...$10 million of income and it's paying the
  • That would allow the business to pay the tax on behalf of its owners and then claim as a business expense
Keywords: 904, all
Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders announced and defended a new “Millionaire’s Tax” bill, saying it is intended to raise revenue from the highest earners while reducing reliance on sales tax and B&O tax and funding education, health care, community safety, and other state needs. They said the proposal is a starting point and will likely change as they continue talks with the governor, business groups, local governments, and other stakeholders. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate hearing is scheduled first in Ways and Means, with the House expected to follow after the Senate version moves over. The leaders described the bill as narrowly targeted at roughly 30,000 individual payers, with the first $1 million of income taxed at zero and the rate matching the state capital gains tax above that level. They argued the measure is not a broad income tax and rejected claims that it creates a marriage penalty, saying the structure mirrors the capital gains tax and uses Washington’s capital gains definitions. They also said the bill includes credits and deductions to address pass-through businesses, including dollar-for-dollar credits for B&O and public utilities taxes and an election allowing some businesses to pay the tax at the entity level. A major part of the discussion focused on how the bill would use revenue. Leaders said about 5% would go to counties for public defense costs tied to a new Supreme Court mandate, while the rest would support tax relief and new spending. They said the package would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, increase the small business credit, end the B&O surcharge a year early, and exempt some hygiene and grooming products from sales tax, with the tax-relief share estimated in the 20% range. They also said the necessity clause is needed because of structural budget problems and federal policy changes, and they expressed confidence that voters and lawmakers have become more open to taxing high earners, citing the capital gains tax vote and broader public concern about inequality and federal cuts.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 52 Mar 4th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate is ready for business.
  • The Senate is at the Sixth Order of Business.
  • I've been around this business for a long time.
  • This is the fifth order of business.
  • Without objection, the Senate advanced to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.
Keywords: 989, all
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (7-16-26)

Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we support small businesses, large businesses, medium-sized businesses, industries, all different
  • businesses, businesses, medium-sized businesses, industries,<00:04:05.120><c> all</c><00:04:05.360><
  • > again, business expansion, business again, business expansion, business attraction,<00:20:08.480><c
  • Business businesses growing, shrinking.
  • Then we build your business business.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • for small businesses?
  • So if you're a small business or not, that helps.
  • , it didn't do any of the business stuff.
  • So if you're a small business or not, but that helps.
  • It didn't do any of the business stuff.
Summary: The caucus focused on HB 2153, a tax conformity bill that would align Arizona tax law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026, including retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bill excludes three federal provisions: the additional $6,000 senior deduction, the higher SALT deduction, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. It also adds several Arizona-specific changes, including a $6,000 deduction for certain retirement distributions for taxpayers 65 and older, a $6,000 deduction for Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent tax credit from $100 to $125, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated a negative fiscal impact of $441.3 million in the first year, declining over the next two years. Chairman Livingston argued the bill was needed immediately because the Department of Revenue had already issued tentative forms assuming full conformity, creating confusion for taxpayers and businesses. He said the governor’s earlier direction and the department’s forms were not coordinated with the legislature’s approach, and warned taxpayers and businesses not to file until the issue was resolved. He also said the bill would help small businesses by preventing mismatched state and federal rules, especially on deductions and vehicle expensing, and emphasized that many Arizona businesses would otherwise face two sets of books. Members asked about the practical impact on small businesses and the department’s forms. Livingston and staff said Arizona has about 700,000 small businesses, most with 19 or fewer employees, and that the department’s forms largely reflected full conformity except for a worksheet tied to the governor’s requested changes. Staff explained the difference between “simple conformity” and “full conformity,” noting that some federal provisions occur “below the line” and require explicit state law. The committee also discussed the child care provisions as a new Arizona deduction and a separate increase in the child care credit. No vote was taken, and the meeting adjourned before floor session.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 14th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But this business personal property tax... Businesses aren't. Yes, right.
  • But this business personal property tax exemption increase assists businesses in the distribution of
  • a higher business personal property tax exemption?
