Video & Transcript : 'governor authority' :

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DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 37th Legislative Day Jun 17th, 2026

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tucker to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board.
  • Alex Hitch to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Senator Sokola.
  • Alex Hitch to be a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
  • Stephen Urban of Sussex Technical High School, Lieutenant Governor. Thank you.
  • Stephen Urban of Sussex Technical High School, Lieutenant Governor.
Summary: The Senate received communications from the House listing numerous bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions passed by the House or returned to the Senate, and it also noted a Senate amendment being stricken from House Bill 190. Committee reports were read on a wide range of nominations and bills, including favorable reports on several executive nominations and legislation involving nurse preceptors, voting, agricultural/forestry grants, child care, Title IX coordination, vehicle security devices, dry needling, human remains disposition, child care assistance, autism-related oversight, nursing advancement, correctional oversight, massage and bodywork, probate letters, computer security breaches, automobile insurance, medical debt protection, and technical corrections. The Senate also assigned House Bill 300, House Bill 64, and House Bill 385 to the Finance Committee. The chamber confirmed several gubernatorial nominations by roll call vote, each receiving the required majority: Heidi J. A. Gilmore to the Marijuana Appeals Commission; Lee Wynne and Ruth J. Tucker to the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board; Jennifer R. Hallman and Lindsay E. Alexich to the Professional Standards Board; Jason M. Munion and F. Todd Kulata to the Environmental Appeals Board. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 383, which changes overtime eligibility for certain DelDOT employees and clarifies covered positions, and Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which revises the Delaware Technical Innovation Program to give the Division of Small Business more flexibility in using federal grant funds. Consent Agenda M passed unanimously, including Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 on menopause and perimenopause coverage, House Bill 411 on alcohol/tobacco/marijuana enforcement, House Bill 271 on marijuana establishment spacing, House Bill 258 on alcohol licenses, House Bill 303 on juvenile probation/parole officers and DCYF employees, and House Bill 377 on Ocean View municipal election deadlines. Consent Calendar 63 also passed unanimously, including resolutions recognizing Day of Service, National Adoption Month, National Coaches Day, Free Speech Week, Women’s Equality Day, and Spirit of America 250, along with resolutions encouraging a veteran cemetery in Kent County, seeking plans for repurposing underused public buildings, and honoring Delaware Boys State. The Senate spent significant time on floor remarks about the Boys State delegates and on a tribute to emergency responders who helped save a seven-year-old child trapped by a seatbelt; the responders were recognized individually and thanked for their work. Additional remarks explained the purpose of the menopause coverage bill, the adoption month resolution, the free speech resolution, and the America 250 resolution. The session ended with no further business and the Senate recessed until June 18.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Federal authorities to support the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Mr.
  • governor has appointed, and it would take effect January 31, 2026.
  • For instance, Space Florida has had both the governor and, at times, the lieutenant governor there head
  • , it's the lieutenant governor, right?
  • Senator Governor. And I want to reiterate what Senator Dunn was talking about...
Summary: The committee first approved the February 9, 2026 minutes and then took up SB 1618, which restructures the Military Affairs Commission to add governor-appointed defense and industry experts, expand advisory participation, require more frequent meetings and reporting, and create a commission fund. The sponsor and a witness from the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center said the bill would modernize Arizona’s approach to retaining and attracting military missions and defense-related business. After adopting a Gowan amendment, the committee voted 6-1 to give SB 1618 a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee then heard SB 1047, the “Defend the Guard” bill, which would bar deployment of the Arizona National Guard into active combat without a congressional declaration of war. Supporters, including veterans and activists, argued it would restore constitutional limits and protect Guard members from unauthorized foreign wars. Opponents, including a retired National Guard officer, warned it could harm readiness, create tension with the Pentagon, and risk federal funding or missions. The committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1047 a do pass recommendation. Next was SB 1474, which preempts state and local restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration authorities, requires immigration-enforcement training, and, under amendment, requires county sheriffs to enter 287(g) agreements with ICE by January 1, 2027. The sponsor said the bill would improve cooperation and enforcement consistency, while opponents—religious leaders, public servants, and others—argued it would expand federal immigration enforcement, increase fear in communities, and burden local agencies with an unfunded mandate. After a lengthy and contentious debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1474 a do pass recommendation as amended. Finally, the committee considered SB 1620, which changes Arizona Space Commission membership by reducing governor appointments, adding the lieutenant governor as chair, and making legislative and executive leaders nonvoting advisory members. The commission chair said the changes would align Arizona with other states and improve structure and continuity. The bill passed 5-1 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard SB 1365, a strike-everything amendment removing the income cap for disabled veterans’ property tax exemption on a primary residence; members discussed whether very high-income veterans should still qualify, but agreed the bill would help disabled veterans. The committee adopted both amendments and gave SB 1365 a do pass recommendation.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 22 January, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I lift up to you today Governor Tate Reeves, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, all of the senators
  • The power and authority Mississippi.
  • </c> to pray for those who are in authority to pray for those who are in authority over<00:06:54.880>
  • , Lieutenant Governor Delbert Reeves, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hoseman,<00:07:05.199><c> all</c><00
  • Governor, thank you for hosting us. Governor, thank you for having<00:19:28.799><c> us.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 9th, 2026

