Video & Transcript : 'Wind River Indian Reservation' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- just to give DWR more clarity when they're evaluating the different types of resources, whether it be wind
- the resource because essentially the way DWR operates the project is they'll be purchasing solar and wind
- Throughout 2025, the Altadena mutual water companies have tapped into their reserves to avoid raising
- The federal government has canceled tax credits for solar and wind projects.
- The federal government has canceled tax credits for solar and wind projects. is under threat.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of energy, water, and utility bills. SB 952, SB 1417, SB 924, SB 925, SB 1011, SB 1168, SB 1196, and SB 1350 were all discussed, along with consent items SB 1008 and SB 1245. SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility in meeting clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; it drew support from the State Water Contractors and California Municipal Utilities Association and no opposition. SB 1417 would extend transparency and notice requirements to mutual water companies, especially in response to wildfire-related rate increases in Altadena; supporters described lack of notice, meeting access, and public accountability, while the California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and potentially conflicting with existing law. SB 924 would modernize low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs to better measure affordability outcomes and tenant benefits, and it passed with broad support. SB 925 would direct the Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy; it was supported by industry and clean energy groups and passed without opposition. SB 1011 would require CPUC standards for human review of utility AI systems and labor consultation; supporters framed it as a safety and workforce protection measure, while utilities and business groups warned about cost, duplication, and overbroad regulation. SB 1168, now a study bill, would have the CPUC examine how data centers pay for load growth and rate impacts; it drew mixed reactions, with some industry opposition and some labor support after amendments. SB 1196 would speed utility hookups for ADUs and JADUs by allowing earlier applications and setting timelines; housing advocates supported it and it passed. SB 1350 would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with strong support from hydrogen, labor, and utility interests, but TURN opposed it unless amended, arguing it lacked safeguards against greenwashing and resource shuffling. The committee also approved the consent calendar and several bills were reported out on recorded votes, with most measures advancing on strong bipartisan support and a few no votes from Senators Strickland and Dahle on selected items.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 1, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I reserve. Gentleman from yields back. I reserve. Gentleman from Virginia<02:48:26.880><c> reserves.
- </c> Massachusetts reserves. Reserves. Massachusetts reserves. Reserves.
- Um, and with that, I reserve. The gentleman from Virginia reserves.
- I reserve. Gentleman from their kids. I reserve.
- I reserve.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 30th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, we'll reserve the right to close.
- It'll cross the river, it'll stay in a stash house.
- They're not generally always crossing the river.
- How best to utilize our reserve status because, as you know, that reserves... allowed to do this.
- That's when reserve peace officers step up.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> I will uh reserve. I will uh reserve.
- </c> with that, I reserve. with that, I reserve.
- I reserve.
- </c> Gentleman<03:42:06.720><c> reserves.</c> Gentleman reserves. Gentleman reserves.
- I reserve. >> Gentleman reserves.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- To sell products off reservation, the state would require tribes to sign partial waivers of sovereign
- Speaking in support of the bill is Jason Consolves, representing the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians
- Jason Gonzalez, representing the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians.
- They grow and sell their cannabis product on reservation.
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills covering travel consumer protections, cannabis commerce with tribes, medical record integrity, pest control licensing, pawn and gold-buying regulation, pharmacy discipline, land surveying, and expedited licensing for veterans separated under a federal transgender military policy. Members also later heard AB 1973, which would expand the ability of advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion care, with supporters arguing it would improve access and opponents warning about safety and scope-of-practice concerns. Several bills were presented before quorum was reached, and the chair repeatedly urged absent members to arrive so the committee could vote.
Testimony on the bills was largely in support. Authors and witnesses said AB 1758 would raise the seller-of-travel assessment cap to keep the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund solvent; AB 2506 would allow state cannabis licensees to sell products from tribal licensees while respecting tribal sovereignty; AB 1637 would prevent non-physicians from altering physician-authored medical notes; AB 2477 would create a short provisional period for pest control workers awaiting licensure; AB 2633 would close a loophole involving remote gold-buying events and stolen property reporting; AB 2141 would let the Board of Pharmacy resolve some cases through stipulated settlements before formal accusations; and AB 1933 would make technical clarifications to land surveying law. AB 1775 drew emotional testimony from transgender service members and advocates describing the impact of federal separation policies and the need for California licensing and support.
