Live Blogging The Delaware House Session – Focus HB 165

Live Blogging The Delaware House Session – Focus HB 165

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Here we go - well, it will probably be a while! Here's the link to listen to the live-stream of the Delaware House.  They're recessed now (3pm).  Anyone know what time they'll start up again? Mike Matthews is live tweeting the session.  Follow him Use #hb165 Meanwhile... Mike O. of the Seventh Type, via commenter Citizen, brings us this:  Michael D. Thomas, Ed. D. President, Delaware Chief School Officers Association opposes HB 165.  Go read the letter! Use this thread to keep us informed.
I Resent The News Journal’s Desperation

I Resent The News Journal’s Desperation

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I found this Subject Heading in my email inbox today:

Action Required Regarding your News Journal Account

Wow!  That sounds important.  Did I miss a bill?  What's the problem?  Because there's obviously a problem that requires action. I opened the email ASAP, and here's what I found....

Tuesday Open Thread [6.11.13]

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This is proof of the home team affect. When President Bush was President, Republicans marched in lock step. And now that President Obama is President, many Democrats have changed their minds and support surveillance, while an equal number of Republicans have changed their minds and now are libertarians. But...
Clearly, Democrats are more comfortable with NSA surveillance under a Democratic administration, and Republicans are more comfortable with NSA surveillance under a Republican administration. There is, however, one small catch -- it's not an apples to apples comparison. In 2006, the poll question dealt with a warrantless surveillance program in which the Bush administration exceeded its legal authority with no judicial check or congressional approval. In 2013, the Obama administration, at least given what we know now, appears to be acting within its legal authority, relying in part on the courts, and acting within a law approved by bipartisan majorities. For critics of government snooping, that's cold comfort, but when it comes to gauging public attitudes, the bipartisan hypocrisy comes with an asterisk. Nevertheless, the larger point is that the American mainstream is far less concerned with federal surveillance programs than civil libertarians had hoped. Indeed, the Post/Pew poll found that 45% of the public -- very nearly half -- believe the government should be able to go even further than it currently is when it comes to spying on Americans, so long as the goal is to prevent terrorism. And with results like these, the political appetite for changing the law will likely be non-existent.
HB 165 – DL Readers, You Have Homework!

HB 165 – DL Readers, You Have Homework!

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HB 165 is up for a vote in the House today.  If you are not familiar with this bill please read this post - More importantly, click on EVERY link in that post.  Those links will take you to blog posts from other bloggers fully explaining HB 165.  Lord knows, you won't find any of these concerns in the News Journal. So here's your homework, CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE!  No excuses.  Just do it.  Also, contact your friends and family and have them do the same. I'd like to return to an email Rep. Jaques sent to Elizabeth Scheinberg over at Children & Educators First blog.  This part jumped out at me:
If you took the time to read House Bill 165 you would see loads of transparency and accountability throughout. I hope you are not listen to the nay Sayers who just like to yell at the top of their voice, but most of the time don’t know what they are talking about! HB 165 has been properly vetted and has loads of support throughout the education community.
First, I know Elizabeth read the bill, and it was insulting to imply otherwise.  Second, naysayers?  "Who just like to yell at the top of their voice, but most of the time don’t know what they are talking about?" Is that what Rep. Jaques considers citizens who have concerns about HB 165?  What's the opposite of naysayers?  Yes men?  (Yeah, that ticked me off.) And about that "loads of support" for HB 165?  Well, Charter School advocates love this bill.  In fact, if this bill was full of compromises like Jaques implies, surely charter supporters would point out the areas they weren't so pleased with.  Haven't heard one complaint or concern.  In fact... Steve Newton has the emails going out to charter parents, urging them to contact their Reps and to tell them to vote for Hb 165.  Read them.  There's a lot of talk about money in these emails.  So much, that one would be forgiven in thinking HB 165 was a funding for charter schools bill.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 11, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 11, 2013

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That was quite the eventful Senate session last Thursday. We can count to three, so let us count the ways (even though Legislative Council can only count to two; seriously somebody needs a wake-up call there): 1.  The Senate handily passed SS1/SB 33(Ennis), which would require owners/landlords of manufactured homes communities to justify rent increases above the Consumer Price Index. 17 yes, 1 no(Bloviator Bonini), 1 not voting (Pope Pompous I, formerly Monsignor Lavelle). Now don't get all excited. The Senate vote was viewed as a 'free vote' last session because the Forces of Evil had wired the House. It's getting late in session. Contact your state reps and urge them to move forward and pass this bill. First warning sign will be if this bill doesn't get placed in Paul Baumbach's Manufactured Housing Committee. 2. Although Legislative Council, the official 'information' arm of the Delaware General Assembly, took no note of it, the Senate passed landmark legislation which prohibits gender identity discrimination in Delaware. SB 97(Henry) passed the Senate by an 11-7 vote.  Interesting roll call. Cathy Cloutier was the only R to vote yes,  Dems Bob Venables and Bruce Ennis voted no,  D Brian Bushweller and R Pope Pompous I went not voting. All 11 yes votes were required for passage. If your senator did the right thing, thank them. And, if anybody's home at Leg Council, could you please update the session log? I know that there are some exciting new solitaire options on your computers, but perhaps one of you...? Pretty please? 3. The Senate passed 'redistricting reform' on a straight party line vote. SB 48 creates an 11-member commission to draw the lines and to make the process more open than it has been. Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf has made it pretty clear that he likes the current 'behind closed doors' method of drawing the lines. There are quite a few House D's signed on as co-sponsors, so we'll see what happens. My guess? Schwartzkopf prevails, reform doesn't.