General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 30, 2011

The final and, invariably, the worst legislative day of the year.

Well, maybe not final. There could be a Special Session in the fall. But definitely the worst.

Very little has to be done today. The Budget Bill is on the way to the Governor for his signature. The Grant-In-Aid Bill has already passed the House. The Redistricting Bill has passed the House. Only the Bond Bill must pass in both chambers today. And that’s all that really has to be done today.

On a depressing note, HB 210, the original House redistricting bill, had a substitute bill, HS1/HB 210, worked in its stead in the House. HB 210 drew the lines for the House districts only. HS1/HB 210 redraws both the House and Senate lines in one bill. So, barring the near-impossible in the Senate, several D’s in the Senate are basically screwed, courtesy of Senators DeLuca and Blevins. My lone hope is that, once this bill is signed into law, credible challengers will emerge to primary both DeLuca and Blevins. They have proven themselves time and time again to be unworthy of holding leadership positions and now, frankly, public office.

Let’s look at the damage that was done yesterday, according to the Session Activity Report.

‘Damage’ is indeed the operative word as SB 146, which places the $175 million reserve of BC/BS of Delaware at risk to Delawareans, passed the House and goes to the Governor for his signature. Barring a gubernatorial veto or legal action, all that stands between a windfall for BC/BS and Highmark is Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart. Someone who has  never succeeded at anything and who now likely has a lucrative golden parachute waiting for her when she departs office, possibly from BC/BS, holds the fate of $175 mill in Delawareans’ money in her hands. Could the General Assembly at least pass legislation today barring the Insurance Commissioner from taking a job with the insurance industry upon leaving office? Now do you see just what a horrible situation we’re in with KWS at the helm? 5 legislators voted no, and they deserve special mention: Stephanie Bolden, Earl Jaques, J. J. Johnson, John Kowalko, and Dennis P. Williams. Only five out of 41 placed the public good above the power of big insurers. They alone deserve credit here.

Across-the-board gross receipts tax cuts passed with no dissenters, and heads to the Governor.

The Senate passed HB 134, which eliminates incarceration as a possibility for certain ‘less serious’ motor vehicle offenses. Good bill, goes to Governor. The Senate passed HB 163, which eliminates the sunset provision on the Delaware Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act. Good bill, goes to Governor. The Senate passed HB 205, which will presumably prevent any future Reach Academy fiascos from happening. Should have been an unnecessary bill, but the indefensible approval of the Reach charter has proven otherwise. Goes to Governor. The Senate passed SB 48, part of the mortgage foreclosure reform package, goes to House. The Senate passed SB 65, which would include gun play and gang activity under the umbrella of nuisance properties, goes to House.

The House apparently resolved the judicial turf dispute, and passed HB 168, which strengthens certain DUI penalties, goes to Senate. The House passed a 2% pension increase for state retirees. Goes to Senate. The House passed SB 89, which changes the date of Delaware’s Presidential Primary from the first Tuesday in February to the 4th Tuesday in April. A return to irrelevance, IMHO. Goes to Governor.

The Senate, once again, will provide no public notice as to what it will consider today.  Perhaps Patti Blevins was ‘too tired’ to see to that little detail. I apologize, that’s snarky. We all know that DeLuca and Blevins had no intention of providing public notice for today. Prospective candidates, remember that.

The House Agenda, while not reflecting all that will be worked by any means, at least provides a road map to most of the pre-midnight action. Yes, that’s SB 91, the expensive and worthless bribe to the banking industry, sitting there on the Main Agenda. Two gun control measures, SB 25 and SS1/SB 29, are also on the Agenda. You know, the General Assembly has quietly and admittedly incrementally made some halting progress in this area. Solid leadership from both the Governor and key legislators.

While to some the last day of session can be both exhausting and exhilerating, I approach today’s session with something akin to dread. In fact, I suspect it is dread. Once Legislative Council gets around to posting the final action, ideally before September, we’re gonna have a huge case of Buyer’s Remorse. Just keep in mind, however, in the immortal words of Tom Waits (talking about drinking beer): “This ain’t a purchase, it’s a rental.”

While this may be the best General Assembly that lobbyists can buy, through elections, we have a chance to put up a Not For Sale sign on those elected next year.

All we can do now is expect the worst,  hope for the best, and hold them accountable in 2012.