2018 Update – April 15th to 28th

 

On Monday the 16th I attended a forum hosted by the @CityofNewarkDelaware at the George Wilson Center on the upcoming referendum to address both the city’s stormwater challenges, and the need to step up our replacement of decades-old water and sewer pipes, heading off the water-main breaks which occur almost weekly. On Tuesday through Thursday I was in legislative session in Dover. On Wednesday I met with students opposing youth smoking, and with those from @AutismDelaware. On Thursday I joined a rally of @AARPDE, stopped by the Small Business Caucus, met with a representative of a group which provides study programs for college students to intern in Washington DC, and that evening I attended the annual fundraiser for Engineers Without Borders—UD Chapter. On Saturday morning I joined the Autism Delaware team for their annual walk at Fox Point Park (pictured), and that evening I attended a performance of the Newark Symphony Orchestra, which was joined for a bit by the UD Singin’ Hens, community youth choir.

On Monday the 23rd I had a detailed meeting on the contract for Gulftainer to operate and expand the Port of Wilmington, and stopped by Newark City Council that evening. I was in Dover Tuesday through Thursday, meeting with Delaware’s librarians on Tuesday (pictured), addressing a luncheon for members of Delaware’s State Human Resource Managers organization on Thursday. On Tuesday evening I attended the quarterly meeting of the White Clay Creek State Park Citizens Advisory Council. On Wednesday evening I attended a forum at Shue-Medill Middle School for candidates for the May 8th election for members of Christina School District’s board. On Thursday morning I joined a conference call helping to plan several events on May 1st connected to harnessing the resources of Sandy Hook Promise to make our school children safer. Also on Thursday I met with representatives from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, and I had the honor to meet the First Lady of Gambia at Legislative Hall (pictured). On Saturday I joined the @WaterisLifeKenya annual Water Walk at the Newark Reservoir (two pictures), and then stopped by Ag Day at #UDel.

Legislative Update

I had two bills clear committee and two other bills filed during these two weeks. HB165 authorizes the shipment of wine directly to Delaware consumers when the wine is not available in Delaware stores and restaurants. SB152 updates the engineering standards that ‘plug to grid’ vehicles must follow to operate in Delaware. There are leading research at UD into how P2G cars can strengthen our power generation and storage infrastructure. I introduced HB386 which requires insurance coverage for PANDAS, the Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, and I introduced HB387, which modifies the structure of our rent justification system for manufactured housing communities.

During the past two weeks the House passed HB306 (affecting when a youth must be tried as an adult), HB307 (another juvenile justice bill which removes several cases of mandatory minimum sentences), SB90 (expanding the Inspire Scholarship Program to cover up to 8 semesters from the current 6), and HB337, which prohibits a child under 18 years of age from being permitted to marry in Delaware. We recognized World Wish Day in Delaware by HCR 79

Emails

I have had emails on high-profile legislation, including those designed to reduce gun violence, my bill to provide #MedicalAidInDying (#HB160), some on my just filed and not-yet-filed bills (including one on humane treatment of chickens by the poultry industry). There have been emails supporting the Gulftainer deal on the Port of Wilmington, which the legislature approved on Tuesday the 24th.

There have been emails related to current legislation that others have sponsored, including HB110 (Marijuana Control Act), HB317 (donated game), SB172 (school funding transparency), SB139 (fertility (IVF) coverage for families unable to conceive without such services)

I have had emails related to ‘bills under development’, including one on a rewrite of the Delaware criminal code, one on bail reform, a few on manufactured housing matters, one on vaccines for those who work in nursing homes, and one to permit cities such as Newark to charge the same lodging tax that counties are seeking and as the city of Wilmington already is permitted to charge.

I have had emails regarding openings on boards and commissions, the possible hate crime assault in Newark, and the upcoming replacement of voting machines.

I have had emails regarding two upcoming events (May 1st Sandy Hook Promise Day, and the May 7th Team 26 ride through Delaware to DC).

I have had emails regarding the City of Newark (road projects, trail projects, road signs, Fairfield Shopping Center hazardous material cleanup), with DNREC’s Parks Division (White Clay Creek State Park), with Christina School District (idling of school buses in Newark city limits), with Newark Senior Center (seeking assistance on some technology concerns), and with DelDOT (on construction work on Christina Parkway and regarding work on Thompson Station and Pleasant Hill Roads).

I have had emails regarding the role for self-advocates within the Autism community.

I had emails related to speed limit enforcement on Nonantum Mills.

I had an email to assist a Newark resident considering expanding his small business to serve overseas clients, connecting him with resources the state maintains to assist such local businesses.