General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., March 25, 2014

A minimum wage of $10.10/hour? Sen. Bob Marshall, who sponsored the recently-signed two-step increase to Delaware’s minimum wage, will introduce legislation to do so. If enacted on a timely basis (a BIG if), it would take effect immediately following the current two-year phase-in. The figure, of course, is  the same as most D’s are pushing for in Washington, except, of course, the hopeless Tom Carper, who only wants to increase it to $9 an hour. Which is understandable as some pretty big somebodies paid Tom Carper to throw a monkey wrench into the proposed increase.

But, I digress. I, for one, will be intrigued to see who  co-sponsors this bill. Will, for example, Charles Potter, sign on even though he is reportedly backing Marshall’s prospective opponent in a primary? Will Business Lapdog Committee Chair Bryon Short sign on? Can’t wait to see who’s on the bill.

Here’s the session activity report from Thursday. There were no ‘no’ votes recorded on any of the bills considered on Thursday. Nothing to see here, folks. Unless you want to see it.

Today’s Senate Agenda looks equally uneventful. HB 129(Kenton)  enables hospital staff to access a locked restroom in the case of emergency. Unanimously passed the House. That’s perhaps the most impactful bill on the agenda.

Today’s House Agenda fails to send my heart aflutter either. One bill of note: HB 265(Schwartzkopf), which increases certain corporate fees. In the Bizarro World that is the Delaware General Assembly, bills that raise revenues do not require a Fiscal Note. Only those that cost money get fiscal notes. So, there is no Fiscal Note. Doesn’t make sense, but it’s always been this way. Kinda thought that once Nancy Cook officially left the Senate, there would be more transparency on this type of fiscal matter, but I was wrong. Hmmm, wonder what happens when a bill both costs $$’s and raises revenues. Are only the costs displayed in a fiscal note?

Do not abandon this column yet. Controversy is coming up!

Starting with the Senate Committee meetings. More accurately, the Senate/House Joint Veterans Freebies Committee. Today’s meeting will consider HB 236(Jaques), which gives free surf fishing licenses to Delaware National Guard members. The concern is not merely, or even primarily, the freebie being handed out. The Fiscal Note for this bill is $44,000 annually. While this may not be a big amount, this money all comes out of the state parks budget. A permanent reduction on an annual basis. Since we have given similar freebies to other exalted groups, the state is taking money from parks in order to provide perks. And these are not one-shot deals, these are annual perks. Unto perpetuity, barring legislative intervention. If you support the state park system, you might just want to let your legislators know that you’re tired of these giveaways, as they have real impact.

The Senate Executive Committee considers nominations. However, there is no list of nominees posted. This committee has generally been very good about providing notice, but not this time. I’ll check back later to see if they’ve posted a list.

This bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee strikes me as yet one more chance to ‘overcharge’ someone. So, you know it’s coming from the AG’s Office. Here’s the synopsis of SB 263(Lopez):

Currently a person can commit the crime of endangering the welfare of a child by committing certain types of other crimes (often referred to as crimes of domestic violence) knowing that a child of the person’s or victim’s family has witnessed the crime(s). This Act would allow prosecution for endangering the welfare of a child if the person had reason to know that the child was witnessing the crime(s).

Lest you forget, concerns about overcharging have never stopped legislators from passing stupid stuff. Betcha it won’t here, either.

Rep. Johnson’s ‘Box’ bill, which would ‘prohibit a public employer from inquiring into or considering the criminal record, criminal history or credit history or score of an applicant before it makes a conditional offer to the applicant’, comes before the Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee Wednesday. It’s in an hospitable committee, so the bill could be on the agenda as early as Thursday.

Here are highlights from the House Committee meeting schedule:

The House Energy Committee will consider possible dangers of transporting crude oil by rail. Don’t know if anybody is scheduled to testify as there’s no further information.

BIG NEWS!! It now appears that the House House Administration Committee is no more! It’s now listed as the House Administration Committee. I’m getting a little verklempt…

I know that my humor is often sophomoric but…I just can’t help it. In a world where a band like Diarrhea Planet achieves (deserved) critical acclaim, a bill like HB 245(Paradee) deserves to pass through the system. So please don’t dump on it. Although I’m not sure how fumbling in one’s pockets for paperwork will work out if circumstances become…diarrh.  From the bowels of the internets, ladeez and gentlemen…Diarrhea Planet:

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/03/diarrhea-planet-saves-the-art-of-the-music-video-w.html

Good bill from Rep. Quin Johnson will be considered in the House Housing & Community Affairs Committee.  HB 196:  “This bill prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income by adding “source of income” as a protected class under the Delaware Fair Housing Act and the Landlord Tenant Code…(and) will prevent and address discrimination against those who receive part or all of their income from child support, government or private assistance programs, or any lawful occupation.”

HB 262(Baumbach) goes after the worst manufactured community owners by “…defin(ing) what violation(s) qualifies as a “pattern or practice” of a manufactured housing community owner, as a significant violation of the code.” This is a good bill that needs public support behind it. You can bet that the bad actors will be out in force to oppose it. Call your legislators. In the Manufactured Housing Committee.

That’s it. Now back to Baseball Fantasy League prep…