General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., April 8, 2014

Same day registration/voting is coming to Delaware. HB 105(Viola) passed the House, 24-15, last Thursday. Two putative D’s, John Atkins and Bill ‘Lumpy’ Carson, voted no. No R’s voted yes.  I look for a 12-9 yes vote in the Senate.

Here is the entire Session Activity Report for Thursday.

The Senate passed legislation requiring JP Court employees to piss in a jar. Only Sen. McDowell went ‘not voting’. I agree with him. Is this legislation being pushed b/c someone in the courts sees an epidemic amongst uniformed JP court employees, or is it being pushed because legislators like to throw their weight around? What is the problem that would be addressed by this legislation? Does anybody really care if a bailiff, for example, goes home and smokes a doobie after their shift? I don’t.

The Senate also passed legislation designed to discourage intimidation of witnesses. SB 177(Henry) passed unanimously.  The bill increases penalties for those convicted of witness intimidation. Hope it makes a difference, doubt that it will.

Today’s Senate Agenda features three joint resolutions reflecting the recommendations of the Blue Collar Task Force, co-chaired by Sen. Marshall and Rep. Mulrooney.  The bills generally call for certain executive agency actions (hence, joint resolutions that require the signature of the governor) and, since there was significant Executive branch participation in the Task Force, the governor is likely on board with the legislation.

Karen Weldin Stewart loses yet more of her authority if SB 178(Peterson) passes. The bill ‘transfers authority for state-approved motor vehicle accident prevention (defensive driving) courses from the Department of Insurance to the Division of Motor Vehicles’.  A classic example of the state adding by subtracting. The less KWS can screw up, the better.  When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing that we have two elected public officials in whom virtually nobody in state government has any confidence. KWS and Chip Flowers. Said lack of confidence is totally justified. Weird.

Today’s House Agenda features the ‘Big Damn Chicken Truck’ bill, previously discussed here; and more Big Brotherism when it comes to arrests for speeding/red light violations. I support the bill, largely because it also cracks down on people driving while talking on their bleeping cellphones.

Sorry for the brief report, but I’ll be back tomorrow with a preview of the day’s committee hearings and a wrap-up of what happens today. Now, time to prep for today’s Al Show. One of the topics? Here’s a musical hint:

‘The Letter’: The Box Tops.