Video & Transcript : 'voter dilution' :

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • First of all, 56% of voters in a 2023 study supported guaranteed income.
  • That's a matter between, I guess you know, voters and their, you know, the folks they vote for at the
  • Voters in the city of Lubbock rejected a citizen-initiated measure in 2024, Proposition A, that sought
  • We would still be heading off the issue before it misleads the voters frankly.
  • Now these are just a few likely illegal measures put before voters of late.
Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223 , HB323 , HB524 , HB530 , HB636 , HB762 , HB21 , HB211 , HB223
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. (3-18-26)

Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • of Jefferson County rather than the voters of the entire state.
  • </c><01:04:03.200><c> of</c> directly accountable to the voters of directly accountable to the voters
  • </c> Jefferson County rather than the voters Jefferson County rather than the voters of<01:04:05.400>
  • </c><01:04:32.200><c> of</c> school districts, whereas the voters of school districts, whereas the voters
  • ,</c> that all of the voters, that all of the voters, particularly<01:06:12.040><c> those</c><01:06:12.280
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 2/12/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> So, they don't face voters ever. >> Correct. >> So, they could raise the toll without this body
  • >> They're appointed. >> So, they don't face voters ever. >> Correct. >> So, they could raise the toll
  • >> They're appointed. >> So, they don't face voters ever. >> Correct. >> So, they could raise the toll
  • >> They're appointed. >> So, they don't face voters ever. >> Correct. >> So, they could raise the toll
  • and let voters know who to<00:32:59.679><c> hold</c><00:33:00.000><c> accountable</c><00:33:00.799><
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 6th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Eleven times the voters have said they do not want an income tax.
  • Washington voters have said no to income tax again and again.
  • Washington voters have said no to income tax again and again.
  • Washington is a slap in the face to every voter here in Washington state.
  • It overrides Initiative 2111 and ignores the will of voters.
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Emerging Issues May 12th, 2026

Emerging Issues

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is about making sure voters know what they are seeing and hearing.
  • Missouri does not need to panic, but we should not wait until families, patients, consumers, or voters
  • It is about making sure voters know what they are seeing and hearing.
  • Missouri does not need to panic, but we should not wait until families, patients, consumers, or voters
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So what this joint resolution does, if approved by Texas voters, is amend the Constitution to require
  • Senator, you're bringing this to the people, the voters, is that correct? Yes, sir.
  • You're bringing this to the voters, is that correct? Yes, sir. Okay. Yep.
  • I like to write ballot language so that the voters really understand what they're voting on.
Bills: SB3073 , SJR87
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Insurance Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's why this bill gains 90% popularity when you poll it with the voters, and why we urge your aye
  • Chloe Shannon, on behalf of California Environmental Voters, in strong support. Thank you.
  • I also represent the thousands of young voters who are relying on you because we want to build a family
  • Closhae with California Environmental Voters in strong support. Thank you.
  • Closhae with California Environmental Voters in strong support. Thank you.
Committee: House Insurance
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, the voters have spoken multiple times. I'd say the whole bill.
  • I mean, the voters have spoken multiple times, as has the court.
  • Well, you know, the voters have also spoken a number of times.
  • And to enact an income tax in the state, I think just flies in the face of the will of the voters.
  • That just says a lot about their view of the voters' desires, and this is a non-starter for us.
Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus on affordability and to criticize the Democratic majority’s newly released income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun and Drew Stokesbary argued the plan would raise costs, harm small and medium-sized businesses, and fail to deliver meaningful tax relief elsewhere. They said the bill’s marriage penalty, lack of loss carryforward, and treatment of pass-through entities were especially problematic, and they warned it could eventually expand beyond high earners. They also cited other pending measures they said would increase costs, including taxes or fees affecting insurance, tires, clothing, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. A major portion of the discussion centered on Republican-hosted listening sessions on the initiatives, which they said were intended to provide balanced public testimony after Democrats declined to advance hearings. House Republicans said they invited speakers both for and against the initiatives, including a wide range of opponents, and emphasized that the sessions were meant to show the public a fair debate. They also discussed several policy bills they oppose, including housing and homelessness measures they said would limit local control near schools and parks, and a bill creating a regulatory framework for automated license plate readers, which they said still raises concerns for cities and law enforcement despite some improvements. In response to questions, Republicans said they support funding for public defense but believe it should be handled within existing budget priorities rather than through an income tax. They also said they are watching bills on government fraud oversight, SNAP restrictions on unhealthy foods, and public safety, including measures related to sexually violent predators and child safety. Throughout the event, leaders repeatedly framed their agenda as protecting affordability and public safety while opposing what they described as tax increases and regulations that would make life more expensive in Washington.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • I believe the law states that you must have a vote of the Commonwealth voters.”
