Video & Transcript Research : 'hard drive'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/13/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- residential treatment, applied for waivers, and much more, but the wait lists are long and it's very hard
- residential treatment, applied for waivers, and much more, but the wait lists are long and it's very hard
- Eventually, we began waiting until he was calm after an incident and driving him 3 hours to an ER in
- our ability to drive down unsheltered homelessness<01:36:55.440>
and <01:36:55.639>drive - obligations that I have as I was driving obligations that I have as I was driving down<01:52:37.400
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
LGBT Aging Commission Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And what drives diversity, equity, inclusion is power.
- And that is why power and belonging really drive our ability to truly be, to embody diversity, equity
- conditions make it hard to reflect those values as a commission fully.
- Hi, I'm driving, but I can hear you.
- When you live in a system that supports inequity, it's hard to notice. And so we need a tool.
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming Alison Bauer as its first full-time director, effective March 30. Bauer briefly introduced her background in law, social work, public health, state government, philanthropy, and teaching, and said she planned to meet one-on-one with each commissioner. The commission then approved the December quarterly meeting minutes by motion and vote.
The main portion of the meeting was a workshop led by Adriana Boulin on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Boulin defined key terms, guided participants through reflection exercises on personal values and conditions that support or undermine power, and discussed the history of intersectionality. Commissioners and guests shared examples of DEI work, including listening sessions, inclusive trainings, equitable hiring, LGBTQ+ aging advocacy, and community programs. Participants also reflected on how the commission has felt powerful, citing the strategic plan, the hiring of an executive director, the website, listening sessions, and passage of the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights.
The group then focused on how to apply an equity lens to the commission’s strategic priorities, especially improving representation and inclusion. Commissioners discussed the need for more racial, ethnic, trans, immigrant, and other marginalized representation, as well as barriers such as recruitment challenges, the size of the commission, and CORI/background-check concerns for some governor-appointed seats. They also explored whether an advisory board or expanded outreach to community organizations could help broaden participation. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes, but the meeting ended with agreement to continue the equity work and with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- boys basketball team serve as an inspiration to students and communities across Arizona, proving that hard
- work, unity, and determination can students and communities across Arizona, proving that hard work,
- So he thought it was very weird, his drive out there.
- He thought it was very weird, his drive out there, because the road was endless and dark, dark roads.
- He grew to love the long drives out there.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call, then approved the journal and spent much of the early session on personal privilege remarks, guest introductions, and proclamations. Recognitions included Arcadia High School’s 2026 state championship boys basketball team, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, Diné College and Navajo sovereignty/Indigenous higher education, Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, and Route 66’s centennial. The chamber also honored Senator Lela Alston for her long legislative career and retirement, with remarks from colleagues and a musical tribute after recess.
The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole and considered three House bills. HB 2048, dealing with orders of protection and process service, was amended and recommended do pass. HB 2398, concerning watercraft insurance requirements and penalties, was amended after debate over a floor amendment exempting some infrequent boat rentals; the amendment was adopted over opposition from Senator Epstein, and the bill was recommended do pass as amended. HB 2611, relating to child welfare and group home safety, was amended with changes requiring DCS reporting and standards for group foster homes, and was also recommended do pass as amended.
On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2198, HB 2434, HB 2764, HB 2772, HB 2837, HB 2868, HB 2906, and HB 2996, with HB 2772 drawing a 17-9 vote after Senator Gonzales objected that it could affect emergency responders seeking driver’s licenses from patients. HB 2868 passed 25-1, HB 1668 passed 25-1, and the rest passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to SB 1168, SB 1254, and SB 1668, then passed SB 1168 and SB 1254 on final reading and sent them to the Governor; SB 1668 also passed final reading and was sent to the Governor. The chamber then recessed.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Jul 14th, 2025
Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- There's opportunity there where we're going to be pushing hard...
- Our goals for the coming years are to push hard. We're going to push districts to the next level.
- They've worked hard.
- Things there we can do, and what is we drive districts to do more preventive maintenance.
- It's important to create and drive things through performance criteria.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 19th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- My greatest concern that I just wanted to drive home before I walk away is that the transparency and
- Competition drives down costs.
- This person's job is to drive around the neighborhood and look for violations and then issue warnings
- It's very hard to raise other funds. These funds don't take away your equity.
- Um What I've been working with these committees on is driving economic development in Texas.
Bills:
HB 186
Keywords:
public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 19th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Competition drives down costs.
- This person's job is to drive around the neighborhood.
- So it's really at that innovation stage, it's very hard to raise other funds.
- What I've been working with these committees on is driving economic development in Texas.
