Video & Transcript Research : 'rate increase'
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WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Health Insurance Affordability Task Force, June 18, 2026
Health Insurance Affordability Task Force
Transcript Highlights:
- My question is, if the legislature had the appetite to increase allowable reimbursement at a higher rate
- So If we were trying to reduce that impact, you would do it by increasing the reimbursable rates for
- rates in Wyoming... ...increase our Medicaid rates in Wyoming and providing another appropriation, which
- Our nursing homes had their rates frozen for 12...
- Our nursing homes had their rates frozen for 12 years.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Jan 30th, 2026 at 03:13 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- pools, so they are necessarily going to increase their rates.
- let alone the increase in food and medications.
- This is what most of the policies in New Mexico are rated as.
- , and then the rates would average out.
- Original questions, the premiums are only increased based on age.
Keywords:
SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 11th, 2026
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And even modest financial obligations can result in higher rates, deferred maintenance, or increased
- Talking about individual water rates? Yeah, like who has the highest rates?
- Lowest rates in the state. Okay. Lowest rates in the state. Okay.
- evaporation rates.
- Earlier, it was recommended that water rates be increased to offset the cost for infrastructure, but
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:26.400>
necessary calculates the rate increase necessary calculates the rate increase necessary - , increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations, higher mortality rates.
- ,<00:24:27.600>
increased care, lower facility ratings, increased care, lower facility ratings - And the answer to that increase rates.
- :18:52.719>
that assistance reimbursement rate that assistance reimbursement rate that increased
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Similarly, in Pepperell, light pollution is increasing at a rate of By 50%.
- Similarly, in Pepperell, light pollution is increasing at a rate of 6% a year, outpacing flat population
- I mean, we all want to save money on our energy bills, especially now with the rate increases forecast
- It has to increase its impact without increasing its fees.
- It has to increase its impact without increasing its fees.
Summary:
The committee hearing focused on a broad set of energy efficiency, building decarbonization, school modernization, and lighting bills. Testimony generally came from municipal leaders, labor unions, environmental groups, and advocates who supported measures such as H. 3529/S. 2294 on building energy and decarbonization, H. 3577/S. 2286 on a zero-carbon renovation fund, H. 3476/S. 2275 on healthy and sustainable schools, H. 3565 on Mass Save zero-carbon assessments, H. 3477 on clean lighting and appliance efficiency standards, and the Dark Sky bills on outdoor lighting. Supporters argued these bills would cut emissions, lower utility bills, improve indoor air quality and school conditions, and direct resources to environmental justice, gateway, and low-income communities.
Witnesses emphasized that Massachusetts’ older building stock and school facilities need major upgrades, and that state funding and financing tools are needed to close gaps left by declining federal support. Mayors, labor leaders, and environmental advocates said the proposals would create local jobs, expand apprenticeships, and help municipalities and schools undertake retrofits, ventilation improvements, heat pump installations, and other decarbonization work. Several speakers also defended Mass Save as highly cost-effective while urging new funding sources beyond ratepayer bills for larger-scale building upgrades. One representative asked about the difference between current Mass Save audits and proposed zero-carbon assessments, and the sponsor explained the new assessments would include heat pumps, solar, storage, wiring upgrades, and rate-structure guidance.
There was also testimony on the Dark Sky bill, with astronomers and museum representatives arguing that better-shielded, downward-facing lighting would reduce energy waste, protect wildlife and human health, and preserve night skies without compromising safety. Committee members raised concerns about pedestrian safety and whether education might be enough instead of legislation; supporters responded that the bill follows established lighting standards and targets only unnecessary glare and skyward light. On the school bill, an open-shop contractor group opposed the measure, arguing its PLA and apprenticeship requirements would restrict bidding and reduce competition, while labor organizations strongly supported the workforce standards and prevailing wage provisions.
No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee heard extensive testimony and several members asked clarifying questions, but the transcript does not show any final action or disposition on the bills.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Governor's Capital Budget Hearing (06/16/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- The first is the tax rate setting process.
- So when you have county tax rates, you have Have county tax rates, you have cooperative school districts
- So we currently So we currently have a tax rate setting portal for setting tax rates and an equalization
- We’re increasing that to over 300.
- The pace of change now is increasing with AI.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- year. vaccination rates under 50%. vaccination rates under 50%.
- The department also... counter vaccine hesitancy and increase counter vaccine hesitancy and increase
- and communities from the increasing and communities from the increasing incidences<00:33:52.320>
- >
our vaccination rates for children in our vaccination rates for children in our schools.<00: - Vaccination rates under Hawaii.
