The 62 Project: #’s 28 & 34

Proof that people can change. Or at least evolve. Today’s legislators both moved up the list notably this year, and the change appears to be permanent.

Unless, of course, it’s not. I think both liberated themselves from barriers of their own making, and it’s refreshing to see.

28. SEN. CATHY CLOUTIER (R-5TH SD)

The District: Tony DeLuca did her a favor in redistricting, although the purpose was to maintain three Wilmington-based senate districts. So, he drew Sen. McDowell’s district all the way up I-95 to the Delaware state line, taking a huge part of Claymont east of 95 away from Cloutier, then adding swing areas from Katz’ district to Cloutier, which also helped screw Katz, who had opposed DeLuca for leadership.  The numbers are swing-D, 13682 D; 11622 R; 8524 I. However, there are a lot of those Markell party switchers up there, and what remains of the moderate wing of the Republican Party. You know, people who work(ed) for DuPont. Voters still remember and respect elected officials like Gwynne Smith, Jane Maroney, Myrna Bair and Dave Ennis,  and associate them with non-ideological good government legislating. They also remember Phil Cloutier, Cathy’s husband, who passed away from cancer while serving as state representative. Phil was a key figure in the Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH), which also spawned the political careers of Bob Weiner, Greg Lavelle, and, yes, Tom Gordon. When considering Lavelle, Gordon and Weiner, I can think of no more appropriate word than ‘spawned’.

Upon Phil’s death while serving in the House, Cathy won his seat, and served one term in the House. She ran and (barely) won the senate seat made vacant by the retirement of long-time Senator Myrna Bair. She defeated Bill McGlinchey, 8099-7428, in an election marked by R distortion of McGlinchey’s position on choice. Cloutier has successfully fended off strong challenges by Patricia Morrison and (twice) Chris Counihan since then.

While she had been a likeable figure, a sympathetic one at that, until this year she had never voted in a manner that reflected her off-the-record empathetic remarks. Lemme show you what I mean. Check this out. And this.  And, just for laughs, this one.

Which ends the Cathy Cloutier bashing for now and, one would hope, forever. Because she may well have been the progressives’ most valuable legislator this year. Not only did she support gay marriage and transgender rights, she also cast a decisive vote for death penalty repeal, supported gun control legislation despite previously having earned an A grade from the National Rifle Association, and sponsored a really good bill, The Good Samaritan 911 Law. Here’s the synopsis:

No person who suffers an alcohol or drug overdose or other life threatening condition should die because of fear of criminal charges. It is within Delaware’s best interests to encourage reporting dangerous situations where they occur as not only does it save lives, but it also allows those persons saved to seek the treatment and assistance needed to regain a healthy lifestyle and be productive citizens and neighbors. This Act shall be known as the Kristen L. Jackson & John M. Perkins, Jr. Law. On January 31, 2012 Kristen L. Jackson passed away at the age of 23 years old. On May 5, 2011, John M. Perkins, Jr. passed away at the age of 30 years old. If the Good Samaritan 911 Law had been in effect the outcome may have been different. We hope in passing this law that it will save other parents from the pain their parents have endured.

The bill essentially provides criminal immunity for those reporting a serious alcohol/drug-related medical emergency, whether the person doing the reporting is also the person at-risk, or not.  It unanimously passed both houses.

I’ve always considered Cloutier to be an empathetic person. Those who have worked with her say that she has a collaborative leadership style, and these are people who I consider progressives. That’s why I’ve been puzzled by her reluctance to be a moral voice for those with whom she collaborates. Until this year.

Had her entire career been like this, she’d rate much higher. It’s safe to say, however, that she’ll have a lofty ranking come time for year-end accolades.  All I can say to her now is “Thank you”.  I still owe her flowers. Does Mike Ramone still have a flower shop?