- And was not willing to work as hard as some of us Texans, so they're bringing it back.
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP/TRN/AEN/TCA Joint Info Briefing - Wed Jun 25, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:48:29.599>
into so that people don't have to drive into so that people don't have to drive - They're driving more. Gas is vehicles. They're driving more.
- I was driving in today and sorry it's taking up a little bit of time, but I was driving in today and
- I was driving in today and sorry it's taking up a little bit of time, but I was driving in today and
- <01:57:05.520>
work but uh appreciate the hard work but uh appreciate the hard work everyone's
Summary:
The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals.
DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions.
A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs.
The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HLT/CPC Joint Public Hearing - Mon Feb 10, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Hope you're not driving.
- Hope you're not driving.
- Hope you're not driving.
- Hope you're not driving.
- Hope you're not driving.
Summary:
The joint House Committee on Health and Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard two midwifery bills, with testimony focused primarily on HB 1194. Committee chairs opened the hearing with rules for Zoom testimony and noted the bills relate to midwives. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it supported the intent of HB 1194 and offered comments. Supporters of the bill, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, argued that midwifery should remain subject to mandatory licensure to protect consumer safety, citing the state’s regulatory licensing standards and a 2025 state auditor sunset analysis. They said the bill would strengthen educational standards and public protection, and some offered clarifying amendments.
Opponents argued HB 1194 would restrict access to care and fail to protect traditional, cultural, and community-based birth practices. Testifiers from the Hawaii Home Birth Task Force, the Hawaii Home Birth Collective, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Pacific Birth Collective, and Papa Ola Lōkahi said the bill would limit licensure pathways, reduce access in rural and underserved areas, and burden Native Hawaiian and traditional practitioners. Several speakers said the measure could worsen Hawaii’s maternal health shortages, especially on Maui, and urged lawmakers to defer HB 1194 or instead advance HB 1328, which they said better protects practitioner access and cultural practices.
The Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives said it opposed HB 1194 because it did not align with national or state standards for certified midwives and could create conflicts with Medicaid reimbursement and prescriptive authority. The ACLU also opposed the measure, emphasizing reproductive rights, privacy, and the need to preserve apprenticeship pathways to licensure. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Speaker. support that 9 months of hard work, and support that 9 months of hard work, and I'll<00
- <00:54:07.480>
to The thing you think is so hard to The thing you think is so hard to implement - Um, also, many of these chain restaurants have drive-thrus.
- Um, also, many of these chain restaurants have drive-thrus.
- get that job back and it's really hard get that job back and it's really hard to<02:22:36.840>
Summary:
The House convened with 129 members present, read the prior journal, and then took up a series of third-reading bills. Early action included unanimous passage of HB 159 (mail theft), HB 412 (child support and driver’s license suspension), HB 912 (trap-neuter-return policies for community cats), HB 914 (Worcester County Board of License Commissioners membership), HB 558 (Prince George’s County wine festival licenses), HB 1400 (shellfish aquaculture penalties), and HB 1463 (Anne Arundel County Board of Education constituent services liaison). HB 582, dealing with Prince George’s County alcoholic beverages licenses and voter registration requirements, drew brief debate over whether it removed or retained a voter registration condition; it ultimately passed 119-12. HB 846, a property tax exemption for the Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility, passed 126-7 after a system delay interrupted proceedings.
Several bills prompted more substantive discussion. HB 1218, the Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act, drew opposing explanations over a proposed public registry of properties with housing violations; supporters said it would help identify serious housing problems and improve compliance, while opponents objected to publicly naming private properties based on administrative findings. It passed 99-36. HB 525, the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, passed 135-1 after questions about enforcement, with supporters comparing it to ordinary classroom discipline. HB 1483, allowing out-of-state clinical professional counseling and social work providers to use telehealth for continuity of care, passed 135-0 after clarification that it applies to people moving into Maryland and allows a six-month continuity period. HB 1504, the Pedestrian Safety Act, passed unanimously.
Later, HB 664 (Cecil County alcoholic beverages license quota) passed 134-1, and HB 837 (cardiovascular pre-screening for student athletic activities) passed 133-2 after the sponsor explained that reporting requirements were removed for cost reasons and the bill now mainly requires screening questions. HB 925, regulating PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland, generated the most extended debate: one delegate argued the bill’s limits were too weak and lacked liability for industry actors, while supporters said it establishes the first limits, requires wastewater treatment plants to reduce PFAS, and leaves room for future tightening; it passed 130-7. HB 1370, authorizing a pilot stop-sign monitoring program in Rising Sun, passed 109-26. HB 649, expanding Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforcement to higher education discrimination claims, passed 100-35 after supporters said current protections are stronger for K-12 than for colleges. The House also passed HB 512 on compensation for Anne Arundel County license commissioners and inspectors, and the session continued into HB 661 on commemorative months.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/10/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- for you to go too fast now okay be hard for you to go too fast now okay were<00:10:12.480>
you - You're in the sun there; it's kind of hard to see. Great. Yay. Thank you for taking my question.
