General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., Jan. 24, 2019

Even the Rethugs knew that they were on the wrong side of yesterday’s defeat of HB 3 in the Senate.  Serial bloviator Colin Bonini said this:

“I will personally write a check to start the GoFundMe page if people want to do this to help these folks,” said state Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover South. “But state government has no business getting involved in this.”

Uh, no he won’t, unless someone gives him some ‘pass-through’ money to throw into the coffers. Do you know how many times Bonini and all the other ‘Honorables’ have thrown money at causes that state government has no business being involved in? Remember when Bonini ‘threw money’ at Wesley College even though it’s not a state institution? Not only did he make no apologies, he proudly proclaimed that he did it. Can you imagine if this emergency impacted cops, corrections officers, or veterans? The fact is that Rethugs don’t give two shits about government workers, and they defeated the bill because they could. Backwards reeled the mind.

I’m sure that Senators McBride and Poore must be thrilled that they put roadblocks in the path of challenging Bonini in 2018. New leaders, please.

The other big story is that the bill to move Delaware’s primaries to April is on today’s House Agenda. Kids, stop and think here. If Pete ‘n Val thought that this would endanger incumbents in their caucus, they wouldn’t be doing this.  Fact is, this bill is about incumbent preservation, not about a more democratic process.  You can bet that Carney and Coons want an early primary where no challenger can get any footing.  Same holds true for the weakest members of that caucus, as well as the serial bullies in leadership. On both the House and Senate sides. Man, this is not shaping up as a good session so far. The effective date of the bill should at least be changed to the 2022 primary, just to provide adequate notice for prospective candidates this cycle.  We’ll see if such an amendment is forthcoming.

Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report.  At least the Senate passed HB 2.  Hey, guess who went ‘not voting’ on this bill? Anthony Delcollo. Remember, going ‘not voting’ is the same as voting no.  I’m sure everyone at the Elsmere VA and the surrounding businesses will be thrilled with Delcollo’s cowardice. This is one to circle for whoever will challenge Delcollo in 2020. Why does Delcollo hate federal employees?

Today’s brief Senate Agenda is highlighted the Buccini/Pollin Beer Bill. The Senate will also consider legislation that would enable those under the age of 18 to vote in primary elections as long as they will reach the age of 18 in time for the general election.

Today’s House Agenda includes the (IMO) anti-democratic primary bill. And that’s about it.

The General Assembly will also receive the budget-smoothed proposal from Gov. Carney.  They should just throw it in the trash. The Joint Finance Committee begins its hearings next week.

That’s a wrap for January.