Video & Transcript : 'reckless interference' :
Page 90 of 201
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- classroom management techniques and document the student's behavior that the educator determines interferes
- When the teacher determines that the behavior repeatedly, the student repeatedly interferes with the
- of the student's classmates to learn, or is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it seriously interferes
- with the teacher's Or is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it seriously interferes with the teacher's
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget.
A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes.
The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6.
Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So if anybody lets their age or whatever interfere with that duty, they shouldn't be in this room in
- anybody lets their age or whatever<00:44:57.079><c> you</c><00:44:57.200><c> know</c><00:44:57.400><c> interfere
- </c><00:44:57.960><c> with</c><00:44:58.119><c> that</c> whatever you know interfere with that whatever
- you know interfere with that Duty<00:44:58.640><c> they</c><00:44:58.760><c> shouldn't</c><00:44:59.040
Summary:
The House Finance Division II work session considered several amendments to HB 2. The first two items were rejected: a proposal to add a new “Lakes” license plate with proceeds to the cyanobacteria fund failed 7-8, and Amendment 1040, which would have imposed a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds to raise general fund revenue, failed 4-5. Representative Maguire explained the fee would apply only to new revenue going forward and would not change existing fund balances; he also described exemptions for federal funds, bequests, and other special cases. Representative Murray questioned the consistency of the approach and who currently pays administrative costs, while Maguire said the charges are often handled case-by-case by agencies or the treasurer.
The committee then revisited revenue distribution changes in HB 2. Members first reconsidered and reversed prior acceptance of sections affecting the Education Trust Fund, then adopted Amendment 1381H, which changes the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, along with related sections, to shift more money to the General Fund. Supporters argued the change was needed to address revenue shortfalls and to align with historical distributions; opponents said it reduced support for education. The reconsideration motion passed 7-3, and the amendment itself passed 5-3.
The committee also adopted Amendment 1413H, incorporating the language of HB 741 on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools. Supporters said it was House policy and had sufficient policy and fiscal impact to belong in HB 2; opponents noted the underlying bill had been controversial and passed the House by a relatively close margin. Finally, the committee considered a USNH budget reduction proposal that would cut the University System of New Hampshire by $25 million per year net. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that K-12 obligations had to take priority, while opponents argued the cut would harm workforce development, the state economy, and student retention. The transcript cuts off during extended debate, and no final vote on the USNH item is shown in the provided text.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So if anybody lets their age or whatever interfere with that duty, they shouldn't be in this room in
- anybody lets their age or whatever<00:44:57.079><c> you</c><00:44:57.200><c> know</c><00:44:57.400><c> interfere
- </c><00:44:57.960><c> with</c><00:44:58.119><c> that</c> whatever you know interfere with that whatever
- you know interfere with that Duty<00:44:58.640><c> they</c><00:44:58.760><c> shouldn't</c><00:44:59.040
Summary:
The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote.
The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote.
Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House.
Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Risk of federal interference: even if Congress approves the changes, there could still be issues with
- policy makers agree to them risk of policy makers agree to them risk of federal<01:12:52.360><c> interference
- </c><01:12:53.360><c> even</c><01:12:53.600><c> if</c><01:12:53.880><c> Congress</c> federal interference
- even if Congress federal interference even if Congress approves<01:12:54.880><c> the</c><01:12:55.400
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs opened its first meeting of the 33rd Legislature with housekeeping announcements, including live streaming, a two-minute testimony limit, and notice that the committee would reconvene later if technical problems forced an early adjournment. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that written testimony was already on file and that public testimony would be taken measure by measure.
On SB 109, which concerns the relationship between Hawaiian and English versions of state laws, the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that broadly allowing the Hawaiian text to supersede English could create ambiguity, and recommended narrowing the bill to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were never later amended in English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language, while OHA and several individuals also supported it. Testimony in support emphasized the importance of honoring Hawaiian language and preventing it from being treated as secondary.
