With two session Wednesdays lost to the snow, there’s a backup of legislation in House and Senate committees. Meaning, there’s a paucity of legislation available to consider during regular session. More likely a good thing than a bad thing. Especially when one sees how the ‘Honorables’ have dealt with the limited number of bills they’ve considered.
The Senate, in particular, has been an impediment to enacting what some would consider worthy, albeit, marginally worthy, legislation. While the amendments to the bump stock ban are not as onerous as have been stated by Rep. PAL Longhurst, how the bleep did the Senate, especially the D’s, so meekly acquiesce to the NRA and its odious Delaware counterpart, the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association? I’ve asked, but have not received any answers so far.
Even more disgraceful is the Senate’s failure to support a (too) modest increase in the state’s minimum wage. Sen. Brian Bushweller can’t leave that chamber soon enough. He’s basically admitted that he’s ransoming his vote for another giveaway to Dover Downs. Great job, Senator. Screw people up and down the state who are just scraping by so that the greedy businessmen who screwed up their Golden Goose at Dover Downs might access yet more state revenue. You are the State Senate’s Official Carperbot. Devoid of empathy save for your financial backers. BTW, I hate your slug of a moustache (I know, I know, it’s immature, but I really hate that moustache; it’s…Boltonesque).
Here is the Session Report from Tuesday. The House passed legislation increasing the minimum age for purchasing most guns from 18 to 21. One D voted no, Lumpy Carson. One R voted yes, Mike Ramone.
I found the roll call on this bill interesting. Four nos, and they run the gamut: Bolden, Collins, Heffernan, and Johnson. Also, two not voting: Brady and Potter. Which means that, of those who represent the City of Wilmington, only Helene Keeley voted for the bill. Can our education mavens explain what happened here?
The Senate unanimously passed SB 149 (Lavelle), which established a fine for ‘coal rolling’. The bill synopsis defines coal rolling as follows: “Coal Rolling is the practice of modifying a diesel engine to increase the amount of fuel entering the engine in order to emit large amounts of black or grey sooty exhaust fumes into the air. It also may include the intentional removal of the particulate filter.”
Little of interest on today’s House Agenda, although…Rep. Longhurst could bring up the amended bump stock ban under suspension of rules. That procedure is often used when a bill returns from the other house with amendments.
The Senate Agenda is equally devoid of interesting legislation, which is what happens when there are no committee meetings.
Perhaps next week will provide more intrigue, weather permitting.