Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'taxpayer dollars'

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TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Natural Resources Aug 11th, 2025 at 01:08 pm

House Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The total project cost is 221 million dollars.

  • We appreciate the support on the 15 million dollars and the opening up of the FIF program to consider
  • Do I understand that there are some flood mitigation resources and dollars?
  • Are there dollars within what you described that can be used for detention?
  • We just try to use our other general outreach dollars for those.
Summary: The meeting of the committee emphasized the urgent need for effective flood mitigation strategies in response to recent severe flooding events in South Texas. Local officials, including Commissioner David Fuentes and General Manager Raul Sassin, presented the devastating impacts of heavy rainfall that inundated homes, destroyed infrastructure, and led to significant loss of life. They discussed the importance of projects like the Delta Region Water Management initiative, which aims to manage stormwater effectively while also addressing future water supply challenges. The legislators reiterated the legislature's ongoing commitment to funding and implementing robust flood management policies, underscoring the significance of community involvement in these efforts. The discussions also highlighted innovative approaches to capturing floodwaters for potable use as part of a broader water management strategy.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 25th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:
  • board which, pursuant to House Bill 1520 in the 87th Legislature, issued three and a half billion dollars
  • Six million dollars from the previous biennium, with an increase
  • Appropriated dollars were used to create centralized training
  • We are achieving this with a budget of a million dollars.
  • We are about five hundred thousand dollars short...
Summary: The meeting held by the committee featured a series of discussions aimed at addressing key funding requests from various state agencies. Notably, the Texas Public Finance Authority presented updates on their recent issuance of bonds related to House Bill 1520, which was aimed at providing customer rate relief following the winter storm. This was met with appreciation from committee members, highlighting the ongoing need for effective financial management in response to natural disasters. Other discussions included the Texas Veterans Commission's efforts to secure funds for mental health services and enhancements to IT systems, indicative of a broader commitment to improving services for veterans.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025

Senate Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, that one operator experienced over a million dollars in losses due to oilfield theft between 2023
  • CEPRIT is now a six billion dollar, 20-year initiative, the largest state cancer research investment
  • These dollars can go to look for a cure. From a cure, that's going to...
  • So the dollars are worth it. It is not a waste. By putting the dollars out there, we are...
  • With these dollars, let's just tag it with prayer, that we can find, and I believe...
Bills: SB766, SB290, SB494, SB1145
Summary: The meeting focused on significant issues surrounding oil field theft in Texas, specifically through the discussions on Senate Bills 494 and 766. Key testifiers included law enforcement representatives who outlined the challenges they face in combatting organized oil theft. Notably, Sheriff Stan Parker shared that his county reports upwards of 1,500 barrels of oil stolen monthly, highlighting the complexity of jurisdictional coordination and the demand for increased resources to tackle these crimes effectively. The committee recognized the need for improved communication and collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the oil industry.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 6th, 2025 at 08:03 am

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas public education needs your support and the dollars
  • We're talking about a quarter on the dollar to try to get for our kids, and that means that the allotment
  • has to go up more than a thousand dollars to reach that.
  • More of the maintenance and operation dollars, the M&O dollars
  • It includes ESSER dollars that are about to end.
Bills: HB2
Summary: The Public Education Committee meeting primarily focused on discussions related to House Bill 2, which addresses public education funding and the need for increased Texas teacher salaries. Testimonies were provided by various educators and stakeholders expressing concerns about the existing funding levels, particularly highlighting the inadequacy of the proposed $220 per student increase, which many believe falls short of what is necessary to meet inflation and the growing costs of education. During the testimony, members emphasized the need for a substantial increase to at least $1,300 per student, citing a critical shortage of certified teachers and the impact this has on student learning outcomes. Witness statements indicated that without a significant funding overhaul, students and teachers would continue to suffer from underfunded programs and resources.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some dealt with billions of dollars, some dealt with millions of dollars.
  • What we're talking about here is dollars and cents for people struggling to make ends meet, people that
  • marker="28" data-time="162"> Again, we already have an extra payment ready to be made of a billion dollars
  • This disparity drains valuable dollars from charter school classrooms that could help pay.
  • This is a big problem because these dollars are actually coming out of the classroom.
Summary: During the meeting, the committee discussed several important bills focused on state employee pensions, the education sector, and consumer credit resources. One of the main topics was HB886, which proposes a 13th check for state retirees to help alleviate financial challenges faced by those who have not seen any pension adjustments for over a decade. The bill received support from various stakeholders who emphasized its necessity given the rising costs of living and inflation. Additionally, HB3221 was examined, addressing unequal pension contributions between traditional school districts and charter schools, which has placed undue financial burdens on charter schools since 2019. The bill aims to unify the contribution rates to ensure fairness and retain essential funding for education.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 May 1st, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • estimate that the impact to a specific institution would be somewhere between seven and ten thousand dollars
  • Those dollars are reconciled if those dollars are more than
  • So all of your hard-earned Texas dollars are going

