OK, now we’ve got the virtual lay of the land. The House voted yesterday to permit virtual sessions. Two R’s voted no: Rich Collins, who doesn’t believe that there should be any government, and Shannon Morris, who wants to be just like Rich Collins when he grows up. The Senate will do so today at a virtual session scheduled to begin at 4:30 and to likely end by 5.
Here, though, is all that we can expect for the rest of the legislative session:
Each chamber is expected to convene virtually just once a week, although the schedule is still being completed.
Lawmakers are expected to focus on just a few things: the “money” bills and COVID relief. That means proposals like legalizing marijuana and reinstating the death penalty that were expected to see debates in 2020 will probably have to wait until 2021.
The 12 members of the Joint Finance Committee will meet to review the governor’s January budget recommendations June 2 through June 9. Because that spending plan was produced in the pre-COVID time, legislators will have to make substantial changes to account for the projected $619 million loss in revenue for the current and upcoming fiscal years.
Unlike the full legislature, JFC members will gather in the building but will do so wearing masks and keeping at least 6 feet from one another. Limited staff will be allowed in for JFC as well, but otherwise the building will remain locked.
The Senate Executive Committee will meet virtually at 3 pm today, so it’s possible that the Senate may consider some nominations as well as passing the resolution that has passed the House.
That’s all I’ve got today, and Matt Bittle of the Delaware State News wrote more here than I did.
Man, I’m in withdrawal.