After some 45 years as accepted law and practice in Delaware, the Delaware Coastal Zone Act appears to be on the fast track to being compromised as this bill cleared its House Committee yesterday. I think it’s disgraceful that the cynics in and around the General Assembly are trying to push this bill through before the end of June. Bill’s introduced in May, released from House Committee at the first possible opportunity and likely on a House Agenda next week. Seriously? No public input save for a committee hearing? If ever a bill deserves public hearings throughout the state, it’s this one. Dirtying our 45 year legacy at the urging of the Chamber and its useful idiots before the public knows what’s happening. David Swayze’s mere presence here should set off alarm bells. A big-time fixer who orchestrates unseemly legislative activity far from the public eye. Why is it so important to rush through this legislation before the public is even focused on it? Could it not withstand public scrutiny? Promoters of this bill aren’t even bothering to engage with people who are concerned about the potential environmental impacts of this bill. They are merely using raw power to rush this through. Will anybody slow down this runaway train? The Coastal Zone Act is not just legislation,, it’s part of Delaware’s identity.
At least there was some good news yesterday. Rep. Baumbach’s End of Life Options legislation cleared committee. Without, of course, any R votes. They want government out of our lives except when they don’t. Bill’s got a long way to go, though. Medical Society of Delaware opposes it.
Today’s Senate Agenda kicks off with a ‘rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic’ bill. SB 2 (Poore) creates a new Department, the ‘Department of Human Resources’, to replace the Office of Management and Budget. What you’ll likely get is an agency more streamlined and efficient in screwing state employees. Hey, if I’m wrong, let us know why we need this change.
Today’s House Agenda features (?) legislation requiring that cursive writing be taught in the schools. Sponsored by one of Delaware’s least distinguished legislators (Andria Bennett, someone primary her, please), it’s not clear what part of the school curriculum would be pared back to make way for cursive writing.
Today cries out for a longer screed, but work beckons. I’ll try to make it up to you soon.