Crazy People in the Attic – Liveblogging the Senate
We’re here! Liberalgeek and I are sitting in the balcony of the Senate. Right now they are voting on some appointments – boring so far.
So when they nominate someone, why do they have to read out the whole name and address, including ZIP code?
So far we’ve appointed some people, supported getting some grants and supported renaming a path in Delaware to honor former senator Amick. Red hot government action!
HB136 up now: sex offenders.
Passed, 19 yes, 1 absent, 1 not voting
HB 206 up now. 20 yes.
HB 176: increases fines and community service for graffitti. Some legislators are concerned the bill doesn’t punish enough. Venables wonder about the fines on parents – too much? It’s the 3 little bears scenario – some think it’s too much, some think it’s too little, perfect then?
Passed
HB 132 concerning Absentee Voting
Allows electronic transmission, FAX or email for overseas citizens and military absentee ballots. Elaine Manlove is testifying.
HB 204 “Michelle Smith law,” adds paramedics and EMTs to laws regarding murder in the first degree, makes it a capital offense (along with police officers, fire fighters, etc.). Lots of discussion on this bill, I think there is concern about when something is considered first-degree murder, discussion of scenarios. McDowell is against the bill? Venables is also speaking against the bill? Will this one be a squeaker?
Back in Senate: 10:00 PM
HB 210 now being discussed. It raises some licensing fees.
HB 211, tobacco taxes. Increase in tax by $0.02/pack. Bonini is speaking now. Roll call now.
Passes, 14 yes, 6 no.
HB 263 passes.
HB 264, increases in personal income tax being debated now. This one should be good.
Passes 14 yes, 6 no. Not much debate.
HB 287 up now. I wrote about this earlier. It imposes a lightering fee, a one-time $100,000 fee. Peterson added as sponsor.
Passes 19 yes, 1 no, Bonini voted no.
HB 268 up now, tax amnesty bill. It raises $10M in FY2010. Witness, Mr. Cook from State Dept. of Finance.
Bonini supports, it’s a miracle! Passes 20 yes.
HB 260, taxation of lottery winnings. It eliminates exemption for income tax on lottery or gambling winnings.
Tags: Delaware
How much time would be save in all of our legislatures across the country and in Congress if we dispensed with all tributes, all proclamations, and all prayers? I say a lot.
I say… Amen.
Really, I thought you would go ballistic at my mere mention of eliminating prayer from the General Assembly. Interesting.
Anderson will of course go nuts in 3 … 2…. 1 ….
I suspect that mis would tell you that we can all tackle the business of prayer without the intercession of the GA. The GA should get to their work and stop trying to redo work that we are already doing.
Great job, don’t forget to update that 132 passed 20 to 0 and 204 passed 15 to 5.
Thanks
Thanx for this..I was there around 7:00 PM but way too many people (I’m a bit claustrophobic) there for me 🙂
Mark H, most of those people are lobbyists. Be sure to check your wallet.
It is becoming clear….
Bonini is running for Governor.
Bonini will never run for anything that requires he take a risk. He is the Terry Spence of the Senate. He will flirt with the idea. He will talk to backers. He will lose some weight. But in the end he will decide the people of his district need him in the Senate more than (insert office name here.)