The question of the day: ‘Why Tuesday, Why Not Today?’ Why is HB 75 (Marriage Equality), which cleared the Senate Executive Committee yesterday, not being worked today? The questions, and my highly-speculative answer are herein reprinted in their entirety:
Dale: Does anyone have any insight as to why the Senate vote on HB 75 was scheduled for next Tuesday, a full week (not actually) after the committee vote?
El Somnambulo thought that it might be scheduled for the very next day. And I read on the site of the conservative DE Family Policy Council that they thought the same thing. Why put it off a week? Could this mean that the 2 “undecided” senators are not simply keeping their intentions under wraps, but instead might genuinely be undecided and need more time? Is Hall Long requesting the extra time so that she can “poll” her district, as the News Journal reported?
El Somnambulo: Good questions, Dale. Blevins knows what she’s doing here, and your speculation could well be accurate. If she thinks that they need a little room to come to grips with their decisions, then I think that’s the right thing to do.
There might, repeat, MIGHT, even be an Alphonse/Gaston situation here. What if two senators are reluctant to be the ‘deciding’ vote on an issue, but would each conceivably be ‘yes’ votes if theirs was the 12th rather than the 11th vote? That way, they’d have cover that their vote in essence made no difference. Seems crazy, I know, but stranger things have happened.
I know that this issue is a ‘no-brainer’ for a lot of us, but there’s lots more at play than meets the eye with some legislators. I DO know that HB 75 has a superb grassroots lobbying effort behind it, so I don’t think we’ll lose ground between now and next Tuesday. Might just gain some.
Anyone have anything to add? Keep in mind that the goal of supporters should be to help these senators get to ‘yes’.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. You will note that the Senate passed HS1/HB 41(Jaques), which:
…forbids the possession, sale, offer for sale, and distribution of shark fins in the State of Delaware. Shark finning (whereby a shark is caught, its fins cut off and the carcass dumped back in the water while the shark is still alive) is already prohibited by federal law and Delaware regulations and is not currently being practiced by Delaware fishermen. However, the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins produced by live-finning outside the United States is still legal in Delaware. By prohibiting trade in shark fins, Delaware will eliminate the local market for shark fins and shark fin products, and hence contribute to ending this barbaric practice throughout the region and the world.
I know that it’s a rhetorical question. But what kind of putative human beings comprise ‘the local market for shark fins and shark fin products’? I’m guessing the same kind of putative human beings that shoot dazed pigeons who are electronically pushed out of a box. Sen. Simpson went ‘not voting’. Feel free to ask him why. A sop to Sigler?
Two controversial bills highlight today’s Senate Agenda.
SB 16(Henry) ‘would require owners of lost or stolen handguns to report such loss or theft within 48 hours of discovery. Owners may report such loss or theft to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, or to any State Police Troop.’ This bill would help put a huge dent in straw purchases of guns that almost invariably are used in crimes. Here’s how: You currently sell a gun registered to you to someone, the gun gets used in a crime, the police trace the gun back to you, and you say, ‘Oh, that gun was stolen from me six months ago’. Happens all the time. That’s what SB 16 seeks to stop.
SB 51(Sokola) seeks to strengthen standards for entry into the teaching profession in Delaware. If you have substantive objections to the bill, let us know what they are.
The House Agenda promises to be less controversial. Although…I just have to comment on SB 17(Blevins). The river and bay pilots have a nice racket going. This bill provides them with a 3% increase annually from 2014 to 2016. A 3% increase each year. Wouldn’t it be nice if state employees got the same consideration as the pilots? Then again, the Pilots’ Association for the Bay and Delaware River ranks among the Top 20 Delaware political contributors, and the association is best-known for hosting a sumptuous cruise for legislators and politicos of all stripes every other (the off-election year, of course) year. All the food and drink you can pack away. I’m not necessarily arguing against the increases, just pointing out how easy it is to get elected officials to do your bidding if you spend your money smartly.
Every now and then, a bill gets introduced that is so blatantly designed to benefit a small special interest that I just can’t resist highlighting it. Ladeez and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to HB 113(Outten). Please feel free to parse every syllable:
This bill allows a nonresident farm owner, who owns but is not an occupant of a farm in this State containing 20 acres or more and where the science of husbandry is practiced, and the immediate members of the family of the nonresident farm owner to hunt, trap, and/or fish on the farm if the farm occupant or resident, if any, gives the owner written permission or if hunting, trapping, and/or fishing is permitted pursuant to a written lease, if any, between the farm owner and the occupant or resident of the farm.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here. Whoever would be impacted by this bill has paid for the privilege of its introduction and consideration. Sponsors, could we please have the name or names? You know, in the interests of open and transparent government? Oh, and whatever political contributions the party or parties have made?
While I wait for what no doubt will be a full reply, I take leave (of my senses) for today.