Video & Transcript Research : 'wealthy taxpayers'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 3/10/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Gap protections for taxpayers there has Gap protections for taxpayers there has not<00:23:16.640><c>
  • </c><00:35:50.839><c> responsible</c> sent back to the taxpayers responsible sent back to the taxpayers
  • </c> you don't Define who is the taxpayer you don't Define who is the taxpayer right<00:54:07.119><c>
  • think about taxpayers as people tend to think about taxpayers as people not<00:54:17.960><c> as</c><00
  • </c><00:59:28.960><c> that</c> property and income taxpayers that property and income taxpayers that
Bills: HF25, HF4
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 2/25/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><00:03:04.799><c> um</c> So, as stated, it was basically the House File is to provide relief to taxpayers
  • So, as stated, it was basically the House File is to provide relief to taxpayers, and when there is a
  • there is a surplus, the money is set up and there is a mechanism to give that money back to the taxpayers
  • By providing this alternative calculation, many taxpayers can begin claiming the research credit for
  • By providing this alternative calculation, many taxpayers can begin claiming the research credit for
Bills: HF4, HF173
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 3/4/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> rampant misuse of taxpayer dollars. rampant misuse of taxpayer dollars.
  • , which is taxpayer money.
  • </c> uh these facilities for that taxpayers uh these facilities for that taxpayers have<00:09:38.480>
  • </c> of millions of dollars of taxpayer of millions of dollars of taxpayer dollars<00:10:27.600><c> uh
  • </c> taxpayers who meet their obligations. taxpayers who meet their obligations.
Bills: HF3611, HF3659, HF3909
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 3/18/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • principle of taxpayer privacy.
  • c><00:31:28.080><c> of</c><00:31:28.240><c> taxpayer</c> longstanding principle of taxpayer longstanding
  • </c> through the Minnesota taxpayer through the Minnesota taxpayer assistance<01:17:29.719><c> and</c
  • </c><01:18:40.360><c> and</c> reach many more lowincome taxpayers and reach many more lowincome taxpayers
  • </c> than become homeless helping taxpayers than become homeless helping taxpayers claim<01:19:44.239
Bills: HF2274, HF1932
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 3/20/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • The first exception is that the federal earned income credit requires taxpayers to have a Social Security
  • To receive those advanced payments, taxpayers will have to opt into advanced payments when they file
  • files and claims 2025 uh when a taxpayer files and claims this<00:02:11.319><c> credit</c><00:02:11.640
  • to have a Social requires taxpayers to have a Social Security<00:02:43.840><c> number</c><00:02:44.040
  • </c><00:02:49.599><c> are</c> second childless taxpayers are second childless taxpayers are ineligible
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House State Government Committee Mar 19th, 2025

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • What this does is it adds two residents, taxpayers of Alabama, to the committee.
  • It currently exists mostly of tax professionals, and it's just put some everyday taxpayers on the committee
Bills: HB162, HB376, HB425, SB96, HB426
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 13th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ultimately, this is about good government, making the process work better for taxpayers and the people
  • Wealthy litigators could drive a less able opponent into submission without there ever being a hearing
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Taxes Committee Meeting - 2025-05-06

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • In the amendment, the baby bonus would be $100 for a child or a taxpayer who is a child born during..
  • Section 27 increases the fiscal year 2029 base for taxpayer assistance grants and tax credit outreach
  • Line 65 and 66 are taxpayer assistance grants and tax credit outreach grants.
  • Thank you for including additional resources for taxpayer assistance and tax credit outreach grants.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 5/6/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lines 65 and 66 are taxpayer assistance grants and tax credit outreach grants.
  • Lines 65 and 66 are taxpayer assistance grants and tax credit outreach grants.
  • Lines 65 and 66 are taxpayer assistance grants and tax credit outreach grants.
  • Um lines 65 and 66 are taxpayer million.
  • I'm happy about the taxpayer assistance and outreach grants.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not because the wealthy, we need to tax the wealthy.
  • </c> the wealthy, we need to tax the wealthy. the wealthy, we need to tax the wealthy.