  • But I also have to deal with the very practical issues of preparing ballots for our voters.
  • It also has additional information to voters, and clearly we want to make sure the voters get that information
  • And clearly we want to make sure the voters get that information.
  • Are you talking about the information to voters?
Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 02/24/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • rights for Underserved communities; through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Reverend Jackson championed voter
  • Reverend Jackson's voice resonated across generations as he spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, voter
  • all about the power of the ballot box, where he had seven million votes in 1988, completely expanded voter
  • ALL ABOUT THE POWER OF THE BALLOT BOX WHERE HE HAD SEVEN MILLION VOTES IN 1988, COMPLETELY EXPANDED VOTER
  • He championed voter registration, economic opportunity, and justice long Before it was easy, and most
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • That was a ballot measure that we put on through SB 867, and again, the voters overwhelmingly approved
  • After the voters approved the bond and the Legislature allocated the funds last fall, my office started
  • Voters approved Prop 4 with the expectation that projects would move quickly and effectively, and AB
  • Voters approved Prop 4 with the expectation that projects would move quickly and effectively.
  • Voters approved Prop 4 with the expectation that projects would move quickly and effectively, and AB35
Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on wildfire resilience, recycling, forest management, and organic waste diversion. AB 442 would remove a requirement that a harvest area be limited to a single watershed for working forest management plans; the author and supporters from the California Forestry Association and Pacific Forest Trust said it would reduce barriers to forest resiliency work, and there was no opposition. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the use of CEQA and Coastal Act suspensions for wildfire and fuel-management projects after the governor’s emergency proclamation; the author said the bill would provide data on how well the suspensions are working, and it drew support with no opposition. AB 35 would exempt Proposition 4-funded programs from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed implementation of climate, water, wildfire, and environmental projects; the author and a large coalition of local governments, water agencies, conservation groups, and fire organizations argued the exemption would help get funds out faster, while no opposition was present. The committee also discussed AB 3333, which would create a market-development payment to support end users of non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan used in cement, in order to divert glass from landfills and reduce carbon emissions. Supporters said the bill would create a productive use for hard-to-recover glass, while opponents from the Glass Packaging Institute, Californians Against Waste, and waste management interests argued it would divert beverage container recycling funds away from the bottle-to-bottle system and could undermine existing recycling investments and recycled-content goals. Members raised questions about the fund’s revenue sources, the purpose of the beverage container recycling program, and whether the bill would amount to “downcycling”; despite those concerns, the bill advanced on a due-pass-as-amended recommendation, with members noting fiscal and policy issues for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic material used as a beneficial agricultural amendment, including CDFA-licensed fertilizer products made from biosolids, to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater agencies and Clean Water SoCal said the change would expand options for meeting procurement requirements and help move biosolids out of landfills, while Californians Against Waste and other opponents argued the bill could expand procurement credit beyond SB 1383’s original intent and weaken investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members questioned what kinds of biosolids would qualify, how the procurement credit would work, and whether the bill could be narrowed to historically landfilled materials; the author said she would continue working with opponents and wait for CalRecycle technical assistance. The committee adopted the bills’ amendments and passed AB 35 with urgency, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 to Appropriations, and also approved consent-calendar AB 946. After roll calls, all of the measures were reported out of committee, and the hearing adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 23rd, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB565 seeks to increase transparency by allowing voters to know the cost of a constitutional amendment
  • Right now, when voters are asked to ratify a constitutional amendment, they may not fully understand
  • This is because voters are provided with very limited information.
