On Saturday the 30th I attended the annual Memorial Day Service near the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
On Monday the 1st I attended the ribbon cutting for DelTech’s new nursing wing at their Stanton campus. Later that day I attended the launching event for the Zip Code program to provide computer coding skills to Wilmington, to connect existing, well-paying jobs with trained employees in Delaware. Afterwards, I attended the monthly 23rd Rep District Committee meeting. On Tuesday I met with DNREC Secretary Small to discuss an environmental issue, then met with legislators and members of the AGs office to discuss body camera policy, joined Rick Jensen’s WDEL radio show to discuss HB 150, the Death with Dignity bill. After session on Tuesday, I attended the graduation for Newark High School, and was able to shake hands with EACH graduate.
Wednesday the 3rd was a LONG day. It began with my monthly coffee at 7:30am at Panera on Main Street. I next met with a member of the UD College of Engineering. I then headed to Dover to a state Chamber of Commerce luncheon. I attended the Economic Development committee, and the Health committee, where I presented the Death with Dignity bill. That evening I attended a meeting in Newark with the FOCSD, Friends Of Christina School District. On Thursday I attended the viewing of Beau Biden at Legislative Hall in Dover. That evening I attended the graduation of the Delaware School for the Deaf.
Today I attended the Tri-State Marker Trail Dedication and Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Mason Dixon Survey.
I had many emails over the past two weeks, including while I was on vacation.
Some related to education, related to the Christina referendum, and the joint Op-Ed that Representative John Viola and I wrote, some related to HB 152, the bill I submitted that affirms the importance of librarians to our public schools, some related to the Career Cruiser tests given to middle school students, some on board configuration (length of terms, timing of school board member elections) and some on school funding (including needs-based funding).
There were many emails regarding HB 150, the Death with Dignity bill which was filed on the 28th. I have also had many emails working on draft legislation to establish a task force to explore end-of-life care in Delaware.
There were emails about the upcoming legislation affecting the reporting of sexual assaults on college campuses.
I have been working on two environmental issues, one related to the refinery and its water permit, and another related to renewable energy.
I have had some discussion with DelDOT on traffic issues, including the new traffic patterns on Library Aven/Capitol Trail between Cleveland Ave and Main Street.
I have had many emails (and meetings) related to next year’s state budget. I am working with legislators to identify the path we are on, and the concerns regarding changes that are necessary. I am also fielding inquiries and concerns raised by constituents, especially those with family members in Catholic schools, who are concerned with potential reductions/eliminations with dollars the state currently pays these families (for school nurses, and as a minimal transportation reimbursement).
I have had many emails regarding upcoming legislation, including a bill to require a cost estimate for fire sprinklers for new home construction.
I have had emails related to open positions on the board of the Newark Housing Authority.
On Tuesday the 2nd the House passed HB 39, which decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults, and SB 33, which implements recommendations by the IEP (Individual Education Program) task force.
On Wednesday the 3rd I managed the House’s passage of SCR 23, designating June 6th as Mason-Dixon Day. The Senate Bond committee released HB 140, which raises several DMV fees in order to pay for overdue work on our roads and bridges. The House Education Committee released HB 148, which establishes the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission, to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the WEAC, Wilmington Education Advisory Committee.
http://legis.delaware.gov/