Video & Transcript : 'taxpayers' :
Page 78 of 448
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Ethics and Elections Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It was a huge financial burden for taxpayers to have to pay for the signature verification.
- So anytime that workload increases and that becomes a burden on the taxpayers of that county, some of
- And the Taxpayers of Florida Fund the FSC.
- And so this is the proof of taxpayer funding for this FSC. I made a request to my so we dis you.
- that data and see would actually follow our laws and actually, but they're getting funded by our taxpayer
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Russell Vought, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Jan 22nd, 2025
Senate Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- That is our taxpayer dollars.
- Throughout that time, I have been driven by a commitment to taxpayers and their families.
- We have to use taxpayer dollars wisely, because inflation, The government driven by irresponsible spending
- Senator, I believe that it's very, very important that we put the health care dollars that the taxpayers
- doing on behalf of the laws that were passed to make sure that Huawei was not a part of getting taxpayer
Committee:
Senate Senate Budget
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Media Availability on Tab Fee and Bonding Bill Agreement - 05/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- That's $254 million that Minnesota taxpayers are going to be saving in 2027.
- That's $254 million that Minnesota taxpayers are going to be saving in 2027.
- That's $254 million that Minnesota taxpayers are going to be saving in 2027.
- That's $254 million that Minnesota taxpayers are going to be saving in 2027.
- That's $254 million that Minnesota taxpayers are going to be saving in 2027.
Summary:
Legislators and reporters discussed the final contours of a Minnesota bonding and tax package centered on a $1.2 billion capital investment bill. Supporters said the bill would fund state and local infrastructure projects, maintain state assets, and include anti-fraud measures such as electronic verification for service providers and a 100% excess tax on fraud proceeds to prevent offenders from profiting. They also said the package would backfill road-and-bridge funding so the fee reduction would not reduce transportation dollars.
A major point of emphasis was a temporary reduction in tab fees, described as a $254 million savings for taxpayers in 2027. Republicans said the reduction was a top priority and that it was secured through negotiations, though they acknowledged it is only a one-year reprieve unless changed in a future session. They estimated the average savings at about $145 on a $50,000 vehicle, with larger savings for households with multiple vehicles. They also noted that the first proposal had included both a depreciation change and a rate change, but only the rate cut remained in the final compromise.
In response to questions, lawmakers said the tab fee cut was driven by constituent complaints and that they would try to extend it next year. They also discussed related transportation issues, including accelerating collection of an auto parts sales tax and concerns about greenhouse gas-related costs for roads and bridges. On other topics, one lawmaker said gun control proposals in the House were not part of these negotiations and urged continued movement on the broader package. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but participants expressed confidence that the bonding portion of the deal was largely settled, while some details of the full package still needed to be finalized.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Fraud with Employee Training – Senator Mark Koran Feb 28th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and the reality when it's 90% fraud, our taxpayers also want a refund for the money that we allow
- ,</c><00:07:55.520><c> our</c> reality when it's 90% fraud, our reality when it's 90% fraud, our taxpayers
- :07:57.120><c> want</c><00:07:57.360><c> us</c><00:07:57.599><c> want</c><00:07:57.759><c> a</c> taxpayers
- also want want us want a taxpayers also want want us want a refund<00:07:58.400><c> for</c><00:07:58.639
- I think that the taxpayers should be furious that that could be allowed to happen, and to help him accomplish
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- to better leverage different investment options to make sure that we are being good stewards of taxpayer
- I mean, if you're, we shouldn't be playing the market with taxpayer dollars.
- opportunity where we could be holding money in a long-term strategy that would benefit Missouri taxpayers
- We trust the treasurer's office to be... ...and the taxpayers for that reason.
- I think we have the required amount of accountability to the taxpayers and the voters as it sits here
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 21, 2026 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- YOU CAN THINK TAXPAYERS DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY, BUT YOU SURE LIKE THEIR MONEY WHEN IT COMES
- WHEN YOU INCLUDE PARENTS AND TAXPAYERS, THEY ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS, YOU BETTER
- WE ARE SPENDING SIGNIFICANT TAXPAYER DOLLARS REMOVING AND LITIGATING MATERIALS EDUCATORS CAREFULLY TO
- MOONEY, I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BUT I AM A TAXPAYER, AND I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE
- EVISCERATE A FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARD, INCREASE FINANCIAL BURDENS ON SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT TAXPAYERS
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, instead it seems to be a taxpayer bailout for systems that refuse to reform.
- With the proposed version of SB 63, taxpayers are now being asked to bail out those same operators with
- With the proposed version of SB 63, taxpayers are now being asked to bail out those same operators with
- no power. taxpayers are now being asked to bail out those same operators with no power to regularly
- So San Mateo County taxpayers are being asked to contribute billions — that's with a B, folks — in new
Committee:
House Transportation
Summary:
The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that the bill would place a sales tax measure before voters to provide long-term operating support, paired with a third-party efficiency review and new accountability provisions. Supporters, including SPUR, Caltrain, BART, MTC, transit agencies, local governments, labor, and environmental groups, argued the measure is urgently needed to prevent collapse of transit service and broader economic harm.
