Video & Transcript Research : 'affordability'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that that is key: making this an affordable profession, That is key: making this an affordable
- And nobody can afford it. But I also know. It's going to cost you more, and nobody can afford it.
- Part of the conversation we have to have is: how do we make it affordable?
- But many DA offices can't afford to do that. They just can't.
- So I could actually be no-billed 90 days later, but I couldn't afford bond.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/15/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I have personally encountered providers in tears pleading for help to find affordable insurance, many
- and accessible coverage options directly impacting affordability and availability of child care.
- >
impacting <01:03:38.640>affordability options directly impacting affordability options - <01:19:08.440>
crisis and the broader affordability crisis and the broader affordability crisis - households already struggling to afford households already struggling to afford groceries,<01:19
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We consider affordability as a part of that study.
- And what's the affordability?
- And what's the affordability?
- And we want to keep our rates so that people can continue to afford that.
- And we want to keep our rates so that people can continue to afford that.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Info Briefing - Fri Jun 19, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- affordable housing. affordable housing.
- Uh so, creates affordable housing.
- For instance, you can look at essentially housing affordability, rent affordability, all the way down
- ,<01:32:58.760>
rent essentially housing affordability, rent essentially housing affordability - they mandated affordable housing, right? they mandated affordable housing, right?
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 107 May 1st, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- funding from the Statewide Affordable funding from the Statewide Affordable Housing<00:56:11.360
- <01:41:52.800>
housing affordable housing affordable housing projects<01:41:56.280>along - Um, and we're speaking about affordability.
- Um, and we're speaking about affordability.
- Um, and we're speaking about affordability.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So, is that um affordable housing there.
- :55.839>
is availability and affordability is availability and affordability is important<00:37 - that can least afford the high cost. that can least afford the high cost.
- to do something about affordable to do something about affordable housing,<02:00:43.599>
we affordable housing. Thank you. affordable housing. Thank you.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It just says if you can afford it, you can make those calls.
- That's just not fair. afford it you can make those calls but afford it you can make those calls but if
- We can't afford to do that.
- You want to talk about budget... can't afford hundreds of dollars every can't afford hundreds of dollars
- that cannot be the goal we can't afford that cannot be the goal we can't afford to<01:05:18.119>
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Education K-16 Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All of a sudden, you have the ESA program, and now you can afford one that's $18,000.
- Indianapolis, ...or affordable private school in Indianapolis to access it.
- When asked why, I said, why couldn’t AISD afford this raise?
- When asked why, I said, why couldn't AISD afford this raise?
- I know so many young teachers who are leaving because they can't afford to live here.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits.
The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation.
Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:51 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's really damaging the affordability of our state.
- They cannot afford... ...that cannot absorb the hit on infrastructure improvements.
- Importantly, this is a matter of transparency as well as affordability.
- . ...the conversation and to continue the conversation around affordability with energy.
- Because this is really about affordability.
Summary:
The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty.
The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms.
The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Apr 22, 2026 @ 3:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I look at it as an affordability issue as well. We're so focused on how to make things affordable.
- <00:20:05.320>
issue I look at it as an affordability issue I look at it as an affordability - Is it things affordable. What's fair?
- They typically are not able to afford bail.
- They typically are not able to afford They typically are not able to afford bail.<00:34:57.680><
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 11, urging Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, drew support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Pride at Work Hawaii, both of which backed the measure as a statement of equality and protection for LGBTQIA+ people. A member also reminded testifiers to keep signs and statements relevant to the measure. SCR 22, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahu and Aliʻa, had no testimony. SCR 58, calling for a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in DLNR boating and ocean recreation lots, drew strong support from multiple testifiers who argued that towing is overly punitive, costly, and unfair to beach and harbor users; they favored warnings or smaller citations instead of towing and raised concerns about signage, contract oversight, and the cost of proposed enforcement technology. One member asked about whether DLNR could use HPD or other officers for citations, and the discussion focused on staffing and enforcement authority.
The committee then heard SCR 60 SD1, requesting an update on the “Breaking Cycles” study on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was not present, but the Corrections Reform Working Group strongly supported the resolution, saying the study reflects extensive community outreach and should not be shelved. Testifiers urged the committee to use the report to examine alternatives to a new jail, including diversion, pre-trial reform, probation reform, and renovations to existing facilities, and one testifier suggested amendments to add experts in those areas and technical assistance from the Prison Policy Initiative. Another testifier described Maui’s use of wraparound reentry services, prosecutorial discretion, and programming as an example of reducing incarceration without expanding jail capacity.
SCR 184, asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine anti-discrimination laws as applied to algorithmic and automated decision systems, had no in-person testimony, with the chair noting one support and one comment submitted. The final measure, SCR 89 SD1, which would create an advisory committee under the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission to develop recommendations on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu, also had no testimony from the department, but the Corrections Reform Working Group supported it as a way to ensure community input into jail planning. A later testifier echoed concerns about building a large new jail and urged the committee to consider alternatives to incarceration and to include people with expertise in diversion, pre-trial reform, and probation reform. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- afford infant care without support.
