Video & Transcript Research : 'memory loss'

Page 78 of 469
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 1st, 2025

Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a memory of Sanchez. I'm Jen Weersma, a trustee in Temecula.
  • You get teamwork, you get confidence, you get accomplishment, you get memories, and you get positive
  • They seek teamwork, confidence, accomplishment, memories, positive development, and more.
  • Does the state or school risk loss? I'm sorry, Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Zuber.
  • You know, on the Holocaust Memorial Museum, there's a quote that basically says: "First, they came for
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating Apr 27th, 2026

The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have access to these memory books. I went through quite a number of them.
  • Because, talking with Chairman Meyer earlier, this loss of life was preventable.
  • This loss of life was preventable, and it is, it's, I don't know how to process that.
  • To Joe's phrase, the loss of life was preventable.
  • I'm just so sorry for all of the loss.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 20, 2025 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lopez: And will know that we're doing what is right in her memory.
  • Florida families, including my own, have suffered not only the loss of a loved one but also the quiet
  • loss of rights that most never knew they had.
  • of support payment and loss of services.
  • I am sorry for your losses. I am sorry that you have to go through this.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have memories of staying close to a phone during arguments, weighing the pros and cons of calling the
  • Just last Thursday, I listened to an educator from Waltham share her extreme loss and helplessness when
  • This event loss is just one example of the daily economic consequences of fear in our community.
  • This is only going to be intensified by the loss of trust in schools, loss of trust in these institutions
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses. Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role. Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/26/2026 - House Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have such fun childhood memories, and to this day my children get frustrated with their friends because
  • Two percent of Arizona veterans will visit Arizona State Parks, revenue loss of $61,400 from the fiscal
  • The reduction of 2.8% is the amount; the veterans that will visit a state park will account for a loss
  • The confusion was the people that testified saying that it's going to be an $8 million loss.
  • Chair, the confusion say it's going to be an $8 million loss.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The Committee on Government opened with a lengthy chair statement about Department of Child Safety oversight, describing prior hearings that identified systemic failures in communication, child placement oversight, response times, transparency, and accountability. The chair said the committee would continue pursuing reforms through legislation and ongoing reporting requirements. During that discussion, members also raised concerns about child trafficking in congregate care settings and the need for separate legal representation for child victims, which was tied to recommendations and a bifurcation bill. The committee then considered and advanced several bills. SB 1141, concerning presidential electors if a candidate dies, withdraws, or becomes incapacitated before the Electoral College meets, received testimony in support from election-law and ethics groups and passed 4-3. SB 1186, requiring disclosure of things of value given by companies or their affiliates when seeking government contracts or grants, also passed 3-3 after a tie-breaking due-pass outcome. SB 1808, allowing certain flags, including the Israeli flag, to be displayed in HOA communities, passed 4-3. SB 1050, as amended, would create a lifetime free state parks pass for qualifying veterans and a related Game and Fish license provision; state parks and Game and Fish testified about fiscal impacts and requested further work, but the bill passed 6-0 with one present vote after the amendment was adopted. The committee also passed SB 1140, which creates a court-based expungement process for certain misdemeanor records, especially for trafficking survivors and others who have remained crime-free for five years; survivor advocates, anti-trafficking organizations, and legal service providers testified in support, and the bill passed 7-0 after an amendment clarifying limited uses of expunged records. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive available format and favoring electronic delivery, passed 4-3 amid debate over transparency versus agency costs. SB 1246, raising the delinquency threshold before condominium lien foreclosure, passed 7-0. SB 1664, lowering signature requirements for constable nomination petitions in large counties, passed 7-0. SB 1338, addressing eligibility for state or local public benefits for certain noncitizens and unauthorized persons, passed 4-3. The committee adjourned after the final vote.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • But this is a state that's, in recent memory, had $3 billion surpluses annually.
  • So it's almost like a double loss.
  • So one of the things that I was thinking about was the loss that we've had with EVs.
  • That I was thinking about was the loss that we've had with EVs, with regard to our EV owners contributing
  • And I'm a Democrat, but, you know, I also understand finance, and I understand the loss to the budget
Keywords: 996, all
Summary: The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments. Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • the incredibly tight-knit community that was Altadena, which is so deeply impacted by the community loss
  • more at physical risk, but two, we're all at tremendous financial risk because as these wildfire losses
  • policies. that we can adopt to incentivize everybody to harden their homes and decrease our fire losses
  • for everybody in the state of California to join arms in trying to decrease our homeowners' fire losses
  • They lost their memories. They lost the places that their children took their first steps.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (02/10/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, there is no love loss between you?"
  • <01:31:59.280> So will be from a loss of patient care.
  • So will be from a loss of patient care.
  • So there is often a loss of revenue.
  • Any chance you could refresh my memory Any chance you could refresh my memory about<03:38:54.160
Keywords: 1189, house, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • To lose them is an incredible loss for STEM education.
  • This will be a severe loss to American scientific leadership and scientific advancement at large.
  • this to lose them is an incredible loss this to lose them is an incredible loss for<07:10:53.638
  • family and their loved ones on the loss family and their loved ones on the loss of<07:12:35.440>
  • <07:58:50.280> of solutions in addition to the loss of solutions in addition to the loss of
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - Senate Public Safety

