Video & Transcript Research : 'spending benchmarks'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (01/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- There's authorization to spend $500,000, but they can't spend it because they can't hire the positions
- There's authorization to spend $500,000, but they can't spend it because they can't hire the positions
- Yeah, we control spending in sort of two ways.
- <00:26:09.559>
more not necessarily mean it spends more not necessarily mean it spends more - Bill one so you know instead of spending Bill one so you know instead of spending in<00:26:28.520
Summary:
The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April.
A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program.
The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations & Revenue. (7-1-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:14:04.760>
needs, representative of their spending needs, representative of their spending - backwards and see how much did you spend backwards and see how much did you spend in<00:14:09.280
- >
appropriation <00:14:20.200>and spend more than your appropriation and spend more than - spending limits. spending limits.
- So, a new spending decisions.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Budget Process 00:02:28
Allotment Process 00:10:30
School Facilities Construction Commission 00:29:10
Role of KDE in School Facilities Funding 00:47:00
Kentucky School Boards Association 01:13:25
Elementary and Secondary School Construction 01:20:40
Perkins V Funding 01:35:32, 958, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- and you came up with a way of spending and you came up with a way of spending it<00:11:29.440>
- of spending of spending it<00:11:37.279>
if <00:11:37.440>you <00:11:37.639>saved - those nonprofits are eligible to spend those nonprofits are eligible to spend in<00:18:41.760>
- are are prevented from spending can't uh are are prevented from spending an<00:24:09.559>
our <- have been able to go then spend have been able to go then spend 277<00:30:36.080>
million - of spending of spending it<00:11:37.279>
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE May 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't afford to cut spending.
- national average, we'd need to increase our per-student spending by 30%.
- We spend $4,000 less per student than the national average.
- In order to merely catch up to our peer states in public education spending, we need to be spending at
- State spending is not out of control.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Les Eaves, which would lower the individual income tax rate to 3.7% retroactive to the current year and reduce the corporate rate to 4.1% beginning in 2027. Eaves argued the bill continues Arkansas’s recent tax-cut strategy, would provide broad relief to working families, and would keep the state competitive while preserving future surpluses rather than cutting existing services. He and Representative Bray emphasized that prior tax cuts have benefited taxpayers and supported economic growth.
Several opponents testified against the bill, including representatives from Arkansas Appleseed, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a pastor, and individuals speaking about disability services and food insecurity. They argued Arkansas cannot afford further revenue reductions given needs in public education, early childhood care, Medicaid and food assistance, rural hospitals, and supported living services. Witnesses said the tax cut would disproportionately benefit higher earners while providing little or no relief to lower- and middle-income families, and urged the committee to prioritize public investments over tax cuts.
After debate, the committee adopted a motion to limit witness testimony to five minutes each. Representative Eaves closed on the bill and moved to pass it. Following discussion, the committee voted to pass HB 1001, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The budget we passed holds the line, spending less than last year and reducing per capita spending.
- We've been reducing spending. We reduced spending in 2025, in '26.
- and you should spend and you have the discretion to spend in order to account for population increase
- Allowed to spend their money on.
- Based on if we continue to spend like we have been spending, bad things were going to happen, and it
Summary:
The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax reform. The measure would increase the homestead exemption in stages, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits, and certain administrative costs. Supporters, led by Senator Avila, argued the proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief and push local governments to rein in spending, while opponents warned it would shift costs to fees, reduce local flexibility, and threaten funding for core services.
Several amendments were offered and rejected. Senator Sharief proposed an income-based circuit breaker for property tax relief; Senator Smith offered a sunset clause; and Senator Berman proposed revising the ballot statement to better match the amended proposal and remove outdated references. Each amendment failed on recorded votes. During questioning and debate, senators pressed Avila on the ballot language, the effect on local services, whether the legislature could later restrict local spending by statute, and whether renters would benefit. Avila said the ballot language was not his and repeatedly stated he was presenting the governor’s proposal, while also saying local governments would need to prioritize budgets and that future legislatures could address implementation details.
After the amendment votes, the joint resolution was read a third time and moved into final debate. Supporters said the proposal would give homeowners relief and force fiscal discipline at the local level. Opponents, including Senators Nathan, Bracey Davis, Smith, Polsky, and Errington, argued the measure was rushed, lacked a completed fiscal analysis or replacement revenue, and could harm police, fire, libraries, parks, housing, and other local services. They also criticized the ballot summary as misleading, especially regarding the staged homestead exemption increase. The transcript ends during debate, before any final vote on the joint resolution itself.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have spoken with the spending plan.
- Um uh I change their spending plans.
