Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., March 5, 2019

Here’s what happened while the General Assembly was in recess:

1. Del-Tech President Mark Brainard’s latest attempt to make homeowners pay for deferred maintenance (aka: ‘We let things go b/c we figured if things got so bad, the General Assembly would have to bail us out’) died aborning as legislators figured out what he was up to. This bill was virtually identical to those introduced in the past two sessions of the General Assembly. This time, though, supporters sought to take advantage of first-time legislators by introducing the bill much earlier in the session with the goal of rushing it through before the whistle got blown.  TWEEEEEET!!  Too late. (Memo to New Legislators: Once somebody lies to you, be aware that they will lie to you again. On everything.)  Brainard pulls out, always a relief, but not without an alternate proposal being developed.

2. The fast-tracking of moving statewide primaries from September to April appears to have cooled considerably. The State Senate is not nearly as enamored of the proposal as was the House. The key reason why the State Democratic Party, for example, wants to change the date is because party leaders believe that there would be far more participation in the statewide primaries if they were held on the same date as the presidential primary. One possible compromise?  Changing the effective date. As written, the bill would take effect for the 2020 primaries, which would provide for a really short window of decision for prospective candidates.  Whether the effective date would be moved to 2022, or to 2024 (which is the next presidential year), is an open question.  I think that 2024 makes more sense if a change is to be made. Due to redistricting, all of the legislative lines will change before the 2022 elections. Depending on how early this is accomplished, it could once again result in a short decision window for prospective candidates.

3. Journalistic hack and Rethug enabler Scott Goss allegedly has been hired by the Senate Democrats.  ‘Allegedly’ because, other than what has been represented here by well-connected sources, I still see no public confirmation, either by Goss or by the Senate D’s.  If it’s not a done deal, I highly recommend that the Senate D’s leave it undone. Not because journalists don’t make solid PR flaks. Some do and some don’t.  Jeff Montgomery and Jesse Chadderdon are two of the best. But you’ve got your Nancy Keslers and many others, who were just looking for a cushy landing spot.  The problem with Goss, though, is that he (a) sucked as a journalist, and (b) that he was further up the backsides of Greg Lavelle and Mike Ramone than their proctologists (Truth-in-blogging: I have not checked with the proctologists of Messrs Lavelle and Ramone to confirm.)  Why Dave McBride and Nicole Poore think Goss will undergo a metamorphosis from below-average reporter to above-average flak is beyond me.  Plus, had they bothered to read his work, they would have seen a distinct R bias. Until proven otherwise, I will simply say that the Senate D’s need new leaders.

4.  Some interesting bills were introduced during the break. The ones that caught my eye:

Well, here’s the new Del-Tech bailout bill.  Unusual that this bill only has one D co-sponsor. Although…maybe that’s just a function of the General Assembly being out of session.

Two more phony ‘right-to-life’ bills from Rethugs who know they won’t pass. This one, and this one. Oh, and for some reason, the exact same bills have been introduced in the Senate. Didn’t think you could do that. More proof that Rethugs have no interest in governance.

This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco to those under 21.  At the risk of being bombarded with vitriol (oh, no, not another Vitriol Bomb!), I’m at best ambivalent about this bill.  As a lifelong non-smoker (Tobacco Division), I think the bill seems to posit that those who are ages 18-20 are not capable of deciding whether or not to use tobacco products, but attain such wisdom at calendar age 21.

Here’s one that I love, though.  SB 22 (Townsend) would make Delaware a member of the Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Should states with a majority aggregation of electoral votes join the compact, then those states would vote as a bloc for the candidate receiving the most popular votes. 12 states, well, 11 plus Washington D. C., have joined the compact. 172 EV’s in total. The big problem? Not a single state that voted for Trump has joined the compact. One more election cycle like 2018, though, and that could change quickly.

This bill seeks to ensure the safe storage of firearms in order to keep them away from children.  I remember Sen. Marshall introducing similar legislation something like 15 years ago.  The bill almost defines the term ‘common sense legislation’. The NRA descended on Leg Hall then, and I wish I’d kept track of the number of times that the phrase ‘jack-booted storm troopers’ was used by opponents. The bill died in committee. Things have changed, though. It’s time to show those Russia-loving MF’ers who’s in charge.

Anything I missed? You tell me.

The Senate has a one-bill agenda today.  This bill is so Delaware that it deserves attention outside of the mere impact of it.  From the synopsis:

Since 1975, the Delaware Population Consortium has prepared a unified set of statewide population projections each year. These projections are used for a variety of purposes including capital planning, policy analysis, comprehensive planning, and transportation planning. All 3 counties are required by State law to utilize these projections to prepare their required comprehensive plans. However, the Delaware Population Consortium does not exist in State law (oh, yes, that). This Act formally creates the Delaware Population Consortium, identifies its membership and work products, and requires that all counties, municipalities, school districts, and State agencies use the Consortium’s projections for planning and policy purposes.

I live for stuff like this. YMMV.  The Senate also may, or may not, consider some nominations.

Today’s House Agenda is pretty pro forma. Nothing that gets me excited, not as if agendas should be designed to get me excited. 

There are so many intriguing bills being considered in committees Wednesday that I’d better start writing that piece now. See ya tomorrow.