General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., April 26, 2018
Interesting day in the Senate. The ‘Angel Investor’ bill, which was completely rewritten via this amendment, passed the Senate, but only by a 14-7 vote. The bill had passed unanimously in the House. With the Senate amendment now attached, the bill will return to the House for another vote. The no votes?: Bonini, Hocker, Lawson, Marshall, Pettyjohn, Simpson and Townsend.
The KHN ‘No Succession’ Bill also passed, but with 6 no votes: Bonini, Hansen, McDowell, Poore, Simpson, Townsend. It’s a bad bill that only passed b/c of an unqualified elected official. The bill raises constitutional questions as it permits someone who may have no New Castle County ties to appoint the top executive official for the County. The bill goes to the Governor. It’s not a slam-dunk that he will sign it.
As Jason330 pointed out, Brian Bushweller’s final attempt to bail out the fat cats who mismanaged Dover’s casino has made it out of committee. Just imagine if Bushweller had used the energy he has expended on behalf of McGlynn on something worthwhile. He will be forever remembered as McGlynn’s Boy. And nothing else.
Oh, on the House side, Rep. Keeley’s bill addressing sexual harassment turned out not to be ready for prime time. Or the Chamber of Commerce. Which may be the same thing.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report.
Sen. Bushweller and President Pro-Tem McBride wasted no time in putting Bushweller’s latest proposed giveaway to Dover Downs on the Agenda, today’s Senate Agenda. It’s number two behind, uh-oh, I’m sorry, kids, a bill that is sponsored by Sen. McDowell and has the initials ‘SEU’ in it. That’s been a troublesome combination in the past. We’ve previously discussed SB 166(Henry), which ‘requires that feminine hygiene products be provided free of charge to individuals in custody at facilities operated by the Department of Correction and facilities operated by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families’. I look for a unanimous vote.
Today’s House Agenda features HB 160 (Baumbach), The Delaware End Of Life Options Act. The bill provides ‘the terminally ill patient the right to receive medication to peacefully end the patient’s life in a humane and dignified manner’. Rep. Baumbach has been working on this legislation for years and has sought to address concerns of the various stakeholders. Might I point out that the ultimate stakeholder is the terminally-ill patient? This bill deserves passage. Maybe today will be the day.
Sorry for the hasty write-up today. I gotta go to work. Feel free to flesh out my outline.