Once quorum was established, the committee voted out the consent calendar and each of the heard bills, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 1637, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1933, AB 2141, AB 2477, AB 2506, and AB 2633 all passed out of committee, most to Appropriations or another policy committee as noted. AB 1973 also passed, despite a no vote from some members and an opposition witness from the California Family Council. The committee later took vote changes and additional roll calls for absent members before adjourning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- To sell products off reservation, the state would require tribes to sign partial waivers of sovereign
- Speaking in support of the bill is Jason Consolves, representing the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians
- Jason Gonzalez, representing the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians.
- They grow and sell their cannabis product on reservation.
Committee:
House Business and Professions
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Transportation and Public Works Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:12 am
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. Thank you.
- This is the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.
- Chairman, the students at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute have raised concerns multiple
- You mentioned earlier 118 to the river in Bernalillo County.
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote.
The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs.
Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We can do wind. We can do all kinds of zero-carbon energy, and those are great jobs.
- The Tijuana River transports millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into California every year.
- In a community survey, 67% of respondents reported that the Tijuana River Valley is not a safe place
- Twelve of those years I've served and worked in the Tijuana River Valley.
- many there along our border communities, borderfield state beach, borderfield state park, Tijuana River
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on workplace technology, labor protections, and data center oversight. SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, would require human review before automated systems are used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis in the workplace. Labor groups, worker advocates, and privacy organizations supported the bill, arguing AI can be biased and should not make life-changing employment decisions without human judgment. Business groups opposed it, saying it was broader than prior versions, could interfere with workplace safety tools, and should not include a private right of action or cover independent contractors. After discussion about due process and accountability, the bill passed the committee 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection.
SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay upfront for new transmission or distribution infrastructure, create a separate rate structure so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers, and include skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers, create good construction jobs, and encourage zero-carbon energy development. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings on these issues and warned the bill could single out one industry and discourage investment. The committee members emphasized labor standards and community concerns, and the bill passed 3-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for layoffs caused by AI or automation, require reporting to workers, local government, and EDD, and give displaced workers first consideration for other openings. Supporters said the bill responds to rapid AI-driven layoffs and would provide needed transparency and data. Opponents said the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements too burdensome, and the bill conflicted with existing WARN law; they also objected to the private right of action and inclusion of independent contractors. The committee discussed amendments clarifying that an employee may still be discharged for reasonable and substantiated cause during the notice period. The bill passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection.
The committee also approved SB 1032, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, and SB 1046, which would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards to protect lifeguards and park rangers from transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. SB 1032 drew support from labor and enforcement advocates who said it would help stop staffing fraud, while staffing firms argued the bill was vague and could burden legitimate small businesses; it passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. SB 1046 was supported by park workers and community groups describing health impacts from pollution and passed 4-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent item, which passed 4-0, and then adjourned.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 105 Apr 29th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Hail and wind is a bigger threat to our insurance industry than is wildfire. pay to pay their bills.
- Um, hail<02:38:13.200><c> and</c><02:38:13.600><c> wind</c><02:38:14.160><c> is</c><02:38:14.479><c>
- is a bigger threat to our hail and wind is a bigger threat to our insurance<02:38:18.160><c> industry
- So these are people, you know, in El Paso County where they may not have as much hail and wind as they
- </c> >> Leave it to the Yeah, it was an Indian >> Leave it to the Yeah, it was an Indian
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs Feb 12th, 2026 at 08:58 am
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- incorporated area with a population of 20,000 or less, or on lands held in trust by the United States for an Indian
- The additional funds are for our broadband strategic fund, which we have kept in reserve. because of
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jul 1st, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- importantly, it removes the utilities as middlemen in large clean energy procurement such as offshore wind
- Additionally, we send ambitious yet attainable goals of procuring 10 gigawatts of offshore wind and 10
- importantly, it removes the utilities as middlemen in large clean energy procurement such as offshore wind
- Additionally, we send ambitious yet attainable goals of procuring 10 gigawatts of offshore wind and 10
- amendment would expand its membership from 11 to 15, and the newly added seats would be explicitly reserved
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman reserves.
- </c> >> Gentleman from Georgia reserves. >> Gentleman from Georgia reserves.
- . >> I reserve. >> Okay.
