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.