Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'economic policies'

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TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Aug 22nd, 2025 at 08:08 am

House State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • This policy is bad for businesses. All of you know I'm a businessman.
  • This is a common sense policy.
  • Adopting a policy that recognizes that.
  • Policy Center to you all as well later.
  • Members, this, in our view, is not a pro-life policy, and we ask you to oppose this bill.
Bills: HB7, SB8
Summary: Simultaneously, SB8 initiated thorough debates over privacy and safety concerns in public restrooms. Supporters argued for the necessity of maintaining biologically separated spaces to protect women and children, while opponents highlighted the discrimination and potential harm caused to transgender individuals. Various stakeholders, including business representatives and community activists, voiced their opposition to SB8, emphasizing its negative implications for Texas's reputation as a welcoming state. The session concluded without any definitive resolutions, with both bills remaining pending for further consideration.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 28th, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Director of Policy for Texas Realtors.
  • ...agree to abide by certain policies.
  • One of those policies is the Code of Ethics; that's probably the code of...
  • ...development policies.
  • It was good policy.
Summary: The meeting saw significant discussions centered around several Senate bills, notably SB2487, SB1698, and SB2101. Senator Parker introduced and advocated for SB2487, which aims to enhance crisis service models for mental health interventions, receiving feedback from various stakeholders during formal testimony. The committee adopted the substitute version of this bill, which emphasizes local governance, expands service options, and tightens clinical timelines, responding to concerns from communities about service accessibility. Furthermore, the bill successfully passed from the committee with unanimous support, moving forward to the full Senate for consideration. In addition to SB2487, the committee reviewed SB1698, focusing on regulatory changes surrounding e-cigarette products. The committee recognized the importance of aligning state law with federal guidelines while ensuring strong consumer protections. Public testimonies included insights from enforcement officials and industry participants, highlighting the newly proposed measures aimed at preventing youth access to e-cigarettes. Lastly, SB2101, which addresses the regulation of sexually explicit materials in public libraries to ensure safe environments for minors, generated mix responses, with testimonies reflecting concerns over censorship and parental rights. The meeting concluded with the passage of SB2819 as well, which addresses political activities of county election administrators.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human Services May 13th, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Senior Healthcare Policy Analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, whom I'm representing
  • scholar at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • to actually look at data before they vote on healthcare policies such as this.
  • If you have another sentence or two, I mean, just for critical policy decisions, we...
  • Committee, my name is Andrew Brown, Vice President of Policy with the Texas Public Policy Foundation,
Summary: The committee meeting centered on several significant bills regarding public health and safety, particularly focusing on healthcare access, transparency, and opioid crisis response. Notably, House Bill 4783 sparked considerable discussion as it aims to enhance the state's approach to prevent opioid overdoses by directing the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to prepare biannual reports on opiate antagonist programs. The testimony from public officials like Dallas City Council's Paula Blackman, who spoke passionately about the ongoing fentanyl epidemic, highlighted the urgent necessity of improved access to life-saving medications. In addition, House Bill 1314 drew attention for addressing hospital pricing transparency, attempting to ease financial burdens on patients by mandating accurate upfront estimates for healthcare costs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs Mar 5th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We don't have any state guidelines on that where they all have to do certain things as a standard policy
  • Are there any policies that you'd like to see changed? We're in the business of...
  • looking at policies right now, but what policies could this
  • Do certain things as a standard policy? That's right.
  • We're in the business of looking at policies right now, but what policies could this legislature look
Summary: The meeting convened primarily to discuss HB5066, focusing on energy policy and power generation in Texas. Key discussions revolved around the challenges and opportunities associated with forecasting energy demand and the balance between different types of generation sources, including renewables and thermal energy. Members voiced concerns about the speed at which new power generation can be integrated into the grid, with panelists emphasizing the critical need for effective transmission enhancements to keep pace with increasing demand. Notably, members also scrutinized the historical allocation of a $5 billion fund intended for energy projects, urging a review of previous allocations before committing further funds.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session Aug 19th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this 2.5% policy will not reduce taxes.

