General Assembly Update / Thursday June 24, 2010
Our General Assembly Expert, El Somnabulo, got called away unexpectedly, so you all are stuck with me today.
First and foremost, as reported in the comments to the Book Burning post, SB 293 was defeated in committee yesterday. The theocrats and fascists will have to move to Texas if they want to someone else to do the indoctrinating of their children. Although, Texas may have a Democratic governor next year, so there is always South Carolina.
Next, Governor Markell has accepted defeat on another of his cost cutting ideas: reducing benefits for future state employees (not current ones).
The proposal was opposed by unions representing state employees, saying a two-tiered system would create inequalities among people working side by side and not solve systemic problems with the health care plan. With only three legislative working days remaining on Wednesday, Markell tossed in the towel. “Basically, we’re focused right now on things we actually believe we can get done in the next week,” Markell said.
Republicans continue their meddled message of “Cut Spending and Spend More!”
Rep. William A. Oberle, R-Beechers Lot and a committee member, is pressing for more money for the Community Transportation Fund. “I committed to my caucus that I would not support the [Community Transportation Fund] line as currently constructed,” Oberle said. “My direction given to me was to do everything I could to raise the CTF.”
Rep. Dan Short, R-Seaford, who is pressing for more cash for municipal street aid, suffered a setback Wednesday when his bill to provide a supplemental appropriation of up to $4 million failed to clear committee. Short said he will take his quest to tonight’s Bond Bill Committee meeting. Short, a former Seaford mayor, said there may be a way to shift money from other bond bill projects to help municipalities.
The Georgetown State Service Center is now the Thurman Adams State Service Center, as S.B. 227 passed unanimously on the first anniversary of the late Senator’s death.
House Bill 456, sponsored by Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, passed the House unanimously. It is in response to the Bradley tragedy, and requires that a parent, guardian, caregiver or adult staff member be present when a patient 15 or younger is at least partially disrobed or undergoes certain examinations. The Bill now moves to the Senate, where it should also be passed unanimously.
The House has also passed a bill establishing standards and licensing requirements for genetic counselors. The bill was already passed by the Senate and now goes to Governor Markell for his signature or veto. The bill is ensures that people with genetic diseases and their families receive competent counseling and advice about the causes and diagnoses of their conditions and how to make informed decisions regarding treatment and management options. I am sure Sarah Palin will call this a death panel. F*ck her.
House Bill 329 has been passed and now goes to Governor Markell for his signature. The Bill would ban drivers from talking or texting on their cell phone without some sort of hands-free device. Indeed, if you even hold your cell phone you would be in violation. That is going to affect me, as I look at my iPhone all the time for emails when traffic is stopped.
HB 317, Bryon Short’s legislation to require door to door salesmen to display a door to door salesperson ID card which shall include the person’s name, employer, employer telephone number, employer address and State of Delaware business license number, and regulate their activities to the hours of 9 am to 7 pm, has been defeated. I suppose it required 25 votes to pass, as it garnered 22 yes votes and 15 no votes (with 4 absent).
HB 245 passed and is ready for Governor Markell’s signature. This Act provides that student teacher candidates must undergo a criminal background check similar to public school employees before being placed in a student teaching placement within a public school. Makes sense to me.
For more detail on yesterday’s GA action, click here.
Today’s Senate agenda is here. Today’s House agenda is here..
Distracted driving is worse than drunk driving, but neither are as bad for society as reading “A Catcher in the Rye” in the backseat on a trip to Williamsburg when you are 13.
BTW – is the CTF that slush fund that reps use to buy votes by re-paving sub-divisions? If so, thanks Dick Cathcart!! The road in front of my house is now more smooth than El Som’s collection of Grover Washington, Jr records.
Re: HB 245. Interesting. When I student taught, IIRC correctly, Wilmington University required us to get a background check. And a TB check. I guess this just makes law what I’m assuming many colleges and school districts already require of the student teaching candidates. Good move either way.
SB 266, SB 267 and SS 1 to SB 119 are on the House agenda. These three bills would have a significant impact in promoting renewable energy and reducing air pollution from burning fossil fuels.
It is in response to the Bradley tragedy, and requires that a parent, guardian, caregiver or adult staff member be present when a patient 15 or younger is at least partially disrobed or undergoes certain examinations. The Bill now moves to the Senate, where it should also be passed unanimously.
I will be happy that this will most-likely pass and become law. I am disappointed that having to make it a law was even required. The pediatric practice we use has required a parent/adult-guardian be in the room at all times ever since we’ve been there. That was starting about five years ago. I guess what I thought was common sense was more an experience with a practice of higher standard.
Too bad for HB317…Hopefully Mr. Short will research the “nays” and re-craft the bill to get it passed.