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Certainly, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you on Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor
  • and Totten Housing Authority.
  • We procured two task forces with Worcester Housing Authority and Totten Housing Authority.
  • And working with Worcester Housing Authority, Southbridge Housing Authority, I don't know.
  • So the governor, the governor has, have you at 20.1. You're saying a maintenance is 23.3.
Keywords: 1212, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 13, 2026 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then it provides statutory authority for the judgeships because the district court of authority for
  • But the first column shows where the judge ships were authorized.
  • The second column shows the number of judgeships that were authorized.
  • for the circuit courts. 22 judgeships were authorized.
  • This governor has chosen to ask for 6 names for vacancies.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 4 May 19th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Though the governor gets to appoint.
  • Multiple committee hearings, where the author, the chief author, was simultaneously having weekly meetings
  • It's not a single governor; this is across multiple governors. We've had these issues, but 10%.
  • The authors in the Senate, the chief author is a Democrat.
  • The author in the House is not me on this particular bill.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Under that authority, and only with federally authorized technologies, these trained law enforcement
  • House Bill 2462 also grants the governor the authority to order the state and National Guard of Washington
  • I think a lot of that opposition is because we would be giving the governor the authority to deploy the
  • respond to drone threats, and it authorizes the Governor to use the National Guard to support law enforcement
  • This is governor-request legislation.
Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2462 would direct the governor to create rules for countering threats from unpiloted aircraft systems and authorize National Guard support for law enforcement in certain circumstances; the prime sponsor and National Guard witnesses said it would improve coordination for events like the FIFA World Cup, while one testifier supported it with amendments related to law enforcement authority, data privacy, and a web portal. HB 2401 would create a Washington State Boys and Men’s Commission, contingent on non-state funding through 2029; supporters described concerns about boys’ and men’s mental health, suicide, loneliness, education, and workforce outcomes, while some asked that physical health and fatherhood be more explicitly addressed. HB 2198 would expand and standardize statewide credential and permit reporting, require agencies to publish timelines and fee refunds for missed deadlines, and consolidate reporting; the governor’s office, business groups, labor, ports, and the Department of Health testified in support, citing faster processing, predictability, and economic benefits. HB 2419 would extend Address Confidentiality Program eligibility to administrative law judges and certain Office of Administrative Hearings staff; OAH, county officials, and county clerks supported the bill, citing threats and safety concerns, and some asked to include county clerks as well. The committee then took executive action on HB 2210, HB 2205, and HB 2249. It adopted an amendment to HB 2210 preserving existing ranked choice voting systems and advanced the bill 4-2 with one excused. It adopted an amendment to HB 2205 making threats against sports officials, coaches, or participants involved in wagered events a Class C felony and barring offenders from future wagering, and advanced the bill 5-1 with one excused. HB 2249, reclassifying certain WATEC employees performing network and security duties, was advanced unanimously 6-0 with one excused.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 30th, 2026

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Or if a nominee has a family member that would like to take pictures, that's also authorized, okay?
  • to serve at the pleasure of the governor, succeeding...
  • pleasure of the governor, succeeding Ellen Bittner.
  • The Health Care Authority is the manager of the contracts for the MCOs.
  • I'd like to extend appreciation to Governor Stitt for his initial nomination.
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Feb 18th, 2026

Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The original bill gives the removal authority to to aing authority.
  • Um, adds the lieutenant governor, the office of lieutenant governor.
  • </c><00:11:50.240><c> Um,</c><00:11:50.560><c> it</c> authority to to aing authority.
  • Um, it authority to to aing authority.
  • </c><00:12:06.240><c> Um,</c> office of lieutenant governor. Um, office of lieutenant governor.
Bills: HB139 , HB220 , SB274 , SB282 , SB277
Keywords: 923, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 36 Apr 15th, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lieutenant Governor, and the Executive Council.
  • The Chair recognizes Her Excellency, the Governor Maura Healey. Thank you so much.
  • The Sergeant-at-Arms will escort the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Executive Council from
  • Thirdly, it aligns authorized funding with the usage outcomes.
  • The author is... It keeps our fiscal foundation strong and adaptable.
Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a gubernatorial message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also approved several resolutions, including honoring Abby Goodman, reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognizing the Cambodian American Khmer New Year celebration, and observing Elks National Youth Week. Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes were referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the House concurred with those referrals. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended an amended substitute bill, and the House adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to third reading. Later, the House took up the substitute bill, House 5375, and members spoke in support of the Chapter 90 transportation package, emphasizing municipal road and bridge funding, rural road mileage distribution, housing-related infrastructure, lifecycle asset management, DCR deferred maintenance, and MBTA electrified locomotives. A roll call vote was ordered, and the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 155 in favor and 0 against. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston. In addition, the chamber received the certified returns for the 5th Essex District special election and adopted an order creating a special committee to escort the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council for the swearing-in of Representative-elect Andrew Francis Robert Tarr. Tarr was then administered the oaths of office by Governor Maura Healey and seated. The House later adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 36 Apr 15th, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lieutenant Governor, and the Executive Council.
  • The Chair recognizes Her Excellency, the Governor, Maura Healey. Thank you so much.
  • The sergeant-at-arms will escort the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Executive Council from
  • Thirdly, it aligns authorized funding with the usage outcomes.
  • The author... It keeps our fiscal foundation strong and adaptable.
Keywords: 1212, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is for co-authors on the resolution. You don't need to vote no one co-authors.
  • Co-authors on the resolution.
  • This is for co-authors on the resolution. All members who desire to vote, this is for co-authors.
  • AB 2263 will give the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority the authority to build affordable housing
  • AB 2263 will give the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority the authority to build affordable housing
Keywords: 988, house, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 1 Jan 12th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, therefore, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in
  • Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby appoint Ann Henderson-Haws
  • Brad Little, Governor.
  • Now, therefore, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in
  • Now, therefore, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in
Keywords: 989, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Authors can sign in at the sergeant's desk in Room 126.
  • And I want to thank our caucus chair for authoring one of our flagship priority For authoring one of
  • Scott Governor here for University of Phoenix.
  • Scott Governor here for University of Phoenix.
  • There's absolutely no authority. Unless this bill passes, there's not authority to do this.
Summary: The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes. The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd also love to be added as a co-author if you'll have me.
  • And I would be happy to add all of you as co-authors.
  • extended to our Governor.
  • So I would be honored to co-author.
  • So I would be honored to co-author.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We are—the governor calls me his ambassador.
  • within the Office of the Governor.
  • I think I will say that Robert and I both worked for Governor Perry and now we work for Governor Abbott
  • balance authority, and executive compensation.
  • lieutenant governor throughout the biennium and as well as the governor lieutenant governor and the
Bills: SB 1
Committee: Senate Finance
Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • more authority to remove game commissioners.
  • In 45 there was a bill that passed that would have given the governor a little more authority to remove
  • the governor.
  • The legislation did state that the governor was to... ...governor.
  • At that time, the governor did retain the appointment authority for the director in this new combined
Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 6th, 2026 at 08:37 am

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • We do not have a water authority.
  • We do not have a water authority.
  • If legislative authorization were suspended... ...months.
  • I just, as Representative Chandler mentioned, I don't want to then give all authority to the governor
  • I don't want to then give all authority to the governor, but as was suggested, if we could set a threshold
Keywords: 996, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 72 Mar 24th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • From the Governor, March 23, 2026: Dear Mr.
  • Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho.
  • governor in appointment.
  • And the governor at the time, Governor Smiley, said, we must, if we're going to accept this gift, we
  • And get this: the governor, those people serve at the will and pleasure of the governor.
Keywords: 989, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 06:00 pm

Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The joint committee has gone before the Senate Governor.
  • Thank you to the former governors who are joining us here tonight, Governor Weld and Governor Michael
  • And that's why I'm so proud to be your governor.
  • Last year, I was the first governor here to cap Here in Massachusetts, last year, I was the first governor
  • I have a portrait of a former governor, Samuel Adams.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The joint convention of the Massachusetts Legislature convened to receive the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address. The session began with procedural motions to appoint committees to notify the lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, Executive Council, and Governor, followed by an invocation from Archbishop Richard G. Henning, the posting and retiring of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Governor was then formally admitted to the chamber and delivered the address, with a benediction afterward by Rabbi Elaine Zacker. Governor Maura Healey’s address focused on affordability and public services. She highlighted actions and proposals on housing, including faster permitting, use of state land for housing, accessory dwelling units, down payment assistance, and expanded programs to help first-time buyers. She also discussed energy affordability, saying she would oppose utility rate hikes, pursue an energy affordability bill, and temporarily reduce electric and gas bills. On health care, she described efforts to cap costs, prevent prior authorization for insulin, ban medical debt reporting to credit agencies, and form a health care affordability working group. She also proposed making subscription cancellations easier, improving transportation through bridge repairs and transit investments, and strengthening protections for children on social media. The Governor also emphasized education, workforce development, and economic competitiveness, citing the state’s top national education ranking, expanded pre-K and child care, literacy and tutoring investments, early college opportunities, and a goal of 100,000 apprentices over 10 years. She praised Massachusetts’ response to federal actions, including support for vaccines, food assistance, abortion access, and research funding, and she criticized the Trump administration on tariffs, health care cuts, and immigration enforcement. She also noted public safety and veterans’ issues, including new assisted-living protections after the Gabriel House fire and the rebuilding of veterans’ homes. No substantive votes on legislation were taken beyond adoption of the ceremonial orders and the final adjournment motion.