Video & Transcript : 'Democrat' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/11/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • It seems to me that's the most democratic thing we do, is referring it to the voters. Sorry?
  • Seems to me that that's the most democratic thing we can do is refer it to the voters for their voice
  • The most democratic thing we can do is refer it to the voters for their voice, not just the legislature
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Mar 5th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • There will be a quick Democratic caucus in our usual room. Is... are you, like, one... Oh, no.
  • There will be a quick Democratic caucus in our usual room. is are you like one?
  • quick Democratic caucus in our usual room is are you likewise but park us or not no okay so then we are
Keywords: 904, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 4th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • understand and actively participate in our democracy... ...to understand and actively participate in our democratic
  • consider what Cruz just did here today a part of those actively participating activities in our democratic
  • institutions, and I also include him walking out in protest as actively participating in democratic
Summary: The House Education Committee first considered RS 33118, which would repeal Idaho Digital Learning Academy’s current statutory framework. Rep. Elaine Price argued the program had expanded beyond its original rural purpose, had weak oversight, and was costly, while several members objected that IDLA serves both rural and urban students and provides a high-quality, cost-effective option. After discussion, the motion to introduce the RS failed on a tie vote. The committee then heard RS 33604, a more limited proposal from Rep. Doug Pickett to preserve IDLA for rural districts while changing its board, adding audits and transparency, limiting virtual charter participation, and reducing “double dipping.” Supporters called it a middle-ground approach; opponents said it still cut funding too sharply and did not fully account for the program’s value. The committee voted to introduce the RS, with the motion passing on a narrow roll-call vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 794, which would require student walkouts or absences for political protest to be treated as unexcused absences and reported to state officials. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect instructional time and clarify attendance rules, while opponents argued it would chill student speech, burden schools, and conflict with parental rights and constitutional protections. Testimony was split between supporters who viewed the bill as a reasonable attendance rule and opponents, including students, parents, school board representatives, and advocacy groups, who defended walkouts as civic engagement. After debate, the motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed on a tie vote.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 4th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • understand and actively participate in our democracy, ...to understand and actively participate in our democratic
  • consider what Cruz just did here today a part of those actively participating activities in our democratic
  • institutions, and I also include him walking out in protest as actively participating in democratic
Keywords: 989, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House/Senate DFL Media Availability 2/27/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • you<00:16:06.320><c> know,</c><00:16:06.720><c> uh</c><00:16:06.880><c> House</c><00:16:07.120><c> Democrats
  • 07.759><c> want</c><00:16:08.000><c> as</c><00:16:08.240><c> big</c> &gt;&gt; you know, uh House Democrats
  • want as big &gt;&gt; you know, uh House Democrats want as big of<00:16:08.480><c> a</c><00:16:08.560
Keywords: 1183, house
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Feb 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Democrats will caucus immediately. The House will be at ease for the purpose of caucus.
  • Madam Speaker, the Democrats will caucus at 1:30.
  • Madam Speaker, the Democrats will caucus at 1.30.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • c><00:03:32.080><c> our</c> learning, or participating in our learning, or participating in our democratic
  • <00:03:32.879><c> process,</c> democratic process, democratic process, can<00:03:34.720><c> do</c><00
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families. Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors. In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 13th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, Senate Democrats will caucus immediately. Mr. Hasegawa. Ms.
  • President, Senate Democrats will caucus immediately, and in order to expedite our work today so we don't
  • We're all chomping at the bit to go to lunch, so Democrats will have 20 minutes to gather that all up
Summary: The Senate opened with the usual ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, received House messages, and introduced several bills. It also adopted Senate Resolution 868 honoring April as National Donate Life Month. Senators Gaynor and Dozier spoke in support, sharing personal stories about organ donation and transplant recipients, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber also recognized guests in the gallery connected to those stories. The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments, including Colin L. Bannister to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, Amina Hussein to the Washington State University Board of Regents, and Ramatou-Libah to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. Each confirmation passed with broad support after brief remarks from Senator Schoesler, and several senators were excused from voting. The Senate also acknowledged MLA Jody Tour of British Columbia and a personal privilege recognition for Senator Leis receiving Finland’s Order of the Lion. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026, dealing with residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones, after adopting and rejecting several amendments that narrowed or clarified exemptions and local-control provisions. Senators argued both for housing supply and for preserving local planning flexibility. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 6106 on layoff notifications and worker information protections, Senate Bill 5890 on speeding and reckless driving standards, Senate Bill 5536 on equitable distribution of real property in divorce, and Substitute Senate Bill 6097 allowing federally recognized tribes to participate in the Conservation Futures Program. Senate Bill 5988, authorizing fee authority for Department of Health accreditation services for opioid treatment programs, passed after a close vote with one nay. The meeting ended with the Senate standing at ease for caucus and lunch.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 21, 2026 - 04:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • USED TO BE A DEMOCRAT COUNTY AND NOW IT'S A PRETTY REPUBLICAN ONE.