  • Families and bring in more dollars from surrounding states
  • So yeah, my parents had to send their hard-earned dollars to New Mexico.
Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Education K-16 was characterized by a series of discussions on multiple Senate Bills aimed at enhancing educational opportunities across the state. Notably, SB750 was presented by Senator Eckhardt, which seeks to close a loophole that currently excludes standalone EMS employees from receiving tuition exemptions available to firefighters and law enforcement. The testimony from James Monks of the Austin EMS Association highlighted the critical shortage of EMS personnel and the need for incentives to attract workers to this career path. The committee allowed public testimony, which generally supported the bill, leading to positive discussions among members regarding the importance of equal benefits for all first responders. Additionally, SB2430, introduced by Senator Higginbotham, aims to regulate higher education institutions' interactions with foreign adversaries. The bill received support from witnesses such as Michael Lucci, who emphasized the necessity of securing Texas's higher education from potential threats while facilitating collaborations with trusted entities. These discussions emphasized the need for strategies that not only bolster educational funding and accessibility but also protect academic integrity. Overall, the meeting was well-attended, with robust engagement from both committee members and the public.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • trillion dollars in infrastructure needs over the next two
  • And to go along with that, many small communities, already stretched with their dollars, are being forced
  • "335" data-time="4008"> ...between resources and necessary investments would be about 125 million dollars
  • They're not going to be able to pay for every dollar they have.
  • The National Association of Clean Water Agencies are strong advocates for water infrastructure dollars
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Local Government (Part II) Apr 7th, 2025

Senate Local Government Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • shows that bird-friendly habitat increases property values, helps control insects, and generates dollars
  • You can only find it here in the Hill Country, which, quite frankly, is really good for our tourism dollars
  • Nichols, Senator Bettencourt, I know we've talked about this—how one day delay can be thousands of dollars
  • I don't know about you, but I do not think that's a good use of my tax dollars, and this happens even
  • Those projects brought millions of dollars. I'm not clear on whether that would be passed again.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government convened to discuss significant bills, primarily focusing on SB844, which seeks to reform zoning petition processes to enhance property rights and facilitate housing development. Senator Hughes, the bill's author, advocated that current laws overly empower a minority of landowners to block necessary housing advancements, asserting that such regulations hurt overall housing affordability. Concerns were raised about balancing individual property rights against community needs, with testimonies from builders and housing advocates supporting the bill's aims to streamline zoning decisions and reduce impediments to development.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Mar 5th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • component and our income, and you can see in more detail where each of the parts of that premium dollar
  • So, 50 to 60 cents out of every dollar from our policyholders will go towards reinsurance.
  • Seven years to get 450 billion dollars in there, so it's...
  • $800 million in new dollars coming in.

  • Zero dollars this year. Correct.
Summary: The meeting involved extensive discussions on various topics, although specific bills or motions were not highlighted. The members engaged in a dialogue surrounding the financial aspects of policies under review, particularly referencing rate components and reserves. Questions were raised regarding the allocation of premiums and the implications for future budgets, but no concrete resolutions were made. The Chair, after guiding the discussion, indicated the conclusion of the agenda and called for any additional business before moving to adjourn.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • In March of 2025, USDA suspended millions of dollars in Commodity Credit Corporation funds originally
  • This dollar allocated by Congress for school meals, in my
  • opinion, is the best dollar that the government spends.
  • But what else does the dollar do.
  • I'm ready to help in any way to make this dollar work better for our kids.
Bills: SB222
Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Nominations Mar 31st, 2025

Senate Nominations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we may get millions of dollars more in incentives by building a factory in Tennessee, but if we can't
  • data-time="3276">That's very good for the board, and yes, to be fiscally responsible so that those dollars
  • We have 150 million dollars in the SURF fund, right

