Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'school choice'

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TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human Services Apr 1st, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • /p>

    Michelle Evans, Political Director for Texans for Vaccine Choice

  • This is on the right of the doctor to prescribe the medicine of choice.
  • I went to medical school in Nigeria, so I was very comfortable with antimalarial medications.
  • A gentleman recently wanted to save the state $20,000 by making informed choices.
  • We need to open it up and allow people more choices.
Summary: The meeting centered on multiple significant legislative proposals aimed at healthcare reforms, notably focused on the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on local pharmacies. Senator Hughes led the discussion on SB1236, which aims to regulate PBMs to prevent anti-competitive practices that have led to the closure of numerous community pharmacies. Testimonies from various stakeholders, including pharmacists, highlighted the challenges posed by current PBM practices, such as aggressive audit tactics and contract terms that disadvantage small pharmacies. The bill was generally supported in the committee due to its potential to restore balance and fairness in pharmacy operations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Human Services Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am

House Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Healthy food choices.
  • This isn't about poor choices; it's about addiction.
  • The children don't make those choices; the parents do. I'm asking about access.
  • That these aren't healthy choices.
  • your food choices.
Summary: The committee meeting covered a wide range of legislative proposals, with significant focus on addressing child welfare, language access, and transparency in funding for children's advocacy centers. Representative Richardson presented HB5136, aimed at strengthening governance and accountability in child advocacy centers, reflecting concerns over transparency due to recent scandals. The bill was discussed extensively as members expressed the need for better oversight in organizations receiving public funding. Additionally, HB4838 was championed for enhancing language access in emergency services, with witnesses emphasizing its critical importance for non-English speakers during crises. Overall, strong engagement from both representatives and the public was evident, with passionate testimonies highlighting the necessity of these legislative measures.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Opening Ceremonies of the 89th Legislature Jan 14th, 2025 at 12:01 pm

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sergio, when he had no option but to cross lethal train tracks to get to school.
  • lights were still off in the school.
  • high school.
  • We defeated school vouchers with Republican allies. But the voucher fight is not over.
  • Our public schools need support. Our water infrastructure needs investment.
Summary: The meeting of the Texas House of Representatives marked a significant start to the 89th Legislature, highlighted by the election of the new Speaker, Dustin Burroughs. The session began with heartfelt speeches from various members, emphasizing unity and the importance of collaboration in tackling Texas's pressing issues such as property tax relief, educational support, and water infrastructure investment. Members voiced their support for Burroughs, noting his ability to foster an inclusive environment for all representatives. The elected speaker's commitment to transparency and cooperation was a recurring theme throughout the discussions, which set an optimistic tone for the upcoming legislative session.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Without this bill, our region will continue to have to place children out of their hometowns, their schools
  • span marker="151" data-time="900">The caseworkers that I have now include a former parole officer, a school
  • This leaves many Texans vulnerable to PBM practices that limit their choice and potentially jeopardize
  • prohibition on patient steerage, ensuring patients can receive their medications from their pharmacy of choice
Summary: The meeting of the committee witnessed significant discussions surrounding several Senate Bills aimed at healthcare and child welfare. Notably, Senate Bill 916, presented by multiple representatives, garnered positive testimonials from various stakeholders including emergency medical service leaders who emphasized the bill's potential to promote transparent billing practices, thereby reducing the financial burden on patients. The committee also heard extensive testimony supporting Senate Bill 1122, which aims to regulate pharmacy benefit managers to ensure that cancer patients are not forced into medication access issues. Stakeholders argued for and against the bill, suggesting that it may raise healthcare costs for Texas businesses in the long run, eliciting a vigorous debate.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Business and Commerce (Part II) Apr 1st, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am a public school employee with Dallas ISD.
  • SB2330 doesn't bar anyone from joining or supporting the organization of their choice.
  • I have been a public school educator for almost 20 years.
  • I can't imagine who would be asking for this bill as a public school employee.
  • If I understand correctly, public school teachers have contracts with school districts.
Summary: The meeting of the committee featured extensive discussions surrounding SB2021 and SB2330, both of which sparked notable debate among members and stakeholders. SB2021, aimed at regulating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), faced scrutiny for potentially creating barriers to integration and increasing costs for consumers. Advocates highlighted the bill's intention to clarify operational standards and improve accountability, while opponents raised concerns about excessive red tape hindering innovative energy solutions. SB2330 sparked similar contention, particularly regarding its implications for public employee unions and the suggested removal of government involvement in dues collection processes. Testimonies expressed worries that this would limit educators' access to professional resources and advocacy, crucial for their roles in the education sector.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part I) Mar 26th, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • folks to be informed about their health care choices, health
  • ...schools, and churches.
  • It affects your ability to hold a job or even volunteer in your child's school.
  • I want to discuss SB 1318 to reduce the anti-competitive and anti-choice conditions.
  • and physical education back into schools.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss various pieces of legislation, addressing critical issues affecting healthcare and social services in Texas. Notable discussions included Senate Bill 481, which mandates backup power provisions for nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure the safety of vulnerable residents during outages, and Senate Bill 596, aimed at improving reporting requirements related to child welfare, enhancing the oversight of removals and placements. The committee also reviewed several other bills aimed at supporting healthcare access and enhancing protections for children under various circumstances.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • But almost all of the adults on Medicaid are either working or in school or they're caregivers, by and
  • A graduate of Harvard College, the University of Pennsylvania, and Wharton Business School, Dr.
  • So because I thought I had agency, I ran for school president, I won, and I created that class.
  • And for those of you who don't know where Columbia Medical School is, it's in uptown Manhattan in an
  • We do that and we do the same thing in our school systems.
Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Economic Development Apr 7th, 2025

