General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 22, 2022

A Tale Of Two Bills.  Both of which were on yesterday’s Agendas.  Neither of which were worked.

Let’s start with Mayor Mike’s/Buccini-Pollin’s Wilmington property grab.  We had written about it last week, especially the way that Val Longhurst forced this bill out of committee while burying a really good bill:

There were plenty of witnesses at the hearing prepared to speak on behalf of HB 220, which ‘is the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution to conserve, protect and maintain Delaware’s natural resources, including its water, air, soil, flora, fauna, ecosystems and climate.’  Many of the witnesses had taken off work to testify.  Longhurst abruptly called off discussion, at which point Rep. Wilson-Anton asked if the bill at least could be released from committee, or she could get a sense of the committee’s support.  Longhurst declined, citing the requirement for public comment, comment she had just cut off.

That wasn’t the end of the story.  In direct contradiction to what she had just said, she ‘walked’ the following bill around for signatures, despite the fact that there were several witnesses prepared to speak against it, but were not given the opportunity.  The bill grants Wilmington (and its permanent beneficiary, Buccini/Pollin) the right to take distressed properties via eminent domain.  Mayor Mike was in the Hall yesterday.  Word on the street is that Bud Freel had walked HB 458 for signatures.  Mayor Mike made sure that the bill had sponsorship from Black legislators in order to avoid (obvious) allegations of racism.

Yesterday, the News-Journal picked up the story:

House Bill 458 was on the committee agenda Wednesday but was never discussed among legislators and no public comment was taken. Longhurst confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the bill was moved from the House agenda to Thursday.

Delaware House Democratic spokesman Drew Volturo said bills can be walked out of committee without discussion or public comment, and it typically occurs toward the end of session when legislators are rushing to finish business. (Unless it’s a progressive bill supported by progressive legislators.  Then Our PAL Val requires, then refuses to offer the time for, public comment.)

Longhurst did not respond to follow-up questions Tuesday. (Dog bites man.)

The willingness of virtually the entire City delegation to place low-income residents at risk in the name of gentrification is, of course, shameful. Rep. Dorsey Walker is the only member of the city delegation who did not sponsor the bill.  Good for her.  However, some of the more vulnerable incumbents might (and should) have second thoughts now that the scheme to push this through under the cloak of darkness has been revealed.

The second bill, HB 451 (Schwartzkopf), was on the Senate Agenda for the second time.  Again, it was not worked. We’ve covered this bill. Increases the legal age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21.  Has been weakened due to an amendment from Speaker Pete.  Maybe it’s getting whipsawed by both sides–Senate Rethugs who oppose any gun safety measures, and some Senate D’s who are PO’d at Schwartzkopf’s weakening of the bill.  It’s back on today’s Senate Agenda.  So far, no Senate amendments have been filed.  Third time’s the charm?

Oops, better make this a Tale Of Three Bills.  This one courtesy of the Kop Kabal and Delaware’s Joe Manchin.  Here’s how the so-called D leadership buried yet another progressive bill, this time one that provides Delaware workers with paid sick time and safety leave. Let’s let the Delaware State News tell the story:

Of the present members, co-prime sponsor Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, D-Wilmington, and co-sponsors Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, and Rep. Larry Lambert, D-Claymont, voted to release the bill for a full chamber vote on the House floor. However, Rep. Kevin Hensley, R-Townsend, Rep. Mike Ramone, R-Newark, Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton, and Rep. Bush voted against releasing the bill.

Despite garnering support from various committee members and stakeholders, those who opposed HB 409 made their presence felt during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s hearing.

Carrie Leishman, president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association, commended Rep. Morrison for his “open door” policy for stakeholder discussion, but said the legislation was “anti-business.” She expressed her concern that the legislation could lead to civil lawsuits void of consideration from the Department of Labor, as well as the stress it could cause restaurants in preparation for a looming economic recession.

Anti-business.  Which is precisely why Speaker Pete put the bill in Bill Bush’s Business Lapdog Committee. This will not change until the House leadership changes.  And, probably, until we get a governor who is not a business lapdog.

Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. Three really good bills passed yesterday, two of which head to the Governor, and one which goes to the Senate following House passage.  HB 205 (Lambert).  HB 234 (Minor-Brown). HB 374 (Wilson-Anton).  HB 374 still needs Senate approval, which I’m confident it will get.

Today’s Senate Agenda features the previously-discussed HB 451.  I’m a big fan of SB 316 (Pinkney),  which ‘caps the amount that an individual, group, or State employee plan may charge for diabetes equipment and supplies, other than insulin, at $35 per month.’  My only concern? If it passes the Senate, as it should, will Speaker Pete bury it in the Business Lapdog Committee?  I also like HS1/HB 25 (Dorsey Walker), which ‘provides for election day registration for presidential primary, primary, special, and general elections whereas currently the deadline is the fourth Saturday prior to the date of the election.’  I would be shocked if this bill passed with anything other than a 14-7 margin.  All D’s yes, all R’s no.

Kinda surprised that the House went with an all-committee meeting Wednesday this week.  Let’s ferret out the skulduggery afoot there via the committee highlights:

But first, a question–Speaker Pete has reassigned a shitload of bills to the House Appropriations Committee.  Yet, there has been no public meeting of the committee posted for this week.  Does that mean that those bills are all dead (unlikely), or does it mean that Ol’ Lumpy’s committee operates outside the strictures of the House Rules? (Likely.)

House Administration Committee will consider three Senate gun bills today along with some other stuff.  Both the Judiciary and Education Committees will consider Senate bills only.

I like HB 477 (Dorsey Walker), which ‘allows tenants to bring an action of rent escrow to pay rent into the court because of asserted defects or conditions. Alternatively, the tenant may refuse to pay rent and raise the existence of the asserted defects or conditions as an affirmative defense to an action for summary possession or an action for nonpayment of rent.’ Housing & Community Affairs. Hopefully, Chair Stephanie Bolden won’t have enough votes to bottle this up.Today’s Senate Committee highlights (excluding House bills previously discussed):

Darius Brown is Mayor Mike’s guy in Dover now.  He’s the prime sponsor of SB 330, which ‘provides that properties owned by the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware are exempt from taxation.’  That’s where Mayor Mike made his bones.  Brian McGlinchey is probably also tossing around lobbyist $$’s on this since his wife is the Executive Director of the RDC.  According to this chart, the RDC has net assets of over $84 million.  But they need a tax break.  This is stinky Delaware Way shit.  Speaking of which, scroll through that Board of Directors.

SB 314 (Lawson) is yet another huge expenditure for ‘school safety’.  $65 mill in FY ’23, to be precise.  Sponsored by Rethugs only.  Hey, it beats gun safety legislation. Get this: They have to spend the entire $65 mill. From the bill:  ‘This Act appropriates $65 million from the General Fund to the Fund in Fiscal Year 2023, which does not revert to the General Fund at the end of the Fiscal Year.’

Don’t see that very often.  Back tomorrow. One legislator in particular will not be happy. (Hint: They killed an exceedingly-popular bill despite being the prime House sponsor on it. Oh, and despite the fact that it passed the Senate.)  It’s what happens when you are owned by the special interests.