Video & Transcript Research : 'infrastructure financing'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Finance. Omar Sanchez, Department of Finance, nothing further to add.
- Department of Finance. Omar Sanchez, Department of Finance, nothing further to add.
- Department of Finance. Omar Sanchez, Department of Finance. Nothing further to add.
- Department of Finance. Omar Sanchez, Department of Finance. Nothing further to add.
- Department of Finance: Omar Sanchez, Department of Finance. Nothing further.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard testimony on Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and related budget and trailer bill proposals, with a major focus on the impacts of H.R. 1 on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). DDS and the Department of Social Services (DSS) said H.R. 1 could affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh access, but that people with disabilities and caregivers are exempt from the work requirements; the administration is working on data matching and automation through the statewide eligibility system to identify exemptions, with June 1, 2026 as the implementation date for CalFresh changes. Witnesses and advocates warned that any loss of Medi-Cal could create fiscal pressure on regional centers and households, while public commenters described the real-life consequences of losing services. Committee members repeatedly expressed concern about cost shifts to counties and asked for harm-mitigation strategies before the May Revision.
The committee also reviewed the governor’s IHSS-related proposals. DSS said the budget would set a baseline for authorized hours, align IHSS disenrollment/reinstatement with Medi-Cal eligibility processes, and eliminate the IHSS backup provider system, while emphasizing that individual service hours would still be based on assessed need. DDS said if a person loses IHSS or Medi-Cal, regional centers may have to step in as payer of last resort for some services, potentially at higher state cost. Members and the Legislative Analyst’s Office questioned whether counties could absorb the proposed shifts without reducing services, and asked for more detail on implementation, data quality controls, and how regional centers could help families navigate disruptions.
A separate trailer bill on DDS rate reform and the Quality Incentive Program drew mixed reactions. DDS proposed extending a contract exemption and delaying final rate reform regulations to 2030, saying the changes are budget-neutral and needed for implementation. DDS reported that about 81% of providers had completed the current Quality Incentive Program requirements, but providers and advocates argued the 90-10 structure can function like a penalty and may destabilize services if providers lose 10% of funding. Committee members asked for clearer assistance to providers, possible flexibility for good-faith efforts, and a redlined version of the language before the May Revision.
The committee also heard DDS’s proposed trailer bill on regional center governance and provider capacity. DDS said the language would consolidate regional center contracts and performance measures, strengthen board training and oversight, require consumer advisory committees, expand independent legal support, raise the threshold for board approval of contracts, and remove barriers such as physical-office requirements and duplicate vendorization. DDS said the goal is to improve accountability and efficiency while preserving person-centered services, and members indicated they wanted further refinement and stakeholder input before moving forward.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Governor's Capital Budget Hearing (06/16/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I want to thank the respective finance committees for their important work.
- It’s payroll, it’s HR, it’s purchasing, it’s finance, it’s...
- It’s purchasing, it’s finance, it’s budget, it’s everything in one place in the state.
- So this is the continual maintenance of the nerve system of our IT infrastructure of the state.
- With me at the table is Loretta Raisen, who's our director of finance.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Peterson from the Department of Finance.
- Infrastructure.
- Pollack from the Department of Finance. Benjamin Pollack, Department of Finance.
- This essentially becomes state funding and is just a financing mechanism.
- Get to their destinations due to unsafe pedestrian infrastructure.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- damage of critical infrastructure damage of critical infrastructure facilities<00:21:55.080>
- damage to the critical infrastructure damage to the critical infrastructure systems<00:23:31.159
- Salivaria from Budget and Finance has submitted commentary.
- Yoto L.A. from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.
- <01:01:13.640>
I Bill 1071 relating to energy financing I Bill 1071 relating to energy financing
Summary:
The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused.
The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments.
Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We prioritize our public service; we prioritize our infrastructure.
- That's it—core services and our infrastructure.
- You're investing in infrastructure, which I'm required to do.
- It means a substantial deferment of infrastructure.
- Texas Water Infrastructure Network registered against the bill.
Keywords:
HB26, law enforcement contracts, sheriff, constable, county commissioners court, commissioners court, private security, special law enforcement district, property owners association, POA, municipal utility district, school district, junior college district, local government, contract policing, supplemental police services, large counties, population over 3.3 million, Texas Local Government Code, Harris County
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House bill would halt spending funds on Rondo land bridge over I-94 3/3/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As Frank Dolmer, director of urban and regional infrastructure finance at the Humphrey Institute, wrote
- As Frank Dolmer, director of urban and regional infrastructure finance at the Humphrey Institute, wrote
- As Frank Dolmer, director of urban and regional infrastructure finance at the Humphrey Institute, wrote
- of urban and regional infrastructure finance at the Humphrey Institute, wrote in 2023, and I quote,
- <00:31:49.679>
projects other infra infrastructure projects other infra infrastructure projects
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 17th, 2026 at 09:11 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The Infrastructure Planning and Development Division in DFA. So, Mr.