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related resolutions and received testimony on each. HCR 28/HR 27 would ask the Department of Health to reconvene a working group on water and air contamination and remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa Range training facility; supporters said nearby residents and the broader public may be exposed to lead and heavy metals, and that further testing and eventual relocation of the range are needed. HCR 35 would request an auditor’s report on the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, and HCR 36 would request a similar report on colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Department of Health and cancer advocates supported both, saying biomarker testing helps match patients to the right treatment and that earlier colorectal screening improves outcomes; DOH also cited screening data showing lower screening rates among uninsured people. HCR 134, on limiting cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, drew support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and others, who said out-of-pocket costs can delay diagnosis and treatment. HCR 171, on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitoring, also drew support from health and disability advocates. HCR 185, on coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practitioners through federally qualified health centers, received support from Papa Ola Lōkahi and a community testifier who described the value of traditional healing and access gaps. HCR 173, urging DOH outreach and vaccination drives at schools with low vaccination rates, drew support from DOH, DOE, and public health and disability advocates, but also strong opposition from several testifiers who argued the measure was government overreach and raised concerns about vaccine safety and parental choice.
Testimony on HCR 173 was the most divided, with supporters emphasizing the need to raise immunization rates to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable children, while opponents argued schools should not host vaccine drives and that parents should make vaccination decisions without government involvement. The Department of Health said it is already working with schools and community partners to expand school-based immunization efforts and would prioritize schools with rates under 30%. The State Health Planning and Development Agency also supported the measure, saying rates below 50% are a serious public health concern. No votes or final committee actions were announced in the portion of the meeting provided.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/29/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #21
Transcript Highlights:
- Of an increase in the taxes.
- And yet costs continue to increase.
- The Constitution requires us to increase it at a rate of inflation or 2%, whichever is less.
- The Constitution requires us to increase it at a rate of inflation or 2%, whichever is less.
- So when we increase it, we have to increase their budgets too.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- But I believe it's how we analyze a rate case.
- Do they represent the public's interest in these rate cases?
- And as we look at those programs, we then compare them to rate impact. So what is the rate impact?
- increase?
- increase that’s being discussed?”
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably.
Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate.
The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- our income tax rate.
- We've been able to dramatically increase our income tax rate since 2013.
- We shouldn't be competing with neighboring states for the lowest tax rate.
- We shouldn't be competing with neighboring states for the lowest tax rate.
- That was a 45% decrease in the effective tax rate for someone making $65,000.
Summary:
The Senate Revenue and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator Jonathan Dismang, which continues the state’s long-running effort to reduce Arkansas income tax rates. Dismang said the bill would lower the personal income tax rate retroactive to January 1, 2026 and delay the corporate income tax change until the following January, bringing the rate down from 7% to 3.7%. He also said the bill would use existing surplus funds and estimated that a person making $65,000 would see their effective tax burden reduced by about 45% compared with earlier rates.
The committee heard several witnesses in opposition, including a United Methodist pastor/social worker, a parent describing her son’s disability and need for supported living services, representatives from Arkansas Appleseed and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and a Marshallese community advocate. They argued that Arkansas should preserve revenue for public schools, health care, food assistance, housing, rural hospitals, early childhood education, and disability services, and said the tax cuts would disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers while providing little relief to working families. Several speakers cited low state spending relative to national averages and warned that further cuts would worsen existing service gaps.
In closing, Dismang and other supporters said the state can be both compassionate and competitive, that no essential services would be cut by the bill, and that Arkansas has continued to grow revenue despite prior tax reductions. Members emphasized balancing service funding with economic competitiveness and noted the legislature’s focus on lower-income tax brackets in earlier reforms. The committee then voted to do pass SB1, and the bill was approved.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Recommendations include funding the agency at $673 million, which is an increase of $1.2 million, increased
- And some of the cost increases.
- However, while the transportation program has increased... increased by 300%, our FTE cap is down about
- increase.
- We need the reimbursement rates for TWC to match the market rates so that we can sustain it.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (12-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a 2.1% increase.
- This is a 2.1% increase.
- Projects there uh if I'm understanding correctly, an 8.14% increase and a 3.39% increase, relatively
- <00:31:20.000>
of <00:31:20.480>1.75% has an interest rate of 1.75% has an interest rate - This 20-year loan has an interest rate This 20-year loan has an interest rate of<00:34:07.360>
Summary:
The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call.
The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items.
Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 10th, 2025 at 08:35 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Usually, I come to you with a 6% increase or a 5% increase.
- So, we're bringing forward a 3% increase, and I'll dive into why I'm still recommending an increase in
- Again, helping us offset those in any compensation increase that we don't erase that with increases in
- 52% increase in enrollment since 2021.
- We track the attrition rate and turnover of our faculty.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Our error rate is an unacceptable 8.something percent. That's disgraceful.
- The department publishes an error rate that is called an error rate, but it is essentially an accounting
- , an error rate at which no state in the country has been able to meet.
- Removing that flexibility doesn't create jobs; it just increases hunger.