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I also have the brother of Joshua Fox, who this bill is in memory of.
  • House Bill 2673 is created in memory of him, and in 2020, Joshua...
  • House Bill 2673 is created in memory of him. And in 2020, Joshua was suffering from psychosis.
  • I think about the basically tragic loss of life I often see.
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met, approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, and heard two presentations before moving to bills. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry presented on its K-9 program, describing staffing, dog types, functions such as contraband interdiction, search and rescue, and offender apprehension, and noting aging vehicles and the need for replacement canines. Biometrica then presented a privacy-focused facial recognition/sensor system intended to help law enforcement identify missing persons and known offenders in real time without storing video or audio; members asked questions but took no action on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2134, which would create the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to restrict Chinese-owned or Chinese-produced equipment and software in critical infrastructure and require reporting and oversight by the Corporation Commission. The sponsor said the bill was revised to be prospective and more workable; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2404, which shifts inter-facility transport of behavioral health patients away from peace officers and toward authorized transporters except in limited circumstances, drew support from a Phoenix police crisis intervention officer and the Arizona Police Association and passed 7-0. HB 2402, dealing with ambulance certificates of necessity for small or underserved areas, was amended to require rather than allow certain certificates and to streamline reporting and application processes; the sponsor and firefighters said it would preserve access and modernize a decades-old system. It passed as amended 7-0. HB 2673, as amended, was reduced to creating a study committee on inmate mental health services after originally proposing broader jail and prison screening and treatment requirements; the sponsor and a victim’s family member described the bill as a response to failures in the mental health and jail systems. It passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2253, protecting employees from retaliation for testifying in law enforcement disciplinary appeals, passed 5-0 with two not voting, and HB 2270, expanding county control over use of county seals, logos, and sheriff’s posse names, passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2941, which would make certain motorcycle lane-splitting or passing behavior reckless driving except as allowed by existing lane-filtering rules, drew support from the sponsor and motorcycle advocates who said it targets dangerous high-speed lane splitting, but one speaker warned the language could unintentionally criminalize safe filtering. The bill passed 5-1 with one not voting. The committee then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Workforce Apr 29th, 2025

S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, this has brought back a lot of memories.
  • This brings back a lot of memories, and it's nice to be here after 30 years.
  • employees after I'm dead and gone, and what better way to have your legacy and stay alive in people's memories
  • This is an ongoing loss of potential for both individuals and our economy.
Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies. The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector. The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Mar 20th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • My first memory of him, Mr. Speaker, was when I very first started in 2020.
  • Then my last memory of him was this summer when we were at a conference, and I was running around doing
  • Most proud to be part of the effort to complete the replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Angel Fire
  • That's about $12 a barrel of loss.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Mar 1st, 2025

