Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 11, 2019

Ah, but first, a semi-related rant. We know that Delaware has a clean water problem. A major clean water problem:

Most of the State’s waters do not meet water quality standards to support their designated uses, such as for drinking, swimming or supporting aquatic life. This Act increases the level and reliability of funding available to restore Delaware’s streams, rivers, bays, and groundwater through construction of much needed wastewater, drinking water, and drainage projects and increased use of agricultural best practices. Over the next 5 years, more than $500 million in water and wastewater system upgrades are needed statewide, including systems for underserved communities and numerous at-risk systems currently operated by homeowner’s associations in Sussex County. More than $150 million in stormwater upgrades are needed throughout the State along with more than $75 million for removing toxic pollutants from various waterways. In addition, demand for agriculture cost-share funds used to reduce pollution from nutrients far surpasses available resources.

The Act mentioned above is HB 200. We know that a majority of senators, and a majority of representatives, have signed onto the bill as sponsors. Count ’em for yourself.

Problem is our myopic governor (when he croons “I Only Have Eyes For You”, the ‘you’ refers to budget-smoothing). He says he doesn’t like the funding structure for the bill. Doesn’t propose an alternative, though. Last year, he and his environmental toady Shawn Garvin said he was too fixated on the budget to focus on the issue. Yo, John, you’re the fucking Governor of a state with a major clean water crisis. You can’t just sit on the sidelines, or while away the hours playing disc golf. This is a major crisis facing the state NOW. YOU’RE the governor. You MUST be part of the solution. Either lead or retire to the Frisbee Golf Tour. I hear it’s great for washed-up ex-jocks. Oh, and take Shawn Garvin with you.

Gee, I wonder if that’ll be the end of the use of boldfaced lettering and all caps in this piece. If past is prologue, the answer is no.

Anyway, HB 200 has cleared committee in the House. Here’s hoping that something good happens with it.

Today’s House Agenda features one of the better bills in the criminal justice reform package.  The synopsis of HB 5(Longhurst) reads:

The stacking of sentences can, and has, in some cases, result in severe prison sentences without permitting the sentencing judge any discretion as to the offender’s individual circumstances or the facts of the case. In order to provide such judicial discretion, this bill reforms concurrent and consecutive sentencing. This bill provides sentencing judges with the discretion to sentence prison time concurrently when appropriate. However, this bill mandates consecutive sentences when there are multiple victims for the most serious crimes. In addition, this bill requires consecutive sentences for assault in a detention facility. Under this bill, based upon the facts and circumstances of a case, prosecutors are able to recommend and judges have the discretion to order consecutive sentences.

State economic development officials pursue economic development opportunities that, if realized, would have significant impact on Delaware’s future economic health and competitiveness. Such situations frequently require expeditious action and the need to enhance Delaware’s transportation infrastructure on a timeline and schedule that is outside the 6 year Capital Transportation Program. To meet these challenges, this Act establishes the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund to provide economic assistance for renovation, construction, or any other type of improvements to roads and related transportation infrastructure in order to attract new businesses to Delaware, or for the expansion of existing Delaware businesses, when such an economic development opportunity would create a significant number of direct, permanent, quality, full-time jobs.