- So we've said we'll increase the standard deduction.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, a journal approval, and a series of guest introductions recognizing groups at the Capitol for Environmental Day, Women’s and Reproductive Health Day, Arizona Nurses Day, Aerospace Day, and International Mother Language Day, along with a Doctor of the Day and a judicial proclamation honoring Justice Daphne Barak-Erez. The chamber also made temporary committee appointments and referred several bills between committees before moving into Committee of the Whole and later third reading votes.
The main floor action centered on several SNAP-related bills. SB 1002, dealing with public assistance verification, passed the Committee of the Whole after a Kavanagh floor amendment and then passed third reading 17-9-13, with supporters saying it targets fraud and lowers error rates and opponents arguing it duplicates existing checks, adds bureaucracy, and could harm eligible families. SB 1331, on SNAP military employment and training, SB 1333, on SNAP error-rate audit and penalties, SB 1334, on SNAP work requirement waivers and exemptions, and SB 1368, on SNAP purchase restrictions, all advanced from Committee of the Whole and then passed third reading by the same 17-13 margin, with Democrats and some others warning they would increase hunger, burden rural and tribal communities, and restrict access, while supporters said they promote work, accountability, and healthier choices.
The Senate also considered SB 1638, a tax conformity bill. A Sundareshan floor amendment to narrow the bill to standard deduction conformity was debated at length, with supporters saying it would protect most taxpayers from filing confusion and limit revenue loss, and opponents arguing it removed other agreed-upon tax provisions and still left uncertainty. The amendment failed 17-13, the Finance Committee amendment was adopted, and SB 1638 then passed as amended. Finally, SCR 1011, a concurrent resolution calling for a federal constitutional convention on congressional term limits, received a do pass recommendation and passed the Committee of the Whole.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- factors of why that's increased.
- But there are cases right now where you may have to increase your rates by 15, 20%, just to be able to
- But the price of some of those very large projects and the increases to those rates, I think will have
- , than it does actually increasing rates.
- than it does actually increasing rates.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We're increasing the total funds per FTE by $135.26, or a 1.5% increase.
- We're increasing the base student allocation by $66, or a 1.25% increase.
- And that includes a $9.4 million workload increase.
- , is less than the rate of inflation.
- is really not an increase.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects.
Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- colleges look at total utilization rates.
- Can you give me more understanding about why that rate is what it is?
- We're now focused on increasing participation.
- How effective has that been in terms of getting an uptick rate, sign-up rate?
- And with that, anything we can do to continue to increase...
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 1260, HB 1574, HB 1816, HB 1499, HB 1709 (05/26/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- So what is the error rate right now, and what are you proposing that the error rate is going to go if
- >> I cannot give projections, but I can speculate it will only increase if our error rate is over 8%.
- >> So what is the error rate right now and >> So what is the error rate right now and what
- >> Our error rate is currently at 7.57%. >> Our error rate is currently at 7.57%.
- costs good error rate and not increase costs good error rate and not increase costs down<01:16:38.640
Keywords:
10:00am HB 1260
11:00am HB 1574
12:00pm HB 1816
2:30pm HB 1499
2:45pm HB 1709, 928, house, all
Summary:
The conference committee first met on HB 1260, a bill requested by municipal clerks to allow certain divorce-related records to be kept confidential. House members argued the Senate amendment would reverse the presumption of openness established in the Keene Sentinel case and raise constitutional issues under the state constitution’s privacy and open-government provisions. Senate members responded that the 2018 privacy amendment, the limited scope of the proposal, and modern internet risks justified the change, but the House maintained the issue needed a full hearing in a separate bill. The committee ultimately voted unanimously for the Senate to recede and adopt the House version, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment, and both sides said they would revisit the topic in a future session.
The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration, which DHHS said was needed because federal law would shift more administrative costs to the state and could increase the state’s SNAP error rate, potentially triggering much larger future penalties. DHHS officials reported the current error rate was 7.57% for federal fiscal year 2024, below the national average, and estimated that if the rate rose above 8%, the state could owe about 10% of SNAP benefits, or roughly $12 million for a partial year and nearly $16 million for a full year. Some House members supported the added funding as a preventive measure, while others objected that the underlying bill was modest and the amendment resembled a previously rejected proposal. The discussion ended with the committee moving toward the House position and the bill’s future depending on the chamber’s vote on the Senate amendment.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- equity and and communities by increasing equity and and increased<00:08:21.120>
access <00:08: - increased academic performance. increased academic performance.
- And we know that this really increases And we know that this really increases the<00:09:54.880><
- practice and can increase harm to youth. practice and can increase harm to youth.
- related issue of reimbursement rates? related issue of reimbursement rates?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Meanwhile, compared to 2023, residential rates increased by 4.5% in 2024, while industrial rates just
- saw a 1.9% increase.
- Now OPEC's primary focus is litigation, and when utilities request a rate case increase, the cost of
- The population in Texas is increasing, but not at the same rate as large loads are going to be increasing
- The rate of change was twice as much. Right.