- there have been amendments to spending there have been amendments to spending plans<00:18:55.600
- So, um, on some level, spending plans.
- There's you can amend spending plans.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- our spending is functionally borrowed. our spending is functionally borrowed.
- spending we're not allowed to touch. spending we're not allowed to touch.
- spending flat. spending flat.
- Spending drives inflation.
- We have increased spending.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor Tim Walz Media Availability 2/27/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that spending is on the right trajectory<00:09:02.959>
here? - <00:10:09.279>
I to see is you saw spending going down. - I to see is you saw spending going down.
- So I don't think there's a lot of spending in those packages.
- So I don't think there's a lot of spending in those packages.
Summary:
The governor discussed Minnesota’s budget outlook ahead of a supplemental budget release next month, saying the state remains financially strong but should be cautious because of federal uncertainty and a structural imbalance in spending. He said the administration’s approach will be measured, with limited new spending and possibly modest revenue measures, while prioritizing a bonding bill and maintaining the state’s AAA bond rating, reserves, and middle-class tax cuts. He also praised the 2023 legislative session and bipartisan cooperation as the basis for the state’s current position.
A major topic was spending growth in special education and the broader human services system. The governor said special education is a fundamental service the state is legally and morally obligated to provide, but costs need to be managed more efficiently. He pointed to legacy IT systems in the Department of Human Services and county service delivery as expensive, antiquated, and error-prone, and said the state needs a multi-year modernization plan and continued reorganization. He argued that reforms such as prepayment verification and other fraud controls should reduce costs without cutting services.
The governor also addressed federal actions affecting Medicaid and other programs, sharply criticizing efforts to withhold funds and claims of widespread fraud. He said Minnesota’s Medicaid error rate is lower than the national average and argued that the federal government’s approach would harm children, pregnant women, and seniors without improving fraud prevention. He also said the state’s gun violence prevention and fraud-fighting packages are expected to be relatively close to budget neutral. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the meeting, which was primarily a press availability and Q&A.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This is to show you how the spending levels have increased over time.
- breakdown. on the local spend, and it's pretty obvious.
- Do we know, for instance, like with "1883," what the spend is here?
- We're talking 60 to 75 percent of the local spend.
- These are specific to our local jobs and the direct spend in our city.
Keywords:
Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, youth camp, summer camp, camp safety, emergency operations plan, emergency preparedness, evacuation drill, camp staff training, volunteer training, camper safety, lost camper, natural disaster, fire safety, mass casualty
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 27th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That was a common concern about having money left over and not knowing how to spend it.
- If we are concerned about the way that folks who get state money are spending it and if they're spending
- spending through a shell game of Russian nesting dolls, and we wouldn't know.
- And so all this bill does is say that voters have the right to know who is spending.
- are prevented from spending in our elections.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- to spend some.
- We're going to spend some. We're going to spend some. We're going to spend some.
- We're going to spend We're saying we're going to spend the first of our money on the home hardening,
- We need to spend money to, in We need to spend some money to incentivize communities to say, “We’re going
- So maybe we spend on education. Maybe we spend on some kind of incentive programs for communities.
Summary:
The hearing focused on California wildfire resilience, with the first panel discussing statewide funding, policy, and strategic priorities, and the second panel shifting to home hardening and defensible space. The LAO outlined the state’s wildfire risk, the large increase in resilience spending in recent years, and the fact that most funding has been one-time rather than ongoing. Testimony emphasized that wildfire risk varies greatly by region, that the state must balance response spending with prevention, and that success should be measured more carefully than by acres treated alone. Witnesses also noted the importance of local, federal, utility, and Proposition 4 funding sources, as well as the need for long-term maintenance and strategic prioritization rather than scattered projects.
Cal Fire leadership and other witnesses stressed that California’s wildfire problem is not uniform: forested areas, chaparral, and wildland-urban interface communities require different strategies. In Northern California and forested watersheds, speakers emphasized fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural burning, strategic fuel breaks, watershed protection, and maintaining forest health. In Southern California, testimony focused on wind-driven fires, ember intrusion, ignition prevention along roads and power lines, and the limits of large-scale vegetation clearing. Several witnesses argued that the state should invest where it can leverage local and regional partnerships, support capacity-building programs like Regional Forest and Fire Capacity, and improve data systems to track treatment effectiveness and project outcomes.