Senate Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee really has two choices: either move the bill...
  • We did that with school districts.
  • a 10-year school district M&O tax appraised value limitation of 50%.
  • You do have a choice whether or not to build, right? You do.
  • School districts don't have the staff to lead workforce initiatives.
Summary: The meeting included rigorous discussions on several bills related to energy policy and local government incentives. Notably, SB1754 was a central focus, where many members voiced concerns about its implications for renewable energy projects, suggesting it might hinder the growth of solar and wind energy in Texas. Testimonies from stakeholders, including local residents and industry experts, illuminated the tension between economic incentives for renewable energy and community concerns over land rights and environmental impact. Additionally, the introduction of Senate Bill 1534 concerning workforce development in nuclear and radiological safety drew attention as Texas grapples with a skilled labor shortage in these critical sectors.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Corrections Mar 26th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Corrections Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ...are making choices that put us all at risk: me, my family
  • I think to your point earlier, these are individual choices
  • and when people make choices, there have to be consequences.
  • sort of allows these conditions and attitudes and behaviors regarding those who continue to make the choice
  • The accident scene itself was filled with students and parents who were already at the school for various
Summary: The recent meeting of the committee primarily focused on two bills, HB1482 and HB2341, aimed at addressing public safety and rehabilitation in the context of repeat offenders, particularly in relation to intoxicated driving offenses. The discussions highlighted personal testimonies from victims' families and experts advocating for stricter accountability measures against repeat offenders. Representative Leo Wilson emphasized the necessity of such laws to prevent future tragedies stemming from intoxicated driving, citing heart-wrenching cases that have affected the community. The committee also heard contrasting views regarding the effectiveness of increased incarceration versus rehabilitation efforts for offenders, with calls for a balanced approach to ensure public safety without neglecting rehabilitation needs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let's say your school taxes.
  • All of those units accept housing choice vouchers.
  • And I think that this body has underfunded public schooling for many, many years.
  • I then attended dental assisting school and was close to...
  • My school pension adds $8.35 to my income.
Summary: The meeting highlighted significant issues regarding housing funding mechanisms, particularly surrounding the complexities of Housing Finance Corporations (HFCs). Members voiced their concerns about the financial impacts these HFCs have on local government revenues, given that many property tax exemptions are given while maintaining market-rate rents. This discussion was sparked by alarming statistics indicating a rapid increase in tax dollars removed from local jurisdictions due to HFC activities, stressing the need for regulatory reforms to preserve affordable housing without financially jeopardizing municipalities.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 19th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, most notably, I need to point this out because many of you have served on school boards or city
  • have a choice.
  • So what are the impacts on our schools and our educational outcomes?
  • Within the school setting, not only in terms of discipline
  • at school, that stuff stopped at 3:30, and you went home,
Summary: In this meeting, the focus was on HB1093, which addresses the advertising requirements for self-service storage facility lien sales. The bill, presented by a representative, advocates for updating outdated newspaper notice requirements that have been in place since 1984. The representative emphasized that many areas in Texas no longer have access to printed newspapers, making it crucial to adapt the law to allow for advertising on publicly accessible internet platforms and other methods to ensure transparency and access to information regarding lien sales. Several stakeholders and witnesses shared opinions on the merits and potential drawbacks of the bill, leading to a lively discussion.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 23rd, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There are high school programs.
  • A lot of this as well where we can have high school students, if they choose not to go to college and
  • Remember part of the creative choice for where you shoot is the geography and how high waters brought
  • I joined the Navy after graduating high school.
  • I don't hear about a lot of stuff coming out of Texas, but it was a choice that we had to make, so we
