Kavips asks… Should Cathy Cloutier become a Democrat?

Kavips asks… Should Cathy Cloutier become a Democrat?

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He makes the point that she is the one who is in touch with her constituents, and her party is not, thus explaining all the votes that go against her party (universal background check, lost and stolen gun reporting, marriage equality, death penalty repeal). But that is not the reason for switching parties....
I was saddened to hear her Good Samaritan Bill (SB 116) was caught up in the maelstrom of Republican bills that must be shut out due to there just not being enough time to consider it. Had she been of the Democratic caucus, her bill could have been heard with majority of social legislation pieces that were vetted last month.
So if Kavips is right, if Cloutier wants to see her bills move, it would help being in the majority party. And given some recent divergences from the Republican Party on key votes, you think she might be so inclined to switch.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 6, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 6, 2013

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I knew, I just KNEW, that I was gonna like State Rep. Kim Williams. I had liked her votes, I had liked her positions during the campaign, and I loved her work on simplifying school choice for students and parents. But yesterday she demonstrated why she is an invaluable member of the Delaware General Assembly with this quote, courtesy of the News-Journal:
"Until recently, I was on the Red Clay School Board, and we were never informed of the specifics of this bill. I feel that we need to get more public input."
Or at least SOME public input.  The Markell Administration is pushing HB 165(Jaques) to the max. In fact, I think they tried to put one over even on the legislators who are sponsoring this bill. Rep. Earl Jaques made clear that this bill is not going to be rushed through:
"We have a bill in front of us, let's discuss this bill. The time for the public to get involved is now, while we're discussing this legislation."
Others on this blog have done a far better job of describing the issues raised by this bill than I ever could. What particularly galls me is that we don't even know officially where this bill came from. There was indeed a group created to review ways to improve charter schools. Hell, the list has been provided here. But, get this, even though Gov. Markell appointed the 24-member working group, he claims that this group had no real authority and, as such, public meetings were not required. So much for 'Governor Transparency'. That is one of the most disingenuous things I've heard out of this Administration, which is really saying something. Shades of the Port of Wilmington deal. But, I digress. HB 165 barely made it out of the House Education Committee, 7-6. It is far from ready for prime time. It is June 6. People are already on vacation, including teachers, students, and parents. There is no way that this bill should be worked by June 30. Let's just see what this Governor does...
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 5, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 5, 2013

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SB 97(Henry), which would add 'gender identity' to the "already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance, and it would provide for increased punishment of a person who intentionally selects the victim of a crime because of the victim’s gender identity." In Senate Judiciary Committee.  The committee will also consider HB 88 As Amended(Barbieri), which attempts to keep weapons away from those who are dangerously mentally-ill. The bill passed the House with only one no vote. You can read a compelling narrative on behalf of SB 97 here. I can't hope to top that, and I won't. Except to say that the Senate has an agenda today. I don't find much of interest there, but feel free to rummage around.
Did Wilmington’s Mayor Try to Funnel $4 Million to Southbridge Church?

Did Wilmington’s Mayor Try to Funnel $4 Million to Southbridge Church?

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On today's Al Mascitti Show on WDEL, featuring notable guest El Somnambulo, both a City Council member and  a city pastor alleged that the Williams Administration budgeted $4 million that would go to a Southbridge church to help build a gymnasium. According to both Wilmington Councilman Michael Brown and Reverend Derrick Johnson, the church in question is the church of City Councilman Justen Wright.