  • You mentioned the 150 million dollars; what kind of

  • But we can give some money to them, and the question was if they're asking for a hundred million dollars
Summary: The meeting of the committee predominantly focused on discussions surrounding juvenile justice reform and nomination confirmations. A notable point of contention was the nomination of Officer Justin Barry to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which was met with dissent from Senator Eckhardt due to previous allegations of excessive force against protesters. The committee also engaged in discussions about the state of juvenile facilities and the Department of Juvenile Justice's current capacity and staffing, with various members emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. There's a collective effort observed among committee members to adopt new strategies that encompass better training and improvements in facilities to ensure the proper care of youth within the system. Towards the end of the meeting, members reflected on past legislative efforts to increase funding and resources aimed at enhancing the juvenile justice system's effectiveness. The committee adjourned with decisions to continue refining their approaches to juvenile rehabilitation and to reconnect with community stakeholders to improve outcomes. Public contribution to these matters was apparent, highlighting a commitment to collaborate with various entities for better juvenile justice practices in Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 23rd, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • That not only takes the doctor's time, but it costs a lot of money—many thousands of dollars— to where
  • cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Every increased dollar in premium makes it more difficult for us to continue our businesses.
  • There are major investments, billions of dollars being invested in this technology, and they need to
  • million dollars.
Summary: During this meeting of the legislative committee, significant discussions took place regarding various bills, including those focused on judge and courthouse security, construction defect lawsuits, and carbon capture legislation. A notable highlight was the presentation of HB4502, where representatives expressed urgency to address concerns surrounding harassment of judges and court staff, citing incidents that had raised alarms about their safety. The proposed changes aim to enhance the judicial security framework and rectify loopholes that currently hinder effective legal recourse for court personnel. Several witnesses provided testimony both in support and in opposition to the discussed bills, emphasizing the diverse perspectives and concerns surrounding each piece of legislation. Another key discussion involved HB2790, which aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for carbon capture and storage, addressing the balance between promoting technological advancement and protecting property rights. Stakeholders, including landowners and industry representatives, presented contrasting views on the implications of the bill, highlighting the ongoing debate about environmental responsibilities versus economic development needs. The meeting concluded with several bills left pending, showcasing the committee's commitment to thorough deliberation and stakeholder engagement in legislative processes.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Transportation Apr 16th, 2025

Senate Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • point one million dollars in permit fees.
  • In one of the states, Alabama, for every dollar invested
  • State matching funds would allow our Texas railroads to compete for more federal dollars, which are long
  • So this would be approximately a 57 million dollar

  • Texas ports. $53.46 is returned to Texas for every dollar
Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on several bills aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of Texas transportation and port authorities. Key discussions included the implications of SB2080, which seeks to streamline operations for navigation districts by raising procurement authority, exempting security discussions from recording requirements, and aligning Texas ports with national standards to foster economic growth. Senator Alvarado advocated fervently for the bill, emphasizing its positive impact on competitiveness with ports in states like Virginia and New Jersey. Public testimony reflected mixed responses, with strong support from industry representatives but opposition from some municipal authorities concerned about the potential overreach of port authorities into local development.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Apr 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am

House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Millions of dollars in wages across 57,000 separate cases were ordered to be paid, and yet...
  • steal, cheat, and lie with public contracts that are paid for by your constituents' hard-earned tax dollars
  • The Texas Workforce Commission will distribute around 80 million dollars in federal funding for...
  • Innovation and Opportunity Act youth dollars.
  • Those dollars are distributed to the 28 local workforce development boards to help opportunity youth
Summary: The meeting of the Workforce Committee included extensive discussions around several key bills, primarily focusing on issues related to wage theft and child care services. Representative Gonzalez presented HB 669, highlighting the significant problem of wage theft affecting low-income workers. Testimonies from various stakeholders underscored the importance of creating a transparent database that would hold employers accountable for wage violations, emphasizing the need for a fair labor market for all workers. Several witnesses provided support for the bill, discussing its potential positive impact on Texas families and businesses.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 17th, 2025 at 11:00 am

House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Those dollars that we're talking about are utilized under Title 32 orders.
  • the most lethal force, just as Secretary of Defense Pete Hagseth stated, by focusing our training dollars
  • marker="424" data-time="2538"> negligible in terms of the money allocated under Title 32 for training dollars
  • question was raised earlier in regards to whether there's going to be a loss of training or loss of dollars
  • And then I heard the topic of training and the training dollars.
Bills: HB39, HB227, HB930, HB1078
Summary: During the meeting, the committee deliberated on several bills primarily focused on veteran welfare and transition issues. One of the main highlights was the discussion of HB39, which proposes to improve data collection on veteran suicide rates, addressing the alarming statistics that reveal veterans are dying by suicide at a rate significantly higher than the general population. The bill seeks to mandate the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to submit aggregate data regarding deceased veterans to the Texas Veterans Commission, ensuring proper analysis and reporting on this critical issue. Witnesses, including mental health professionals and veterans, provided their insights, emphasizing the importance of having accurate data to inform better policies for preventing veteran suicides.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am

House Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, they could spend... and we could be wasting tax dollars while they're analyzing, "Do not drink water
  • Dollars in the budget as a contingency rider to kick-start
  • It's a strategic hedge as the dollar continues to decline in purchasing power and the federal government
  • $500 million dollar reserve, right?
  • So what happens to your tax dollars that are sitting in an
Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by discussions surrounding multiple bills, including HB3719, which concerns the public disclosure of dates of birth, and HB5196, aimed at allowing state agencies to approve telework plans for employees. The chair moved for HB3719 to be reported favorably to the full house, which passed with a vote of 10 in favor and one against. Similarly, HB5196 was favorably reported without objections. A significant focus was placed on increasing digital modernization for state agencies, as illustrated by HB5195, which aims to improve the digital accessibility and functionality of agency websites to enhance small business interactions with the state.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children receives a hundred thousand dollars.
  • Do you think that they fear lawsuits from parents who might get into court and get a billion dollar or
  • a ten billion dollar judgment?
  • spent lobbying against this—is because they have assigned a dollar value to each and every kid.
  • And I think the dollar value is $270.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on the pressing issues surrounding child safety online, with a particular emphasis on recent legislative efforts aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation and harmful content accessible through social media platforms. Senators engaged in a heated discussion regarding the implications of Big Tech's lobbying efforts against vital bills such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act. Noteworthy testimonies highlighted real-life impacts of online dangers, including tragic cases of child exploitation and drug-related fatalities linked to social media interactions. The bipartisan nature of the committee's commitment to address these issues showcased a collective determination to make the digital environment safer for the younger generation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 25th, 2025 at 02:05 pm

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • With $350 million, the Texas State Technical College will be able to have some dollars to do what?
  • They have dollar stores and...
  • Guerra, and that ensures that approximately two billion dollars per year for public education and 27
  • million dollars per year for veterans will continue without disruption.
  • It's targeting people who maybe only have a dollar left and they're dreaming of a better future.
Bills: SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR59, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SB37, SB8, SB10, SB227, SB261, SB12, SB15, SJR27, SB552, SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR59, SB25, SB57, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB512, SB241, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2035, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB310, SB1346, SB2753, SB2703, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SCR9, HB5560, HB762, HB107, HB114, HB300, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323
Summary: The meeting covered a variety of bills including discussions around SB261, SB12, and SB15, with members expressing diverse viewpoints on their implications. A significant focus was on SB12, also known as the Texas Parent Bill of Rights, which sparked a debate over parental rights in public education and the responsibilities of school districts. The bill passed with a notable vote of 88 to 47, reflecting its contentious nature. Other bills like SB15 were challenged, raising concerns about their potential to limit application to specific municipalities and address the ongoing affordability crisis in Texas by modifying residential housing requirements. Overall, the atmosphere was characterized by vibrant debate and active participation from both members and the public.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Apr 2nd, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Dollars, right? So, per year.
  • ...I spent thousands of dollars.
  • Providers and many hospital systems only look at the dollar sign when they look at...
  • Well, I was just seeing like real dollar amounts in the bill.
  • And if you have a passenger, you've got a million dollars worth of coverage.
Summary: The committee meeting addressed several key bills, with significant discussions surrounding HB778, which focuses on insurance coverage for individuals undergoing gender transition and those wishing to detransition. During the presentations, the bill's author, Chairman Leach, emphasized the importance of ensuring coverage for potential adverse effects from gender transition procedures. However, concerns were raised by various witnesses regarding the potential implications of limiting coverage for transgender care, leading to heated debates and a range of testimonies from both supporters and opponents of the bill. HB2517 and HB2213 also received attention, with discussions centered on insurance premiums and board eligibility for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, respectively.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on International Relations Apr 14th, 2025 at 10:04 am

House S/C on International Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • also an economic engine for the state of Texas, creating tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars
  • in far Texas and the Rio Grande Valley could be eliminated, and the state could lose billions of dollars
  • "151" data-time="900"> ...impacts that create thousands of jobs in Texas and bring in billions of dollars
Bills: HCR108, HCR127
Summary: The committee meeting focused on two significant resolutions: HCR108 and HCR127. HCR108 urges the U.S. Department of Commerce to maintain the tomato suspension agreement, which has been pivotal for Texas's economy and food security since its inception in 1996. Numerous stakeholders, including county commissioners and mayors, testified on the agreement's importance, claiming that its termination could jeopardize over 30,000 jobs and lead to a $4.5 billion loss in the Texas economy. The tomatoes imported under this agreement are crucial not only for fresh produce availability but also for maintaining a stable market for local farmers and businesses. The chair acknowledged the testimony and discussed the economic ramifications of potential changes to trade policies, insisting on the need for support to continue the current agreement.

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