  • WHEN I TALKED WITH DIFFERENT MEMBERS BEHIND THE SCENES, BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID I DON'T
  • UPON WOMEN AND IF YOU READ WHAT IS THERE, I HAVE NOT TALKED TO ONE PERSON THAT READ THESE THINGS, DEMOCRAT
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Land Grant Oct 7th, 2025

House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The thing is that Juan Díaz-Maez Was very democratic-focused, and the documents that I have seen indicate
  • And all the time that my great-great-grandpa was alcalde, he had democratic values and recollections.
  • Even though I'm a Democrat, I'm friends with Rod, I'm a friend with a lot of Republicans.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • surveillance and social media monitoring to track, intimidate, and threaten individuals living in democratic
  • of the human rights of those living in the diaspora, especially those who have sought refuge in democratic
  • that we do respect and want to make sure that you feel that you have been heard as part of this democratic
Summary: The committee met to hear seven Senate bills, first approving two consent items, SB 352 and SB 804, on motions to do pass to Appropriations. SB 542 (Limón) would require public notice and comment before issuing a financial responsibility certificate for an oil pipeline and require hydrostatic testing before restarting pipelines idle for five years or more; it was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity and passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 616 (Rubio) would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to coordinate wildfire mitigation and insurance-related recommendations; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and several local and industry groups, while water agencies, special districts, and the building industry raised concerns about water infrastructure standards, and it passed on a due-pass motion to Insurance. SB 429 (Cortese), which would establish a public wildfire catastrophe model and related university-based research and education program, received support from the Department of Insurance and outside groups and passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 256 (Perez) would strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency response by expanding planning, improving PSPS communication, requiring utility coordination with emergency centers, and directing removal of permanently abandoned electrical facilities; utilities and business groups were generally neutral after amendments, while the author emphasized the bill’s connection to recent wildfire losses, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 509 (Caballero) would require specialized training for local law enforcement on transnational repression targeting diaspora communities; it received support from the California Police Chiefs Association and immigrant-rights advocates, but drew extensive opposition from Hindu and civil-rights organizations concerned about bias, implementation, and First Amendment issues. Committee members discussed amendments to clarify cultural competency, diversity, and constitutional protections, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. After the hearing, the committee took final roll-call votes on the bills, with the consent items and SB 429, SB 256, and SB 509 moving forward, while SB 542 and SB 616 were also reported out on earlier motions.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/18/25 - Part 3

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • With husbands and wives and Democrats and Republicans and chairs and co-chairs.
  • We should not be just talking to each other as Democrats.
  • We should not be just talking to each other as Democrats.
Keywords: 1183, house
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government (Part I) May 5th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • That would be a meeting I'd love to attend because I think, well, I'm going to make certain that Democrats
  • That would be a meeting I'd love to attend because I think I'm going to make certain that Democrats and
  • That would be a meeting I'd love to attend because I think I'm going to make certain that Democrats and
Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 5, 2025 - 12:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Democratic Ranking Member Anton. Representatives Benaroach. Here. Eskamami. Here. Gentry. Henson.
  • Ranking Democratic member Anton? No. Chair Jolombardo? Yes. Vice Chair Porras? Yes.
  • Ranking Democratic member Anton? No. Representatives Beneroach? Yes. Usada? Yes. Eskimani? No.