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's kind of our wish that borders on the memorial language, right?
  • Just real quickly, I agree that it probably would be more fitting in a memorial situation because I think
  • Yeah, I think it's more fitting in a memorial. Thank you. I move a do pass. Any further discussion?
  • I'm trying to add a bad loss to the statute.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HLT-HHS Informational Briefing 03-06-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • that's a very legitimate question, and it goes back to some of my opening comments about, you know, loss
  • Comments about, um, you know, loss of federal funding for Medicaid down the line.
Bills: HB20, HB276, HB644, HB812, HB816, HB916, HB1131, HB1247, HB1518, HB1525, HB1537, HB1541, HB1546, HB1553, HB1562, HB1565, HB1566, HB1576, HB1577, HB1591, HB1605, HB1612, HB1613, HB1614, HB1618, HB1620, HB1650, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1668, HB1676, HB1707, HB1711, HB1713, HB1715, HB1718, HB1727, HB1749, HB1756, HB1774, HB1776, HB1801, HB1802, HB1805, HB1813, HB1815, HB1831, HB1838, HB1853, HB1854, HB1859, HB1863, HB1871, HB1872, HB1918, HB1920, HB1952, HB1965, HB1966, HB1967, HB1969, HB1972, HB1973, HB1974, HB1975, HB1980, HB1985, HB2005, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB2062, HB2113, HB2114, HB2116, HB2138, HB2139, HB2156, HB2158, HB2159, HB2171, HB2208, HB2268, HB2270, HB2272, HB2273, HB2276, HB2289, HB2310, HB2315, HB2335, HB2338, HB2339, HB2340, HB2343, HB2361, HB2384, HB2387, SB2338, SB2431, SB2438, SB2593, SB2907, SB2671, SB2321, SB3084, SB2401, SB3033, SB2972, SB3032, SB2806, SB3014, SB2108, SB2981, SB2973, SB2423, SB2078, SB2322, SB2397, SB2896, SB2088, SB2347, SB2408, SB2970, SB2851, SB2713, SB2697, SB2312, SB2192, SB2363, SB2530, SB3028, SB2024, SB3007, SB2599, SB2596, SB2662, SB2930, SB3334, SB2378, SB3019, SB3231, SB2240, SB2372, SB2175, SB2046, SB2298, SB2922, SB2835, SB3263, SB2174, SB2128, SB2006, SB2489, SB3134, SB2982, SB2425, SB2849, SB2797, SB2795, SB2575, SB2521, SB2765, SB2386, SB2852, SB2022, SB2117, SB2277, SB2387, SB2688, SB2885, SB3132, SB3219, SB2169, SB2591, SB2090, SB2983, SB888, SB3249, SB2611, SB2429, SB2463, SB3154, SB3131, SB3152, SB3315, SB2448, SB2054, SB2140, SB2520, SB2377, SB2986, SB2010, SB2189, SB2026, SB3010, SB2818, SB2002
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-05-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Bills: HB20, HB276, HB644, HB812, HB816, HB916, HB1131, HB1247, HB1518, HB1525, HB1537, HB1541, HB1546, HB1553, HB1562, HB1565, HB1566, HB1576, HB1577, HB1591, HB1605, HB1612, HB1613, HB1614, HB1618, HB1620, HB1650, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1668, HB1676, HB1707, HB1711, HB1713, HB1715, HB1718, HB1727, HB1749, HB1756, HB1774, HB1776, HB1801, HB1802, HB1805, HB1813, HB1815, HB1831, HB1838, HB1853, HB1854, HB1859, HB1863, HB1871, HB1872, HB1918, HB1920, HB1952, HB1965, HB1966, HB1967, HB1969, HB1972, HB1973, HB1974, HB1975, HB1980, HB1985, HB2005, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB2062, HB2113, HB2114, HB2116, HB2138, HB2139, HB2156, HB2158, HB2159, HB2171, HB2208, HB2268, HB2270, HB2272, HB2273, HB2276, HB2289, HB2310, HB2315, HB2335, HB2338, HB2339, HB2340, HB2343, HB2361, HB2384, HB2387, SB2338, SB2431, SB2438, SB2593, SB2907, SB2671, SB2321, SB3084, SB2401, SB3033, SB2972, SB3032, SB2806, SB3014, SB2108, SB2981, SB2973, SB2423, SB2078, SB2322, SB2397, SB2896, SB2088, SB2347, SB2408, SB2970, SB2851, SB2713, SB2697, SB2312, SB2192, SB2363, SB2530, SB3028, SB2024, SB3007, SB2599, SB2596, SB2662, SB2930, SB3334, SB2378, SB3019, SB3231, SB2240, SB2372, SB2175, SB2046, SB2298, SB2922, SB2835, SB3263, SB2174, SB2128, SB2006, SB2489, SB3134, SB2982, SB2425, SB2849, SB2797, SB2795, SB2575, SB2521, SB2765, SB2386, SB2852, SB2022, SB2117, SB2277, SB2387, SB2688, SB2885, SB3132, SB3219, SB2169, SB2591, SB2090, SB2983, SB888, SB3249, SB2611, SB2429, SB2463, SB3154, SB3131, SB3152, SB3315, SB2448, SB2054, SB2140, SB2520, SB2377, SB2986, SB2010, SB2189, SB2026, SB3010, SB2818, SB2002
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation (04/21/2026)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • First, I want to say how truly sorry I am for such a great loss.
  • There is no greater loss than your child.
  • am for such a great loss. There is no am for such a great loss.
  • So, I'm greater loss uh than your child.
  • for your loss that you suffered. for your loss that you suffered.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 6th, 2025

Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The industry pays $1.92 in losses for every dollar in premium it collects.
  • So, when you're looking at loss ratios, those loss ratios are only comparing their premiums with their
  • ratio is $1.92 in losses for every $1 in premium dollars.
  • So, in New Mexico, the superintendent wrote $1.92 in loss ratio.
  • Idaho is 149.6 in loss ratio.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I can’t imagine that loss.
  • Because even while grieving, even while carrying that unimaginable loss, you still showed up.
  • And what a loss.
  • My first memory of you, my first memory of you, was as a... Mr.
  • President, my first memory of you was at Senator Thompson's funeral.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy girls basketball team and a Florida State University student intern. The chamber then turned to executive appointment confirmations reported by the Committee on Ethics and Elections and other reference committees under Rule 12.7, with Chair Don Gates explaining that the committee had reviewed the qualifications and suitability of the nominees and held public hearings where required. Members debated several confirmations at length. The report containing 186 appointments was adopted 31-0 after Senator Polsky explained her no votes on three nominees, citing concerns about past comments and ideological views. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employee Relations Commission by a 26-10 vote after sharp debate over his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations tied to the diversion of Medicaid settlement funds; supporters argued he was a competent lawyer and no formal action had been taken against him. Chavon Harris was confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration by a 32-5 vote, with supporters praising her work on Medicaid funding and opponents criticizing her prior leadership at DCF and the Hope Florida-related issues. Taylor Hatch was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families by a 33-4 vote, despite concerns raised about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and DCF’s handling of Hope Florida; supporters emphasized her commitment to reform and the difficulty of the agency’s mission. After a brief recess, the Senate held a lengthy recognition of outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered personal tributes focused on her leadership, toughness, humor, mentorship, and support for colleagues, especially women in the chamber. Several speakers also referenced her handling of difficult bills, her post-presidency service as Rules Chair, and her resilience after personal loss. No further legislative action was taken during the recognition segment.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/19/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just something to put in our memory when that issue comes up again.
  • Just something to put in our memory when that issue comes up again.
  • when that issue comes up again memory when that issue comes up again this<00:15:45.680> is<00
  • any further questions or comments memory any further questions or comments from<00:15:57.600> the
  • Perpetrators first harm victims through extortion, leading to financial losses, withdrawal from family
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • at the Capitol, and this week on Senate Spotlight, the new session starts with a tribute for the losses
  • This year, however, started with feelings of loss.
  • But in response to the loss, one word kept coming up as a guide for the new session.
  • This year, however, started with feelings of loss.
  • But in response to the loss, one word kept coming up as a guide for the new session.
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The program opened the 2026 Senate session with tributes to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and others lost or injured during the interim, including Senator John Hoffman, who returned to the floor after surviving an attack. Senators repeatedly framed the session around courage, grief, civil discourse, and a commitment to govern despite heightened fear and political violence. The Capitol itself has changed in response, with locked doors, new security systems, more law enforcement presence, and new visitor guidelines. A major segment focused on Capitol security. Senator Bonnie Westlin said the Axtell report, commissioned by the Department of Public Safety, was the basis for new screening measures and identified weapon screening as the top priority. She said the goal is to create a safer perimeter for members, staff, and the thousands of annual visitors, while keeping access workable through single entry points and Evolv screening machines. She also discussed Senate restrictions on guns in the gallery, possible future legislation to ban guns on the Capitol complex, encrypted badges, internal access controls, and behavioral threat assessments. She noted some recommendations will require funding, with the Department of Administration seeking about $41 million. The program also highlighted the Senate fiscal review, described as a nonpartisan summary of the enacted budget that is being moved toward a more interactive web format. Another segment featured Senator Eric Lucero on affordable housing and home ownership. He said the Minnesota Housing workforce and affordable home ownership program is intended to increase owner-occupied housing supply, but argued that 123 homes built statewide is not enough to address the shortage. Lucero blamed regulation and permitting delays for higher costs, said Minnesota homes can cost $50,000 to $150,000 more than comparable homes in neighboring states, and said he will continue pushing for regulatory rollbacks to make home ownership more attainable.