Summary: The meeting of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism centered around the discussion of HB4568, aimed at enhancing the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. Key witnesses including film industry representatives, local officials, and the Executive Director of the Texas Film Commission, Adriana Cruz, presented testimony supporting the bill's potential to boost economic growth and job creation in Texas. Notably, celebrity supporters, such as Matthew McConaughey, emphasized the importance of keeping film production within Texas, highlighting the economic benefits it brings to local communities and industries.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Business and CommerceAudio only. May 26th, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Agencies keep vendor choice. The command supplies the playbook.
  • Cities, counties, and school districts remain free to select the solution that fits their budget and
  • Your local school district will never have an outside sensor dropped on its network unless it asks and
Summary: During this meeting of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, significant discussions revolved around House Bill 150, which addresses the establishment of the Texas Cyber Command. Senator Parker presented a detailed overview of the bill, emphasizing its independence as a standalone agency that maintains legislative oversight while allowing the flexibility to partner with various state institutions. The members engaged actively, addressing concerns about procurement processes during cybersecurity emergencies and ensuring that local entities retain vendor choices without being forced to adopt particular systems. The committee unanimously supported the bill, moving it favorably to the full Senate.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Mar 27th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Land & Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's food preparation because our Catholic schools have cafeterias.
  • data-time="4950"> ...longer space between an environmental project or an industrial project and a school
  • Well, did you vote on that last school bond issue?
  • Because that's, we've seen what it does to our schools, what it does to...
  • to their housing choices. Thank you.
Summary: The meeting centered around discussions on land use and zoning regulations, prominently featuring HB24 and HB3172. Representative Orr emphasized the importance of reforming the existing zoning laws to empower property owners and streamlined processes for development. Testimonies from various stakeholders highlighted the impact of the current supermajority requirements which hinder necessary housing projects, creating frustration among local developers and advocates for affordable housing. Notable support was expressed for these bills, highlighting the necessity for cities to modernize their zoning systems to facilitate growth and adequate housing development.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 28th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ...that for sure, but sometimes we have no choice but to
  • ...have no choice.
  • This goes all the way down to school boards and city council elections.
  • We don't want someone from another state or another country impacting our school boards.
  • There are choices of whether it's done in a traditional lab setting or through rapid DNA.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on several pressing legislative issues, with a significant emphasis on immigration-related bills such as HB256 and HB253. Witnesses provided differing perspectives on the implications of these bills, particularly concerning privacy and familial integrity in the context of immigration law. Notably, there were arguments against the invasive DNA testing proposed in HB256, highlighting concerns about accuracy and the potential consequences of errors leading to wrongful separations of families. This discussion revealed a palpable tension between security measures and the preservation of individual rights, prompting the committee to consider the ethical ramifications of such legislation. Additionally, House Bill 4552 was introduced, aimed at ensuring equal treatment in government contracting, which spurred further debate on the balance of meritocracy and social equity in public sectors.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • No one at my school would ever know I had thalassemia. I'm so happy. I feel...
  • When schools are out, a lot of our blood actually comes from high school donations.
  • ...school.
  • We get quite a bit of donations when school is in session. However, we struggle during the summer.
  • The chair recognizes Michelle Evans, testifying on behalf of Texans for Vaccine Choice.
Summary: The meeting of the Public Health Committee focused on several significant bills concerning blood donation practices and patient care. Notably, Senate Bill 125 faced opposition from multiple testimonies that raised concerns about the potential risks associated with directed donations. Testimony from representatives of the blood centers highlighted alarming statistics about the increased incidence of infectious diseases among directed donors, urging the committee to reconsider the bill's implications. Supporters of the bill argued for the necessity of such provisions to protect patients with rare blood types, stressing the importance of ensuring their access to appropriate care. As discussions unfolded, the challenges of maintaining a balanced blood supply while accommodating specific patient needs became a central theme.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part I) May 7th, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There will be no first words, no first steps, no first days of school.
