It all comes down to Cathy Cloutier. Today, the Senate will vote on a motion to (pardon the expression) discharge the assault weapons bill to the Senate floor for a vote. In other words, there could be two votes on this bill in the Senate today–one on the discharge motion, the other on the bill itself. We know that Bruce Ennis is a no. Meaning, assuming that all other D’s vote yes and all other R’s vote no, the fate of banning weapons of war comes down to Cathy Cloutier. She has said that she will vote on behalf of her constituents. If so, she will vote both to release the bill and to vote for the bill. I think she will. She is a rarity right now, a Republican with a conscience. I believe that she’ll do the right thing. But I will be contacting her office to make sure that she knows how at least two of her constituents–my wife and I–feel. I urge you to do the same. No doubt Greg Lavelle, in particular, will be placing great pressure on her. If, for no other reason, than to give him someone else with whom to share the blame if the bill goes down. It won’t work. A ‘yes’ vote from Lavelle would render Cloutier’s decision unnecessary. He’s voting no. I think he’s in his last month in the Senate. Last month of no votes. These nos will be ayes next year.
One more word of caution. Greg Lavelle’s favorite lawyer, Francis X. Pileggi, no doubt will be cranking out dozens of amendments for consideration on behalf of the NRA. Time for those who support the weapons ban to band together and unanimously oppose these amendments. It’s too late in session for a repeat of the ping-ponging process that accompanied the bump stocks bill.
Just when you thought that Nicole Poore could sink no lower–a thought that I’ve never had–she goes and does this. I’m not making this up. That’s right, the Senate Majority Leader voted to release a virulent anti-abortion bill from committee. Here’s what prime sponsor Sen. Richardson said:
“[Sen. Poore] came to my office the next day and said that she was pro-life, and she has pro-life sentiments, so I think she really does care about the issue, especially when you talk about a 20-week-old fetus that has a 60 percent chance of survival outside the womb if it’s taken through C-section,” said Richardson.
Poore didn’t return multiple requests for comment.
BTW, Ernie Lopez also voted to release the bill. I’m not sure that he has the most ‘pro-life’ of constituencies. It needs one more signature from either Stephanie Hansen or, wait for it, Cathy Cloutier, to be released from committee. I don’t think it gets that signature.
The story, however, is that the Senate Majority Leader, who has never publicly articulated this ‘pro-life’ position, voted against supporters of reproductive rights, which is a position that is shared by the Democratic Party. I think she’s gone from leadership next year. It should happen today. She has her JDG salary to supplement her income. Someone needs to investigate her. Like an honest state auditor.
The Assault Weapons Bill is the only true item of note on the Senate Agenda unless the Senate gets down as far as HS1/HB 222 (Bentz). The Senate will consider both the Budget Bill and the bill giving bonuses to state employees and retirees tomorrow.
Kids, you remember that the General Assembly has passed legislation mandating that any new school construction/renovations turn schools into impenetrable fortresses? You may also remember that there was no funding to pay for this mandate. Well, a whole buncha legislators who have opposed virtually every gun control measure are looking to provide funding. $5 mill, to be exact. Which will do next to nothing. Maybe more later. I’m guessing, but don’t know for sure, that the $$’s have been appropriated in the Budget Bill. Maybe I’ll wade through it…or not.
The rest of today’s House Agenda appears relatively pro-forma.
Oh, here’s some late-breaking news. The State has an estimated $46 mill in additional revenue to work with. Looks like grants-in-aid will get a boost. Grants-in-aid. Doesn’t Jobs For Delaware Graduates get their $$’s from that? Nicole Poore is salivating again. Taxpayers beware.