  • </c> tax the wealthy. tax the wealthy.
  • The wealthy We want to tax the wealthy.
  • . wealthy. wealthy.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee heard presentations on two tax bills: House File 4123, by Representative Agbaje, would expand Minnesota’s net investment income tax to include certain business income, especially income from S corporations and LLCs not subject to federal self-employment taxes, while keeping the current rate and million-dollar threshold; she said it would raise an estimated $88.7 million next year. House File 4616, by Chair Gomez, would impose a 1% annual tax on fortunes above $10 million. Gomez framed the bill as a response to growing wealth inequality and argued that wealthy households and large fortunes should contribute more to public services, while Agbaje said her bill would broaden the tax base and help meet state needs. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, Erica Mominee of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Lauren Richards, and teacher Kristen Sinicariello, said the bills would help address wealth and income inequality and provide needed revenue for public health, education, and other public services. They pointed to federal tax cuts for high-income households, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and strains on state agencies and schools. Richards said small businesses already pay more than large corporations like Amazon, and Sinicariello argued that higher revenue would support classrooms and help equalize opportunity. Opponents, including Brian Cook of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Dalton Danielson of the Minnesota Business Partnership, and John Beschi of NFIB Minnesota, warned that both bills would hurt business competitiveness and investment. They argued that HF 4123 would effectively create a new higher tax tier for pass-through businesses and that HF 4616 would be difficult to administer, could force sales of illiquid assets, and could discourage entrepreneurship and capital investment. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee moved through bill presentations and public testimony before member discussion.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/15/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Taxpayers of Arizona, I have a plea for you. Taxpayers of Arizona, I have a plea for you.
  • from another taxpayer.
  • Good point, because that really was a help for the most wealthy few.
  • But, oh, no big deal to the taxpayer, right?
  • Are apparently wealthy just by virtue of paying for child care, or a senior apparently is wealthy.
Keywords: 1182, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/7/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> for unmarried taxpayers. for unmarried taxpayers.
  • </c> tax the wealthy. tax the wealthy.
  • The wealthy We want to tax the wealthy.
  • . taxpayers. taxpayers.
  • . wealthy. wealthy.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Jan 20th, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:
  • He added that, in terms of fairness to the taxpayer, there is a cost to every taxpayer every time there's
  • I will point out the windfall to one taxpayer there because of Hancock is at the expense of other taxpayers
  • And it's not as wealthy part of town, but you can find a house in the wealthy part of town and the not
  • But you can find a house in the wealthy part of town and the not as wealthy part of town that pretty
  • , I think the taxpayer should have...
Keywords: 959, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • No plan to pay for this tax cut for the wealthy and large corporations.
  • The Republicans have no plans to pay for this tax cut for the wealthy...
  • from the Arizona taxpayers.
  • To taxpayers. Now let me just let that sink in a bit.
  • taxpayers.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including International Mother Language Day, Arizona Nurses’ Day, Environmental Day, Teamsters Local 104, and Arizona Aerospace Day. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and three excused. The chamber also announced committee meetings, bill referrals, and later adjourned until Thursday, February 12, 2026. The main floor action centered on House Bill 2785, a taxation measure tied to federal tax conformity. Members debated whether Arizona should conform to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing it would validate current tax forms and provide tax relief, and opponents warning it would mainly benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations while reducing state revenue. The bill passed 32-26 with two not voting. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole for two calendars of bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2190, HB 2206, HB 2396, HB 2442, and HB 2448, all on health and human services topics, with amendments adopted on the first three. HB 2206 drew extended debate over SNAP payment error rates and whether the bill would impose an unfunded mandate and make benefits harder to access; supporters said it would reduce waste and save money, while opponents said it would set DES up for failure. HB 2396, which would restrict certain SNAP purchases, drew testimony over whether it would improve nutrition or unfairly limit low-income families and create a “food police” system. HB 2442 and HB 2448 also drew criticism over added SNAP work requirements and limits on agency waiver authority during recessions. The Committee later advanced HB 2688, HB 2689, HB 2690, HB 2796, and HB 2797, including bills on government staffing, hospital immigration-status data collection, unemployment benefits, SNAP eligibility/redeterminations, and fraud reporting. HB 2689 prompted sharp opposition over fears it would deter immigrants and mixed-status families from seeking medical care, while HB 2796 and HB 2797 were criticized as adding administrative burdens and duplicative SNAP checks. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and a motion to amend the report to show HB 2689 failed was rejected 24-32.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • No plan to pay for this tax cut for the wealthy and large corporations.
