General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 28, 2017

Wow. Democrats acting like Democrats in Dover. At least to an extent. Me likey.

And, of course, Rethugs acting like Rethugs. Yep, R’s want to delay budget consideration through July while, in fact, they’re holding the budget hostage in order to push their ‘right to work for less’ obsession and to straitjacket future budget deliberations.  For once, D leadership has taken a bite out of their delaying tactics. Calling R hostage-taking proposals non-negotiable.  Might I suggest another one?  House D’s can and should pass the entire package of revenue bills, yes, including Rep. Kowalko’s addition of not one, but two, new tax brackets. And then pillory the R’s by listing all of the popular programs, projects, etc., that will be cut if these new revenues aren’t provided for.  People hate paying more in taxes in a vacuum. At least some people do.  But when that list is out there, and if/when supporters of the at-risk programs contact their legislators, the tide should turn. For example, there are more than enough voters in, oh, to pick a name at random, Monsignor Lavelle’s district, to put him out to pasture if he screws with some of his constituents’ fave priorities. For once, I beg you, D’s, put the Rethugs on the defensive.  You’ve got the arguments on your side. Use them.

Here is yesterday’s lengthy Session Activity Report. Charles Potter’s horrible gift to scams like Draft Kings and Fan Duel passed, but not w/o opposition or amendments.  I don’t think legislators realize the forces behind the bill. I hope the Senate will take a much closer look at this. You will note that, on some roll calls, there were a relatively high number of absences. This is not unusual in June as the ‘money’ committees often work even while the House and Senate are gaveled in.

Topping today’s Senate Agenda is HB 226 (B. Short), which eliminates the Delaware Economic Development Office, and creates in lieu of it the pig(s) at the trough in a poke Public Private Partnership.  The public’s part of the partnership? Taxpayers’ dollars. The private part? Everything else. Just the way the Chamber wants it.

Seeing HB 6 (Bentz) on the agenda reminds me. We really didn’t know where Rep. Bentz would come down when he was initially elected to serve out the term of Rep. Michael Barbieri, who had been appointed to a state position by Gov. Markell.  Not only has David Bentz largely been a progressive stalwart, but he has become a quietly effective legislator, usually championing those who all too often get overlooked. He reminds me a lot of Rep. J. J. Johnson, another selfless legislator who works effectively behind the scenes. Keep an eye on him. I know I will.

Speaking of David Bentz, he appears to have taken the baton from Sen. Bob Marshall when it comes to protecting residents of long-term healthcare facilities.  Marshall created the Division of Long-Term Care and put strong regulations in place.  Unfortunately, Vince Meconi and his hack henchperson Carol Ellis (under the ‘guidance’ of Ruth Ann Minner) deliberately weakened the protections for residents. Things have gotten better in intervening years, though, and HB 208 (Bentz) continues that positive momentum.  It is one of the highlights of today’s House Agenda.

Hmmm, this one is strange.  HB 260 (Longhurst) creates the Grants-In-Aid Committee. What’s strange is that there has been a Grants-In-Aid Committee like, forever, and the membership has been the same as the Joint Finance Committee.  So, let’s investigate…yep, this would create a new committee appointed by leadership of the four caucuses. Although the bill as written doesn’t prohibit members of JFC from serving, it appears that others would be able to serve.  Remuneration for members would be the same as those who serve on the Joint Sunset Committee.  I think it’s a good idea, frankly.  Fresh eyes can’t hurt. The Grants-In-Aid process has largely been subservient to the budgetary process. Thumbs-up from me.

I again want to emphasize that bills not on the Agenda could well be brought up for votes upon a motion to suspend rules.  To a large degree, the public is at the mercy of the whims of the legislators when it comes to what will be considered during the fading days of session.

Today’s Senate Committee meetings:

*Coastal Zone Permit Conversion bill will be considered in the Senate Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Committee.

*Liane Sorenson will be considered for a position on the State Board of Education in today’s Senate Executive Committee.  I am a huge fan of former Sen. Sorenson, but I don’t know if she brings the kind of needed diversity to the educational issues facing the state.  Having said that, she has been, and continues to be, an outstanding public servant.

Today’s House Committee meetings:

*More good legislation from Bentz and Townsend on addressing long-term care residents’ rights. Health & Human Development Committee.

Although there are a few House committee meetings today, the House nevertheless will hold a full session today. Until this week, Wednesdays were exclusively reserved for committee meetings. Nothing’s normal this week.