Current Issues
The 148th General Assembly commenced on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. I have been the Senate Education Committee Chair for over 20 years now, and education is an issue that remains very important to me. As of 2015, I am Chair of the Bond Committee, and I am excited to work on the challenges that face our State in this new leadership position.
Sponsored Legislation - 148th General Assembly
SB21 - This bill changes the date that non-public schools in Delaware must report student enrollment data to the Department of Education.
SB31 - This act repeals the sunset provision contained in Chapter 214, Volume 78 of the Laws of Delaware, to allow Delaware to continue to recruit and train Teach For America teachers.
SB61 - This act clarifies the requirement for school buses to stop at all railroad crossings.
SB62 - An act to update insurance coverage requirements for transporting students.
SB69 - This act relates to the registration and use of off-highway vehicles.
SB79 - This bill establishes policies and procedures for the Department of Education as they relate to student data and its uses and privacy.
SS1 for SB79 - Substitute bill for SB 79.
SB80 - An act relating to the Delaware Board of Home Inspectors.
SB81 - An act relating to the Delaware Board of Architects.
SB138 - This act relates to research on the medicinal use of marijuana.
SB150 - This bill enhances penalties for driving violations when the victim is a vulnerable user.
SB160 - Bond Bill for Fiscal Year 2016.
SS1 for SB160 - Substitute 1 for Bond Bill for FY2016.
SJR2 - A resolution directing the Department of Education to study student assessment testing.
SB31 - This act repeals the sunset provision contained in Chapter 214, Volume 78 of the Laws of Delaware, to allow Delaware to continue to recruit and train Teach For America teachers.
SB61 - This act clarifies the requirement for school buses to stop at all railroad crossings.
SB62 - An act to update insurance coverage requirements for transporting students.
SB69 - This act relates to the registration and use of off-highway vehicles.
SB79 - This bill establishes policies and procedures for the Department of Education as they relate to student data and its uses and privacy.
SS1 for SB79 - Substitute bill for SB 79.
SB80 - An act relating to the Delaware Board of Home Inspectors.
SB81 - An act relating to the Delaware Board of Architects.
SB138 - This act relates to research on the medicinal use of marijuana.
SB150 - This bill enhances penalties for driving violations when the victim is a vulnerable user.
SB160 - Bond Bill for Fiscal Year 2016.
SS1 for SB160 - Substitute 1 for Bond Bill for FY2016.
SJR2 - A resolution directing the Department of Education to study student assessment testing.
Recent Issues (from the 147th General Assembly)
The first session of the 147th General Assembly (2013) included some of the most strongly debated legislation in recent memory. Despite the challenging nature inherent in political debate, the Delaware Senate overwhelmingly gave respect to both sides of the issues that were brought before us. The legislative process remained fair and open, and several healthy debates ensued. As a chamber, the issues of gun control, marriage equality, discrimination, and a stretched-thin budget all came before us for votes in 2013.
In 2014, the second session of the 147th General Assembly may have inspired fewer controversial headlines - but the work we did was no less significant in its ability to impact Delawareans. As an elected official there is little more meaningful than when I am able to work together with the constituents who I represent, and know that there will be real and concrete benefits for the people living in this state.
As a senator, I have been truly privileged to have been able to represent you in Dover for the past 25 years. I strongly believe that my record for the entire time that I have served reflects a conscientious concern about the direction of our future. On this page, you will see an overview of my most recently sponsored and co-sponsored legislation, and in the menu, under "legislative successes", you can find more of my sponsorships from over the years.
In 2014, the second session of the 147th General Assembly may have inspired fewer controversial headlines - but the work we did was no less significant in its ability to impact Delawareans. As an elected official there is little more meaningful than when I am able to work together with the constituents who I represent, and know that there will be real and concrete benefits for the people living in this state.
As a senator, I have been truly privileged to have been able to represent you in Dover for the past 25 years. I strongly believe that my record for the entire time that I have served reflects a conscientious concern about the direction of our future. On this page, you will see an overview of my most recently sponsored and co-sponsored legislation, and in the menu, under "legislative successes", you can find more of my sponsorships from over the years.
My Record
Economy
SB 47 (Sponsor) - This legislation authorizes the creation of "Public Benefit Corporations" within the state of Delaware.
Education
SB 27 (Sponsor) - This bill allows the Department of Education to offer two-year start up grants to public schools for the purpose of developing accelerated academic programs for high performing students.
SB 51 (Sponsor) - This bill strengthens teacher preparation prior to entry into the profession. It creates more rigorous content-based standards and student teaching expectations.
SB-168 (Sponsor) - This bill allows local school districts the option of developing alternative educator evaluation systems.
SB-209 (Sponsor) - Requires the Education Department to develop regulations better defining the process of considering a charter school's impact on area traditional schools.
SB-229 (Co-sponsor)- Changes student testing and assessment procedures allowing severely disabled students to receive special exemptions from taking the state's standardized assessments and take specialized assessments and for evidence-based interventions for students with dyslexia.
Gun Control
HB 35 (Co-sponsor) - Closing the loophole which allowed private dealers at gun shows to sell firearms to customers without a background check, this bill aims to provide another level of protection - for all citizens. By closing this loophole, criminals and persons prohibited from owning guns face an additional obstacle in obtaining them.
Health Issues
SS1 to SB 35 (Co-sponsor) - This legislation makes health care solutions much more affordable to many Delawareans who were struggling with excessive out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. It sets a maximum dollar amount that any insurance company may require as a co-pay for "specialty-tier" medications.
Social Policy
SB 97 (Co-sponsor) - This bill extends Delaware's current anti-discrimination laws to include protections for the rights of transgendered people.
HB 75 (Lead Senate Sponsor) - Delaware's marriage equality act affords same-sex couples the same rights in relation to marriage as were previously reserved for only opposite-sex couples.
SB 47 (Sponsor) - This legislation authorizes the creation of "Public Benefit Corporations" within the state of Delaware.
Education
SB 27 (Sponsor) - This bill allows the Department of Education to offer two-year start up grants to public schools for the purpose of developing accelerated academic programs for high performing students.
SB 51 (Sponsor) - This bill strengthens teacher preparation prior to entry into the profession. It creates more rigorous content-based standards and student teaching expectations.
SB-168 (Sponsor) - This bill allows local school districts the option of developing alternative educator evaluation systems.
SB-209 (Sponsor) - Requires the Education Department to develop regulations better defining the process of considering a charter school's impact on area traditional schools.
SB-229 (Co-sponsor)- Changes student testing and assessment procedures allowing severely disabled students to receive special exemptions from taking the state's standardized assessments and take specialized assessments and for evidence-based interventions for students with dyslexia.
Gun Control
HB 35 (Co-sponsor) - Closing the loophole which allowed private dealers at gun shows to sell firearms to customers without a background check, this bill aims to provide another level of protection - for all citizens. By closing this loophole, criminals and persons prohibited from owning guns face an additional obstacle in obtaining them.
Health Issues
SS1 to SB 35 (Co-sponsor) - This legislation makes health care solutions much more affordable to many Delawareans who were struggling with excessive out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. It sets a maximum dollar amount that any insurance company may require as a co-pay for "specialty-tier" medications.
Social Policy
SB 97 (Co-sponsor) - This bill extends Delaware's current anti-discrimination laws to include protections for the rights of transgendered people.
HB 75 (Lead Senate Sponsor) - Delaware's marriage equality act affords same-sex couples the same rights in relation to marriage as were previously reserved for only opposite-sex couples.