Summary: The subcommittee first heard presentations on protecting minors from age-restricted products from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Attorney General’s office. DBPR described its Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco division’s licensing and enforcement work on alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and hemp sales, including inspections, undercover underage-purchase operations, arrests, and coordination with the Attorney General on hemp and nicotine enforcement. Members asked about trends in youth use, retailer training, use of underage decoys in investigations, and whether additional education or penalties could help reduce sales to minors. The Attorney General’s office then outlined the new nicotine dispensing device directory created under last year’s law, explaining the criteria for listing devices attractive to minors, the notice process for manufacturers and retailers, and enforcement consequences once listed devices become contraband. Members discussed online sales, product descriptions, notice to industry, and whether more outreach to parents, schools, and local partners could help. The committee then took up House Bill 105, which would decouple thoroughbred pari-mutuel permit holders from the requirement to conduct live racing in order to operate card rooms/slot gaming. The bill sponsor said the measure would align thoroughbred permits with other live-event permits and argued the industry is already declining and heavily subsidized, so the Legislature should not force a private business to keep an unprofitable line of business. An amendment by Rep. Yeager was adopted to remove live-racing requirements for thoroughbred permit holders who are card room licensees, broadening the bill’s effect to include Tampa Bay Downs as well as Gulfstream Park. Public testimony was sharply divided: supporters said decoupling would give tracks flexibility and not end racing, while opponents from the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry warned it would undermine live racing, breeding, jobs, farmland, and the broader equine economy. After debate, several members spoke in favor of the bill, emphasizing business flexibility, declining foal counts, and the view that the state should not require a private industry to maintain racing to keep gaming rights. Opponents argued the bill could damage a signature Florida industry and its economic impact. The committee then voted 10-6 to report HB 105 favorably, with several members voting no and some excused. The meeting then adjourned.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's had bipartisan support from Democrats and Republicans on the federal level, so every year it goes
  • had five your salary or and yeah yeah so it changes every year it's had bipartisan support from democrats
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access. Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts. One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Rep. Liz Reyer departing member remarks 5/18/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We must defend our democratic system. Our federal government is floating the Constitution.
  • We must defend our democratic system. Our federal government is floating the Constitution.
Keywords: 1183, house
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget Apr 20th, 2026

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • is not my point, but the point where before, when you said the right to work, that was when the Democrats
  • I don't see, at least maybe on the Democratic side, someone could win outright.
Summary: The committee considered a series of bills largely focused on reappropriating and closing out ARPA-related funds, transferring interest earnings, and filling funding gaps in existing state projects. Measures included funding for the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, juvenile services in Rogers County, rural hospital rebuild projects, DHS-related projects for Boys and Girls Clubs and the YWCA, water and wastewater projects through the OWRB, ALS grant limits for OSDH, pandemic relief accounting, administrative costs for ARPA projects, pediatric cardiology and OSU-related projects, rural industrial park and port water/wastewater gaps, and emergency response grants through the Department of Emergency Management. Most of these bills were presented by Rep. Newton, Chairman Caldwell, Speaker Hilbert, Rep. Osborne, Rep. Hill, and others, with committee substitutes adopted without objection where noted. One bill, House Bill 4028, drew the most discussion. It would extend the sunset on the qualified equity investment deduction for venture capital investments. Members questioned the lack of program-specific evaluation data, including return on investment, jobs created, and how much of the tax deduction had actually been used. The sponsor said the program had helped grow Oklahoma venture capital and that he would seek better data, but argued the sunset should be extended for now. The bill passed 23-6. Another extended exchange centered on House Bill 4063, which combined measures related to placing state questions on the August ballot, including HJR 1024 and a bill tied to House Bill 1440. Members raised concerns about single-subject issues, ballot timing, voter turnout, and whether combining the measures limited legislators’ options. The Speaker defended the approach as election-related and noted prior precedent. The bill passed 23-6. The remaining bills were approved overwhelmingly, generally by votes of 27-0, 28-0, or 29-0, and were reported out with due pass recommendations before the meeting adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • With your permission, the Democratic Caucus will meet in Hearing Room 2 at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
  • Senate because all the Democrats keep voting no. That's fact.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day and numerous guest introductions, including advocates for children’s health, Jewish advocacy, housing affordability, environmental issues, and other community groups. Members also made several personal privilege remarks, including a resolution-style statement for Lobo Week supporting Mexican gray wolf conservation and a brief announcement about an upcoming CAP update. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and considered two Senate bills. SB 1415 was recommended do pass without amendment, and SB 1430 was amended in committee to remove a disputed provision so the measure remained limited to tax-code corrections; it was then recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and both bills were deferred for engrossing. Earlier calendar actions also included the placement and referral of several Senate bills and resolutions. On third reading, the House passed HB 2680 on workers’ compensation by a vote of 55-1, and SB 1029 on campaign contributions and expenses by a vote of 57-0. The session included extended partisan debate during personal privilege remarks over the federal government shutdown, TSA pay, ICE presence at airports, and broader federal and state budget issues. The House later recessed briefly, received additional bill referrals and first readings, and adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026.