Legislative Post-Game Wrapup/Pre-Game Show-Wed., April 21, 2010

Yesterday was ‘Clean Your Plate’ Day in Dover  as the General Assembly disposed of several bills that had hung around for awhile. Many are now ready for action by the Governor. There is still some broccoli  remaining, but isn’t there always?

The pure political hackiness that is Nancy Cook was on full display as well. The House passed HB 294 as amended by the Senate, sponsored by Brad Bennett. As originally written, the bill would have eliminated three useless row offices in Kent County and turned their functions over to the County Department of Finance. In its final form, the bill eliminates two useless positions, but the third (Comptroller) remains, thanks to Nancy Cook. A waste of $100,000. The News-Journal account of the bill is notable for how carefully Brian Bushweller and Brad Bennett  pull their punches in not blasting Delaware’s Most Powerful Legislator Least Deserving of Power. Why is she powerful? Because she knows that legislators dare not screw her or she’ll screw them during the budgetary process. It’s too bad that no D has stepped forward to primary her. She is almost as vulnerable as Bill Oberle was, and far more deserving of ignominious defeat.

Here is yesterday’s entire legislative activity report.

Perhaps the most notable bill introduced yesterday was  SB 234 (McBride), which establishes universal recycling in Delaware. Lotsa co-sponsors, including many of the ‘good guys’. I wonder why it was introduced so late in session, however. If there’s any opposition, might be tough getting it through both houses by June 30. Another interesting bill, SB 235 (Bushweller), aims to stop rampant abuse of prescription medications and/or the unlawful obtaining and subsequent selling of prescription drugs. Bill could raise some privacy issues, though.

Today is largely given over to committee meetings although the Senate does have an agenda as well. Sen. Henry’s SB 209 seeks to extend Delaware’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit for ten more years. What does it cost? I clicked on the ‘fiscal note’ icon to find out, but, surprisesurprise, the information is not available. Just more information deemed not worthy of being made public, I guess.

Today’s Committee Meeting highlights:

Senate Agriculture Committee-Sen. Simpson’s bill placing all blame for fights between cats and dogs (or, as they say in Sussex County, doags or dogues) on the poor pooches will be considered.

Senate Executive Committee-Just read the committee notice to get a sense of Sen. DeLuca’s ongoing arrogance. Feel better informed now?

Senate Insurance Committee-It’s rant time again! Yesterday I complained about the unwillingness of the General Assembly to require the IC’s office to function with even a minimum of professionalism. The power derived from the universal shrugging of shoulders could’ve operated a wind farm for a month. There’s nothing you can do? HERE’s something you can do! Guess what bill is being considered in the Insurance Committee today…time’s up! HB 314, the very bill that would expand the captive insurance business in Delaware, the very bill that KWS wants desparately, the very bill that would be ‘administered’ by the IC. Sen. Blevins and Rep. B. Short have plenty of power to deliver an ultimatum: You want your bill? THIS is what you must do to get it. It’s that simple. The issue has never been that there’s nothing they can do. It’s whether there’s anything they will do.

Senate Natural Resources/Environmental Committee-Another notice with no notice of what’s being considered.

House Education Committee-A very busy agenda, including Rep. Schooley’s HB 350, which takes affirmative steps to aggressively promote parental involvement in their children’s education.

House Judiciary Committee-In the wake of yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling, I wonder if Rep. George will still have the committee consider HB 346, which would ‘make(s) it illegal to knowingly possess visual depictions of the intentional torture or killing of an animal’.

Here are the complete Senate and House Committee Meeting schedules for today. Join me tomorrow as the, hopefully, the General Assembly adds some meat and potatoes to the leftover broccoli.