- Well, well, because the river is river?"
- on the bank of the river.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The shooting occurred north of the river at a Target store.
- The river authority president said he wasn't really sure it would really help.
- And I think people who live in these river watersheds know that.
- I just wonder because we had heard testimony that the River Authority of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority
- the upper Guadalupe River Authority portion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- history working with the Laytonville Rancheria on some of the testing together with the Bureau of Indian
- the polluters pay aspect of this, which is the money collected from the carbon auction ought to be reserved
- The money collected from the carbon auction ought to be reserved for actions that are doing that.
- reflects what is a continued desire from Californians to ensure that the places that they recreate—the rivers
- reflects what is a continued desire from Californians to ensure that the places that they recreate, the rivers
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation heard an informational hearing with Secretary Garcia and CalEPA-related departments on the administration’s budget proposals and related environmental programs. Secretary Garcia highlighted CalEPA’s work on methane reduction, community air protection, water infrastructure, Exide cleanup, safer pesticide alternatives, Prop 4 implementation, and Bay-Delta water quality, while emphasizing the impact of federal rollbacks and the need for flexible state response. Members raised broader policy concerns about the polluter-pays principle, special fund vacancies, and whether the state is maintaining sufficient staffing and enforcement capacity, especially after recent fee increases.
A major portion of the hearing focused on landfill support, response, and enforcement, particularly subsurface elevated temperature events at Chiquita Canyon and El Sobrante. CalEPA requested $5.1 million and 12 positions to improve monitoring, technical response, coordination, and enforcement across CalRecycle, CARB, DTSC, the Water Board, and OEHHA. Assembly Member Schiavo described severe community impacts from Chiquita Canyon and pressed for stronger state action, more transparency, and accountability from landfill operators; Assembly Member Rogers emphasized that accountability must mean forcing operators to take preventive measures and bear the costs. Agency staff said the proposal would help augment current response efforts, support local enforcement agencies, and improve early detection, while acknowledging that the causes of set events are not fully understood and may involve factors such as lithium-ion batteries, oxygen intrusion, and gas extraction practices.
The committee then heard an update on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water program and the effects of the new cap-and-invest structure. State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel reported that the program has reduced the number of Californians without safe drinking water from 1.6 million to about 600,000 since 2019, while also bringing 320 systems back into compliance and distributing $1.8 billion in drinking water grants. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that under SB 840, SAFER is now in a lower funding tier, which could reduce annual proceeds from the prior $130 million level to a projected $92 million in 2026-27 and delay funding until later in the year. Members expressed concern that this deprioritizes rural drinking water needs, while the board said it would continue using SAFER’s flexible funds for emergency water, technical assistance, and construction, and would keep pushing consolidations and other long-term solutions for the remaining failing systems.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/21/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent District 8, which includes North Tempe, South Scottsdale, all of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa
- Indian Community, and then parts of Mesa and Phoenix.
- demonstrators on our American universities, screaming death to the Jews, we hate the Jews, from the river
- It got its original reservation signed by William Tecumseh Sherman after going through the Long Walk,
- It can be found nowhere in the... even though the Federal Reserve is not in the Constitution.
Summary:
The committee convened with roll call, member and staff introductions, and a review of amendment deadlines and decorum rules. Members also suspended the committee rule on late-distributed amendments to allow consideration of a Kolodin amendment. The chair then moved to the agenda bills, beginning with HCM 2001, a memorial urging Congress and the President to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and asking Arizona agencies to monitor related organizations. Testimony on HCM 2001 was sharply divided, with supporters arguing the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are linked to terrorism and Sharia law, and opponents calling the memorial discriminatory, unsupported by evidence, and an attack on Muslim civil rights organizations and free speech. The committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2001 out of committee.
The committee then heard HCM 2002, which urges a federal review of CAIR for possible foreign terrorist organization designation and supports related congressional action. Testimony again split along similar lines: opponents, including CAIR representatives, a veteran, and community members, said the measure was scapegoating, lacked legal basis, and would stigmatize Muslim communities; supporters cited the Holy Land Foundation case, FBI concerns, and alleged ties between CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2002 out of committee. Following a brief recess, the committee took up HB 2009, which would prohibit committees primarily organized to influence constitutional amendments from accepting foreign national contributions and require disclosure of out-of-state funding. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve transparency and keep constitutional initiatives focused on Arizona voters; members discussed whether the measure should apply to all ballot initiatives and how donor verification would work. HB 2009 was also approved 4-3.
