General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., March 8, 2023

Hate to be THAT guy, but I told you that yesterday’s pot legalization bill vote was a freebie.  Far too many Pete acolytes voted for the bill.  There’s hope only if you don’t think that Lumpy Carson, Bill Bush, Stephanie Bolden,  Mike Ramone, Michael Smith, Sean Matthews, and/or others will revert to form and bow down to the wishes of Delaware’s Worst Governor Ever. I’m calling it: No chance of a veto override.  There.  I saved you three months of agita.  Now maybe, just maybe, Speaker Pete will follow through on his promise to leave the General Assembly in June, and his successor will support the bill.  Anyone wanna bet on Pete having told the truth for once?

Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report.  Truth-In-Advertising Department: My oldest daughter is a Delaware school teacher.  I’m sure she appreciates, as much as I do, Sen. Sturgeon’s SB 60 and SB 61, both of which were introduced yesterday.

Today’s an All-Committee Day in Dover.  To my disappointment, a brand new REALLY BAD BILL will not be considered today.  I’ll just have to hold my verbal fire for at least another week. It’ll be worth it. Don’tcha think, Stephanie and Darius??

Today’s House Committee Highlights:

HB 58 (Romer) ‘increases the amount the City (of Newark) can borrow for municipal improvements that are directly assessed against adjoining owners of property from $500,000 to $1,000,000. This Act also exempts any short or long-term debt incurred from receipt of government revolving loan funds from the special referendum requirements set forth in the City Charter. This would allow Council to approve such borrowing directly and would eliminate the cost and time associated with holding a referendum.  (Administration).

HB 63 (Dukes) ‘allows pensioners to earn $50,000 (instead of $40,000) before incurring a $1.00 deduction to their state pension for every $2.00 earned over that amount.’  I think I like this bill as it might help fill some key vacant governmental positions. Bipartisan sponsorship.  (Administration).

HB 100 (Schwartzkopf) ‘creates a special license plate for the Delaware State Police which will be displayed on the active fleet at the discretion of the Superintendent of the State Police for the 100th Anniversary of the Division.’  (Administration).  Cue the music:

Today’s Senate Committee Highlights:

SB 58 (McBride) continues the practice of DHSS ‘not charg(ing) copays for Delaware Families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level and has reimbursed purchase of care providers for 15 absent days per child per month.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  (Health & Social Services).

SB 59 (Gay) ‘would pay licensed child care providers statewide at the reimbursement rate of New Castle County’.  Since the NCC rate is higher, even the downstate mouth-breathers have signed onto the bill.  Great bill. (Health & Social Services).

SB 33 (Gay) requires ‘that Division of Family Services (DFS) caseload standards be reduced from 18 to 12 families per worker. Due to the volume of work generated by a caseload of 18 families, workers are significantly restricted in the time they can spend on critical case activities such as family engagement, assessment of safety, and face-to-face contact with children and families.’ (Judiciary).  Here’s the question–has the Joint Finance Committee funded the addition of the required caseworkers?  I’ve been trying to find out the answer, so far with no luck.  Here’s what the bill says:

Each fiscal year, pursuant to established methodology, the Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget shall review projections on the number of child abuse and neglect cases for the next fiscal year. Based on these projections, the General Assembly shall fund, subject to a specific appropriation, funds and positions for the next fiscal year, beginning each July 1, to the Division of Family Services…

I have been told that the money was not budgeted, but I have yet to receive official confirmation.  Still working on it.  Anyone know for sure?

SB 43 (Richardson) requires signs basically everywhere pertaining to human trafficking.  I’ve written quite a bit in support of strong human trafficking laws, but this strikes me as overkill:

The additional State facilities and categories are as follows: (1) State service centers. (2) Wellness centers. (3) Residential child care facilities. (4) Transitional and independent living service providers for youth aging out of foster care. (5) Shelters for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault or individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. (6) Hotels. (7) Convenience stores along a major highway. (8) Gas stations along a major highway. (9) Casinos. (10) Restaurants with liquor licenses. (11) Poultry processing plants. (12) Bus or train stations. (13) Bars. (14) Massage establishments. (15) Shopping malls.

It’ll probably pass, will have no effect, but will likely not do any harm.  (Judiciary).

SB 42 (Brown). Woo-hoo!  State would pay $10K for my funeral expenses, up from the current $7K.  Champagne all around! Just have to hold out a little longer…(Elections & Government Affairs).

SB 44 (Brown) ‘establishes the Office of New Americans to help improve the lives and economic prosperity of new Americans who come to Delaware and of all Delawareans generally.’  To put it mildly, I think the General Assembly would need to know a whole lot more about how the bill would be implemented.  I, for one, would like to know where the bill came from.  After all, the bill establishes the Department of State as the lead agency, which is not something I would recommend. If I get a chance, I may listen to the discussion in committee today.  At first glance, the proposal doesn’t appear to be well thought out. (Elections & Government Affairs).

Back tomorrow.  Maybe with Agendas and bills to pass.