  • And I move suspension of the regular order of business.
  • HB 146 to Business and Commerce. HB 101 to Veteran Affairs. HB 146 to Business and Commerce.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So there are different stories when you’re looking at an individual business—a licensed business at a
  • And then lastly is the business environment.
  • in the number of businesses in the licensed market.
  • These businesses are just gone.
  • business specifically in put a finer point for a business and manufacturing business, specifically in
Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the Department of Cannabis Control’s report on the condition and health of California’s cannabis industry. Department staff reviewed the evolution of state cannabis law, the creation of the current regulatory framework, licensing and compliance efforts, and enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids. The department said the licensed market has grown in production and retail units sold, while active licenses and retail sales value have declined, and that the illicit market remains a major competitive factor. The department also highlighted consumer education efforts, product testing and recalls, and coordination through the state enforcement task force and other agencies. The department’s economist said the data show continued growth in licensed production and a rising share of consumption through the licensed market, but falling wholesale and retail prices have reduced overall industry value. He identified major headwinds as taxes and fees, illicit-market competition, local prohibitions that limit retail access, regulatory costs, and broader business pressures, while noting opportunities in product innovation and possible hemp-market changes. Committee members pressed the department on enforcement, public health concerns, equity ownership and employment, delays in grant administration, pesticide testing, and whether the legal market is truly viable for small businesses and farmers. Several members argued that stronger enforcement and lower costs are needed, while one member raised concerns about cannabis-related health harms and said the hearing focused too narrowly on supply-side issues. Public commenters from industry groups and advocacy organizations largely echoed concerns about high taxes, regulatory burdens, limited retail access, and the size of the illicit market. Many urged the Legislature not to let the excise tax rise from 15% to 19% and called for tax relief, compliance reform, more enforcement, and broader retail access. Some speakers said the report was too optimistic and did not reflect business failures, debt, and closures, while others emphasized the need to protect small farmers, address wildfire insurance, and support equity businesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational only.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 25 Feb 5th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • First order of business is roll call. Clerk will unlock the machine.
  • Majority being present, the House is now ready for business.
  • The House will now advance to the second order of business.
  • House Bill 586 was referred to the Business Committee.
  • That woman should never have to choose between her faith and her business. Can my business survive?
Summary: The House convened with 64 members present, approved the previous journal, and received Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117, 118, and 119 for first reading and committee referral. Standing committee reports moved several measures forward, including House Bills 500, 533, 555, 551, and 526, House Joint Resolution 7, and House Joint Memorial 11, while a number of newly introduced bills were read and referred, including bills on environmental cleanup and hazardous waste provisions, property tax administration, emergency response programs in schools, city annexation, IT services, campaign finance, and digital content funding. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 557, which would preempt local ordinances imposing anti-discrimination requirements beyond state law. Supporters argued it would create statewide uniformity, protect religious freedom, and prevent local ordinances from creating litigation or conflicts over business and private-space access. Opponents argued it was an overreach that would weaken local control, ignore the ability of cities to address local concerns, and send a hostile message to LGBTQ residents and businesses. The debate included references to the Sandpoint YMCA situation, the Hitching Post case, and broader arguments about state versus local authority. House Bill 557 passed the House on a roll call vote of 53 ayes, 16 nays, and one absent excused, with the title approved and the bill transmitted to the Senate. The House also unanimously held House Joint Memorial 12 and House Concurrent Resolution 5 on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, then moved to announcements and adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 31 Feb 11th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • A quorum is present, and the Senate is ready for business.
  • There being no further business in the 11th order of business, the Senate will now advance to the 12th
  • order of business: second reading of bills.
  • There being no further business in the 12th order of business, the Senate will now advance to the 13th
  • Hearing no objection, the Senate will now advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business
Keywords: 989, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I was in the retail business for 42 years, in the wine business, and I can remember occasions when I
  • Like so many small businesses, I do everything myself.
  • One email could put my entire business at risk.
  • Like so many small businesses, I do everything myself.
  • they are having a going-out-of-business sale if they are not actually going out of business.
Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed. House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill. House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • that we were doing business with that we thought was above board, we don't want to do business with
  • business environment.
  • You're saying, as a business person doing business, if you're looking on OMA verify, it's going to say
  • the business as much as possible.
  • His business was robbed.
Summary: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority advisory council met for its first public comment session, approved the November 21, 2025 minutes, and heard extensive comments from patients, industry members, and advocates. Public testimony focused on concerns about proposed legislative changes, including potency limits, tax increases, grow-license caps, reclamation bonds, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and bills affecting employee credentialing and edible definitions. Commenters also raised transparency concerns about the council’s composition, OMMA’s “secret shopper” program, access to records, and the need for more patient, processor, lab, and small-business representation. OMMA leadership gave agency updates, reporting that the medical portal had improved after earlier problems and that turnaround times were now about 36 days for commercial renewals, same day for credentials and transport agents, and eight days for patients. The agency also said it had added an administrative actions tab to its website, was moving forward with QA lab accreditation, and was working more closely with law enforcement on hemp-derived cannabinoid enforcement. The new Chief Science Officer reported accreditation progress for the QA lab, completion of several validation processes, 12 lab cases filed for 2024-2025 inspections, and one lab license revoked for noncompliance. Legislative staff reviewed bills moving through the session, including measures extending a moratorium, capping commercial grow licenses at 2,550, repealing the grow bond and adding a reclamation fee, and limiting THC in certain products, though one THC-cap bill had been amended into an advertising bill. Council discussion centered on proposed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package limits, with members arguing those limits could harm patients who need individualized dosing and create business disruptions. Members also discussed the need for better scientific testing methods, more timely inspection reports, and clearer guidance on license transfers. A major portion of the meeting addressed coordination between OMMA and OBNDD on enforcement against illegal or “gas station” cannabis products and bad actors. OBNDD explained its role in criminal enforcement, the use of search warrants and emergency suspensions, and how OMMA license revocations automatically affect OBN registrations. OMMA said it is now receiving more regular information from OBNDD and using that data to shut down licenses more quickly. The council also discussed whether public-facing license information should be redacted for safety, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Info Briefing - Mon Jul 13, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And just like how you are business support, we want to also support you in your business.
  • </c> We<00:13:23.600><c> help</c><00:13:24.000><c> businesses</c> We help businesses We help businesses
  • . business. business.
  • </c> businesses, you can apply. businesses, you can apply.
  • </c> too deep into that business. too deep into that business.
Keywords: 910, house, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 64 Mar 16th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate is ready for business.
  • The Senate was in the 12th order of business. There's no further business in the 12th order, Mr.
  • of business.
  • Without objection, the Senate will advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.
  • Without objection, the Senate will advance to the 15th order of business, miscellaneous business.
Keywords: 989, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 25th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a matter of pending business, House Bill 705.
  • As a matter of pending business, House Bill 1094.
  • As a matter of pending business, House Bill 2037.
  • As a matter of pending business, House Bill 2488.
  • As a matter of pending business, House Bill 3005.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of House bills as pending business, voting to report many of them favorably to the full Senate. Bills reported favorably included HB 705, 1094, 2037, 3005, 3112, 3320, 3388, 3516, 3923, 4134, 4214, 4233, 4350, 4559, 4748, 4765, 5093, 5129, and 5196, with several also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Some measures were reported with committee substitutes, including HB 3516, HB 3848, HB 4211, and HB 14. HB 2488 and HB 3320 had some dissenting votes, while most other bills were approved unanimously or near-unanimously. The committee spent the most time on HB 14, which Senator Schwertner explained would create the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office in the governor’s office and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund. The substitute would appropriate $350 million this biennium for reimbursement-based grants to support nuclear generation, supply chain development, pre-construction work, and construction-stage costs, with approval from the lieutenant governor, speaker, and governor. Senators Menendez and Nichols asked clarifying questions about whether the program involved grants rather than loans, how reimbursable grants would work, and who would evaluate applications; Schwertner said the program was modeled on the Enterprise Fund and that the grants would not be loans. After the committee had recessed, Senator Zaffirini asked to change her no votes on HB 4211 and HB 4233 to ayes so those bills could be placed on the local and uncontested calendar, while still registering no votes there. Senator Kolkhorst similarly asked to change her vote on HB 2488 to an aye for calendar purposes, while preserving her no vote. The committee then recessed again after completing its actions on the bills before it.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Mar 5th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Business and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • businesses all the time.