- Chairman and Diego, so that's not the same as the infrastructure from...
- So for the Healthy Food Finance Program, we did 2 million on here. Thank you.
- It's hard to do it because of the lack of infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- So, it's both used for operations at the OSC and those infrastructure projects.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- “David, I’m not the Department of Finance. It’s not the Department of Finance. It’s from the PUC.
- Aaron Carson, Department of Finance.
- And so if the state provides the financing, a part of that financing, because these projects can be in
- Department of Finance? Thank you. Department of Finance? Nothing to add.
- Department of Finance. David Evans, Department of Finance.
Summary:
The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript.
The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent.
The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I get time is money, delays, can mess up your financing, can cause commodity cost to increase beyond
- The fact that that's even a possibility I think would muddy your financing.
- Several years ago, we had a couple of programs to do with infrastructure.
- We had an Alternative Fueling Facilities Program to provide infrastructure for alternative fuels, and
- On the T-Hive program, which is the Texas Hydrogen Infrastructure Vehicle Equipment Program.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending.
The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language.
The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Mar 12th, 2025
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- For a number of years, I've worked on the campaign finance statutes.
- So like a theme here is that it's all connected when you see The energy infrastructure.
- So to do that, we've done, as I stated, workshops evaluating utility infrastructures.
- So we have an inquiry that's going on and we're trying to identify gaps in infrastructure that could
- In order to make any infrastructure changes to their business that is on federal land, they would have
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Jul 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I have underlined for you the members that are also on the Finance Authority.
- the Department of Finance and Administration.
- So those dollars come to the Finance Authority annually.
- Finance Authority for September funding.
- I'm Colonel (retired) Donny Quintana with the New Mexico Finance Authority.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Finance. Finance. Thank<00:03:16.400>
you. - infrastructure that can support growth. infrastructure that can support growth.
- , the absence of safe infrastructure, the absence of safe infrastructure, pedestrians<00:26:19.200
- speed me up so I can get to finance. speed me up so I can get to finance.
- with core infrastructure. with core infrastructure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Current state housing finance programs like LIHTC are almost entirely focused on rental housing.
- To ...a financing plan to solve housing and homelessness crises.
- Mary Ellen Shea, California Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, strong support.
- Mary Ellen Shea, California Association of Local Housing Finance Agency, strong support.
- That's the way affordable housing finance works.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations.
Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations.
Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:05 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Water infrastructure was in some places, but we wanted to make it...
- Water infrastructure was in some places, but we wanted to make it more consistent throughout the bill
- Marquita Russell, the CEO of the New Mexico Finance Authority...
- Marquita Russell, the CEO of the New Mexico Finance Authority, the sponsor is correct.
- So under the current law, the Finance Authority cannot make loans or grants from the...
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety May 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Finance. Perfect. Testerkin back with the Department of Finance. Thank you.
- Henry, Department of Finance.
- Department of Finance. Hi, Kimberly Harbison, Department of Finance.
- Department of Finance?
- Department of Finance.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending.
For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed.
CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects.
For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to today's Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance.
- Jody Lieberman with the Department of Finance.
- I think this comes down to, sorry, Liz Mine, Department of Finance.
- Hello again, Jody Lieberman with the Department of Finance.
- This is Jody Lieberman, Department of Finance.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants.
The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention.
The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate.
The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Finance Authority of Arizona.
- Finance Authority of Arizona.
- The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona. The bill is heard on third reading.
- Pro Tem, would you do the nominations for finance? Oh, do we have Senator Leach? If you do the...
- President, the Committee on Finance recommends to the Senate the confirmations of Thomas J.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Planning Advisory Board (5-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- safeguarding existing uh infrastructure safeguarding existing uh infrastructure and<00:04:47.600
- other one is our education finance other one is our education finance application<00:19:32.640><
- :23.840>
in <00:21:24.080>the um infrastructure areas in the um infrastructure areas in - of finance at KET. of finance at KET.
- Now, we would like for the finance and Now, we would like for the finance and administration<00:53:06.480
Summary:
The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project.
The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs.
The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate SessionReading and Referral of Bills Mar 17th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 29 relating to certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water
- by Parker relating to transparency review and report on attendance credit under the public school finance
- Senate Bill 1897 by Senate Bill 1897 by Hughes relating to advanced communications infrastructure security
- Bill 1901 by Huffman relating to the administration of the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council to Finance
- Senate Bill 2002 by Hughes relating to the issuance of gold and silver specie to Finance.