  • ... choices for her daughter, and so I participated in that
  • We helped a family about an hour north of here whose school district had decided that their son needed
  • Government entities, schools, and even medical professionals are making critical health and education
  • My name is Tommy Choice. I am a student at Texas Women's University.
Summary: The meeting of the committee included extensive discussions around several key bills focused on child welfare and health care initiatives. Notably, Senate Bill 577 addressed the management of Social Security benefits for foster children, with multiple testimonies highlighting the importance of ensuring these benefits directly support the children's needs rather than offsetting departmental costs. Senator West passionately argued for better stewardship of these funds, citing the high number of foster youth in financial hardship and emphasizing the bill's potential to improve outcomes for these vulnerable populations. Public testimonies both supported and raised concerns, particularly regarding the potential implications of the bill on children's welfare and parental rights.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Health Mar 17th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Public Health Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's five-plus years of schooling.
  • I'm a 15-year-old high school student here in Austin.
  • I don't know if that's the right choice; I'll be brutally honest.
  • If you have your kids, you want to be able to put them in school or enroll them in another school.
  • So that means they've gone through school, is that right?
Summary: The committee meeting welcomed discussions centered on maternal health, particularly relating to the delays in the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee's report. The Commissioner noted significant delays due to a backlog in the review process for maternal death cases and staff shortages, essentially making it difficult to meet statutory deadlines. A proposed bill, HB713, aims to allow nurses to access unredacted materials during the review to expedite the Committee's reporting process and address the increasing maternal mortality rates in Texas. The urgency surrounding this legislation indicates the committee's commitment to improving maternal outcomes in the state.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence May 20th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have been a school teacher. I am a licensed professional counselor, and I've also been divorced.
  • Without an exception, victims would face the impossible choice of either facing criminal charges when
  • Senate Bill 826 addresses the issue of receiving a DWI in a school zone.
  • While the lights are flashing or while kids are in school, you're subject to the slowdown period.
  • If you get a DWI in a school zone, you could receive a state
Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence was marked by extensive discussions around various legislative bills, including measures to combat organ trafficking and address custody interference issues. Notably, SB456 aimed to impose stronger penalties on organ trafficking, with supporting testimonies emphasizing the severity of the issue, alongside a proposal to enhance existing laws on deepfake media by SB442. The committee sought to tighten the definitions and penalties surrounding these crimes, reflecting a growing urgency to safeguard vulnerable individuals in society. Witnesses from various organizations echoed the necessity for these legislative changes, presenting evidence and arguments supporting the amendments. The session concluded with positive indications of potential legislative action, as well as plans for further meetings to review additional measures. This well-attended meeting showcased active participation from both committee members and public stakeholders, demonstrating a collective commitment to addressing these pressing legal issues.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance Feb 6th, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • school, the dental school, the medical school, and the pharmacy school, three of those four schools
  • School in Houston.
  • There are five medical schools and nursing schools.
  • So the UTRGV School of Medicine and the School of Podiatric Medicine...
  • School districts struggle for school bus drivers.
Bills: SB1
Summary: The meeting of the committee was primarily focused on budget requests and legislative priorities from various educational institutions. Each institution expressed the need for increased funding to support academic programs, STEM education, and critical health initiatives. For instance, representatives from UT Dallas highlighted the importance of their Fentanyl Protection Initiative and advances in pain therapy, reaffirming their commitment to combat the opioid crisis in Texas. Other notable discussions included the need for updates to campus infrastructure and the request for new programs aimed at enhancing workforce development across various fields, particularly healthcare and technology. Topics such as the restoration of Institutional Enhancement Funds and the increase of appropriations for research initiatives were also extensively discussed. The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among universities to strengthen Texas's overall higher education landscape.

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