Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: June 19, 2018

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on June 19, 2018

It all comes down to Cathy Cloutier.  Today, the Senate will vote on a motion to (pardon the expression) discharge the assault weapons bill to the Senate floor for a vote. In other words, there could be two votes on this bill in the Senate today–one on the discharge motion, the other on the bill itself. We know that Bruce Ennis is a no. Meaning, assuming that all other D’s vote yes and all other R’s vote no, the fate of banning weapons of war comes down to Cathy Cloutier. She has said that she will vote on behalf of her constituents.  If so, she will vote both to release the bill and to vote for the bill. I think she will.  She is a rarity right now, a Republican with a conscience. I believe that she’ll do the right thing. But I will be contacting her office to make sure that she knows how at least two of her constituents–my wife and I–feel. I urge you to do the same. No doubt Greg Lavelle, in particular, will be placing great pressure on her. If, for no other reason, than to give him someone else with whom to share the blame if the bill goes down. It won’t work. A ‘yes’ vote from Lavelle would render Cloutier’s decision unnecessary. He’s voting no. I think he’s in his last month in the Senate. Last month of no votes. These nos will be ayes next year. 

One more word of caution. Greg Lavelle’s favorite lawyer, Francis X. Pileggi, no doubt will be cranking out dozens of amendments for consideration on behalf of the NRA.  Time for those who support the weapons ban to band together and unanimously oppose these amendments. It’s too late in session for a repeat of the ping-ponging process that accompanied the bump stocks bill.

Just when you thought that Nicole Poore could sink no lower–a thought that I’ve never had–she goes and does this. I’m not making this up.  That’s right, the Senate Majority Leader voted to release a virulent anti-abortion bill from committee. Here’s what prime sponsor Sen. Richardson said:

“[Sen. Poore] came to my office the next day and said that she was pro-life, and she has pro-life sentiments, so I think she really does care about the issue, especially when you talk about a 20-week-old fetus that has a 60 percent chance of survival outside the womb if it’s taken through C-section,” said Richardson.

Poore didn’t return multiple requests for comment.

BTW, Ernie Lopez also voted to release the bill. I’m not sure that he has the most ‘pro-life’ of constituencies.  It needs one more signature from either Stephanie Hansen or, wait for it, Cathy Cloutier, to be released from committee. I don’t think it gets that signature.

The story, however, is that the Senate Majority Leader, who has never publicly articulated this ‘pro-life’ position, voted against supporters of reproductive rights, which is a position that is shared by the Democratic Party. I think she’s gone from leadership next year. It should happen today. She has her JDG salary to supplement her income. Someone needs to investigate her. Like an honest state auditor.

The Assault Weapons Bill is the only true item of note on the Senate Agenda unless the Senate gets down as far as HS1/HB 222 (Bentz).  The Senate will consider both the Budget Bill and the bill giving bonuses to state employees and retirees tomorrow.

Kids, you remember that the General Assembly has passed legislation mandating that any new school construction/renovations turn schools into impenetrable fortresses? You may also remember that there was no funding to pay for this mandate. Well, a whole buncha legislators who have opposed virtually every gun control measure are looking to provide funding. $5 mill, to be exact. Which will do next to nothing. Maybe more later. I’m guessing, but don’t know for sure, that the $$’s have been appropriated in the Budget Bill.  Maybe I’ll wade through it…or not.

The rest of today’s House Agenda appears relatively pro-forma. 

Oh, here’s some late-breaking news. The State has an estimated $46 mill in additional revenue to work with.  Looks like grants-in-aid will get a boost. Grants-in-aid. Doesn’t Jobs For Delaware Graduates get their $$’s from that?  Nicole Poore is salivating again. Taxpayers beware.

 

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  1. Paul says:

    You need more sleep. It’s not July yet.

  2. Jack D says:

    Nicole Poore is up in 2020? Just saying

  3. mouse says:

    Where’s the legalize it bill?

  4. mouse says:

    Why is it always sexual issues with right wing religious cults?

  5. Yes. Up in 2020. It would be political malpractice for no D challenger to step up against Delaware’s worst self-dealing legislator.

