General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., March 13, 2024
I’ve been told I overthink things. However, I don’t think I can overthink the magnitude of the unanimous passage of HB 281 yesterday. Which is why it’s today’s Story Of The Day. Here’s why:
1. This officially makes John Carney the lamest of lame ducks. Carney’s transition began with his recognition that he wasn’t gonna be able to sustain vetoes of the marijuana bills. This, however, was a resounding rejection of his entire philosophy. The General Assembly has officially told Carney that he shouldn’t bring his weak Concord Coalition shit into their chambers any more. The idea of balancing the budget on the backs of state employees is dead, as it should be. The Concord Coalition, like Carney himself, doesn’t factor treating people like humans into their green-eyeshade equation. Wilmington: This is your future. You might want to study up on Claire Dematteis and Cerron Cade.
2. This continues the encouraging trend of legislation emanating from the General Assembly, and not from the Governor. It’s been a long time coming, ending this notion that the Governor proposes, the General Assembly disposes. Since Carney had no vision save ‘budget-smoothing’, there was a vacuum to be filled. What has been overlooked, though, is that the quality of legislators has grown exponentially over the past decade or so. It’s not just a place for ex-cops, party hacks, and realtors any more. We now have the best-qualified General Assembly we’ve ever had, and they’ve taken the initiative away from the governor.
3. HB 281 is a unicorn. I well understand that, in crafting legislation that can pass, you often have to make compromises that weaken the finished product. HB 281 is perhaps the only bill I can recall in recent memory where a really good bill started out strong, and was made even stronger through amendment. RISE Delaware and state retirees get a lot of the credit. But Paul Baumbach deserves a lion’s share of the credit. I know for a fact that, going into yesterday’s party caucus, there were some who wanted to have the amendment pulled and/or weakened. But there were enough legislators who stood firm with Paul, and the bill passed even stronger than when it was called up on the floor.
4. You don’t mess with state retirees. Especially when people like Karen Peterson and Lisa Diller carry the ball on behalf of us. Here’s a comment from Vikki B:
Delaware retirees placed a great deal of faith in Elisa Diller when she dared to start RISE. She took Karen Peterson along for the ride along with Mary Graham and the three of them worked hand in hand for the best possible outcome. Several organizations and individuals stepped in and bolstered the effort. This legislation is possibly some of the most tangible legislation that will impact the lives of people who have devoted their lives to serving the State of Delaware. Thank you , Paul Baumbach and legislators for your efforts!
As a retired state employee, all I can say is Amen. No need to overthink it.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. To quote a self-promoting ex-legislator, ‘I would be remiss’ if I didn’t point out one deplorable vote. HB 279 (Heffernan), which ‘allows school employees up to 5 days of bereavement leave under the same circumstances as permitted for state employees’, passed yesterday. Good bill, you would think that the vote would be unanimous. You would be incorrect. Suxco’s Richard Collins, who rivals Sen. Dave Lawson as Delaware’s Worst Legislator, voted no. Why does he hate teachers?
Here’s today’s Senate Agenda. While the bills’ titles might suggest importance, they’re more narrowly-focused. One clarifies previous legislation, and one brings Delaware into compliance with Federal law.
A Yu-u-u-ge Committee Day today. Let’s get rolling, starting with the Senate.
SB 232 (Gay): ‘In light of the Federal Drug Administration’s recent approval of over-the-counter non-emergency contraceptive pills, this bill expands the contraceptive coverage laws to include over-the-counter non-emergency contraceptive pills.’ Health & Social Services.
SB 223 (Walsh): seeks to ‘…integrate mobile-integrated healthcare and community paramedicine into existing regulatory structures in this State. Mobile-integrated healthcare and community paramedicine are innovative patient-centered models for the delivery of health care services that utilize mobile resources to deliver care and services to patients in an out-of-hospital environment in coordination with healthcare facilities or other healthcare providers.’ A lot of work went into this bill. Health & Social Services.
SB 233 (Walsh) ‘establishes employment protections for certain service employees during changes of ownership…’. A lot of work has gone into this bill as well. Effective legislating requires hard work. Willingness to do such work separates legit legislators from the poseurs. Labor.
House Committee highlights:
Non-profit hospitals are granted tax-exempt status under the premise that they serve a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of the communities they serve. Community benefit spending is a means by which hospitals fulfill this obligation. Such spending includes activities like providing uncompensated care, supporting medical research, offering health education and prevention programs, subsidizing community clinics, and addressing social determinants of health. This Act requires Delaware’s non-profit hospitals to provide the state and public with an annual report outlining their community benefits spending, bringing Delaware in line with 31 other states, including all of Delaware’s neighboring states, that require reporting.
I’ve noticed kowalko has been silent since you called him out yesterday
He may have been disinvited to comment. Being quiet is not one of his talents.
We didn’t disinvite him.
He chose to absent himself.
Another BHL loyalist shamed and exposed. I’m not sure what she does to attract these types of people but it is problematic.
Don’t know where you got that idea. He’s anything but.
