Remember the nice things I wrote about the opening up of Senate procedures? Seems like it was just yesterday…because it was yesterday. The Senate has already returned to the bad old days of putting roll calls online. Four non-controversial bills, one on nutrients management, one on manufactured housing, one on abandoned property, and one on cycling safety, passed the Senate, but the roll calls were not online. Granted, other than an absence, the votes were unanimous, but this does not bode well going forward. One can only draw the conclusion that the senators get a kick out of thumbing their collective noses at the public’s right-to-know. You can hold them accountable next November. Maybe even get a kick out of it by kicking them out.
Perhaps Tony DeLuca has only temporarily reintroduced this policy to ensure that Senators aren’t left embarrassed, aka ‘pizza-faced’, about publicly casting a vote for SB 49, which deals with the membership of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture. In case you’re wondering, here is the current membership:
Richard A. DiLiberto, Jr.,Chairman
Louis A. Arena
Nicholas S. Caggiano, Sr.
Hon. Joseph T. Conaway
Joseph G. DiPinto
Vincent “Jimmy” Gambacorta
Justine M. Mataleno
Mary Theresa Morrison
Michael A. Terranova
I’m surprised. Who ever would have thought that two ex-legislators would be serving on this august body? Oh, and here’s their website. Explain to me again why state dollars should be spent on this?
Here’s the Senate’s truncated agenda for Wednesday.
The House didn’t do much Tuesday, which was surprising considering the bills that were on the agenda. Two of the mortgage foreclosure bills discussed here yesterday have had House Substitutes introduced in their place, meaning that the bills apparently had technical difficulties that could not readily be resolved by amendment. Either that, or there were so many changes required that it simply made sense to introduce a clean substitute rather than bogging down debate on multiple amendments.
Here is the entire session report for Tuesday.
Per usual, Wednesday is largely given over to committee meetings.
Highlights from the Senate meeting schedule:
*In a rare evening meeting, the Senate Adult & Juvenile Corrections Committee will hold a public hearing on legislation eliminating the Board of Parole. HB 35 passed the House with 28 yes and 13 no. This could be a last hurrah of sorts for the good ol’ boys who were pals with Uncle Thurm, Warden Jim Vaughn, and the Queen Bee, Nancy Cook. When you look at the committee membership, however, it is not a slam dunk that the bill gets out of committee. Senators Bushweller and McBride are the only committee members who are listed as sponsors, and the committee skews south, as Karen Peterson is the only senator from north of the Canal (unless you count Dave McBride, who lives in Lewes, but has a ‘residence’ in the 13th SD).
*The Senate Health & Social Services Committee considers SB 51 (Katz), which “provides the Department of Health and Social Services with the explicit authority to investigate and inspect unsanitary or unsafe conditions in certain locations where medical or health-related treatment is provided. In addition, it provides that the Department of State, Division of Professional Regulation may investigate and inspect unsanitary and unsafe conditions maintained by individuals licensed by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.” The bill appears a bit broader than, but similar to, HB 47 (B. Short), which is on the way to the Governor for his signature. While HB 47 dealt with facilities where ‘invasive medical procedures’ are conducted, SB 51 appears to apply to a much broader array of facilities.
*The Senate Insurance Committee considers SB 56 (Bushweller), which would “require insurers administering CHIP buy-in programs in other states to cause similar buy-in programs to be offered in Delaware if they should engage in specified transactions or affiliations with Delaware health service corporations.”
*Synthetic cannabinoids surface in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee. ‘Cooler heads’ will not prevail. The bill that the NRA allegedly ‘allowed’ to pass the House will also be considered. Will the new head of the Delaware Republican Party flex his muscle? Will timid D’s cower? We’ll know soon enough.
*The House Education Committee will consider HB 90(Schooley), which establishes deadlines and procedures for those Delaware Department of Education employees whose contracts have been terminated.
*The House Energy Committee considers HB 27(Scott), which addresses renewable energy portfolio standards. I know Tommywonk has some concerns about this, and likely will be in Dover to address them today. Tom, the floor is yours.
*Senator Henry’s sterile needle exchange bill will be considered in the House Health & Human Development Committee today. Look for SB 13 to be sent to the Governor before the General Assembly recesses next week.
*I hope that the House gives more needed serious deliberation to SB 41(Sen. Hall-Long) than the Senate did. This bill would expand the NCC Board of Adjustment from 7 to 13, and would mandate that each councilmanic district have a member. Just what we need. 13 stooges answering to the elected stooges. Speaking of stooges, Gerald Brady chairs the House Housing/Community Affairs Committee where the bill will be considered today, and he’s the co-sponsor. Meaning any serious consideration will have to come from the floor during debate.
Sorry for the relatively short ‘just the facts, ma’am’ version today. Have to complete my prep for Al’s show today at 10, WDEL-1150 AM. Hear all about ‘Bulo’s righteous weekend with the “Old Rugged Cross Wrestling Federation and Ministry’. Ya think that the Masked Infidels just might have gone down to defeat at the hands of The Apostles? You’ll have to tune in to find out!