The committee then began HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election procedures, including citizenship requirements for voting, limits on foreign contributions to candidate and ballot measure campaigns, government-issued ID requirements, and changes to early voting and mail ballot rules. The committee adopted a late amendment after procedural discussion, and the sponsor described the resolution as a broad election-security reform modeled on Florida. Members raised concerns that the proposal could reduce access, increase lines, and create confusion for mail voters, while the sponsor argued it would improve security and voter confidence. The transcript cuts off during this bill’s discussion, before final action is shown.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up, House Bill 4021 by Representative Conerly, North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District
- House Bill 4021 is an expansion of the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District.
- steps further and introduced a few other suggestions for the committee, including the Mississippi River
- following African explorers, and he ended up calling America, or the people who were in the Americas, Indians
Summary:
The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members.
The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote.
The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- up sending decent will eventually wind up sending decent people<01:39:42.840><c> to</c><01:39:43.000
- He said New Hampshire's lakes, rivers, and watersheds are powerful economic engines, driving tourism,
- I rise to urge you to vote against urging Congress to find the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth Harbor
- the Piscataqua River to the high-water mark of the former Massachusetts colony.
- Prior to the legislature, Emma also taught English at Oyster River High School for 20 years.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Jan 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The work is necessary to replace a 108-year-old bridge across the river.
- Over their rivers.
- and other record levels with the rivers in the area, caused numerous road closures.
- We've had saturated soils, significant winds, and our partners with the U.S.
- This is immediately south off of the Skykomish River, south of the city of Sultan.
Summary:
The committee first met in brief executive session and advanced Senate Bill 5989 without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Staff explained the bill would redistribute sales tax on aircraft fuel, affecting general fund revenue, which was why it was better suited for Ways and Means. The motion passed by voice vote.
The committee then heard a presentation from Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith on WSDOT’s 2025 work and 2026 priorities. She highlighted agency reorganization, safety initiatives, preservation needs, bridge strikes and storm damage, ferry service improvements, major projects such as Revive I-5, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project, fish passage work, and preparations for the World Cup. Members praised the department’s communication and work, and asked about additional paving and preservation funding; Meredith said WSDOT had prepared projects that could be advanced if more money were available.
Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary John Vizina and staffer Jenna Forty followed with a detailed briefing on vessel and terminal preservation. They described the aging fleet, the need for new hybrid-electric vessels, the governor’s proposed funding for three additional ferries and life-extension work on older vessels, and the importance of terminal upgrades such as Fauntleroy. Senators asked about service contingency planning, the cost and timing of hybrid versus diesel vessels, and whether additional vessels would require rebidding; staff said hybrid-electric construction is the fastest path and that any expansion would depend on statutory direction and legal review.
The committee then heard from local government representatives on preservation and storm recovery. The Association of Washington Cities and the Transportation Improvement Board described city road and bridge needs, limited local funding, and the importance of sustained preservation investment and programmatic grants. County representatives from the Washington State Association of County Engineers, Snohomish County, and the County Road Administration Board discussed the December flooding, road washouts, bridge damage, and recovery costs, emphasizing that counties face large preservation backlogs and need state and federal help for repairs and resiliency.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 29th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So I just, maybe to clarify, can you use legacy hydro to power the, or even legacy wind, to power the
- It's my understanding that there's maybe some ambiguity and some... power the or even legacy wind to
- investing in green infrastructure today, can help solve 6 PPD from getting into our environment and our rivers
- investing in green infrastructure today, can help solve 6 PPD from getting into our environment and our rivers
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Keywords:
oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment, coast guard authorization, Board of Pilotage Commissioners, articulated tug barge, bunker vessel, refueling vessel
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Management and Budget Press Conference 3/6/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Key interest rates are expected to remain above the November forecast levels, as the Federal Reserve
- When the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, it puts upward pressure on mortgage rates by
- policy means that our reserves are fully funded.
- While we don't expect we'll need to tap into those reserves, it is a welcome safety... billion a cut
- </c> Reserve policy means that our reserves Reserve policy means that our reserves are<00:37:49.920><
Summary:
Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action.
Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected.
Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.