  • I think the business owner, depending on the type of business that they If it would be reasonable that
  • I mean, are we are we ok with Then pointing and destroying a business, a business person's livelihood
  • My assessment is that smart business owners will make their business a gun-free zone because that may
  • What business was being operated?
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • But if you are a business or if you are a... ...in circulation, but if you are a business or if you are
  • So we’re talking about a larger strata of business, making sure that we’re not hitting small businesses
  • And I say employers for a reason because we have small businesses, large businesses, but also nonprofits
  • Our analysis shows that tech businesses pay more than $4.3 billion each year in state business taxes,
  • Our analysis shows that tech businesses pay more than $4.3 billion each year in state business taxes,
Bills: HB2334 , HB2140 , HB2326 , HB2100
Committee: House Finance
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 2 May 9th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . business creation.
  • of business during that time.
  • , in a business, training people how to work in that business, doing the work regarding its R&D.
  • Tariffs are throwing small businesses out of business. business.
  • Because members, we owe it to Minnesotans, we owe it to the small businesses, and the big businesses.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Creative businesses still want to have access to good locations, and that, Creative businesses still
  • It affects the weekday business.
  • for businesses.
  • processes for businesses.
  • , nighttime businesses are some of the most overly regulated businesses in most city economies.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Crime and Public Safety Jan 13th, 2026

Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we should be trying to save businesses before we're trying to put them out of business.
  • However, I'm curious to know: is that 50% of their business? Is it 10% of their business?
  • there of hemp businesses?
  • businesses and could possibly go out of business because of this?
  • I was just wondering, compared to the business you represent versus the other businesses.
Keywords: 959, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 30th, 2026

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Transcript Highlights:
  • We represent more than 5,000 business owners from Of the National Federation of Independent Business.
  • we were positioned at 49th for cost of doing business and 42nd for business friendliness.
  • We see this in the data on business formation.
  • number of businesses.
  • I have a business here.
Bills: H5006 , H5007
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state tax collection cap law (62F) so the cap would be based on the prior year’s actual collections plus wage-and-salary growth and would include surtax revenue. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that the measures would need additional signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot if not enacted by the legislature. The committee’s expert witness, Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, said the income tax proposal would lower the base rate in stages beginning in 2027 and would ultimately reduce state income tax collections by about $5.4 billion annually when fully implemented. He estimated savings would vary by income level, from a few hundred dollars for lower- and middle-income households to about $10,700 for taxpayers at the surtax threshold. He argued the proposal would improve tax competitiveness but would also require major budget adjustments, likely including reserve use, spending cuts, and possibly new revenue measures; he cited prior downturns and said the state’s rainy day fund is stronger than in past recessions, though spending growth and health care costs remain concerns. On the 62F proposal, he said rebasing the cap to prior-year collections would make refunds more likely, with modeled refunds totaling about $7.9 billion without the surtax and $10.1 billion with it over the last decade, and warned it could reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Proponents of both petitions, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, NFIB, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that Massachusetts faces an affordability and competitiveness crisis and that lower taxes would help families, small businesses, job creation, and outmigration. They said the income tax cut would put about $1,300 a year back into the hands of average families, help pass-through businesses reinvest, and improve the state’s ability to compete with lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, presented a model projecting average annual revenue losses of about $680 million during the phase-in and a total net income tax revenue impact of $2 billion to $2.2 billion, while saying long-term revenue growth would be stronger after implementation. The hearing ended with committee questions and a brief dispute over a planned voter testimonial video, which the chairs said was not appropriate for the hearing at that point.