- And you're going to say, well, they can't afford it at this level.
- They're going to buy a house they can't afford it at that level.
- that can afford it.
- You know, there's a lot of people out there who are not going to be able to afford it.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They are all building very fast here at a significantly affordable rate compared to other parts of the
- Albuquerque is experiencing somewhat of a shortage and an increase in prices of available and affordable
- What considerations have been given to affordable housing? Yes.
- Congress allowed the Affordable Connectivity Program to lapse.
- Investment or digital opportunity, but also affordability for broadband.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to expand MN renter's credit heard in House tax committee 3/26/25
Transcript Highlights:
- housing especially for folks affordable housing especially for folks to<00:12:47.839>
buy. - housing and you know 50% of affordable housing and you know 50% of our<00:17:44.240>
renters < - D highlighted, there is an affordability crisis in renting, um, and, like we heard from Rep. ... or in
- D highlighted, there is an affordability crisis in renting, um, and, like we heard from Rep. ... or in
- D highlighted, there is an affordability crisis in renting, um, and, like we heard from Rep. ... or in
Summary:
The committee heard House File 2499, authored by Representative Lee, which would expand Minnesota’s renters’ credit to more closely match the homestead credit for homeowners. Lee explained that the bill would raise the income cutoff from about $75,389 to $143,140 and increase the maximum credit to $3,500, with the goal of addressing what she described as an inequity between renters and homeowners who both pay property taxes. She cited revenue estimates showing the change could make about 80,000 additional renters eligible, while acknowledging the bill would be costly to enact this year.
Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in support, describing how the renters’ credit works, including the assumption that 17% of rent goes toward property taxes. She highlighted 2022 data showing most recipients had low incomes, many were seniors or people with disabilities, and participation was higher in greater Minnesota in some respects. Michael Dah of Homeline also supported the bill, saying renters face rising housing costs and use the credit for basic needs such as groceries, school supplies, medical care, and car repairs.
Members discussed whether expanding the credit would simply benefit landlords or encourage rent increases. Representative Anderson opposed the bill on the grounds that policy should incentivize homeownership, while Representative Huitt argued the credit could help renters build savings and move toward homeownership if they choose. Representative Lee responded that the housing market is broken and that the credit is one tool to help renters in a broader housing continuum. The discussion also covered outreach and administration of the credit, including the recent move to file it with income taxes, electronic certificates of rent paid, and funding for tax-preparation assistance and outreach through VITA sites and community organizations. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So, from our perspective, affordable student housing is critical to the success of community college
- So, from our perspective, affordable student housing is critical to the success of community college
- We're talking about housing that they're ready to build, and we should already be reducing affordable
- We're reducing affordable housing dollars in the state the way it is.
- So it was kind of balancing both the affordability and then the cost efficiency of the project.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty.
The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios.
The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Energy panel OKs bill to exempt electricity generated outside MN from clean energy standards 3/11/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For decades, North Dakota's energy industry has played a critical role in providing affordable, reliable
- reliable base load providing affordable reliable base load electricity<00:03:49.560>
to <00:03 - I just, we talk about affordable electricity in where I live, in the country, when you have livestock
- electricity in where I live affordable electricity in where I live in<00:13:57.720>
the <00:13 - reliable base load receive affordable reliable base load power<00:31:46.960>
and <00:31:47.200
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 5th, 2025
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't afford not to do this. Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
- Entities access affordable drugs to treat their low-income and underserved patients.
- So our support of this bill is really trying to improve the affordability.
- Goal of fairness and affordability. With that, we respectfully oppose HB 80. Thank you. Thank you.
- It's not that they've ignored paying their bills; it's that they simply cannot afford it.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Wed Jan 29, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
- They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
- They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
- They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
- They can't afford to buy stocks, bonds, other assets.
Summary:
The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition.
The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition.
The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. - Part 1 of 2 Feb 4th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- sides of the aisle that the health care status quo needs substantial changes so we get better, more affordable
- both my live and written questions for the record, he failed to commit to protecting access to affordable
- The folks who are getting their insurance on their own can't afford it. ...afford it.
- It was not about making health care more affordable and accessible.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, first off, we know that our country is facing a housing affordability crisis.
- <05:19:27.600>
for college access and affordability for college access and affordability for - for these same students to afford for these same students to afford colleges.<05:19:37.600>
That's - limits, and elimination of affordable limits, and elimination of affordable loan<05:19:44.680>
- ,<05:20:27.680>
strengthen <05:20:28.200>workforce affordable, strengthen workforce affordable - ,<05:20:27.680>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:53:18.000>
for more difficult and less affordable for more difficult and less affordable - <02:16:37.760>
health people need, access to affordable health people need, access to affordable - <02:48:26.000>
an motor vehicle was afforded an motor vehicle was afforded an opportunity< - Right now, they can afford their health care, barely.
- <07:23:26.798>
But can afford to pay this month. But can afford to pay this month.