General Assembly June 18 Post-Game Show: “Everything Else” Edition
Lots more noteworthy stuff happened and didn’t happen yesterday in Dover. First, here’s the whole enchilada:
Now here’s that Spicy Somnambulo Salsa that turns an otherwise bland meal into a taste sensation:
Highlights from the Senate:
HCR 7(Oberle), discussed here yesterday, passed the Senate w/o opposition but with a Senate Amendment, which supporters had sought to discourage. Having said that, the amended version will almost certainly sail through the House again, likely under rules suspension.
SB 68(Sokola), which eliminates the much reviled DSTP, and requires that its replacement be in place by the 2010-11 school year, passed w/o opposition.
SCR 21(Sorenson), which creates a Teen Dating Violence Task Force to develop recommendations for educators on how to reduce teen dating violence, was introduced and passed w/o opposition.
As usual, there was much more action on the House side:
Bill Oberle’s controversial bill on eliminating restrictions on wind farms passed, but with an unusual coalition in opposition.
Terry Schooley’s HB 139, expanding SCHIP eligibility, passed w/o opposition.
Bryon Short’s HB 170, which brings Delaware law into conformity w/Federal law, and enables the State to receive an additional $21-plus million in Federal funds, passed, but with 3 no votes. None of the three no’s (the grocer Hocker, the hopeless Lavelle, and auctioneer Wilson) provided any alternative to address the $21 mill shortfall defeat of this bill would have caused.
SS1/SB35(Blevins), which gives the Insurance Department real teeth to challenge excessive health premium increases, passed w/o opposition. Now, all that’s needed is an IC who will use this power.
SB 59(McDowell), which increases minimum energy efficiency standards and ensures that Delaware will receive its full share of Federal Stimulus dollars, passed the House and goes to the Governor. Click here to see which 12 Rethugs believe in neither energy efficiency nor Federal stimulus dollars.
At least all House members agreed that McDowell’s Net Energy Metering bill makes sense. The bill goes to the Governor for his signature.
Also of note. While Melanie Marshall’s bills concerning condominiums were passed, Valerie Longhurst’s bills on manufactured housing were not considered.
Greg Lavelle’s (too) much-discussed statute of limitations bill was not considered. And Melanie Marshall’s vital HB 168, which ends minimum mandatory sentencing, was not reported out of committee.
Join ‘bulo on Tuesday for his next Pre-Game Show. Lotsa action guaranteed for next week.
Tags: General Assembly
A bizarre GOP press release just arrived:
“I am proud that the members of the Republican caucus stuck together to stop these tax increases,” Republican State Chairman Tom Ross said. “These Democrat-proposed tax increases were regressive taxes that take more money out of people who are least likely to be able to afford them.”
Isn’t this the same caucus that wants to increase personal income taxes on those with less than $60,000 in taxable income?
No one ever accused these releases from Lancaster Ave of being well thought out.
Isn’t this the same caucus that wants to increase personal income taxes on those with less than $60,000 in taxable income?
While also going with the graduated increases over 60k (graduated across the board).
John Manifold asked, “Isn’t this the same caucus that wants to increase personal income taxes on those with less than $60,000 in taxable income?”
Yes. For the Repugs, it’s never really about policy or governing, it’s always about sound bites and trying to extract political advantage.
Oh, come on. Can you see anything through your raging eyes today, or is it all stereotypes and ad hominems?
Smitty, what appears to be happening is a coordinated political effort by the House leaders of your party and the political leaders of your party. They are the ones tossing out stereotypes and ad hominems that even the most simple review of the facts shows to be false.
Bring some facts to the table, and then maybe a conversation can ensue. You didn’t see the Democratic Party leadership rushing to the fax machines with a press release right out of Talking Points Central. It’s the Rethugs making this into a political game of chicken. And it’s pathetic.
…and then maybe a conversation can ensue
How? Almost everything is off-handed on this topic. I can’t even get one person to engage in my opinion over on my side because most contributors here won’t even view ‘other side’ blogs. It’s your perogative, but what does that say? As soon as talkable opposition is presented, it gets slapped silly, because the assumption is this was the nuclear option in play, which it is far, far from it.
Ross’ PR was bad and it factually counters what the minority caucus has on the table. I will not defend his PR. I will defend the effective pause of the package yesterday, because I know (and you should, too), that this forces them all to the table and this will come back to the floor, either as-is with acceptance, or, God-forbid, a compromise that will work.
In the meantime, party leaders do what they do, but I disagree with them releasing that PR.
And to believe that your understanding is correct (‘bulo knows that you sincerely believe what you’re saying, that is never in doubt), one would have to believe that the Rethug Party chair wrote and released that statement with no input whatsoever from the House Republican Caucus, which has done nothing BUT put out press releases since getting called on their tactics.
‘Bulo will simply say what he has previously said. This year is not like any other year in decades.
And this ‘we haven’t had the chance to fully read the figures’, which is a tactic that is brought up virtually every year, is so ‘last year’.
Everyone recognizes that a compromise, a GRAND compromise, is essential. But without the final parameters of a compromise even in sight, refusing to even come to the table is irresponsible.
…one would have to believe that the Rethug Party chair wrote and released that statement with no input whatsoever from the House Republican Caucus, which has done nothing BUT put out press releases since getting called on their tactics.
I kid you not. You and others know I have issues with what comes out of there. While I do not know specifically about this release (it just happened, I presume), it has ineed happened before. We have absolutely shared WTF moments with releases before. It will not surprise me to find out it happened again, if that happens to be the case.
Everyone recognizes that a compromise, a GRAND compromise, is essential. But without the final parameters of a compromise even in sight, refusing to even come to the table is irresponsible.
Um, did you mean to say that? Because, had they just lined up and ‘signed away’ (voted yes), they would have compromised to everything as-is, without getting to the table.
Sorry, Smitty. Didn’t mean to get into an argument with you. As you likely know, El Somnambulo’s BS Detector is admittedly wrong on occasion, but never in doubt. Time for ‘bulo to let everyone else’s opinions breathe…
BTW, thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt in regard to the sincerity of my debate. I do appreciate that.
raises a pint glass 8) Salut!
…and, I don’t want to convince you or have some dilusion that I am convincing you that you’re wrong. I don’t have issue of people being pissed over this. It is emotional, and all things considered, it should be emotional. I see this as arguing intent of the “pause.” I really do sincerely believe this is going to get done and it will be done on the 30th/1st.