A major focus of the hearing was accountability and governance. The bill’s amended structure would create operator-specific ad hoc adjudication committees made up of commissioners from the counties that fund each operator, with the ability to withhold a portion of funding if problems are not corrected. Senator Wiener and Senator Arreguín said the amendments strengthened oversight and reflected extensive negotiations among the counties. Assemblymember Papan opposed the bill, arguing it still lacked fair representation and proactive oversight for San Mateo County and that the county was being asked to pay without sufficient control. Assemblymember Lackey also opposed the measure, calling it a bailout and criticizing the tax structure.
Committee members questioned how complaints would be filed, how the adjudication process would work, whether MTC could override committee decisions, and how often counties could bring complaints. The authors explained that counties may file one complaint per operator per year, that MTC must follow the ad hoc committee’s recommendation, and that withheld funds would be returned if issues are resolved. After debate, Assemblymember Ahrens moved the bill and Assemblymember Harabedian seconded. The committee voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended and send it to the floor.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So it ended up resulting in a refund to taxpayers.
- So it ended up in resulting in a refund to taxpayers.
- of California versus putting it away for the next taxpayers of California.
- So we did give money back to the taxpayers in different forms, but changing the deposit and not having
- Scott Kaufman, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years.
The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains.
Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bottom line is the taxpayer... ...funded junk food turns into taxpayer-funded health care later on
- Workers at taxpayer dollars allocated for nutrition assistance are used to encourage healthier food options
- Well, when you're talking about some taxpayer-funded assistance programs, I think we ought to have a
- Toni Rose, and I tell you, I think your bill is fabulous, and this has always bothered me that that taxpayers
- We're not expecting the taxpayers of Texas to pay for our candy and our soda, and I am so very glad you
Bills:
HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539
Committee:
House Human Services
Keywords:
assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Ethics and Elections Mar 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- FOR ANY ADMINISTRATIVE FEES THAT WE HAVE ASKED THE STATE, OTHERWISE WE WOULD BEAR THE BURDEN AS TAXPAYERS
- IN LOOKING AT THE HOSPITAL INCIDENT BILL, OUR MAIN POINT IS ON CENSURE COUNTY TAXPAYERS AND SUBSIDIZE
- THESE WE CAN BEGIN COUNTING THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IT WOULD NOT BE A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS
- FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS OF THAT COUNTY. >> Sen. Gaetz: FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. RAMBO?
- THIS AMENDMENT MAKE SURE TAXPAYERS DON'T GET THE BILL FOR POLITICAL ISSUE CAMPAIGNS.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal without Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- recognized by the state as abusers, yet they currently are able to seek and obtain employment in taxpayer-funded
- recognized by the state as abusers, yet they currently are able to seek and obtain employment in taxpayer-funded
- Right. and seek and obtain employment in taxpayer-funded MassHealth Day habilitation programs, potentially
- Health Safety Net Trust Fund, and makes targeted payments to hospitals to maximize the impact of taxpayer
- And that is the reimbursement rates that these hospitals are receiving, not only from public taxpayers
Summary:
The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees.
The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 31 March, 2026; 9:30 A.M.
Economic and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, I'm not a person that believes that any program should cost taxpayers of the state of Mississippi
- continue to remain in existence, we need to try to make it profitable where it is not a cost to the taxpayer
- Obviously, I'm not a person that believes that any program should cost taxpayers of the state of Mississippi
- continue to remain in existence, we need to try to make it profitable where it is not a cost to the taxpayer
- continue to remain in existence, we need to try to make it profitable where it is not a cost to the taxpayer
Committee:
Joint Economic and Workforce Development
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Targeting property tax refund program expansion 3/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- provides direct property tax relief, it does not shift the property tax burden onto other property taxpayers
- 03:43.320><c> onto</c><00:03:43.640><c> other</c><00:03:43.840><c> property</c><00:03:44.239><c> taxpayers
- And that would help protect our taxpayers from getting taxed out of their home. So, thank you.
