You say you wanna know how the State is gonna fund the ongoing Port boondoggle? They intend to do it in the Bond Bill:
Delaware’s proposed 2027 Bond Bill has more funding for the Port of Wilmington Edgemoor expansion, but some GOP lawmakers are not happy about it.
The Bond Bill now includes an added $110 million to the Diamond State Port Corporation, a public private partnership that oversees the port.
The state is spending that money to help fill a gap in funding for the expansion project. Updated estimates this year pushed the cost closer to $670 million, leaving an $185 million gap. Port operator Enstructure and federal funding will also contribute to bridging that gap.
But GOP State Senator David Wilson wanted to know how the state promised that money for the project before Bond Bill meetings.
“When we look at the number, when you see $110 million that number just jumps out at you, and then I keep hearing that it was already committed,” said Wilson.
Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda Sanchez responded that the Port Corporation worked with Meyer administration and legislative leadership on the plan.
“We understood from those discussions that there was significant interest and there was funding available, one time funding for this one time expense available as well. And so, based on those discussions, we were, we signed the JDA,” said Patibanda Sanchez.
Two points from Captain Obvious: 1: It was an inside job. 2: Just parse that sentence–“We understood from those discussions that there was significant interest and there was funding available, one time funding for this one time expense available as well.” I call bullshit. The inference, although not the reality, is that there was $110 mill just lying around that wasn’t gonna be lying around for long, that was available for this ‘one-time expense’, and only available for funding the Port. What, was this a bequeathal from the Copelands or something? My, what a fortuitous coincidence. It’s also a lie. It’s $110 mill that could have been expended elsewhere that, under the Cone of Silence, was dedicated to the Port.
BTW, the Bond Bill has not yet been introduced. It will almost certainly be introduced today and voted on in at least one Chamber. If I’m an R and/or a skeptical D, I’m introducing an amendment striking the expenditure on the Port from the Bond Bill and trying to force a vote on it separately.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. Looks like everything flew through, although the House almost burned the midnight oil last night. I have no idea why they didn’t go in until so late. The Senate was pretty much in and out in about an hour.
I look for the Senate to make quick work of today’s Agenda as well. Of particular note, and particularly worthy of support, is the ICE Trilogy: HS1/HB150(Gorman); HS2/HB 94 (Lynn); and HS1/HB 368 (Gorman). Three of the worst House D’s did not support this bill–Bolden and Cooke went not voting and self-proclaimed humanitarian Kerri Evelyn Harris voted no. Opponents, please note.
Today’s House Agenda features a Senate bill placing new requirements on deadly weapons dealers. Kids, you know what that means–14 pre-filed amendments from the Rethugs. They’ve done this dance before. The results will be the same today. Look for a straight party line vote for passage.
As the husband of a pharmacist, big thumbs-up to Sen. Pinkney’s SB 320, which enables pharmacists to practice to their fullest.
After today, the General Assembly returns on June 30 for the final day of session, no longer required to be the longest day of session.
Session adjourned.
