Delaware’s Legislators Of The Week: March 18-20

Four legislators deserved mention for their work this week.  We’ll list the Honorable Mentions alphabetically:

Sen. Stephanie Hansen:  Successfully shepherded a package of bills through the Senate designed to provide relief for rate payers. Her expertise in this particular policy area played a key role in developing the bills.

Sen. Marie Pinkney:  I wish more legislators had the guts to come right out and say something like this in response to hate-inspired legislation:

“I wanted to speak really quickly to the trans kiddos in the room,” she said, speaking also as the first Black LGBTQ+ person ever elected to the Delaware Senate. “I want you to know your life is valued. And there are people in this Legislature who will fight to the death for the value your life has.”

The Democrat went on to say there are lawmakers who believe it’s not the business of Legislative Hall to know what medical decisions they make, though she valued the democratic process and hearing out this latest bill in committee.

About a minute later, the bill did not advance.

Rep. Kim Williams:  Successfully sponsored and ran two reform bills designed to hold both double-dipping elected officials and the institutions that employ them accountable.  Also, a shout-out to State Auditor Lydia York, whose work inspired these bills.

Delaware’s Legislator Of The Week:  Rep. Eric Morrison.  For calmly and masterfully sponsoring and running HB 140, the end-of-life options bill.  Morrison continues to grow into a superior legislator, able to create consensus for progressive legislation.  I also loved how Morrison gave props to former Rep. Paul Baumbach, and to those who inspired the bill even though they didn’t live to see its inception.

All in all, it was a good week in Dover, aided immeasurably by the work of these four stalwarts.