  • By integrating a cost estimate directly on the ballot, this bill ensures that voters are equipped with
  • Where it's going to the voters for a constitutional amendment.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 9th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Your voters, your district, your district attorney.
  • Our citizens of the United States shall be deemed a qualified voter of the state.
  • At voters in the United States, is that unclear?
  • So speaking, again, to the intent of the Texas legislature and the voters.
  • A lot of them are going to be first-time voters in San Antonio and Bexar County.
Bills: HJR175 , HJR88 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HB5138 , SB17 , HB4944 , HB2284 , HB3421 , SB1569 , SB2420 , SB1968 , SB2351 , SB2544 , SB1490 , SB1349 , SB1568 , SB2776 , HB3531 , HB2149 , HB4327 , HB3158 , HB3717 , HB4520 , SB888 , SB552 , HB3138 , HB3704 , HB2921 , HB4853 , HB4506 , HB3892 , HJR161 , HJR175 , HJR88 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (02/18/2025)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:55:55.240><c> so</c> respects the rule of the voter so respects the rule of the voter so basically
  • And that mainly the intent is just to respect the will of voters.
  • And that mainly the intent is just to respect the will of voters.
  • </c> also um respect the will of Voters also um respect the will of Voters without<01:04:39.440><c> having
  • So that's the will of the voters.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 13th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • By better aligning election dates, we can reduce costs, improve voter participation, and give our local
  • The proposed election date is November 3, 2026, which should ensure maximum voter turnout to the extent
  • It would require that for any proposal to be sent to voters for ratification, you would need a two-thirds
  • The proposed election date at which the proposition is submitted to the voters is November 3, 2026, which
  • should ensure maximum voter turnout to the extent practicable.
Bills: HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB244 , HB306 , HB366 , HB446 , HB473 , HB514 , HB1043 , HB1082 , SB127
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Dunn referenced, twice being roundly rejected by voters in 2018's Prop. 6.
  • I'm proud of California voters for voting 57% in favor of keeping the gas tax.
  • I'm proud of California voters for voting 57% in favor of keeping the gas tax.
  • , the will of the voters, which are fund Prop. 36.
  • Prop. 6 was the will of the voters to not overturn the gas tax.
Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $150 million annually each for Central Valley subsidence repairs and Delta levee work. Senator McNerney and supporters from Restore the Delta, the State Water Contractors, and many water agencies, labor groups, environmental organizations, and local governments argued the bill is urgent to protect water delivery for 27 million Californians, safeguard levees and state assets, and address climate-related flood risks. There was no opposition testimony, and members asked about the bill’s focus on state-owned conveyance; the author said the distinction reflects the separate state and federal water projects. The bill was held while the committee lacked a quorum, with no vote taken at that point. The committee then heard SB 981, which would require CARB to include cost-of-living impacts in its existing regulatory analysis for major rules. Senator Niello and supporters from agriculture, manufacturing, business, propane, restaurants, and commercial property groups said the bill would improve transparency about how regulations affect gasoline, electricity, food, housing, and business costs. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the Union of Concerned Scientists, argued it would add delay, cost, and redundant analysis to CARB rulemaking and could not reliably measure the effects the bill seeks to capture. Committee members raised concerns that CARB already estimates costs, that the bill is burdensome and narrow, and that it does not fully account for benefits or the role of other agencies. No vote was recorded in the transcript. SB 887, by Senator Padilla, would require data center projects to undergo CEQA review while creating a streamlined path for projects meeting strong environmental, labor, and community-benefit criteria, including zero-carbon electricity, on-site storage, recycled water or water-efficient cooling, and full cost responsibility for grid upgrades. Supporters said data centers are rapidly expanding, can strain energy and water resources, and should be held to clear standards while still allowing beneficial development; labor and environmental groups backed the measure. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and business groups said the bill is overly prescriptive, discriminatory toward one industry, and could drive investment and jobs out of state. After discussion, the committee established a quorum and voted 3-1 to pass SB 887 as amended to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, with the bill kept on call. The committee also heard SB 1008, which would renew a CEQA exemption for the closure of at-grade rail crossings ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. Senator Ochoa Bogh and Union Pacific testified that the measure would help the state act quickly on rail safety by removing redundant environmental review for crossing closures, while still requiring collaboration with local jurisdictions and the PUC. There was support from railroad and business representatives and no opposition. The committee voted 4-0 to pass SB 1008 to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and the bill was kept on call.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Together, we review election data, listen to feedback from clerks and voters, and identify any procedural