The committee then heard SB 268 on burial councils and SB 269 on the OHA budget. SB 268 drew strong support from OHA-related witnesses and many members of the public, who said burial council quorum problems and delays have hindered protection of iwi kupuna; one Moka representative opposed the bill, arguing the island had not been adequately consulted and that the real issue was the state process rather than council size. SB 269 received support from OHA and public testifiers who said OHA should be strengthened and better funded to serve Native Hawaiian needs. The committee also heard SB 624 relating to Prince Jonah Kūhiō, with DHHL and OHA supporting the measure to display portraits of Prince Kūhiō in public buildings; testifiers said the bill would promote cultural pride, education, and recognition of his legacy. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 177, Senator West, Criminal Law, Interference with Access to or Egress from a Religious Facility
- Uh, this bill disallows a person from using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to interfere
- uh harm that is a harassment<01:34:18.639><c> or</c><01:34:18.960><c> an</c><01:34:19.280><c> interference
- </c><01:34:20.080><c> with</c><01:34:20.239><c> an</c> harassment or an interference with an harassment
- or an interference with an emergency<01:34:21.040><c> response</c><01:34:21.600><c> animal.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School.
The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles.
Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment.
One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 2, February 10, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , it's not happening here, but this would verify that it's not happening here with the foreign interferences
- ><01:08:16.960><c> foreign</c> happening here with the foreign happening here with the foreign interferences
- and all those kinds of interferences and all those kinds of things
- It doesn't interfere with judicial independence in any way. Transparency builds trust.
- It doesn't interfere with judicial independence in any way. Transparency builds trust.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The goal is to reduce behaviors that interfere with stability and community integration, using evidence-based
- The goal is to reduce behaviors that interfere with stability and community integration, using evidence-based
- that</c> Behavioral Health needs that Behavioral Health needs that significantly<01:51:28.599><c> interfere
- </c><01:51:29.079><c> with</c><01:51:29.199><c> their</c> significantly interfere with their significantly
- interfere with their functioning<01:51:29.800><c> at</c><01:51:29.960><c> home</c><01:51:30.119><c>
Keywords:
HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Office of the Legislative Auditor presentation on state-funded grants to nonprofit orgs 2/10/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I think the last thing we'd want to do is have anything that we would do with the legislature interfere
- I think the last thing we'd want to do is have anything that we would do with the legislature interfere
- have our legislature or the folks controlling the committees at this point have any chance of interference
- <01:23:25.239><c> any</c><01:23:25.400><c> chance</c><01:23:25.560><c> of</c><01:23:25.719><c> interference
- </c><01:23:26.280><c> I</c> be any chance of interference I be any chance of interference I understand
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- subdivisions to indemnify employees for actions taken within the scope of their employment absent wanton or reckless
- absent wanton scope of their employment absent wanton or<04:58:47.840><c> re</c><04:58:48.160><c> reckless
- </c><04:58:49.760><c> The</c><04:58:50.000><c> bill</c><04:58:50.240><c> seeks</c> or re reckless conduct
- The bill seeks or re reckless conduct.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 05:40 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And every single year that we see reckless spending and another predictable budget deficit, it will be
- think that why we need this amendment is also to point out that what we're actually dealing with is reckless
- It just curbed reckless spending.
- That may be reckless or negligent or thoughtless. But that is not about criminal intent.
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Statements made in reckless disregard of the truth, true threats, incitement to imminent lawless action
- Statements made in<01:42:51.760><c> reckless</c><01:42:52.320><c> disregard</c><01:42:52.960><c> of</
- c><01:42:53.119><c> the</c><01:42:53.360><c> truth,</c><01:42:54.239><c> true</c> in reckless disregard
- of the truth, true in reckless disregard of the truth, true threats,<01:42:55.280><c> incitement</c>
Keywords:
foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 26, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- country have enacted laws and policies only permitting pursuits for violent crimes and sometimes reckless
- 30:02.240><c> crimes</c><02:30:02.800><c> and</c><02:30:03.279><c> sometimes</c><02:30:03.520><c> Reckless
- </c><02:30:03.960><c> or</c> violent crimes and sometimes Reckless or violent crimes and sometimes Reckless
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several housing, land use, and preservation bills. HB 1008 HD2 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete historic preservation determinations for state affordable housing projects within 90 days and create sensitivity-based review pathways. HHFDC, DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division, and written testimony from DBEDT supported the bill as an expedited process for projects unlikely to affect significant historic resources. Members asked how the bill would define significant versus non-significant historic properties, how it would interact with Kapakai analysis, and whether burial councils had been consulted; SHPD said the bill would not replace Kapakai review and that burial councils had not been included. Written support also came from OHA, Hawaii Realtors, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce.
