General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., Jan. 16, 2014

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., Jan. 16, 2014

14 Comments
Well, one day in, and already one of my predictions has gone down in flames. (Or is it 'up in flames'?) Thought it would be easy for the Senate to resurrect HB 88(Barbieri),   which would establish procedures to try and keep guns out of the hands of the dangerously mentally-ill. We weren't talking about passing the bill, we were just talking about restoring the bill to the Senate calendar. However, this signature initiative of Attorney General Beau Biden went nowhere on Tuesday, likely prompted by the notable absence of Beau Biden.  From the News-Journal story:
Senate Minority Leader Gary Simpson, R-Milford, said he expected Biden to be in Legislative Hall to make his case.  “If this bill is that important, I would think the attorney general would be present to debate it,” Simpson said. “He should be on the job and seen and heard from, rather than his staff speaking in his name.” Biden’s chief of staff, Timothy Mullaney, said Biden spent his day in meetings to discuss violence in Wilmington. Biden was not available for interviews to discuss a new Wilmington crime plan announced by Mayor Dennis Williams. Joe Rogalsky, who leads legislative efforts for Biden, said the attorney general would not give up on the gun-control issue.
Simpson's right, you know. Perhaps a little cruel, but right. Were Biden up to the task, he would have been in Legislative Hall. It's not a long drive from Wilmington. However, it proved to be a Route Too Far to revive his signature bill. You do the math.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 25, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 25, 2013

28 Comments
On the subject of Jack Markell's tactics, when it comes to state employees, he needs an intervention. Which the House D's, who have bottled up legislation giving state employees a voice on the...State Employees' Benefits Committee, seem prepared to offer him. Rather than let SB 21, which would give state employees two seats on the committee, come to a vote, the House has announced a 'compromise'. Rather than just pass the bill, which I have no doubt would pass, or even let it out of committee, well, let's let mealy-mouthed Valerie Longhurst spell out the 'compromise'. Direct from a House of Reps press release:
House Majority Leader Rep. Valerie Longhurst, who chairs the Administration Committee, and Senate Bill 21 sponsor Rep. Larry Mitchell worked with union officials last week to reach a general compromise on the measure and will iron out details of an amendment during the legislative break. “We know that the unions really want this bill to move forward, but we know there is opposition from the administration too,” said Rep. Longhurst, D-Bear. “There also is a good amount of support within our own caucus for the bill, so I have committed to Rep. Mitchell and the unions that we will work out an agreement during the break and come back in January, get the bill released from committee and put it on the floor for a full House vote.”
Allow moi to translate: "We're gonna stick with the Governor's anti-employee approach until we totally have to cave to our members." I mean, what kind of 'compromise' is Governor Walker Markell willing to accept in January that he couldn't accept today? One member instead of two? He's already got the votes to outvote state employees on the committee if it comes to that. He simply doesn't even want them to have a seat at the table. And he's got Schwartzkopf and Longhurst running interference for him. Even though they're supposed to lead a caucus that wants this bill.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., March 21, 2013

18 Comments
Wow, where to start? Action everywhere. Here is today's session activity report (it's all here). We'll start with gun control. HB 35 (Longhurst) cleared the House Judiciary Committee by a 7-4 margin. Democrat Trey Paradee(!) voted against it. Why? It's the slippery slope to gun registration and Big Brother argument. From today's News-Journal:
Many opponents of the background check proposal at Wednesday's hearing said the private-sale-record-keeping provision is a precursor to government gun registration, which could lead to firearms confiscations.
Damn! Where were these folks when what remained of our civil liberties were flushed down the drain in the name of 'homeland security'? Anyway, it looks like an amendment will address this issue, and I hope and expect that Paradee will vote 'yes' when the bill comes to a vote. There no doubt will be other amendments, and some will likely be 'killer' (pardon the expression) amendments. Stay vigilant, my friends.