  6. Jack D says:

    she has an interesting district. Both above and south of the canal. Lots of growth in the south of canal area in her district. Many many new voters from other states not familiar with incumbent. She be helped by the older folks in Delaware City and New Castle though

  7. Alby says:

    @mouse: At root, Deuteronomy and Leviticus are essentially legal guides for fair adjudication of property disputes, and women were considered property, passed from father to husband. Because Judaism was at that point a purity-based belief system, the condition of such property was considered vitally important. Virginity is purity; any bodily emanation is impure.

    Or was that a rhetorical question?

  8. I’m not so sure. The district just became so Democratic, and grew so fast, that Dori Connor, the R incumbent, had no chance. Depends in part on how well she’s been doing with her constituent service. Otherwise, there’s no inherent reason why another D can’t successfully challenge her. All she’s done is to use her office to financially enhance herself.

  9. Jack D says:

    Not arguing someone cant win a primary. Pointing out where she will run strong be and be a little weaker. I’m sorry but shes not gona get blown out of the water. She shows up to a lot and is responsive. It can be done but its uphill

  10. Linkee please, for the Richardson quote?

  11. Peter Briccotto says:

    It’s amazing that this always comes down to Cathy! Just wanted to share with you all that Cathy has been hospitalized since yesterday. As a very close family friend, I can share that she is stable & in great hands. With that said, I continue to encourage all of you to email, message, or call her stating how you hope she votes. You’d be surprised at the incredible amount of 2nd Admendment supporters who live in her district – make sure your voice is heard by her, as well. She’s listening and recovering! It will be interesting to see if they wait on these votes until her return.

  12. Cathy was quoted as saying she’ll be in Dover today. I know that she’s been recovering from some sort of walking pneumonia. If she’s still out, I’m sure they’ll wait on the vote.

    Nancy: The Richardson quote was linked in the WDEL piece. Click on the word ‘this’. It’s a real quote all right. (Oops, turns out I linked to my Song of the Day…):

    Here it is:

    https://www.wdel.com/news/emotionally-charged-abortion-gun-control-issues-take-center-stage-in/article_7c832bf0-7336-11e8-81de-7703dec509e3.html

    Link is now fixed.

  13. Peter Briccotto says:

    The interview was a few hours prior to her heading to the ER. She will not be in Dover today, as she’s still in the hospital. It gives supporters of the bills more time to share with her as she recovers.

  14. Jack: It’s virtually never a cinch to knock off an incumbent. It can be done, though. What we really need is a credible candidate who announces early.

  15. In that case, McBride had better not bring up the bill today. I wish her a full and swift recovery.

  16. AQC says:

    Poore’s uncle got defeated. She certainly can be.

  17. Who was Poore’s uncle?

  18. Jack D says:

    Heres a thought, Bill Bell (who rarely shows up to meetings anymore) and Poore are up for election in 2020. Find 2 progressive candidates to both run. They have districts that overlap pretty heavy.

  19. Sam says:

    Apparently Nicole Poore’s JDG got another huge cut this year from the Dept of Labor. Bigger than the cut from last year. So expect Carney to fire this new Labor Secretary any day now. That’s how the Delaware Way works.

  20. AQC says:

    Terry Spence is Nicole’s uncle. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the grifter tree.

  21. Doesn’t Spence sit on the board that hired Nicole’s PAL Val Longhurst?

    “Two grifters, off to scam the world, there’s such a lot of world to grift…”

  22. The assault weapons bill is dead. At least for now. Death blow struck by Brian Bushweller, who joined Ennis in opposing the bill. They’d better not give that Dover racino a fucking red cent:

    https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/19/delaware-senate-refuses-revive-assault-weapons-ban/713255002/

  23. Bushweller… retiring… doesn’t care. Dover and Smyrna politicians can be a tricky bunch.

  24. Mike Matthews just put a Facebook post that Helene Keeley is retiring.

  25. RE Vanella says:

    I demand a follow up on the Ramone pool party orgy god-damnit. Especially now that he’s been endorsed by activist and liberal pioneer Mitch Crane.

  26. RE Vanella, I have nothing planned for a follow-up.

    News on Keeley’s retirement:
    http://delawarepublic.org/post/state-rep-keeley-latest-lawmaker-retire