Legislative Post-Game Wrap-Up: Session of Jan. 28, 2010
As expected, it was a busy day in Dover. The entire Session Activity record here.
In the Senate, as reported yesterday, HB 310, which legalizes table games in Delaware was passed and subsequently signed into law by Governor Markell. It was really the only notable bill passed in the Senate yesterday.
The House was a whole ‘nother story. It enacted SS1/SB 202, which provides the funding for the US 301 project and, in a completely unrelated matter in the same bill, enables Del-Tech to bypass normal permitting procedures for a construction project. Both Speaker Gilligan and Rep. Mitchell, who have notable jobs at Del-Tech, voted yes despite the apparent conflict-of interest, implying that ethics are a sometime thing in Dover. No doubt they can cite some ruling from the House Ethics Committee which gives them fig-leaf justification for their votes. However, for the record, it should be noted that the Delaware General Assembly gave Del-Tech a gift that it would not deign nor dare to give to others. And, speaking of fast-tracking, since the Speaker of the House sets the House agenda, it was the Speaker of the House who facilitated this vote without the bill going through committee. It would have been easy to remove the offending section via amendment and to have it considered in a separate bill, but that would’ve exposed the ‘Delaware Way’ backscratching that went on here. There may well be a legitimate reason for helping out Del-Tech in this manner. Accordingly, I renew my offer to have someone in the know come over here and explain that reason to us. So far, crickets.
The House also enacted SB 188, which establishes criminal penalties relating to table games. The bill goes to the Governor for his signature.
Plenty of new bills were introduced. Among the more interesting are:
HB 316 (Kowalko)-Designates the red fox as Delaware’s official wildlife animal. Can the official state sentence be far behind? My nominee: “The quick red fox jumped over the Delaware State Seal.”
HB 317 (B. Short)-Places restrictions and requirements on door-to-door salespersons. If this bill doesn’t include the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons, then it ain’t worth bleep. The only other solicitors I get are those magazine subscription kids. And at least they aren’t skilled at keeping you from ending the conversation.
SB 194 (Marshall)-This legislation carries out Gov. Markell’s job creation proposals, and provides incentives for companies that create jobs to expand and diversify Delaware’s economy. The funding source for this initiative would come from state Abandoned Properties revenues.
And, of course, most notable are SB 196, the FY ’11 Budget proposal; and HB 311, the FY ’11 Bond and Capital Improvements proposal. For the next six weeks, this’ll be where the action is.
A fourth grade persuasive writing class at McVey Elementary submitted over a dozen essays to me alerting me to the fact that Delaware was one of only four states that did not officially recognize a state animal. They also pointed out the beauty and intelligence of the red fox and suggested this wonderful animal for recognition.
They also showed much more civic involvement than many adults.
Before you become to overwrought with the potential for wasting time or effort on the part of the Gen. Assembly or myself, please note that I am still heavily engaged in major policy discussions and I think this detour, so to speak, on the highway of seriousness is well timed and engages a new generation of invoved citizens. I intend to invite the class to Dover when the bill reaches the floor and extend that invitation to you as well. It will be fun.
Respectfully,
John Kowalko
‘Overwrought’ is in the eye of the beholder. I noted the bill with some bemusement, that’s all.
My understanding is that it is fully expected Del Tech will obtain required permits but the loophole is in place so the state doesn’t lose $800,000 in federal money if ground isn’t broken by May. Was not able to get an answer why this was hidden in a non related bill.
I will have to take a look at the 301 funding approval. Boondoggle a la Ruth Ann Minner and Pam Scott-Paul Clarky for Bayberry. Sad. It is known that DelDOT lied about their ability to pay back the bonds via tolls. Wonder who pulled all of these legs…(was that a pun?).
I have been working on county stuff. The Clark ethics problems reimbursement was tabled but there is a push to amend the language in county code to enable Clark et al to appoint party elected operatives to the ethics commission.
Already present on the commission are the questionably nepotistic (party-loyalty wise) appointments of Carl Danberg’s brother Ed Danberg and Helene Keeley’s brother, James Keeley. What a state.
Paul Clark and George Smiley swear under oath that in a county of 300 thousand residents (? a guess), not a soul can be found to serve on the NCC Ethics Commission who isn’t already tied at the hip to one or another political party.
Thanks, AQC. That, at least is AN explanation, although if getting these permits on a timely basis is so crucial, shouldn’t Del-Tech have submitted them already, or at least be in the process of submitting them to ensure a timely response? The idea that this had to pass in January for a situation that might or might not occur in May still raises questions.
However, I’d certainly understand if the bill’s purpose is to ensure that we wouldn’t lose $800K of federal $$’s.