On Tuesday August 2^nd I attended a ceremony at the White House to welcome the prime minister of Singapore. It was a great experience. On Wednesday the 3^rd I spoke at the bill signing which made the CARE Act (for caregivers of people discharged from hospitals) into law. I had worked hard on the bill in June, breaking an impasse. From Saturday the 6^th to Wednesday the 10^th I attended the eastern regional conference of the Council of State Governments. There were many good sessions, including one on how nearby states and provinces are dealing with their budgetary challenges. On Thursday the 11^th I joined Senator David Sokola and Rep Mike Ramone at Millcroft, to share our work as state legislators, and to answer the residents’ questions.

On Saturday the 13^th I met with Senator Bryan Townsend, visited the hot rod/classic car show at Newark Shopping Center, visited the Newark High School car wash, and the Chinese American Cultural Center’s annual celebration. On Monday the 15^th I attended a forum for Congressional candidates. On Thursday I met with a young woman who is interested in a career to reform public education, and afterward I attended the funeral of colleague State Representative Jack Peterman in Milford. That evening I attended a PAWS for People fundraising Barko Bingo event and also a candidate forum sponsored by the New Castle County Civic League. On Friday the 19^th I participated in a phone call with staff from the City of Newark on the broadband internet study, and that evening I attended the Newark Police Department K-9 unit fundraiser at the Newark Courtyard Marriott, at which I did a stint in the dunk tank.

Emails

There are some ongoing issues for which I have had emails over the past few weeks. These initiatives include direct shipment of wine, Medicaid reimbursement to our fire companies, the construction of an ADA-compliant ramp at a residence in Nonantum Mills, manufactured housing, a FOIA concern with a public body, and I have had emails about my efforts to permit medical aid-in-dying in Delaware.

I have had emails about some City of Newark issues, including the broadband study, and the bridge over North Chapel Street, which was struck this month by a cement truck, DART/Unicity bus service in western Newark, a grocery store in Fairfield Shopping Center (no, there has been no progress), and a proposed new development off Valley Road.

I have had emails with the county regarding a ‘problem property’ in Chapel Hill.

I have arranged a meeting with DNREC regarding some issues with the White Clay Creek State Park (WCCSP), and have emailed them to learn more about the proposed Sunday deer hunting at some public land south of the canal.

I have had emails about payday lending, prescription drug take-back services, Delaware income taxation on residents who work out of state, support for school libraries, help for a new UD student with a housing problem, absentee ballots and automatic voter registration, the background to the decision for an eight foot width to the upcoming Tri-Valley Trail in the WCCSP, the upcoming announcement of the contract to create medical marijuana dispensaries in Kent and in Sussex counties, an inquiry into the sentence of a person considered a habitual offender, a resident interested in the senior citizen real estate tax credit program. I have obtained information for a resident who is concerned that his prescription medication will no longer be covered by a state healthcare plan next year.

I have clarified the rules for the installation of campaign signs with DelDOT, the Department of Elections, and the City of Newark, to ensure that we are following all rules.