How Progressive Priorities fared in the General Assembly – The Updated and Revised Vote Tracker

How Progressive Priorities fared in the General Assembly – The Updated and Revised Vote Tracker

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I finally got already to going through all the bills that were plowed through by our General Assembly on June 30. Yes, it took over a month. No, not really, I've been enjoying the summer too. This time, the Vote Tracker is downloadable in PDF form, rather than the Excel spreadsheet. Further, the Tracker, or rather, the legislation we are tracking, is organized into the following categories: 1) Passed and Signed Bills, 2) Passed One House, But Not the Other, 3) Waiting for Votes, either in Committee or on the floor, and 4) Defeated and Tabled Bills. Now, remember, this Tracker only keeps track of legislation that is of a priority or of concern to those of us on the liberal and progressive side of the aisle. Indeed, the Tracker is a joint effort between Delaware Liberal and the Progressive Democrats for Delaware (PDD). The PDD announced their legislative priorities earlier this year, and it was and is a pretty good, and long, list (in no order of priority):
Minimum Wage Increase Opposing Cuts to Medicaid Marriage Equality Death Penalty Repeal Gun Control Legislation Progressive Tax Rates Single Payer Healthcare Lobbying Disclosure Reform Independent Redistricting Reform Amending the Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Transgendered Persons Charter School Reform No Excuse Absentee Voting Manufactured Home Rent Justification
So it is best to view the Vote Tracker in terms of the above priorities. That's 13 priorities. How many were achieved? How many were defeated? And how many are a work in progress? Come inside to see.

Wilmington as the 8th Unfriendliest City in America?

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This is the result of one of those Conde Nast Traveler surveys, which asks its readers to rate hotels, resorts, airlines , cruise ships and even cities. There is even a category for Friendliest and Unfriendliest City, and Wilmington made the Unfriendliest City list, ranked at 8 Wilmington, the state’s largest city, didn't appeal to our survey takers as much as Delaware's better known beach areas. One reader says he “would rather avoid” the city that is only “necessary to visit on business.” Other readers say Wilmington is a place with “not much charm” that “needs work.” What do you think about this? The NJ reports on this and got plenty of reaction from locals, mainly of the cheerleading variety.
Decision Making In Shades Of Gray – Is It Time?

Decision Making In Shades Of Gray – Is It Time?

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I'm a decisive person. Give me a choice and I'll make it - quickly and, in most cases, easily. Raising children means constant decision making. So yeah, I've had some practice. But now I'm facing a decision that's far from clear cut. Our dog, a black lab mix (aka mutt) is fourteen years old. She has hip dysplasia, a torn ACL (surgery wasn't an option due to her age, but she is on medication), is partially blind, and almost completely deaf. She also appears confused and easily frightened - and just for fun, she is now having trouble controlling her bowels. Lucky me! None of these symptoms is life threatening. And we won't make a decision in the name of convenience (altho, some days I want to). Due to her hip dysplasia/ACL tear, she has trouble getting up from a resting position. She still attempts stairs, but usually ends up stuck, or worse, sliding backwards down them. Trying to keep her downstairs while we go to bed results in her howling loud enough to wake the dead - and the neighbors. Lately, Mr. Pandora has been carrying a 70lb dog up the stairs. At the beach, I've been placing pieces of Beggin' Strips on every other step and supporting her weight as she slowly makes the climb - which we only let her do three times a day. Dog's gotta go potty. And here's where things get tricky.
GOP Bamboozlement on SNAP Benefits

GOP Bamboozlement on SNAP Benefits

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SNAP benefits have been in the news over the past few weeks as Congress tries to pass a Farm Bill. The Senate passed a bill that made some cuts to the SNAP program, while the House separated SNAP from the Farm Bill and proceeded to cut SNAP so that 5 million people would no longer be eligible for food support. The GOP ( including the locals who don't have much to say other than to repeat the talking points sent to them each day, and the media, unfortunately) are pushing messaging that tries to link the SNAP program with economic recovery. This messaging ignores some key points....
Sam Wilson and the Lesbian Bible Killers

Sam Wilson and the Lesbian Bible Killers

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Sam Wilson is the Vice President of the Sussex County Council and is pretty het up over the defeat of the Bible Study course at Cape Henlopen School District. Het up enough to have taken to the airwaves (not sure what program this is) to tell the radio host that he was plenty disturned over the 3-3 vote. According to him, at least one of the Cape Henlopen Board members is a *gasp* -- lesbian! And (according to Wilson) lesbians are "not strong on the bible". He seems to think that said lesbian(s) had too much influence over the vote. But thank goodness there is western Sussex to hold strong on the bible and morals, because I think that eastern Sussex doesn't have time to demand that their neighbors "Show Us Your Bibles!" -- since they are too busy tending to their own lives (and getting reservations to all of the good restaurants). Take a listen (approx 4 minutes):