2018 Update—June 11th to 23rd

On Monday the 11th I attended an event at UD’s STAR campus unveiling the Innovation Delaware magazine, and that evening attended the Newark City Council Meeting. On Tuesday before session I joined a conference call for the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence, I donated blood with the Blood Bank of Delmarva, and I met with some high school students advocating for environmental justice. On Wednesday before session I attended a meeting at the Department of Insurance to explore pursuing a ‘waiver’ to attempt to lower health insurance premiums. On Thursday before session I met with Senator Walsh regarding SB262, the Share the Care Act, I visited a lunch with retired Delaware school employees, and had a meeting with Representative Potter and members of the Departments of Elections and of Technology & Information regarding new election systems. On Friday I taped two segments on the Comcast Newsmakers program, and later met with a candidate for Delaware Attorney General. On Saturday I attended the annual Delaware Stonewall fundraiser in Rehoboth.

On Monday the 18th I attended a reception with the Committee of 100 and I attended a portion of the gun safety in schools forum at Glasgow High School. On Tuesday, after voting in the Newark referendum election, I met with members of the Taiwan delegation before session. On Wednesday after session I attended my local civic association meeting. On Thursday before session I attended a lunch program at BayHealth on Medical Aid in Dying. On Saturday I attended a Vigil in Support of Immigrants at the Newark Unitarian Universalist church, and joined my RD committee to pack boxes at the Food Bank of Delaware.

Emails—I have had many emails regarding legislation which I have authored, most of which is sitting in the Senate awaiting passage. This includes HB113 (earned income tax credit, in Senate committee), HB163 (write off on tax returns for the Beau Biden Foundation, on Senate Ready List), HB466 (manufactured housing, on House Ready List), HB396 (on medical condition called PANDAS, on Tuesday’s Senate agenda), HB435 (city of Newark lodging tax, passed by both chambers), HB429 (cyber security council, in Senate committee), HB422 (homelessness councils, on Tuesday’s Senate agenda), SB262 (Share the Care Act, which was tabled in Senate committee this week), HB160 (End of Life Options Act, on House Ready List), SB28 (presidential candidate tax returns, on Senate Ready List), and HB165 (direct wine shipment, on Tuesday’s Senate agenda).

I have responded to emails about legislation from others, including HB3 (family leave for state employees), HB172 (public education spending transparency), SB23 (manufactured housing), HB104 (increased funding for aides to those with intellectual/developmental disabilities), HB436 (manufactured housing), SB239 (litter control law), SB227 (primary care doctor payments), HB456 (lead paint), HB460 (the budget smoothing constitutional amendment), SB159 (car dealerships), SB175 (foreclosures and tax withholding), HB426 (tax preparers), HB335 (additional spending on fortifying public schools), HB459 (liens on insurance proceeds), SB165 (union security agreements), SB166 (providing female sanitary products to women in prison), HB454 (voluntary school assessments), and HR24 (task force on manufactured housing).

I have reached out to the City of Newark about car breakins, and on the reason for their decision to not support early voting.

I reached out to the county regarding a concern of a neighbor failing to keep their property mown.

I have reached out to DelDOT about repaving of Old Paper Mill Road, about speeding on Nonantum Drive, and about a repaving project in Nonantum Mills.

I have had emails about the family separation crisis on our border with Mexico. I have had emails about the budget, the capital infrastructure committee, and the grant in aid bill. I have had emails with residents of Covered Bridge about the possibility of bringing public sewer to their neighborhood.

Legislative Actions—On Tuesday the 12th we passed SB157 (expedited partner therapy for those with an STD), HB292 (autism), HB433 (educator licenses), HB440 (overdose system of care), HB3 (family leave). On Thursday the 14th we passed HB300 (bump stock prohibition), my HB386 (PANDAS insurance coverage), and HB457 (residential electricians).

On Tuesday the 19th we passed my HB422 (homelessness councils), and my HB429 (cyber security council). On Thursday the 21st we passed HB335 (school safety/security fund), HB90 (early voting), HB357 (sex offender tracking), HB400 (same day voter registration), HB442 (juvenile civil citations), and HB470 (juvenile justice reform).