Day: April 13, 2016

I don't think it was on yesterday's Senate Agenda, but this was the best, and potentially most important, bill passed yesterday. SS2/SB 130 (McDowell) creates Complete Community Enterprise Districts, and here's the statement of policy as to what they're supposed to do:

(1) Encourage development that maximizes the economic value to the citizens and the government of the State of both existing and new transportation infrastructure. (2) Strategically deploy transportation funds in ways that meet the mobility needs of the people of the State at the lowest total economic cost to the people and government of the State. (3) Encourage transportation solutions that enable the formation of new households in the State that have less than one vehicle per adult worker.

Should the bill become law, local communities could enter into agreements with DELDOT to create districts using the synergies described above. McDowell has been at this issue for virtually his entire career.  Troglodytes like Kermit Justice and a succession of like-minded Transportation Secretaries have kept Delaware far behind the national curve when it comes to innovative mass transportation alternatives.  Justice fought commuter rail tooth and nail.  Until, of course, his conviction for taking kickbacks.  Jason330's new BFF, Colin Bonini, was a co-sponsor, leaving only three downstate Troggs to vote no. Hocker, Lawson and Simpson. It looks like this bill has the strong support of the current DELDOT secretary, so maybe better things are ahead.  I know that this would be a boon for the ongoing Claymont renaissance, so I'm for it.