- especially on the DD waiver um is hard especially on the DD waiver um is hard so<00:15:21.959>
<01:03:57.279>- Most are informational, and some drive directly at decision-making.
uh to prioritize answers that may drive uh to prioritize answers that may drive
Summary:
The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS.
A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint.
The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone.
Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Res. 35, a resolution that will drive up energy prices in the United States.
- Why would we do things to help foster that by driving the price and lowering the availability?
- That drives my work here.
- and wasted methane and it drives and wasted methane and it drives Innovation<03:12:22.600>
creates - <06:55:39.920>
leaders our sincere gratitude for hard leaders our sincere gratitude for hard
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, there are quite a few areas of confusion around who can drive and who can't drive and the safety,
- Um, there are quite a few areas of confusion around who can drive and who can't drive and the safety,
- . driving. driving.
- Only safer infrastructure, penalties for inattentive driving, or reckless driving, injuring a cyclist
- <00:55:55.040>
for it's already exceptionally hard for it's already exceptionally hard for
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 9th, 2025 at 08:40 am
Transcript Highlights:
- As driving healthcare costs generally, pharmacy costs are increasing.
- And we know it's really hard to get an appointment.
- Placement work is just as equal and hard as investigations.
- work and the hard work of all the people that work at CYFD.
- And yet how you address that effectively is very hard.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It's also a and that also drives price.
- <00:21:18.559>
up buying up these homes that drive up buying up these homes that drive up - <00:26:51.840>
these the state is what's driving these the state is what's driving these property - It's hard to find.
- So, I appreciate this bill, really hard.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary (1-20-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:23.120>
to staff um who really work hard to staff um who really work hard to prioritize - We don't have the room precise driving.
- <00:26:19.679>
That's <00:26:19.919>the says leech driving track. - That's the says leech driving track.
- typically junior lawyers who are driving typically junior lawyers who are driving from,<00:49:23.839
Keywords:
Opening and Roll Call 00:28
Public safety Cabinet 01:09
Juvenile justice MH Facility: 04:30
Department of Corrections Repair and Replacement: 10:29
Department of Criminal Justice Flat Track 19:05
KSP : 27:02
Department of Public Advocacy : 37:35, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee heard capital project requests from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for fiscal years 2026-28. The cabinet described its large statewide footprint and said its facilities face significant deferred maintenance, with the governor’s budget proposing full funding for maintenance pool requests, including an additional $60 million for the Department of Corrections’ maintenance pool and cash funding through investment income. Officials said the projects were based on facility assessments and were presented as necessary public safety investments rather than wish-list items.
For the Department of Juvenile Justice, the main requests were $35 million for a high-acuity mental health treatment facility and $45 million each for two new female detention facilities. Officials said the mental health facility would fill a gap for youth needing psychiatric care, while the female facilities were needed to support a regional detention model and address overcrowding; they noted the current female population has grown by 50% since July 2024. Members asked about locations, and staff said they were considering western Kentucky abandoned mine land and available land in Fayette and Jefferson counties, with current female placements in Boyd County and Warren County.
For the Department of Corrections, officials requested funding for critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roof, and structural repairs, including $15.78 million for Kentucky State Penitentiary utilities infrastructure and additional funding for North Point Training Center projects. They also highlighted two re-entry initiatives: a KCTCS partnership for a re-entry campus at North Point and the East Kentucky Applied Manufacturing Institute at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, both aimed at reducing recidivism through intensive training and job preparation. Members asked about the KCTCS re-entry model, and DOC explained it would be a more immersive, campus-style program than current prison-based vocational classes.
The Department of Criminal Justice Training discussed projects at its Richmond campus and the planned Western Kentucky Training Center, including a replacement flat track and campus access road at Richmond and added training features in Madisonville. Officials said the Richmond changes were needed because EKU construction had removed the existing flat track and would affect access, while the Western Kentucky project would expand training capacity and reduce travel for law enforcement agencies. The Kentucky State Police then outlined the final phase of the statewide emergency radio system replacement, estimated at about $17.5 million, and said the system is being built in geographic phases; members asked how long completion would take, and staff estimated roughly four years after funding, assuming no major inflation spikes. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational with member questions and staff responses.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Health and Family Services. (1-28-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- And what drives those premiums is the pool of people.