  • We're not just voting on a policy.
  • I understand why you might be putting forward this policy because you think it might help you politically
  • It's sloppy policy, and it's dangerous.
  • And what I don't understand is, if it is such a good public policy and you want it to apply to public
Bills: SB10, SB8, SB15, SB12, SB6, SB13, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4
Summary: During this meeting of the committee, significant attention was directed towards several bills, particularly surrounding property tax legislation and its implications for local governments. Senator Bettencourt highlighted the reduction of the voter approval tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%, emphasizing its potential impact on local budgeting and the necessity for local elections to generate funding for essential services. The committee engaged in a heated debate regarding SB8, which concerns the designation of public facilities based on biological sex. Several members expressed concerns about the bill's implications on civil rights and potential conflicts with federal discrimination laws, leading to a division of opinions among committee members. Ultimately, multiple bills were moved to the floor for final passage, reflecting the urgency to address pressing matters swiftly.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management May 1st, 2025 at 10:05 am

House Land & Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the Director of Public Policy for Texas Realtors, and I am happy to be here today in support of
  • 450">So let's be honest, this decision and this debate is just as much a political one as it is a policy
  • one, because we know ADUs are good policy.
  • On behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, you are
  • My name is John Bonnera, I'm a policy analyst with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Summary: The meeting focused on discussions surrounding Senate Bill 673, which addresses the regulations concerning Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across Texas. Various testimonies from stakeholders highlighted the bill's implications for local governance, housing affordability, and infrastructure challenges. Supporters argued that SB 673 promotes affordable housing and addresses multi-generational living needs, while opponents raised concerns about the potential strain on local infrastructure and the erosion of municipal zoning authority. Notable opposition came from representatives of smaller municipalities, indicating that while they support the idea of ADUs, they seek more localized control over housing policies to reflect community needs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Aug 26th, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because I don't want money to trump public policy in the few times that we're supposed to actually do
  • ...public policy.
  • However, we have to, in my opinion, let public policy be paramount, whether in a regular session or in
  • Correct, and I believe it's correct policy; then we should
  • I believe that you have to have a separation between a public policy period and a fundraising period.
Bills: SB53, SB54, HB16, SB19
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several significant bills, including SB19, SB54, HB16, and SB2217. A major focus was the potential changes to fundraising rules during special legislative sessions, aimed at aligning policies for regular and special sessions. Senator Bettencourt presented SB19, which prohibits political contributions during special sessions, raising questions about the implications for ongoing fundraising activities. Additionally, the committee reviewed SB54, which seeks to amend recent changes around voting procedures to prevent misunderstandings related to voter registration within counties. The session featured robust discussions, particularly surrounding the balance of regulations and the need for clear public policy. The meeting concluded with several bills moving forward positively, highlighting the collaborative effort among members.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Corrections Apr 2nd, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Corrections Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • At this time, the Chair calls up Adam Haynes, Policy Director, Conference.
  • But I rise today opposed to the bill, not because of the policy reasons of the bill—that's a decision
  • I cannot fathom that that is the policy of this country and the policy of the state of Texas, that you
  • We're already looking at some facility expansions in response to those policy changes, but there's no
  • We work at the state level in multiple states to pass public policy that increases public safety.
Summary: The committee meeting centered around numerous bills related to criminal justice reform. Notably, discussions included House Bill 2341 focusing on awarding diligent participation credits to defendants in state jail facilities, which was favorably reported with minimal opposition. Additionally, House Bill 2756, referred to as the Jovian-Motley Act, aimed at improving training for correctional officers and staff, reflecting broader concerns about public safety and officer preparedness. The meeting featured testimony from various stakeholders, including law enforcement representatives, emphasizing the need for effective measures in managing inmate populations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Health May 12th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Public Health Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also chair the TMA's Council on Legislation, which forms legislative policy for the association.
  • Clifford Porter, testifying on behalf of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • I'm a senior fellow for healthcare at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • My name is Noah Torres, and I'm a policy scholar at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • This policy works. In states where psychologists can prescribe, suicide...
Summary: The meeting featured vigorous discussions around several significant bills, including SB2024 concerning youth vaping and its potential consequences. Witnesses presented compelling testimonies highlighting the dangers of e-cigarette use among teenagers, emphasizing how marketing tactics cleverly target this demographic. The bill faced no opposition during discussions but was left pending for further review and amendments. Additionally, HB5537 aimed to empower psychologists to prescribe medication, spurred different viewpoints from committee members about mental health measures and prescription regulations. Amidst these discussions, there was a focus on ensuring access to care while maintaining safety and quality standards.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health Apr 17th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a policy analyst for Every Texan.
  • I'm Jamie Olsen, the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy with Feeding Texas.
  • Supporting this bill is not just good policy; it's an act of compassion. It's...
  • I'm a policy coordinator with the Texas Women's Health Care Coalition.
  • My name is Catherine Strandberg, and I'm the Director of Policy.
Summary: The meeting revolved around critical discussions regarding health-related bills, particularly focusing on women's health and food access issues highlighted in HB1786 and HB231. Representative Howard proposed HB1786 to reinstate the Women's Health Advisory Committee, emphasizing its necessity to address women's healthcare challenges in Texas due to the dissolution of the committee, which had previously facilitated valuable collaboration among healthcare providers. The discussions included testimonials from various stakeholders including health professionals and representatives from advocacy groups, all supporting the need for an advisory body that could effectively address women's health concerns. Additionally, there was strong support for HB231, which aims to study the impact of food deserts on vulnerable populations, as articulated by Representative Morales, making a case for equitable access to nutritious food across the state.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Justice (Part I) Apr 8th, 2025

