Video & Transcript : 'assessment practices' :

Page 89 of 500
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-12 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><01:21:56.400><c> and</c><01:21:56.480><c> collection</c> all assessment and collection all assessment
  • . practices. practices.
  • So, this is an to practice in Vermont.
  • Again, the ARPN practice requirements.
  • Families current practice of using Families current practice of using pregnancy<02:45:01.280><c> calendar
Keywords: 927, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Mar 26th, 2026

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I do practice pathology. And pathologists are known as the doctor's doctor.
  • We can look at PISA, which is the Program for International Student Assessment.
  • We started teaching and practicing cursive at the elementary level.
  • And I'm not talking APR score, the fluff that's baked into the DESE assessment.
  • We started teaching and practicing cursive at the elementary level.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony focused on the effects of educational technology and screen time on K-12 students, with particular attention to House Bill 2230 and related policy changes. Dr. Mariam Mohamed Connie argued that one-to-one devices, digital instruction, and early screen exposure harm children’s learning, attention, physical development, and mental health, and that schools should return to more analog methods such as paper, handwriting, cursive, phonics, and print-based materials. She cited international and national assessments, research on handwriting versus typing, and her experience on the Springfield Public Schools board, saying the district saw improved MAP scores after scaling back Chromebook use in elementary grades and reintroducing books and cursive. Several witnesses and committee members discussed the practical and budgetary implications of reducing screen use. A Springfield administrator said many teachers were trained in technology-heavy environments and would need support to teach without relying on devices, and she estimated Chromebooks and related infrastructure cost more per student than textbooks, manipulatives, and paper. Another witness from the Missouri National Education Association supported the bill’s direction, saying elementary years are critical and that the state should signal a move away from overuse of screens while allowing districts time to adjust. Committee members emphasized local control, the need for a task force, and the importance of involving DESE because state testing and standards currently drive much of the digital use in schools. The discussion also covered Missouri Learning Standards, computer science requirements, and the tension between digital testing and classroom instruction. Speakers criticized the fact that MAP testing is digital and adaptive, arguing it forces schools to keep devices in elementary grades just to prepare students for state assessments. The chair and other members said the bill was intentionally nonprescriptive, aiming instead to create a task force and encourage local districts to develop screen-time policies, especially for elementary students. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public comment.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Fiscal Policy Mar 27th, 2025

Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill modifies requirements for student assessment that lowered the stakes for students on Algebra
  • , expands assessment options used for fourth grade promotion, and provides school districts flexibility
  • in their assessment calendars.
  • This bill modifies requirements for student assessment that lower the stakes for students on Algebra
  • in their assessment calendars.
Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered several bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 70-24, on state planning and budgeting, was presented as a modernization of the long-range planning program to simplify reporting, remove outdated measures, and focus on key data points and outcomes; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 166, on administrative efficiency in public schools, made broad changes to school accountability and operations, including lowering the stakes of certain student assessments, giving districts more flexibility on evaluations, contracts, certification, calendars, facilities, and VPK oversight. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that Title I funds may be used for STEM services, and another refining how advanced degrees count on salary schedules. The bill passed favorably after testimony both supporting and opposing the changes, with supporters emphasizing flexibility and opponents raising concerns about teacher evaluation and instructional practice. CS/SB 164, on vessel accountability, was described as a measure to address derelict and at-risk vessels by improving owner identification, creating a free long-term anchoring permit program, increasing penalties, and authorizing grants for local governments in the FWC prevention program. It received support from marine industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 472, on education and correctional facilities for licensed professions, would allow inmates to receive credit toward licensure for qualifying coursework; a strike-all amendment added coordination with DBPR and professional boards. The bill drew support from criminal justice, business, and policy groups and passed unanimously. The committee spent the most time on CS/SB 438, on food and hemp products. Senator Burton and co-sponsor Senator Davis argued the bill was needed to regulate intoxicating hemp products, restrict child-appealing packaging and signage, ban synthetic hemp products, cap THC content in edibles and beverages, and require hemp beverages to be sold through alcohol-style distribution channels. Supporters, including alcohol distributors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve testing, labeling, and consumer protection. Opponents, including hemp retailers, farmers, and libertarian advocates, argued it would harm small businesses, reduce consumer choice, and push sales to the black market. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab five, and the committee adjourned.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 24, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> learning and assessment learning and assessment interdisciplinary<02:27:02.200><c> exploration</
  • In 2022, the assessment registered the largest decline in mathematics scores since we first started assessing
  • In 2022, the assessment registered the largest decline in mathematics scores since we first started assessing
  • In 2022, the assessment registered the largest decline in mathematics scores since we first started assessing
  • In 2022, the assessment registered the largest decline in mathematics scores since we first started assessing
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee Apr 15th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • That was not mentioned there, and that’s not a fair assessment of what happened.
  • How do you assess recruitment and retention right now for the department? Certainly.
  • And so we do have established processes and practices to mitigate layoffs.
  • They can probably provide the most clear assessment of what the job entails.
  • They can probably provide the most clear assessment of what the job entails.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Apr 23rd, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that clerk is making an assessment.
  • Jackson: No, the goal here is clarity, but there, you know, from a practical perspective, there's a practical
  • And that clerk is making an assessment.
  • But there, you know, from a practical perspective, there's a practical way that this works.
  • I'll defer to the practice issues for that. Yeah. No, there is not.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPN Informational Briefing 01-14-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then two more things just sort of on practical constraints.
  • So, we'll continue to refine our practices.
  • And my team and I refine our practices.
  • Um, Um, so a little bit about our risk assessments.
  • ,</c><01:06:34.680><c> our</c> Um so, through our assessments, our Um so, through our assessments, our
Keywords: 912, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Oct 15th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • were actually assessing their learning and not just the reading.
  • , suggesting content, and generally just creating lesson plans and assessments.
  • So some of the practical questions. So I want to be clear on this. So what does that look like?
  • So some of the practical questions. So I want to be clear on this. So what does that look like?
  • So I wouldn't suggest as a policy that you change your state assessments back to writing.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Yet the practice of assisted pregnancy... ...birthright citizenship.
  • If HHSC determines noncompliance, we are able to assess penalties.
  • My practice... Of your clients, how many are international? My practice, yes, sure.
  • You only practice in Texas? Yes, I'm only licensed in Texas.
  • So do you practice this kind of law? Yes, I do.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Administrative Rules Committee Jun 11th, 2026

Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We removed the reference to best practices and instead emphasized consistency in administration.
  • No takings assessment was required because the rule does not limit the use of real property.
  • A constitutional takings assessment was not required.
  • Schmidt said no constitutional takings assessment was required or prepared.
  • A constitutional takings assessment was not required.
Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee May 6th, 2026

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1328 creates a statewide standard for solar property assessment so that developers will know what
  • I'm here today as a co-sponsor of SB 1329, which will ensure consistent property tax assessment across
  • encourage your support of SB 1329 because it provides a uniform, fair, and predictable method to assess
  • These are practical and proven standards.
  • It's practical, it's targeted, and it responds directly to growing challenges in our state.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. (3-25-26)

Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:05:15.440><c> with</c> that aligns governance practices with that aligns governance practices
  • These practices are working. 2024 and 2025 assessment results from the Kentucky Department of Education
  • </c> practices directly into K-5 classrooms. practices directly into K-5 classrooms.
  • </c> These practices are working.
  • These practices are working. 2024 2024 2024 and<00:48:33.840><c> 2025</c><00:48:34.800><c> assessment
Keywords: 958, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Feb 4th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • And at this point, they've probably assessed themselves up to $100 million off of their production to
  • HLB or citrus greening was found in commercial production began to assess themselves on every box of
  • And at this point, they've probably assessed themselves up to $100 million off of their production to
  • , whatever we can come up with, any type of assessment relief that we can provide to our growers.
  • That puts our best management practices at risk.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation. Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry. The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part II) May 8th, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • the last decade and a half has revolved around disproportionate impact, alternative disciplinary practices
  • A lot of times disruptive behavior, I know this from a teacher, can be solved with good practices in
  • And there's no, I'm a person who spend a lot of time trying to develop a pro bono practice to help young
  • A needs assessment.
  • Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and just the short title could be needs assessment.
Bills: HB6, HB120, HB210
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It may include ideas from other sectors or geographies, adapting promising practices in new areas or
  • Traditional health care practices are intended to improve access to culturally responsive care for our
  • Traditional health care practices are exclusively offered through our Indian health care providers.
  • At the same time, we are assessing training and technical assistance strategies and certainly welcome
  • During the same time frame, our mobile crisis teams conducted 1,723 in-person crisis assessments.
Summary: The subcommittee heard budget and policy updates from the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services. DSH described its proposed 2026-27 budget of $3.2 billion, including savings tied to IST solutions, higher patient-driven operating costs, and a small increase in caseload projections. Officials said the department has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks, with wait times reduced from a pandemic peak of 1,953 pending placements to about 250, and average treatment initiation now around five days. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323, rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, and whether IST solution funding was being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, aging and medically complex patients are driving outside care costs, and the IST solution savings reflect slower-than-expected program activation rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for CONREP cost increases, a new county-by-county LPS bed allocation model, electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and additional dental staffing and space at Metropolitan and Patton. The Commission for Behavioral Health reviewed its role in the Behavioral Health Services Act transition and its new Innovation Partnership Fund. Staff said the commission is shifting from county-level innovation oversight to a statewide grant strategy, with the first $20 million RFA drawing strong interest and awards expected in mid-June. Members asked how “innovation” would be defined, whether grants could be renewed after the initial three-year contracts, and how the state would ensure the money supports real service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for the Alcove youth drop-in center grants so remaining funds can be spent before they revert, allowing sites to finish implementation and support the final evaluation. DHCS provided an overview of CalAIM and BH Connect implementation, including updated specialty mental health access criteria, new ASAM-based substance use treatment standards, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, and transitional rent services. The department also addressed BHSA implementation, saying it does not track specific local program cuts but will monitor county three-year plans, performance measures, and outcomes as counties shift to the new funding structure. On H.R. 1, DHCS said it is preparing outreach, eligibility simplification, and exemption strategies to reduce Medi-Cal coverage losses, including clinic navigators, a statewide outreach campaign, and possible employment supports through a future waiver. The department also reported that BH-CHIP bond funds have supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds, with additional outpatient capacity and tribal investments. Finally, DHCS outlined a proposed 988 trailer bill to create a statewide designation process for 988 centers and mobile crisis teams, with implementation no earlier than October 1, 2027.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