34. Rep. Gerald Brady (D-4th RD)

Don’t get me wrong. He’s still a hack, and will likely always be a hack. His legacy, if there is one, will be red light cameras as far as the eye can’t see. Oh, and maybe giving veterans even more special privileges than legislators. But, IMHO, largely thanks to Progressive Democrats of Delaware, Brady’s voting record took a marked turn for the better this year.

First, The District: One of the more bizarrely-designed districts from 2012(PDF).  Kinda looks like the Iron Sheik’s pointed boot. Violates pretty much every supposed principle of redistricting. However, Speaker Pete, before he was Speaker Pete,  found this more desirable than cutting out a city district (maybe it’s how he got elected Speaker Pete). So, while the bulk of the population remains in the city portion of the district, the lines meander all the way out to flippin’ Hockessin. And points north.  The numbers are still strong: 8158 D; 5178 R; and 4464 I.

Gerald Brady first won election in 2006, winning the seat that had been vacated upon the retirement of longtime R Joseph DiPinto. Brady survived a white-knuckle primary with Loretta Walsh, 746-676, and got 55% of the vote against attorney Gary Linarducci in the General, thus flipping this long-standing R district, probably for good.

His bio makes interesting reading.  My favorite line?:

As a former Wilmington City Councilman from 1996-2006 and a native Wilmingtonian, Gerald foraged strong ties with the City, which he carried with him to the General Assembly.

He’s all about foraging strong ties with the City. In fact, as a legislator, he’s basically a Wilmington City Councilman. A glad handler with that Irish charm. And, although he is largely responsible for Big Brotherism in the form of red light cameras, we should be thankful that he hasn’t been more successful. This is from June of 2011:

Let us first have a moment of silence for the latest, and perhaps last, incarnation of Rep. Gerald Brady’s speed camera/monitor bill. HS1/HB66 was defeated in the House yesterday, 15 Y’s, 15 N’s, 7 not votings, and 4 absent.  His latest attempt to rescue his concept of speed cameras/monitors in school zones/construction areas had been reduced to creating pilot programs in Wilmington and Dover within school zones. The House had had enough. Me, I can’t get enough of this. One note on the roll call. Legislators often go ‘Not Voting’ if they’re reluctant to take a stand on an issue. In this case, however, I suspect that the large number of NV’s grew out of a desire not to further embarrass the sponsor. A noble sentiment, but both the legislation and the legislator are embarrassments enough.

And back in time for this one:

Finally, the tragicomic travails of HB 66 continue. Gerald Brady is dancing as fast as he can. Desperate to get something, ANYthing, passed to further his Orwellian purposes, he has placed yet another amendment with the bill. This one places a two-year sunset provision on his latest hidden camera/radar plan.  Meaning he doesn’t have the votes to pass the bill, so he’s trying the old “This bill might suck, but it will disappear in two years barring a change of heart as to its suckiness’ trick.

And finally, I promise you, this one:

Gerald Brady, who apparently thinks that turning Wilmington into Kenton (a speed trap pretending to be a town) is the way to revitalize the city, will push for yet more speeding ‘video monitoring systems’ with HB 66. Brilliant, visit the Queen for the first time, have some camera decide you’ve been speeding on your way out, never come back again. The man’s a genius. Nothing says ‘Take Part in Our Exciting Renaissance’ more than getting a ‘gotcha ticket’ in the mail. One generated by a machine. The bill will probably pass, and ten years hence, city officials will be scratching their heads wondering why no one wants to come downtown. BTW, I’ve never been back to Kenton. Betcha I’m not the only one.

So, you’re asking, if he sucks so bad, why is he #34? Because he experienced some kind of catharsis and voted like a true progressive this year. For the first time. He actively sought, and received, the endorsement of PDD, and voted like it. Support for gay marriage and transgender rights. Support of gun control legislation. He no longer marched in lockstep with Greg Lavelle on behalf of Catholic social conservatism. That’s a damned good turnaround. Those questioning the value of endorsements from groups like PDD need to look no further to understand their value. The other reason he’s #34? Those after him suck even worse.

Speaking of value, I’m not getting paid by the word. See ya.