General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., April 21, 2021
The Cop Cabal is in survival mode. All three of the leaders voted to release the anti-democratic HB 30 (Bolden), which would have the effect of severely limiting primary challenges, from committee. Should the bill get a vote in the House, which it likely will, pay attention: Every D legislator who votes ‘yes’ will reveal themselves to be beholden to the Cop Cabal. We will name names.
What’s going on between the Beach Patrol and the City of Rehoboth? I ask b/c the beach patrol is pretty much targeted in this newly-introduced Charter Change. Anybody have the back-story on this?
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report.
Well, today’s the day for the $15 minimum wage bill. Will it clear the committee? Is today the day that one of the putative D’s floats a ‘compromise’ amendment that either/or (a) slows the already-slow 4-year phase-in of the bill, and/or (b) reduces the amount of the increase? You know, all in the name of ‘compromise’. Here is all you need to know: There are 26 D representatives in the 41-member House. All 14 D senators in the 21-member Senate voted for the bill as is. If a compromise is allegedly required to pass the bill, it will be only because 6 or more Democrats opposed a $15 minimum wage. End of story. Until next year’s primaries. Some issues simply should not be subject to compromise. This is one of them. And don’t be misled by someone like, say, Bill Bush, claiming that an amendment was needed b/c ‘we didn’t have the votes’. You didn’t have the votes b/c you wouldn’t vote for it. You have merely but to look at Dave McBride and Nicole Poore making the same claim about gun bills last session. But, I digress.
The only full Senate business to be conducted today is the consideration of several gubernatorial nominees. I would be remiss if I didn’t cheer the nomination of Jeffrey Clark to serve on the Superior Court for Kent County. Jeff was a Senate attorney for much of my time in Dover. He takes public service seriously, but never took himself too seriously. He really does care about people, and his law practice at the time reflected that. He was a great attorney. Along with Frank Murphy, the two best we ever had. He has both common sense and empathy, traits I believe to be essential for a judge. He will be a superb addition to the Bench.
OK, time for committee meeting highlights, starting with the Senate:
Let’s start off with two excellent bills from two excellent frosh Senators:
*SB 105 (Pinkney) ‘allows pharmacists to administer or dispense contraceptives under a standing order from the Division of Public Health. At least 11 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands allow pharmacists to dispense contraceptives without a prescription from another health-care practitioner. This practice is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.’
*SB 109 (S. McBride) ‘requires that home health-care services for Medicaid long-term care services and support providers be reimbursed for services by Medicaid-contracted organizations at a rate equal to or more than the rate set by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance for equivalent services. This rate floor system is currently used for reimbursement rates for home health-care nursing services paid for by Medicaid-contracted organizations.’
Both bills are in the Health & Social Services Committee.
SB 12 (Poore) ‘open(s) up The Delaware Student Excellence Equals Degree Act (SEED Act) to adult Delaware residents, who are not recent high school graduates. Currently, about 56% of Delawareans age 25-64 lack a post-secondary degree. This expansion of the SEED grant program will encourage adult learners to return to school to enhance their knowledge and skills and increase their job opportunities. Education.
SB 95 (Paradee) appears designed to enable more Delawareans to attend Delaware State University. Education.
Both SB’s 111 and 112 make the expungement of records process more accessible to both juveniles and adults. Both bills are sponsored by Sen. Brown, and I like ’em both. Judiciary.
Gotta say, that’s some real progressive legislation making its way through the Senate.
*HB 160 (Bentz) ‘continues and enhances Delawareans’ access to telehealth and telemedicine services and, through the adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, ensures that telehealth services can be provided through qualified medical practitioners in a streamlined and efficient pathway to licensure that meets the health care delivery system needs of the 21st century’. Health & Human Development.
That, along with SB 15 above, constitute all the highlights. If I missed something, let me know. You can access the meeting link for SB 15 right here. I’ll be working today, so keep us posted if you attend the meeting.
Sorry for the abrupt ending. Sometimes, a list of legislative highlights ends–abruptly.
HB30 co-sponsors include Griffith & Baumbach. WTF Paul?
Believe it or not, similar permutations of this bill have been around since John Daniello, who HATED primaries, was the Party chair.
Had this bill been in effect during the last election cycle, we almost certainly would not have Sen. Pinkney, and Reps Wilson-Anton, Morrison, Lambert and Moore in the General Assembly.
To put it mildly, that reality has not been lost on the Cop Cabal. Nor on any D incumbents vulnerable to a primary.
Just a note, Jeff Clark is already a Superior Court Judge. Today is a promotion to Resident Judge.
Thanks! A well-deserved promotion.
Indeed!
The Rehoboth Charter change apparently came about because the former captain of the Beach Patrol resented being put under the authority of the police chief during the pandemic and wanted to revert to independent authority. When town commissioners refused, he pointed to the charter, and quit when they wouldn’t budge.
https://www.capegazette.com/article/rehoboth-proceeds-change-putting-lifeguards-under-police/214719
Thanks. I knew there had to be SOME reason…
Matt Bittle reports that the minimum wage bill was just released from committee on a straight party line vote.
I found the Republican committee members testimony woefully lacking any legitimacy or pertinence and, quite frankly, ludicrously stupid in an almost humorous way. From Spiegelman’s reading of an ad promoting human replacing robots (direct from the “Mr. Flippy”) catalogue to Ramone’s sad lament of his teenage low-wage suffering years to Smith’s concern for the economic stability of all Delaware businesses it was a poignant display of callousness and greed and total disregard and animosity for working people and their families. I fully expected Ramone’s recounting of his early (almost forced labor) youth to transition into his 5 mile treks (in snowshoes) to school. These were just a few more examples of the ideological dirges that spew from the mouths of Chamber hacks. When you combine the Chamber of Commerce lobbyists (Gee– Joe Fitzgerald do you make minimum wage?) with Carrie Leishman (Restaurant lobbyist) and her restaurant owning trolls (J. Mumford, owner of Warrens Station in Fenwick Island) Fifer’s Orchard owner Kurt Fifer and his unfair obligation/burden to pay untrained seasonal employees more money, Judy Diogo (Chamber), Andrew Wenger (Restaurant lobbyist) who were the few speakers in opposition you have a regular who’s who of “I got mine-screw you” humanitarians.
They must all sleep well at night in the cushioned embrace of a Mike Lindell pillow, no conscience required.
Representative John Kowalko
I heard it was “punching themselves in the face” comical. Hopefully someone captured the highlights.
“Capture the highlights”? Hell I spent a good hour or two with a bottle of Jim Beam trying to erase their performances from my memory. Just imagine the Volkswagen clown car at the circus but adjust that thought with a porta-potty at a Chamber picnic with Repubs instead of clowns.
John Kowalko