The air of excitement is palpable. The day that John Carney comes out of hibernation to discover he casts no shadow. Nor utters words of wisdom. His State Of The State Address. We’ve probably already heard his one initiative for the upcoming fiscal year–a boost in teachers’ salaries. Otherwise–another six weeks of winter while the Joint Finance Committee meets.
Here’s yesterday’s Session Activity Report. BTW, I need another word for ‘highlights’, as ‘highlights’ are often ‘lowlights’. As in, these two terrible bills were released from the Kop Kabal Committee–HB 39 (M. Smith), which gives local police forces $20 mill in no-strings-attached funding; and HB 50 (K. Williams), which creates a brand new crime that mirrors the existing crime of theft, nothing more than a stacking of charges. Gotta say, though, I rather admire the gentility of the committee report:
The committee found the bill to be agreeable, and it was released from the committee.
Tea. Crumpets. The stacking of charges.
The House Education Committee did not release HB 42, which was just another M. Smith attempt to starve public education. In light of Gov. Carney’s proposal to increase teacher salaries, this bill could have made it more difficult for local districts to provide the matching funds needed for the increases. This bill should, and will, remain buried.
Time to talk about SB 29 (Townsend), which tries to provide state retirees and public employee unions with input into health plans for retirees. I support the bill (I know that not all progressives do). While I fully understand the mistrust that exists between the retirees and the Carney Administration, I think that the General Assembly can be an honest broker here, and I think that’s what SB 29 is trying to do. I listened to the entire committee hearing on the bill, including the public comments. I think Sen. Pinkney put it best:
The sentiment was echoed by Senate Executive Committee member Sen. Marie Pinkney, D-Bear, who added that while she understands retirees’ fears regarding the legislature’s commitment, she and her colleagues remain focused on providing state retirees a solution.
“We are listening to you and we care about everything that you’ve said and that you have presented to us. This legislation is not where we stop this work,” Sen. Pinkney said.
“Every one of us is incredibly committed to making sure that whatever happens at the end of this is in the best interests of the people we represent.”
I feel compelled to echo Liberalgeek’s comment from yesterday concerning former Sen. Peterson’s plea to grandfather in existing retirees:
Sheesh. That’s some bullshit. If you can’t give it to everyone, can you at least give it to me?
Ditto. I think Karen Peterson is one of the best legislators in Delaware history. She accomplished so much. But that request to close the drawbridge once the Boomers are safely ensconced in the castle is, well, just wrong. And selfish. Fairness for everybody–or nobody.
SB 29 passed the Senate, and will likely be on the fast track to pass the House next week.
With the exception of this lonely Senate bill (which likely is time-sensitive), all productive activity will stop to hear Carney’s annual dronings. Couldn’t he at least get someone like, oh I don’t know, Aubrey Plaza, to read the speech for him? You know, to draw more attention to it, and to make the captive audience feel less captive? Hey, it’s a thought.
My final thought of this legislative week.