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Senate adopts agenda, opens FY2026 Department of Public Works budget hearing
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Summary
The Senate convened a budget hearing for the Department of Public Works on Sept. 10, 2025. The chamber adopted the meeting agenda and heard opening remarks from DPW leadership before members questioned officials on staffing, highway projects, solid waste and energy programs. The session concluded with an adjournment motion.
The Senate met in the Senate Chamber on Sept. 10, 2025, to hold the fiscal year 2026 budget hearing for the Department of Public Works. The chamber adopted the meeting agenda by motion, then heard opening statements and a departmental presentation before members questioned DPW officials on staffing, right-of-way enforcement, highway projects, solid-waste funding and energy grants.
The agenda was adopted after a motion by “Senator Carvos,” seconded by Vice President Magofna. The chair called for the ayes and declared the motion carried. Director Anthony Tomaccio introduced the DPW team and outlined that all DPW divisions were present to answer questions. The hearing included extended member questioning and department responses before the hearing was adjourned on motion of the floor leader, seconded from the floor; the motion carried.
Why it matters: Adopting the agenda cleared the way for a detailed departmental review that covered near-term construction projects paid with federal funds, new right-of-way responsibilities, solid-waste operations and several federal energy grants. Several items discussed during the hearing — including staffing for the right-of-way program, federal highway projects, and unpaid hazardous pay for solid-waste workers — will affect DPW operations and local budgets if the Senate changes the executive budget or passes follow-up measures.
Most of the hearing’s substantive discussion involved departmental officials answering senators’ questions; no final appropriations votes were recorded in the transcript of this meeting.
The hearing opened at about 9:34 a.m., and the clerk recorded a quorum. After the public-comment period produced no speakers, DPW made its presentation and took questions from senators. The chair closed the hearing and members moved to adjourn; the motion to adjourn carried and the committee stood adjourned.
Meeting minutes and any department follow-up materials were requested by senators during the hearing.
