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Conferees back Senate's Drive Electric funding but flag agency staffing cuts
Summary
The conference committee accepted the Senate's extra funding for Drive Electric while members warned recent agency workforce reductions complicate program delivery; testimony from advocates and constituent accounts shaped the conversation.
The conference committee accepted the Senate position adding an extra $50,000 for the Drive Electric program as part of an overall transfer, but several members said recent agency staff reductions raised concerns about whether the program can maintain service levels.
Chair Warren (speaker 7) said Representative Burke has long advocated for the program and that Drive Electric has a history of partnership with the agency. He noted, however, "there was significant reduction in force in the fall of last year and another significant reduction of force in the agency this year," and that the committee is split on whether the program can sustain service with fewer agency staff.
Members referenced testimony from program participants, including an engineer who described losing employment after starting a family, to underline the human impact of staffing shifts. Conferees agreed to include the Senate's funding position in the draft while asking staff and the agency to monitor program capacity and report back on staffing and service implications.
Next steps: the committee carried the Drive Electric drafting into the conference draft and signaled an intent to track outcomes and agency capacity as appropriations move forward.