- And what drives capitation payments.
- I mean, where is that driving?
- Those are the driving factors of why the budget is increasing.
- <00:55:51.839>
It's you know, working very hard on. It's you know, working very hard on.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:36
Department for Medicaid Services 00:01:44, 958, all
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met for an overview of the Department for Medicaid Services budget. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal described Kentucky Medicaid enrollment at about 1.4 million members, including more than 600,000 children, and said the agency’s 2025 total budget was $20.6 billion. They reviewed enrollment trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, noting that redeterminations begun in 2023 reduced enrollment from its peak but that total membership remains above pre-COVID levels. They also explained the difference between the fee-for-service population, which includes long-term care and waiver members, and managed care members, and gave examples of the kinds of services and diagnoses seen in each group.
A major focus was the governor’s recommended Medicaid budget and the department’s forecast process. Lee said the budget is split into benefits and administration, with benefits covering fee-for-service services, managed care capitation, transportation, and Medicare premiums, while administration covers contracts, personnel, operating costs, and IT-related advanced planning documents. She said the department uses a consensus forecasting group and actuary input, and that its forecasts have been within 1% of actual spending in recent years. The department also said the governor’s budget includes new waiver slots to address waiting lists, a 2% staff COLA, and a 10% phase-down on state-directed payments beginning in January 2028.
Much of the discussion centered on House Resolution 1 and the funding needed to implement its Medicaid-related provisions, including community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, and future cost sharing. Lee said the department requested about $35 million in total funds for fiscal 2027, including about $8.2 million in general funds for system changes to the integrated eligibility system, claims processing, notices, and monitoring; and about $11 million in fiscal 2028 for ongoing maintenance, with about $1.6 million in general funds. She said the department expects to seek federal APD matching funds for the IT work. In response to questions, she explained that community engagement would apply to Medicaid expansion members, with qualifying activities including work, school, volunteering, or equivalent income, and that certain groups such as pregnant women, children, caretaker relatives, and some people with chronic disease or substance use disorder would be excluded. She said the department identified roughly 70,000 expansion members who could be subject to the requirement. No votes or formal actions were taken.
AZ
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 22nd, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- All of them are going to be hit hard.
- So I think it's hard to put it all together in one spot. Totally.
- I know that's a hard ask to get even a dollar out of some people.
- You could just go out and drive it.
- That would have been heartbreaking for me and hard to handle. Thank you so much for all you do.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- First of all, what drives market pricing?
- <00:14:38.639>
Well, what is driving that cost higher? - Well, what is driving that cost higher?
- And so that's going to cost more and drive up costs.
- Um, that'll make sense. driving that cost is there's been I driving that cost is there's been I think
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 5 minutes, then heard a presentation from Balig Engineering on cost drivers for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in small Minnesota communities. The testifier said most Minnesota communities are small, and that limited local staff, complex funding requirements, and the need to combine multiple funding sources make projects expensive and labor-intensive. He cited examples of aging infrastructure, including a Tracy street collapse and failing water mains, and said federal funding can help but often requires extensive reports that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of staff hours. He also pointed to inflation, supply-chain disruptions, colder climate requirements, higher material and labor costs, limited competition among contractors and suppliers, and newer treatment requirements such as PFAS removal and cybersecurity controls as major cost drivers.
Members asked whether reduced bonding or less frequent state funding would lower prices, whether annual bonding bills provide market certainty, how regionalization could be encouraged, and whether tightening specifications adds costs. The testifier said stopping work would likely drive contractors out of the market and reduce competition, which could raise prices later, and that consistent funding helps keep contractors in Minnesota. He said regional water systems such as Red Rock Rural Water and Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water are already helping lower costs and that legislators could encourage more regionalization through incentives. He also said some specifications and federal requirements, especially around treatment plant controls and cybersecurity, increase costs, though some standards like deeper water-main burial are necessary. The committee then moved on to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where John Kelly began presenting the governor’s 2026 capital budget recommendations and described the department’s mission, statewide network of veterans homes and cemeteries, and service to nearly 300,000 veterans and dependents.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- liquor drinks and had both finished hard liquor drinks and had ordered<00:10:35.480>
beers. - <00:10:51.320>
alcohol completed drink of hard alcohol completed drink of hard alcohol and - It appears that a main argument may be that other elected officials drink and drive, too.
- It appears that a main argument may be that other elected officials drink and drive, too.
- <00:20:41.480>
worker a hard worker a hard worker and<00:20:42.800>a <00:20:42.840>