MA cover weight-loss drugs 3/25/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • In Minnesota, the 2024 Medicaid assessment assistant trends for GLP-1s specific to weight loss ranged
  • In Minnesota, the 2024 Medicaid assessment assistant trends for GLP-1s specific to weight loss ranged
  • </c><00:03:07.000><c> assistant</c> the 2024 Medicaid assessment assistant the 2024 Medicaid assessment
  • </c><00:07:10.760><c> as</c> standard clinical practice as standard clinical practice as recommended<
  • It's easier to assess the short-term cost savings in adults because they have more costly events.
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • These are best practice for safe, secure, and thriving facility environments.
  • We promote promising practices for community-based residential transitional housing, practices linking
  • So it's a one-time to do the vendor to do an assessment, correct, where we're at? Correct.
  • We'd have to do that assessment first to make that determination.
  • And I think, you know, we're actively assessing how to mitigate these possible impacts.
Summary: The committee heard a series of budget and oversight presentations from CalHHS-related departments and agencies. CalHHS opened with a broad overview of its 2026-27 budget and priorities, including behavioral health, housing and human services integration, children and youth services, and aging/disability supports. OICR then presented its budget and its SB 823 realignment report on youth formerly committed to DJJ, saying county implementation varies widely but that the state has not seen evidence of net widening in the available data. OICR recommended climate surveys, youth advisory councils, stronger behavioral health and education programming in secure youth treatment facilities, better transitional planning, and improved longitudinal data systems. The agency also described a Title II federal grant transition problem, saying it cannot yet pay some subrecipients for prior work and is awaiting federal action on retroactive spending authority and an administrative funding adjustment. The Ombudsperson division requested two additional positions to address a growing complaint workload and access issues with counties over youth meetings, records, and grievance files; LAO raised no policy objection but noted the ongoing General Fund cost. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities requested $730,000 General Fund ongoing to cover the gap between federal limits on administrative overhead and the actual cost of an interagency agreement with the Department of Social Services. EMSA presented its department overview and several proposals, including a delayed AB 716 ambulance rate report, a $2.6 million request to replace aging disaster-response vehicles, a $250,000 security architecture assessment, and four positions plus ongoing General Fund for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. Members questioned the delay in the AB 716 report, the optics and timing of the vehicle replacement request, and whether EMSA was doing enough to prevent future staffing and enforcement problems. LAO repeatedly noted the ongoing General Fund implications of EMSA’s requests. The Department of Community Services and Development sought reappropriation of unspent Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund money for the Low-Income Weatherization Program and described a Proposition 4-funded continuation of the farmworker housing component, which would require a new statewide administrator and program design process. The Department of Rehabilitation requested authority to draw an additional $60 million in federal funds annually and add 54 positions to meet sharply increased Vocational Rehabilitation caseloads; LAO had no concerns. Child Support Services proposed restoring a prior reduction to local child support agency funding and reported higher federal performance incentives, while also presenting a supplemental report on full pass-through of child support collections to CalWORKs families, estimating about $150 million annually for full pass-through or about $80 million for a state/county-only approach, plus automation costs. Members questioned why funding should rise when caseloads are declining, and whether the policy could be made cost-neutral. CDPH closed the hearing with an overview of its $5.1 billion budget and its state of public health report, highlighting record-low mortality and higher life expectancy, but also rising overdose deaths among ages 25-44, persistent maternal and infant mortality disparities, and the need for stable public health and emergency-response capacity; no votes were taken during the hearing.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 24th, 2026

