2017 Update—May 7th to 20th

I was in session Tuesday through Thursday the 9th to 11th. On Tuesday after session I attended a meeting of residents of Murray Manor, a manufactured housing community near Delaware Park, which is in the process of being sold to a new owner. On Friday the 12th I met with UD President Assanis. On Saturday the 13th I attended the graduation at Delaware State University.

On Monday the 15th I attended a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Kalmar Nyckel. We were in session Tuesday through Thursday the 16th to 18th. On Tuesday I attended the kids caucus before session, and the board meeting of Newark Charter School after session. On Wednesday after session I attended the DelTech graduation for students at the Stanton and George campuses. On Friday morning I attended the Bike to Work rally at UD, then taped segments with the Comcast Newsmakers program, and met with a resident who has a concern with the Newark Police Department. On Saturday the 20th I attended the Friends of School Hill event at the George Wilson Center, kicking off a renewed effort to record the history of the African American residents of Newark.

Legislation

On the 9th I introduced HB 163 which adds the United Way and the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children to the Delaware personal income tax return, and removes the (non-Special) US Olympic Committee, and the Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund, which were used the least frequently in recent years.

On the 16th I introduced HB 177, at the request of the Newark City Council, to improve the wording for the skills needed for members of the Board of Adjustments. Instead of needing experience in rural and urban development, we are requiring experience in urban or suburban or rural development (given that almost 100% of Newark is suburban, this change seems warranted).

Also on the 16th I introduced HB 180, which provide notification requirements and identify theft protection when your personal information is breached.

I have been working on SB 48, which provides immunity to pharmacists who dispense Naloxone, and on personal income tax change alternatives.

Significant legislative action taken during these two weeks were the passage of HB 125 (reinstating the death penalty) on the 9th, release of SS1 for SB 5 (codifying Roe v Wade) by the House Health Committee on the 17th, release of HB 110 (Delaware Marijuana Control Act) by the House Revenue & Finance Committee on the 10th, passage of HB 113 (Earned Income Tax Credit) on the 16th, passage of HB 16 (repeal of estate tax) and passage of HB 175 (increase to corporate franchise tax) on the 18th.

Emails

Some emails have related to the Education Forum we are offering on Monday the 22nd at Newark High School.

Some emails have related to HB 160, my End of Life Options Act legislation, HB 165, my direct shipment of wine bill, HB 113, my Earned Income Tax Credit bill, and HB 110, the Delaware Marijuana Control Act, for which I am a co-prime sponsor, and HB 16, which seeks to repeal the estate tax for individuals with over $5 million and couples with over $10 million.

There have been emails on local issues, including no-U turn signs, street signs, potholes. My aide and I have been striving to help a resident who is having challenges with housing, dumping on county land, and the signal light at Bloom Energy’s entrance.

I have responded to many emails related to HB 125, the bill to reinstate the death penalty and SB 5, the bill to codify Roe v Wade rules in the Delaware Code, and HB 85 which affects the enrollment preferences for charter school, and to HB 58 which affects homeowners’ rights to install solar systems.