While the Budget Bill passed in the House and was sent to the Governor, there might be problems with the bill that gives state employees and pensioners a one-time bonus. How else to read this quote from Speaker Pete?:
“If we don’t pass that after we put it out, there are going to be some mad people around here,” said House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach.
That bill was on the Senate Agenda last week, but was not worked. Looks like some typical Rethug brinksmanship, perhaps with ‘right to work for less’ as a bargaining chip.
Here’s a nice wrap-up of the Budget.
And here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report.
Here’s something you don’t see every day. A constitutional amendment sponsored by an R House member going down to defeat b/c…a whole buncha R’s voted against it. Apparently the Rethugs didn’t like what they viewed as liberalization of absentee voting requirements in Section 2 of the bill. In fact, the sponsor, Rep. Briggs King, was the only R to vote for it. Not a single D voted against it. Rethugs gonna Rethug.
Before I get to today’s agendas, I can confidently report that the Good Ol’ Boys network is alive and well in Delaware. Dog Bites Man. Just check out these appointments being considered in today’s Senate Executive Committee meeting. Former state rep Vince Lofink being appointed to the State Board Of Education? Uh, why? Oh, and the University of Delaware sure knows where its bread is buttered. John Paradee as a non-gubernatorial appointee to its Board? Yes, he’s Trey’s brother. And he’s been an attorney for the Delaware State Senate. He is perfect for hoovering up money while keeping the pesky eyes of anybody away from the university books. Delaware sucks.
OK. Today’s House Agenda leads off with perhaps the bullshittiest bill of this session. Melanie George’s bill that requires companies to do nothing in order to get some sort of sustainability seal of approval. It’s just a pro-forma vote as the bill passed the Senate with a minor amendment. 8 R’s either voted no or not voting. They got it right.
Check out this bill from Trooper Smyk. Hey, what can I say? The General Assembly is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the NRA.
The ‘special class’ that has rights and privileges over and above the law will expand if HB 474 passes. The bill ‘includes Probation and Parole Officers in the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families under the definitions of Law-Enforcement Officer under the Law-Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights’. Great, a group that can shoot kids w/o fear of being prosecuted. If there’s one section of the Delaware Code that should be eliminated, it’s the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights. Law enforcement officers deserve rights and protection, but they should not be above the law, which they are, thanks primarily to all the ex-cops who pollute, and who have polluted, the General Assembly over the years.
Well, it looks like Rep. Keeley is throwing a ‘Hail, Mary’ on marijuana legalization. HB 110 is on today’s Agenda. Good. Let’s have a roll call on this. And, wherever practicable, hold opponents accountable. I’d also like to know where Sherry Dorsey Walker stands on this issue.
The Senate Agenda features the bill providing one-time bonuses for state employees and retirees. And minimum wage is being reconsidered, giving Sen. Bushweller one final chance to do the right thing. Not that it will rescue his reputation.
The Senate will also consider means-testing legislation for the senior property tax credit. The bill unanimously passed the House.
*Sigh*. I suppose it’s a sign of where we are that this bill is on a Senate Consent Agenda. You can bet that every senator who opposed any and all gun control measures will vote for it.
Which is as good, or bad, a note upon which to conclude for the day.