General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs. Jan. 18, 2018
Neither the House nor the Senate have agendas today. At 2 p.m. , we’ll find out whether Gov. Carney has an agenda for this session and, if so, whether there’s any substance to it. We know what he has to address–the disaster that is the state’s corrections system, the mess that is our state’s public education system, and the state’s ongoing economic malaise.
However, what does he want to do? Yes, he signed off on paid family leave for state employees, but that is/was a legislative initiative that he ultimately embraced. So, does he want to throw even more economic incentives at the Fortunate Few? Will he even consider a minimum wage hike? Will he promote anything that addresses Delaware’s economic inequities? Will he embrace the Public Advocate’s call for consumers to benefit from Trump’s gift to the public utilities? Actually, I have an answer to that last question, and it’s good news:
DOVER – The Delaware Public Service Commission yesterday approved a petition from the state’s Public Advocate to ensure that consumers will receive the benefits of any savings realized by regulated Delaware utilities under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
The order directs each regulated utility to estimate the impact of the new tax scheme on the utility’s cost of service, and to propose procedures for reducing rates to reflect those impacts on or before March 31, 2018.
Gee, I might have to bring back the MVP Award next year just to make sure that the Public Advocate’s name is on the list.
Back to Carney. Will he demonstrate anything that could be construed as a vision for our state’s future? We’ll post the address as soon as we get it. Until then, what would you like to see him discuss?
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. While committee reports aren’t generally read into the record until each chamber reconvenes, I can tell you that the Rethugs’ thinly-veiled attempt to pass Right To Work For Less In Sussex County did not make it out of committee. Both paid family leave for state employees and Rep. K. Williams financial disclosure requirements for elected officials did make it out of the House Administration Committee.
Check back later today as we scope out the State of The State.
Don’t think we give Carney enough credit for appointing one of his political campaign hacks as PA. From the looks of national politics, they do far better than experienced corporate hacks
Anyone who cares to stream the State Of the State live, here’s the link:
https://livestream.com/StateofDelaware/2018SOTS
Watching the ‘Honorables’ waiting for the governor reinforces how little I miss Leg Hall. Annnd, here comes Governor Carney.
Listening to John Carney speak contravenes the Geneva Convention.
‘rec-uh-nize’. Jeezus.
Ivy League, baby.
More opioid reforms coming soon, courtesy of BHL.
This is brutal. He is a speaker on par with Ruth Ann Minner.
Touting last year’s accomplishments.
Public-private partnerships making progress happen.
He’s now recounting his recreational/tourist experiences of the past year. Attractions for employees of all those new businesses. Bald eagles, Blood Sweat and Tears and the Blue Rocks. Woof.
One thing he makes clear–he listens to business. Sounds like ONLY to business.
Listens to business and Love Seed Mama Jump
Carney will push for budgetary resources to address Christina School issues. Coming next week.
Public-private partnership at Port.
‘Student loan forgiveness program’ for educators. I LIKE that one. Of course, my daughter’s an educator, though not in Delaware.
He really is a verbal stumblebum.
Didn’t mention Tom Gordon in praising the Rt. 9 library.
He’s still pushing spending discipline instead of any new revenue streams.
Ridiculous. All about vilifying fat cat public employees and cutting just like a good Republican.
Hold it…now state employees are great.
Bernard Brady really DOES deserve the applause. Is he retiring? If so, the Senate really will go to hell w/o him. My favorite public servant ever.
How are you going to cut the budget like Tea Party Republican and pay state employees “more fairly” ?
Well. That was uninspiring.
I suspect ‘more fairly’ means some way of determining who’s getting paid too much and who’s not getting paid enough. Problem is, the system is rigged. The worst offenders will be immune from the calculus.
I don’t think Carney means ‘more money’ for state employees. Otherwise, he would’ve said it.
If you want to read that lumpy mattress of a speech for yourself, have at it:
https://delawarestatenews.net/government/gov-carneys-state-state-address/
This Wednesday 1/24/18 there are two Republican bills in the Health and Human Development Committee which are horrible bills that could negatively affect food stamp and medicaid programs. HB 186, in particular, is an ALEC contrived, conservative Trumpian piece of garbage that I hope all of your readers will object to. Please call the committee members and tell them enough is enough. Demand that they vote agaionst release from committee. NO MORE ATTACKS ON THE POOR, NO MORE GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH PEOPLES RIGHTS TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
Rep. John Kowalko
House Health & Human Development Meeting Notice
Meeting Info
Committee:
House Health & Human Development
Chair:
Bentz
Date/Time:
1/24/18 3:30 PM
Location:
House Chamber
411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, DE 19901
Downloads:
View PDF
Agenda
Legislation
Sponsor
Description
HB 186
Hensley
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.
HCR 49
Wilson
ESTABLISHING THE MEDICAID COST EFFICIENCY TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING DELAWARE’S