  • It contains practical, nonpartisan fixes to modernize our election system, protect voters, and strengthen
  • Together, we review election data, listen to feedback from clerks and voters, and identify any procedural
  • It contains practical, nonpartisan fixes to modernize our election system, protect voters, and strengthen
  • Together, we review election data, listen to feedback from clerks and voters, and identify any procedural
Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 5th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • In November 2022, Texas school districts went to the voters and asked them to approve a tax ratification
  • In one district, the voters rejected the TRE and expected that the voter-approved tax rate would be adopted
  • In one district, the voters rejected the TRE and expected that the voter-approved tax rate would be adopted
  • That's the rate that you can't exceed without voter approval.
  • It allows precinct consolidation for poll locations of up to 10,000 voters.
Bills: SB66 , SB243 , SB250 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB456 , SB628 , SB629 , SB636 , SB715 , SB731 , SB801 , SB865 , SB1012 , SB1013 , SB1015 , SB1032 , SB1141 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1250 , SB1266 , SB1285 , SB1376 , SB1442 , SB1449 , SB1502 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1551 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1854 , SB1863 , SB1959 , SB1965 , SB2035 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2138 , SB2199 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2245 , SB2269 , SB2284 , SB2310 , SB2357 , SB2419 , SB2422 , SB2480 , SB2514 , SB2523 , SB2529 , SB2533 , SB2541 , SB2550 , SB2568 , SB2595 , SB2605 , SB2608 , SB2615 , SB2717 , SB2721 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2841 , SB2846 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2929 , SB2933 , SB3016 , SB3029 , SB3039 , SB3044 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB326 , SB494 , SB530 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1035 , SB1197 , SB1271 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1786 , SB1806 , SB2312 , SB29 , SB1238 , SB1967 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2119 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2929 , SB2595 , SB715 , SB1640 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB1241 , SB2538 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB2846 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB2550 , SB2245 , SB410 , SB1234 , SB456 , SB1012 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB1528 , SB1141 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB672 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , SB1032 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HB2525 , HB3093 , SB872 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB2373 , SB1660 , SB614 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB1525 , SB905 , SB640 , SB2487 , SB1698 , SB383 , SB705 , SB748 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1802 , SB2340 , SB2586 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2782 , SB2781 , SB2637 , SB2633 , SB2337 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB946 , SB945 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB571 , SB1263 , SB3058 , SB612 , SB2221 , SB2587 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2713 , HB517 , HB912 , HB 1130 , HB142 , HB1689 , HB2018
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/21/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • In all those regions, decision makers are accountable only to local voters, as it should be.
  • If I were to say that we met Metro voters should have an equal say over how Rochester, Duluth, or any
  • In all those regions, decision makers are accountable only to local voters, as it should be.
  • If I were to say that we met Metro voters should have an equal say over how Rochester, Duluth, or any
  • In all those regions, decision makers are accountable only to local voters, as it should be.
Bills: HF2438
Committee: House Taxes
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (03/04/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we can leave it for the voters to decide.
  • decided by the voters I think we<01:12:38.560><c> can</c><01:12:38.719><c> leave</c><01:12:38.880><c
  • > it</c><01:12:39.120><c> for</c><01:12:39.280><c> the</c><01:12:39.400><c> voters</c><01:12:39.679><
  • the voters should be able to decide when the sheriff's services are no longer warranted.
  • every election cycle and the the voters every election cycle and the voters<01:15:27.760><c> should<
Committee: Senate Judiciary