Senate Criminal Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am a senior policy advisor with Texas 2036, here for the bill.
  • I serve as a Texas Policy Analyst for EdTrust.
  • if 50 states have 50 different immigration policies.
  • I'm a policy director at CUNY.

  • Williamson County had this archaic policy called a closed-file policy.
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice covered several significant legislative proposals aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of the Texas criminal justice system. Lead discussions focused on SB2405, which received attention for its comprehensive approach towards modernizing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and addressing recommendations made by the Sunset Advisory Commission. The bill includes provisions for enhanced staff planning and updated rehabilitation programs that are expected to yield substantial cost savings while promoting public safety. Senators engaged actively, expressing their support and raising questions about the implications of the proposed changes, especially concerning parole processes and facility management.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

State Affairs Aug 11th, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Chelsea Yeoman and I am with ADF's Center for Public Policy, and we are testifying in support of
  • They have a policy of not enforcing, which is another challenge.
  • Now, this is a hard political policy problem. We have people in other...
  • statewide Christian law and policy organization in Texas standing for faith, family, and freedom.
  • Your policy doesn't actually get at that, I don't think, so you might think about that.
Bills: SB10, SB16, SB6
Summary: The committee meeting featured discussions on several key legislative issues, particularly focusing on human trafficking and related victim protections. Notably, Senate Bill 10 was presented by Senator Parker, aiming to provide an affirmative defense for victims of trafficking charged with crimes committed under coercion. The bill garnered significant support as witnesses provided personal testimonies highlighting the struggles faced by survivors, emphasizing the need for legal recognition of their circumstances. Additionally, Senate Bill 6 concerning the regulation of medication used in abortions was debated, with concerns raised about its potential implications on women's health rights and judicial protections for healthcare providers. The meeting included a robust exchange of views, reflecting a wide array of stakeholder interests including public health and law enforcement.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance Feb 3rd, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Further, internal agency policies pertaining to remote.
  • Is there a formal remote work policy?
  • That would be good to pursue with policies.
  • They are not supposed to really address the policy. Exactly.
  • They are not supposed to really address the policy.
Bills: SB1
Summary: The meeting focused on various topics related to child welfare, particularly emphasizing the importance of kinship placements in the foster care system. Senators Alvarado and Hinojosa engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the benefits of kinship care, highlighting better outcomes for children and the financial implications for the state. They emphasized a need for continued investments in kinship care as a strategy to improve child welfare outcomes, encouraging the legislature to consider this approach moving forward. Additionally, the committee reviewed community-based care programs, which aim to keep children in their communities to promote stability and familial connections.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Apr 23rd, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is not a big policy jump.
  • Insurance companies need to be able to underwrite policies based on all these factors.
  • What we're talking about is agencies at the national level trying to impose policies on us.
  • So if they put a policy in that says on the national level, oh we're gonna change...
  • So that's good governance and good public policy.
Summary: The House Committee on Insurance meeting covered multiple bills focused on healthcare regulations and patient accessibility. Notably, House Bill 3057 was highlighted in testimony from citizens advocating for expanded access to CAR T-cell therapy, which has shown effectiveness for blood cancers. Testimonies were given by affected individuals, emphasizing the need for local treatment options without the burden of travel to distant medical facilities. Similarly, House Bill 4603 was laid out with the intent to align arbitration options and ensure that consumers receive timely resolutions in disputed medical charges. Overall, the committee demonstrated an active engagement with the public and various stakeholders while navigating key issues affecting health insurance and patient care in Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