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You probably know in your criminal practice, they just take the time.
  • We looked at best practices.
  • We're exploring a pilot right now to do the same kind of assessments where we're assessing everyone that
  • Of assessments where we're assessing everyone that comes into the jail for substance use issues, and
  • We have also seen great promising practices.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • Every administration has good impacts, bad impacts; we just have to assess them.
  • The second thing I would talk about is practical implications.
  • Every administration has good impacts, bad impacts; we just have to assess them.
  • The second thing I would talk about is practical implications.
  • The second thing I would talk about is practical implications.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The inaugural hearing of the newly named House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability focused on how federal policy changes could affect Massachusetts, especially in education, health care, research, infrastructure, climate, and business conditions. Chair LaNatra said the committee was created to monitor federal funding decisions and their impacts on state programs and services. Members introduced themselves, then heard testimony from Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Sarah Mills of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Quentin Palfrey, the governor’s Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure. Howgate argued that the Trump administration and new Congress pose ideological, practical, and process-related risks to Massachusetts, citing proposed cuts to Medicaid, education, research, and other domestic programs. He said federal dollars make up about a quarter of the state operating budget and capital plan, warned against using one-time reserves to backfill ongoing federal cuts, and urged the state to prioritize core services while protecting areas where Massachusetts is especially strong, such as higher education and research. In response to committee questions, he said the House Medicaid proposal would still cost Massachusetts hundreds of millions and that international student and NIH-related changes could harm the state’s labor force and innovation economy. He also advised that the state communicate clearly without overreacting to daily federal developments. Mills testified that AIM members are most concerned about uncertainty, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and NIH reductions. She said tariffs are raising costs, disrupting supply chains, and hurting small and medium-sized businesses, housing construction, and exporters, with AIM’s business confidence index falling to its lowest level since the pandemic. She said Medicaid cuts would raise employer health costs, reduce productivity, and strain the health care system, while NIH cuts would threaten Massachusetts’ life sciences and academic research ecosystem. In questions, she said AIM has increased federal outreach, is coordinating with the U.S. Chamber and the Massachusetts delegation, and is hearing concerns from employers about immigration compliance and workforce disruptions. Palfrey described the Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to maximize federal funding, including a biweekly interagency council, a municipal partnership effort, and a statewide roadshow. He said Massachusetts has secured nearly $9 billion from major federal laws for projects such as the Cape Cod bridges, Allston Multimodal, grid modernization, clean-energy school buses, and broadband. He also said the administration launched a public website to track federal impacts and is working with municipalities, nonprofits, and the Attorney General on grant changes, legal issues, and litigation. In response to questions, he warned that cuts to NOAA, NSF, Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs could affect services and the state budget, and said the administration is tracking changes to federal grant applications and conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty One - Wednesday, March 25 - Morning Session

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Building off best practices, this...
  • They only get assessed every two years.
  • But again, that property is still going to be assessed residential.
  • It's going to be assessed residential. That's not going to change.
  • That's just not a practicality.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 40th day by roll call vote, 122-1. Members used points of personal privilege to recognize the departure of Scott Bell and to honor the life of Ernie Dempsey of St. Charles, and the chamber welcomed numerous special guests, including Child Advocacy Day participants, school groups, local civic leaders, and visitors from across the state. The main floor business centered on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MOCAP framework with a $4 million annual cap and pay-for-performance funding. Supporters said the program has helped about 1,200 adults earn diplomas, especially women and parents needing flexible online access, while opponents argued it would divert foundation formula money from K-12 students and duplicate existing adult education options. An amendment adding a college admissions and financial aid task force was offered but failed, 55-82; the previous question was then ordered, and HB 3239 was perfected and printed. The House also perfected and printed House Bill 1786, which would prevent county assessors from reclassifying single-family homes used as short-term rentals from residential to commercial for tax purposes. Supporters framed it as a property-rights and tax-relief measure for homeowners and small LLCs, while opponents raised concerns about local control and the line between mom-and-pop rentals and larger business operations. House Bill 2944, dealing with the senior property tax freeze, was amended to clarify that the freeze applies across taxing districts and to simplify annual filing and notification requirements; a later amendment was ruled out of order, and the bill was perfected and printed as amended. The House then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.