- And Representative Wiener, that brings up a lot of great points. that would help protect our taxpayers
- that would help protect our taxpayers from<00:07:43.520><c> getting</c><00:07:43.800><c> taxed</c><00
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:48 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- this bill matter so deeply, ensuring that child care assistance Dollars are not supplanted by other taxpayer-funded
- we only prioritize a select group and we're not doing this, then I think we're not doing what the taxpayers
- The last thing I'll say is I do think this is something that taxpayers in New Mexico want because our
- taxpayers are our families that need child care, and our taxpayers are the educators that run our child
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/05/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides for the requirements for a taxpayer to claim the rural development and housing tax credit
- It provides for the requirements for a taxpayer to claim the rural development and housing tax credit
- lobby, was aggressively pushing back because broad tax reductions that benefited a broader base of taxpayers
- lobby, was aggressively pushing back because broad tax reductions that benefited a broader base of taxpayers
- lobby, was aggressively pushing back because broad tax reductions that benefited a broader base of taxpayers
Summary:
The committee began with short video presentations highlighting historic sites in Prescott, including the Arizona Pioneer Home and the Charlotte Hall Museum/First Territorial Governor’s Mansion, with members discussing the value of showcasing district landmarks and rural history. The committee then took up HB 2804, a bill to create a state rural development and housing tax credit tied to the federal low-income housing tax credit for projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the Flagstaff mayor and several affordable-housing developers, said the bill would help finance rural and workforce housing, especially for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents, while opponents from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued the program is inefficient, hard to police, and benefits intermediaries more than residents. Members debated the policy at length, but the bill was ultimately passed on a 7-0 vote with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then considered HB 2388, which would appropriate unspecified funds to the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers for the state and local governments. The sponsor described it as a study bill to gather information on a topic already drawing significant attention, and a representative from the Libre Initiative supported it as a way to assess workforce and economic opportunities. Members discussed possible amendments, including adding data on utility-rate impacts and other costs, and the sponsor said she was open to that conversation. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with one member opposed and others expressing support contingent on possible amendments.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I do think that's something that the taxpayers, I mean, you'll get a vote on as well, but for me
- I do think the taxpayers do deserve the tax cuts within that, and we should do what we can to make sure
- coming what was actually involved in it what was in it and I do think that's something that the taxpayers
- I mean you'll get a vote on as well but for me I do think the taxpayers do deserve the the tax cuts
- And I would just remind this group that we're sitting on taxpayer money, about $1.7 billion in reserves
Summary:
The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to review budget rescission options and related statewide budget decisions for fiscal year 2026. Keith Bybee of DFM walked members through a packet outlining the governor’s recommended rescissions, plus two additional agency reduction scenarios of 1% and 2%. He explained that the governor’s package would reduce appropriations by about $177.5 million and nearly 100 FTEs, while the added 1% and 2% scenarios would deepen reductions further. He also clarified that some agencies were exempt or partially exempt from the additional cuts, including public schools, Medicaid services, corrections, and Idaho State Police, and that the Secretary of State had proposed a one-time contract savings instead of participating in the full additional reduction.
Members discussed why the committee was considering further reductions despite existing reserves and a balanced budget outlook, with supporters emphasizing uncertainty around tax conformity, revenue forecasts, and other policy bills that could affect the budget. Several members expressed concern that the proposed cuts were ongoing, broad, and could create instability for agencies, while others said the process would give work groups a clearer target and more flexibility to adjust budgets later. Bybee and the co-chairs repeatedly stressed that the goal was to right-size the budget and preserve flexibility as more revenue and policy information becomes available.
The committee also reviewed proposed cash transfers totaling about $106.7 million to help balance the budget, including transfers from the In-Demand Careers Fund, Water Pollution Control Fund, Strategic Initiatives Fund, Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Fund, and Permanent Building Fund. Members asked whether those transfers were legally permissible and were told the legislature has authority to move money in the treasury for balancing purposes. Finally, Bybee outlined statewide decisions for maintenance budgets, including personnel benefit cost increases, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, a small military CEC adjustment, and options for a 3%, 4%, or 5% ongoing base budget reduction. The co-chairs said motions would be brought forward on Friday, and the committee adjourned with plans to continue hearings the next day.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Transportation and Public Works Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:04 am
Transcript Highlights:
- This is all costing taxpayers money.
- And what taxpayers want are safe roads, secure bridges and they want their kids to be safe when they're
- I often like to cite the fact that our roads are where every taxpayer meets their government.
- are so many various activities and departments that state funds and they are all worthy, not every taxpayer
- As an example, not everyone is involved with CYFD, yet they're very important But every single taxpayer
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- reasonable amount of time so that there isn't an unnecessary burden on the folks, citizens, and taxpayers
- reasonable amount of time so that there isn't an unnecessary burden on the folks, citizens, and taxpayers
- determine what staffing levels are actually needed to ensure public safety and to not waste our taxpayer
- does have flexibility to staff the levels that are needed to ensure public safety and to not waste taxpayers
- ' dollars if there is not a need. ...to ensure public safety and to not waste taxpayers' dollars if there
Committee:
Senate Human Services
Keywords:
incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, children, youth, financial stability, care services, department of children and families, housing assistance, foster care, pilot program, social services, accountability
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Florida has built historic momentum in protecting our natural resources while responsibly managing taxpayer
- Florida has built historic momentum in protecting our natural resources while responsibly managing taxpayer
- “That demonstrates a lasting return on the investment of the legislature as well as our taxpayers in
- who serve Florida, working every day to create efficiencies, value, and cost savings for Florida taxpayers
- to postage, database subscriptions, and IT software to allow the department to effectively serve taxpayers
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 18, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- acres of land and our challenge is how to best manage and care for the land that the state and the taxpayers
- presentations, representative is more just for our general insight and how the corresponding agencies manage taxpayer
- But others require investigation possible criminal charges in taxpayer funded removals year-over-year
- waters of the state when they are at risk of becoming derelict, which will result in cost savings for taxpayers
- Since the program began, we have already removed 223 vessels saving the taxpayers of the state.