I thought I’d said all I was going to say about online gaming which, in many ways, is a government ‘bet’ on the racinos. As I predicted, HB 333(Viola) passed the Senate yesterday, and Gov. Markell is poised to sign it. However, we were treated to yet more Theatre of the Absurd, this time courtesy of Sen. Bob Venables. Anon first alerted us to this in a response to yesterday’s post-game/pre-game. But this is just too ironic for words (in this case, word for word from the News-Journal):
There is a chance the final roll call will not stand. After the vote, Sen. Robert Venebles, D-Laurel, said he meant to vote no but mistakenly voted yes.
Venebles said later that he had turned down his hearing aid to eliminate background noise in the chamber and thought the vote being taken was on Ennis’ amendment, which he supported.
The senator said he might move to rescind the roll call by majority vote, forcing the chamber to revote on HB 333. If the governor signs the bill into law, that would not be an option.
Both the News-Journal and Venables look equally obsolete in this. The paper can’t spell the senator’s name right? And the senator can no longer hear what he’s voting on?
As long as we’re on the topic of Delaware’s Worst Legislator, the Viola tax break to the telecoms passed unanimously as well.
Hey, time for some good news. We can all use some good news about now, right? Governor Markell signed the payday loans bill into law yesterday. From the press release:
“Payday loans are a stopgap fix to financial problems, not a long-term solution. People who regularly take out or roll over payday loans are in untenable financial situations and desperately need relief,” said Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington South. “This bill will hopefully help break that cycle and put people back on the right path. There are many other avenues out there for people facing financial problems – nonprofit groups can provide counseling and assistance, and banks are probably a more viable option for people who need a more long-term solution.”
The state Justice of Peace Court system reported that last year, payday lenders filed more than 2,400 cases in Justice of the Peace Courts for payday loan defaults.
Great work by the sponsors and the grassroots supporters on this. It is possible, just never easy, if you don’t have big bucks on your side.
Other highlights from yesterday’s Session Activity Report include:
The Senate passed some good animal cruelty legislation yesterday, and it now goes to the Governor. 5 no votes.
Four Senate grandstanders voted against the Budget Bill. Won’t stop ’em from bragging to their constituents about what they’re bringing home to the district. Hypocrites. The four nos: Bonini, Lawson, Katz, and Booth. Meaning that Booth voted against funding for his beloved Sussex Vo-Tech although, to be fair, there sure is some wasteful spending there. In this case, every penny being paid to double-dipper Joe Booth.
On the House side, hmmm, this bill looks mighty…interesting. Wonder just what 2-person police department we’re dealing with here. Or could it be…a sheriff’s department? Inquiring minds want to know. Bill passed on almost a straight party line vote, with John Atkins voting no with the R’s. More info, please.
SB 22(Sorenson) unanimously passed the House and heads to the Governor. The bill provides for insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
The House unanimously passed SB 190(Peterson), which ensures that a correctional institution does not use restraints on a pregnant prisoner except under very limited circumstances. Bill heads to the Governor.
Looks like Biff Lee’s homage to auctioneer David Wilson will have to wait for another session and another prime sponsor. Lee is retiring, and he has stricken HB 361 on the way out. Not sure how the generally-attentive House Sunset Committee allowed this abomination to reach the floor.
Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! The Senate has no agenda posted, and it will be working bills off the agenda from now on. That means no advance public notice. That’s when bills like this often sneak through. The real mischief occurs when the disinfectant of public sunlight is turned off. That time is now in the Delaware State Senate. You have been warned.
The House will consider and pass the Budget Bill today. With Katz’ no vote yesterday, can a Lavelle no vote be far behind?
Here’s the entire House Agenda for today.
HB 308 still hasn’t passed the House. I’m worried that the Chamber of Commerce has convinced enough legislators that employees and applicants do not deserve ‘right to privacy’ protections. Should this bill fail, it will be eee-vil triumphing over good. As long as eee-vil has the checkbook(s), it will triumph more often than not in Dover.
I support SB 249(Bunting), which would name the Agriculture Administrative Building after Richard Cordrey. Sen. Cordrey was President-Pro-Tempore of the Delaware State Senate during many of my years working down there, and he was, by all accounts, including mine, a superb Pro-Tem, and a real down-to earth person. He was always fair and helpful to those of us on staff, and he never ‘big-timed’ anybody, as far as I know. He deserves this honor.
It is now my honor to sign off for today.