HB 1093 would clarify the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers relating to housing projects. HPHA supported the measure, saying it would align definitions with prior law and help deconcentrate poverty by allowing mixed-income rebuilding. The director also said the bill was increasingly urgent because of reported federal HUD priorities that could affect public housing and Section 8 funding. HB 1096 HD1 would repeal state low-income housing preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans, with HPHA saying federal veteran programs such as VASH are a better mechanism and that the state preference has not been used in years. HB 1411 would allow HHFDC projects to give sale or lease preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project; HHFDC and the Hawaii Chapter of NAIOP supported it as a way to keep residents connected to their communities, while members raised constitutional concerns about broader local-preference policies.
The committee also heard HB 367 HD1, which would create county permit exemptions for certain agricultural and maintenance activities. Written testimony included opposition from the Department of Planning and Permitting and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Grassroot Institute, and others. A public testifier opposed the bill, arguing that permit exemptions could worsen safety and compliance problems. Finally, HB 826 HD1 would allow county planning commissions, by special permit, to authorize residential housing in agricultural districts for agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or fee simple ownership under certain conditions. HHFDC supported it as a faster alternative to lengthy state land-use redistricting, but the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development raised concerns about food production impacts, due process, service provision, jurisdictional conflicts, and the use of special permits for what could amount to district boundary changes. Public testimony was mixed, with some support and some opposition. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/28/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- intent is to reduce administrative barriers, treatment delays, and unnecessary paperwork that can interfere
- that can interfere with timely patient<00:44:06.800><c> care</c><00:44:07.040><c> and</c><00:44:07.280
- But we are opposed as it is currently written, and the primary reason is the bill interferes with our
- But we are opposed as it is currently written, and the primary reason is the bill interferes with our
- </c><01:32:04.560><c> with</c><01:32:04.800><c> our</c><01:32:04.960><c> current</c> bill interferes
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- or<00:43:42.160><c> how</c><00:43:42.319><c> this</c><00:43:42.560><c> would</c><00:43:42.720><c> interfere
- </c><00:43:43.440><c> with</c><00:43:43.599><c> that</c> or how this would interfere with that or how
- this would interfere with that statute<00:43:44.240><c> of</c><00:43:44.480><c> limitations.
- I don't think, again, this bill doesn't interfere with that at all.
- </c><00:45:22.480><c> with</c> again this bill doesn't interfere with again this bill doesn't interfere
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog.
Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding.
Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Human Services - 03/04/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- bill also prohibits harmful practices that have been repeatedly associated with poor outcomes, interference
- bill also prohibits harmful practices that have been repeatedly associated with poor outcomes, interference
- Once a facility has been acquired, there can be no interference with the health care professional's judgment
- Who a health care professional is, can't interfere with their clinical judgment, discriminating against
- Who a health care professional is, can't interfere with their clinical judgment, discriminating against
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I think our concern is that people will go out and interfere with sort of the work that we're doing
- Uh, Representative Hudson. self-help and that that interferes with self-help and that that interferes
- 55.200><c> and</c><00:39:55.720><c> and</c> people will go out and and people will go out and and interfere
- 39:57.680><c> of</c><00:39:57.800><c> the</c><00:39:57.920><c> work</c><00:39:58.120><c> that</c> interfere
- with sort of the work that interfere with sort of the work that we're<00:39:58.440><c> doing,</c><00
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- some things, and then the assisted living, the 144G, and other provider pay delays related to interference
- some things, and then the assisted living, the 144G, and other provider pay delays related to interference
- some things, and then the assisted living, the 144G, and other provider pay delays related to interference
- some things, and then the assisted living, the 144G, and other provider pay delays related to interference
- some things, and then the assisted living, the 144G, and other provider pay delays related to interference
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- This reckless initiative will put an extra strain on our hospitals and other health care facilities,
Summary:
The Senate and House Ways and Means chairs opened the FY 2027 consensus revenue hearing by emphasizing the need for a balanced, fiscally responsible budget amid federal funding cuts, health care cost pressures, and uncertainty around the federal tax law changes referred to as OB3. They also noted the state’s current revenue performance is slightly above benchmark and paid tribute to the late Representative Anne Margaret Ferranti. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorkowitz echoed the call for caution, saying Massachusetts has protected core services while building reserves and that the FY27 budget process begins with a careful revenue estimate.