  • The Republicans have no plans to pay for this tax cut for the wealthy...
  • Arizona taxpayers.
  • So the Hobbs administration directed taxpayers to file their tax returns.
  • This is a $440 million tax cut package for Arizona taxpayers.
Keywords: 1182, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • . big pot that gets used to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.
  • Tax cuts for the wealthy was the headline.
  • Talk about a waste of taxpayer dollars.
  • In giving tax breaks to the wealthy.
  • They want to take American taxpayer dollars and subsidize solar.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • :21:14.120><c> per</c> billion and if you divvy that up per billion and if you divvy that up per taxpayer
  • you're over $5,000 a taxpayer you're over $5,000 a person<00:21:18.919><c> how</c><00:21:19.159><c>
  • The wealthy are doing fine and are able to pay their energy bills, are able to afford their food, are
  • Representative Craft said that they do have a responsibility to taxpayers and ratepayers, and ultimately
  • Representative Craft said that they do have a responsibility to taxpayers and ratepayers, and ultimately
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Feb 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The taxpayer may also deduct charitable contributions up to $100,000 per individual.
  • We benefited from a stable, legal, and financial system funded by taxpayers.
  • We benefited from a stable, legal, and financial system funded by taxpayers.
  • But here's how I see it: I was wealthy even before I made my money.
  • But here's how I see it: I was wealthy even before I made my money.
Summary: House Finance held a public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax beginning in 2028 on Washington taxable income over $1 million for individuals, with related rules for residents, nonresidents, pass-through entities, estimated payments, penalties, credits, and revenue distribution. Staff explained that the bill would also fund several tax changes, including an expanded Working Families Tax Credit, sales tax exemptions for grooming and hygiene products, higher small business B&O credits, an early end to the B&O surcharge on very large businesses, and repeal of most retail services sales tax changes from last session. The fiscal note projected about $2.53 billion in additional state revenue in FY 2029 and $3.21 billion in FY 2030, with local revenue losses and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The chair also announced concerns about apparent fraud and duplicate records in the public sign-in system and set testimony rules limiting questions and shortening testimony time as the hearing progressed. The prime sponsor, Senator Jamie Peterson, said the bill was intended to make Washington’s tax system less regressive and to raise revenue for schools, health care, higher education, and other public needs while reducing the burden on lower- and middle-income residents. Supporters from labor, education, health care, child care, housing, poverty-reduction, and social service organizations argued that the bill would help fund essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, and improve fairness by asking the wealthiest households to contribute more. Several individual supporters, including business owners and workers, said they were willing to pay more and described the need for better-funded schools, health care, child care, and public defense. Opponents, including former Attorney General Rob McKenna, business groups, construction and real estate representatives, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as an unconstitutional income tax, would be unstable and likely expanded over time, and would harm small businesses organized as pass-through entities. They said the bill would reduce investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and could drive businesses and high earners out of Washington. Some local government representatives supported the public defense funding but asked for more dedicated revenue and protection against local revenue losses from the bill’s sales tax exemptions. No committee vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Education Funding (05/01/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> $5,24, there's a savings to the taxpayer $5,24, there's a savings to the taxpayer of<01:20:37.360
  • </c> saving any taxpayers any money at all. saving any taxpayers any money at all.
  • taxpayers, mostly property taxpayers,<01:50:04.719><c> as</c><01:50:05.040><c> Representative</c><01
  • :50:05.600><c> Fellows</c><01:50:06.080><c> has</c> taxpayers, as Representative Fellows has taxpayers
  • </c> educate the children of of wealthy educate the children of of wealthy families.<02:02:00.239><c>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn. The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not. Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.