Thank you again for highlighting the very significant accomplishment of passing both HB 281 and 282 with Representative Baumbach’s amendments with unanimous votes. My husband reminded me last night that we were told in August 2022 that “Medicare Advantage is a done deal.” We still have many steps to go and Representative Baumbach will be introducing additional legislation to address the funding issue. It was, however, an amazing experience to be in the House chamber and listen to the roll call for the votes. It reminded all of us how far we have come since August 2022. Representative Baumbach did an excellent job of shepherding the legislation through and we thank him for his efforts!
I’m not sure my mom, a state retiree in her 80s, understood exactly what was happening when this was proposed. She’s still pretty sharp, and when I explained more to her about Medicare Advantage, she wasn’t too thrilled. So I want to thank you on behalf of her and other current state employees in my family.
Most recent Carney spotting: on the cover of the new edition of the State Chamber’s Delaware Business mag, pictured with good ol’ Bud Freel assessing the work of Wilmington’s Land Bank.
Seeing the mag arrive in the mail a week after his uninspiring State of the State address tells you all you need to know.
FWIW, Velda has more billboards around the city than Carney does. Would love to count them both out, but … who would have thought there would be yet another 2024 election where voters would rather have “neither of the above.”
Important to remember that John Carney has never won a competitive election. Maybe this time will be the first but working hard is not exactly a character trait he has ever been know for… the only smart thing he did was we convincing Eugene to run for congress because he knew he couldn’t beat him for mayor. Eugene sadly took the bait. Ego is a hell of a thing.
Oh yeah, what about winning St Marks first HS football championship in 1973 single handedly? That didn’t require hard work?
But yeah, shame about Eugene. Picking the right race is so important.
You’re wrong again. Eugene Young doesn’t live in the city anymore, a rather large stumbling block for a mayoral campaign.
It doesn’t take too much effort to get a city of Wilmington address, lord knows we have plenty of corporations right on orange street.
But Young has lost the race. McBride’s story is so compelling that she could shoot someone in broad daylight and progressives would still fawn over her
Yes, that would go over well – obtaining an address without living there. If that were his style he’d be no better than a Congo.
The people who would vote for him would look the other way in the short term, considering the alternatives. Young has a good track record for a wide group of people, which is more than you can say for either any Congo or carney
If fucking Collin O’Mara can run for governor then Eugene young can run for mayor.
@Missy: And the people who wouldn’t vote for him wouldn’t look the other way. Being a successful politician is basically about creating a brand for yourself. Carpetbagging would be extremely off-brand for Eugene Young.
@MC: What does that mean? O’Mara lives in Delaware; Young does not live in Wilmington.
The vision of Sarah with a long gun is as laughable as your premise.
BTW, your first and last warning. Cut the shit or go elsewhere.
Eugene doesn’t live in the city any more and he hasn’t since 2020.
Carney’s troika: “Claire Dematteis, Cerron Cade. What about the head honcho, Dick Geisenberger? Clearly the worst of the three.
True. But Geisenberger isn’t likely to follow Carney to Wimington.
Well I don’t him in Dover
I have withheld comment on the Mayor’s race but yesterday I changed my address and voter registration officially to the city of my birth. If this race ends up as a 2 way race, I will absolutely vote for Ms. Potter. She is far from perfect but in examining the Potter baggage generally it in my view there is less than meets the eye. I see mostly messy business disputes and some public spats. On the other hand, if we give Carney and the heartless “budget smoothing” gang the keys to the city, families from Southbridge to Hilltop to Eastlake will see services further crushed and the gentry in Trolley, the Highlands, Wawaset Park and Brandywine Hills will isolate in their over policed enclaves (I live in one of these). I chose to move in to the city, 3 blocks from my literal birthplace. I have done so despite a doubling of my property taxes because I love this place. I would much rather support a lifelong City resident of color and PS grad who holds her fundraisers for $25 at 28th and Madison than a dude that will make my city BPG ville on steroids.
That said Velda is gonna need a lot more than Billboards to take on Carney who will have both the big money folks as well as the sadly, ever present grifters who attach themselves to “Delaware Way” politicians. It there is an organized grass roots effort I believe most city residents will reject the gifting of the City by the current Mayor to another corporate shill.
You’re not wrong about Carney, but you’re overlooking a lot about the Potters. People who have dealt with them see more than meets your eye.
I have a decent understanding of both, and both have cringeworthy. drawbacks. That said. If it’s a binary choice Potter is mine. She has put forth policy ideas Carney has said “Thanks Mike!”
Hey, you have a vote and I don’t, so have at it. I personally don’t vote for people who use their positions the way they’ve used theirs.
Well, that comment fits both candidates to some degree :). Binary choices are difficult.
Ahhhh… In the end, while in the voting booth, I’ll hold my nose and vote for Carney. Carney’s an outdated no-nothing as a governor but is the better choice as Wilmington’s executive.
Velda’s a crook that uses her influence to steal public funds and beat roofers, plumbers, and uber drivers out of money owed to them.
Hopefully, the Potter’s go away for good (politically) in 2025.
Fellow state retirees and Rep. Baumbach would tell you BHLs leadership on this issue over the past year is a big part of why it got passed. A lot of which involved going against the Carney admin officials.