Department of Revenue Commissioner Jeff Snyder, along with DOR staff, presented FY26 and FY27 tax forecasts and identified major drivers and risks: OB3’s negative impact on state revenue, surtax collections, labor market conditions, capital gains, and corporate/business excise taxes. DOR estimated OB3 would reduce FY26 revenue by about $664 million and FY27 by about $282 million, while surtax and capital gains were expected to remain strong in FY26 but soften in FY27. Members questioned the outlook for surtax, capital gains, and the potential fiscal effect of a ballot question reducing the income tax rate from 5% to 4%; DOR said that proposal could cost roughly $4.2 billion to $4.8 billion annually, with a smaller but still significant impact in FY27 because of phase-in timing.
Treasurer Deb Goldberg testified next on the stabilization fund, lottery, PRIM, unclaimed property, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. She reported the rainy day fund at about $8.1 billion, said the lottery was on track for $1.5 billion in FY26 net profit and projected $1.25 billion in FY27, and highlighted that iLottery is expected to launch in summer 2026 with revenue beginning in FY27 and dedicated to child care initiatives. She also described strong PRIM performance and record unclaimed property returns, while members asked about the child care use of iLottery revenue, multilingual outreach, and the economic impact of expanded liquor licensing.
Mass Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate and Tufts’ Evan Horowitz then offered differing revenue outlooks and policy warnings. Howgate projected modest growth, cautioned against overusing reserves for ongoing obligations, and urged caution on federal tax conformity changes and health care spending pressures. Horowitz projected higher FY26 and FY27 revenues than other witnesses, warned that the surtax and capital gains make the tax system more volatile, and said a 4% income tax ballot question could reduce FY27 revenues by roughly $800 million to $1 billion. He also flagged the rent control ballot question as a potential risk to municipal finance and suggested the state consider giving a permanent home to the independent revenue model used by Alan Clayton-Matthews.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- And, to be frank, it will be reckless; it will actually make our state less competitive.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3) on Massachusetts tax law and state revenues. Administration officials, led by Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz, said OB3 would otherwise reduce FY26 revenue by about $442 million and argued for a phased-in conformity approach that would preserve the current-year budget while still adopting selected federal business tax provisions over time. The proposal would phase in the research and experimental expenditure deduction first, delay other major corporate provisions for two years, extend the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, add a one-year delay mechanism for future federal tax changes over $20 million, limit opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, and make smaller technical changes to DFML contributions and casino reporting thresholds. Committee members questioned the rationale for phasing in rather than fully decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill did not pass, and the treatment of opportunity zones, the surtax, and future federal tax changes.
Public testimony was split. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and several labor and public-sector groups urged the committee to permanently decouple from the federal corporate tax changes rather than delay them, arguing that the bill would still send state revenue to corporate tax breaks, often for investments outside Massachusetts, and that the state should protect funding for schools, health care, human services, and other public services. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s timing and the research-and-development provisions, citing filing deadlines and the importance of certainty for businesses and startups. Business and tax experts also testified that rushed conformity can create revenue losses and that the governor’s review-and-delay framework was a prudent improvement, though some said decoupling should be the default if the Legislature does not act.
Unite Here Local 26 testified against sections 3 and 4, which would raise the slot-machine jackpot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, arguing the current threshold helps with problem-gambling intervention, preserves slot attendant jobs, and generates revenue. Several union leaders, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Building Trades, the AFL-CIO, and 1199 SEIU, urged permanent decoupling, warning that OB3’s federal tax cuts and related spending reductions would worsen budget pressures, harm public services, and shift costs onto workers, patients, and schools. No votes were taken at the hearing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 11, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- economy, we need to invest in a diverse portfolio of affordable, clean energy and rein in Trump's recklessness