State Affairs (Part II) Aug 4th, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The policy behind it makes sense. It's fair.
  • Bringing those more in line makes sense policy-wise, and in that regard, it is one of the reasons why
  • This is only about whether I'm liable on policy violations in the administration.
  • That would probably violate policy. Okay.
  • I'm a policy attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project here in opposition to SB14.
Bills: SB7, SB14
Summary: The meeting centered on a heated discussion regarding SB14, which proposed changes to how police misconduct records are managed and accessed. Numerous witnesses, including representatives from civil rights organizations and concerned citizens, expressed strong opposition to the bill, arguing that it would significantly reduce transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. Testimonies highlighted historical failures in police accountability and emphasized the importance of public access to misconduct records to restore community trust. The committee received both emotional appeals and expert opinions, painting a vivid picture of the potential negative impacts of the proposed legislation on police-community relations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 May 27th, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill creates the opportunity for schools to adopt this policy, but it is not required for them to
  • We urge you to support this fiscally sound and fair policy.
  • Many school districts let unused sick leave disappear when a teacher retires unless a local policy says
  • with Article 5 of Committee Substitute for House Bill 2, ensuring consistency with the budget and policy
  • My name is Gabe Grantham, and I am the Education Policy Advisor at Texas 23.
Summary: In this committee meeting, various educational bills were discussed, reflecting significant attention on improving public schooling. Notably, the discussion on HB123 focused on foundational literacy and numeracy for public school students, which received widespread support from multiple testimonies emphasizing the need for early intervention in education. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of investing in teacher training to effectively teach critical subjects like math. Additionally, HB1939, aimed at providing financial incentives for school districts to pay recapture payments early, generated a robust discourse around fiscal responsibility and budgeting in education funding. The meeting concluded with all bills being favorably reported to the full Senate for further review.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 May 19th, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We talked about how HB 2 doesn't just allow through policy
  • policy over other vehicles addressing similar sections of code
  • So obviously, the school finance bill and the policy

  • with those policies.
  • If there was a conflict between those policies in the

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened to discuss House Bill 2, which focuses on public education funding and reforms. Senator Creighton presented amendments to the bill, highlighting significant increases in funding for special education and enhancements to teacher pay. Notably, the committee adopted a new substitute version of the bill after thorough discussions regarding its implications on districts and educators. Several senators expressed their concerns and support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all educational stakeholders are adequately compensated and that the bill addresses ongoing educational challenges in Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We know that Texas kind of leads the nation in policy development.
  • A lot of other states replicate the policy.
  • All of us know about the DEI policy.
  • 115" data-time="684">But the Senate, the state of Texas, had an opportunity today to put together a policy
Summary: During this meeting of the committee, significant discussions centered around Senate Bill 688 and Senate Bill 9, with members expressing deep concerns over the implications of the proposed legislation. Chair Carol Alvarado initiated the meeting by addressing the audience and highlighting the need for robust dialogue regarding the bills in question. Senator Royce West actively contributed to the discussions, emphasizing the necessity to reform existing policies that some believe would regress social progress in the state. The debate revealed a passionate division among committee members, as they navigated the complexities of equity and meritocracy in legislation.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • hearing some rumors that have suggested that the administration is considering ending the dual-hat policy
  • ...that that's a policy decision, but what I'm really asking
  • But again, I would defer to the President as he considers what the future policy may look like.
  • So if the President makes a decision on this, that, or the other policy or operation about this, that
  • In your advanced policy...
Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of retired Lieutenant General Dan Kane for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delving into various security concerns and the strategic environment facing the U.S. today. Testimonies highlighted the growing threats from adversaries such as China and Russia, with discussions around the necessity of maintaining and modernizing military capabilities to address these challenges. The need for agility in military operations and enhancing collaboration among various defense agencies was underscored. Further, concerns were raised regarding the defense budget and the importance of a strong national defense strategy were prevalent throughout the discussions. The committee members collectively emphasized the need for superior readiness and modernization to keep pace with global threats.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 19th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We show you registered as James Quintero on behalf of Texas Public Policy Foundation testifying for the
  • I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • The Texas Public Policy Foundation brings them in at every
  • I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Bills: SB414, SB621, SB2395
Summary: The committee meeting focused on several key bills impacting public funds, particularly regarding the use of unspent bond proceeds and mandated transparency during bond elections. Notably, Senate Bill 621 was discussed, which seeks to prohibit political subdivisions from establishing public banks, emphasizing core governmental functions and preventing taxpayer exposure to financial risks. Testimonies from various stakeholders highlighted concerns about the appropriateness of using public funds for non-essential projects, which led to vigorous debate amongst committee members. Additionally, Senate Bill 414 was addressed, which requires clear disclosures about estimated interest costs in bond proposals, aiming to enhance voter awareness and accountability.

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