Members repeatedly pressed witnesses on how to prioritize limited funds, asking what should be done more of, less of, and first. The chair argued that protecting homes and communities through hardening and defensible space should be a major priority, especially near structures, while also acknowledging the need for broader landscape work and watershed protection. There was discussion of incentives such as insurance discounts, property tax treatment, and community certification for hardened homes, along with the need for multiple payers rather than relying on the state alone. Cal Fire reported new and expanding data tools, including treatment trackers, defensible space inspection dashboards, and a fuels treatment effectiveness program that evaluates whether nearby treatments affected wildfire behavior. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The budget we passed holds the line, spending less than last year, and reducing per capita spending.
- We've been reducing spending. We reduced spending in 2025, in '26.
- We're reducing spending going forward.
- and you should spend and you have the discretion to spend in order to account for population increase
- Based on if we continue to spend like we have been spending, bad things were going to happen, and it
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- have campaign spending commission. have campaign spending commission.
- spending commission. spending commission.
- spending commission. spending commission.
- spending commission. spending commission. >> Good<01:30:04.239>
afternoon. - a limit as how much you spend. a limit as how much you spend.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance.
County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing.
Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Management and Budget forecast projects surplus for the state, but uncertainty remains Mar 7th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In total, we project that spending in the current biennium will be $68 million lower than our previous
- In total, we project spending patterns.
- In total, we project that<00:01:59.840>
spending <00:02:00.400>in <00:02:00.520>the< - /c><00:02:00.640>
current <00:02:01.000>biennium that spending in the current biennium - The sooner we began looking spending.
Summary:
Minnesota Management and Budget’s February forecast reported that the state’s projected deficit has turned into a surplus, with an estimated $3.7 billion balance for fiscal years 2026-27 and a projected $377 million positive balance for FY28-29. Officials said the improved outlook is driven by a slightly stronger national economy and higher forecast revenues, but they cautioned that the state remains in a strong yet not secure position.
A major concern discussed was federal funding uncertainty. CMS has indicated it may withhold $515 million per quarter in Medicaid Assistance reimbursement, and separately notified the state it would defer $260 million in Medicaid reimbursements pending further information. Those potential losses are not included in the forecast, but lawmakers were told federal funds account for about one-third of state agency spending and that budget flexibility may be needed if cuts occur.
Speakers also noted that Minnesota still faces a structural budget imbalance despite progress made last session. Current biennium spending is projected to be $68 million lower than earlier estimates, but planning estimates are up $152 million since the last forecast. Several lawmakers emphasized affordability concerns for residents, citing rising delinquency rates, increasing unemployment, flat wages, and the need to focus on tax conformity, vehicle tab fees, and property taxes. Members from both parties said they want to continue working together on budget solutions and spending restraint.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/23/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- spending in our budget.
- That's a large driver of the spending you see on the slide.
- about $1.1 billion in annual spending at DCF.
- <01:36:59.840>
at about $1.1 billion in annual spending at about $1.1 billion in annual spending - welfare workers at counties are spending welfare workers at counties are spending a<01:39:45.880
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- FQHCs today represent only 8% of the 340B spend. Thank you.
- FQHCs today represent only 8% of the 340B spend.
- These evaluations ensure governments spend wisely and patients get value.
- So I want to thank everybody for testifying, coming in to spend the time with us.
- So I want to thank everybody for testifying, coming in to spend the time with us.
Summary:
The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients.
On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections.
On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Cuts in federal spending and jobs. Spending declines somewhat offsets in the near term by the war.
- So we are actually increasing spending in this budget package and funding that spending with the revenue
- So we are actually increasing spending in this budget package and funding that spending with the revenue
- We're doing it while still increasing spending beyond the level of spending of government.
- We're doing it while still increasing spending beyond the level of spending that, in my view, is far
Summary:
The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute.
The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing.
The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (04/07/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, the schools are spending this. Oh, it's the town spending this. It's the county.
- It's the it's the town spending this.
- if you get more revenues, you can spend if you get more revenues, you can spend more<01:18:13.920
- spending each year. Thank you. spending each year. Thank you. Thank<01:23:00.239>
you. - that that was all that excess spending that that was all that excess spending actually<01:24:16.239
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The budget we passed holds the line, spending less than last year, and reducing per capita spending.
- We've been reducing spending. We reduced spending in 2025, in '26.
- and you should spend and you have the discretion to spend in order to account for population increase
- Allowed to spend their money on.
- like we have been spending.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Scott Kupor, of California, to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and Eric Matthew Ueland, of Virginia, to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget. Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, that's discretionary spending, which is approximately 25% of total spending. 25% is mandatory and
- We've never had a process to control federal spending.
- It's pretty much, well, what did we spend last year?
- It's on spending and policy, but we've got to make them.
- in Guatemala, not spending $3 million. on girl-centric climate change, you know, not spending four million
Keywords:
nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining
Summary:
The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.