Day: June 16, 2015

Breaking News: Parent Opt-Out House Bill 50 On The Agenda For Full Senate Vote Tomorrow!!! **UPDATED**

House Bill 50, Parent Opt Out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment

Delaware Senator David Sokola just emailed a constituent of Delaware that House Bill 50 will be placed on the agenda for tomorrow, Wednesday June 17th!  More details as they emerge.  It is not on the official  legis.delaware.gov  website as of yet, but once it is I will post it.  It looks like a lot of those last minute emails today may have helped!  Thank you to all who did so!

From: “Sokola, David (LegHall)” <David.Sokola@state.de.us>
To: xxxx
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 5:28 PM
Subject: RE: HB 50

xxxx,
 
I apologize. I have placed the bill on the agenda for tomorrow. Dave.
 

The Delaware legislator website is not working for me.  Maybe we crashed the server!  No word yet on any proposed amendment by Sokola either, but I imagine if it is introduced he would do so at the time of the introduction of the bill for a vote.

I just got the same email from Senator Sokola myself, and it is officially on the agenda!  All the way at the bottom, but it is on there!  Ignore today’s date, they are already done for the day so this puts it on the agenda for tomorrow.

Today’s Date: 06/16/2015

Legislation Sponsor Status Title
Hide details for Senate Agenda Senate Agenda
HB 102 w/HA 1, HA 2 Barbieri (Henry) Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
SB 116-(SA 1) Bushweller Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 17 OF TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS.
HB 15 (3/5) (F/I) B. Short (Bushweller) Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE.
HB 127 B. Short (Bushweller) Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PLACEMENT OF CERTAIN TYPES OF INSURANCE WITH NON-ADMITTED INSURERS.
HB 110 w/HA 1 Barbieri (Hall-Long) Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMMUNITY-BASED ATTENDANT SERVICES.
SB 83 Henry Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 AND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SB 118 Hall-Long Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD TENANT CODE.
SB 71-(SA 1) McDowell Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE CREATING THE “LIFE INSURANCE FRAUD PROTECTION ACT.”
HB 50 w/HA 1 Kowalko (Sokola) Out of Committee AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATION ASSESSMENT.

Delaware State Rep. John Kowalko Bravely Introduces House Bills 181 & 182 To Raise Taxes For The Wealthy

House Bill 182

Delaware State Rep. John Kowalko introduced House Bills 181 & 182 which would raise the amount of personal income tax to be collected in Delaware based on a tier level.  For many years, the top tier was set at $60,000 as an income level, but with this legislation, new levels would increase taxes after $125,000 and then $250,000.  This legislation, in my opinion, is long overdue and I salute Kowalko for introducing this.  I normally don’t get into this sort of stuff, but this would increase revenue for the state which could result in more money going to our schools.

Interestingly enough, Kowalko has introduced two bills to look at this issue with different numbers for each.  Take a look at both of them:

House Bill 30, Basic Special Education Funding For Kindergarten to 3rd, Needs To Be Heard By The Appropriations Committee!!!

Special Education In Delaware

Delaware State Rep. Kim Williams introduced House Bill 30 in January.  It would give students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade the basic special education funding through the unit count formula.  Currently they do not have this funding which is absolutely ridiculous.  Governor Markell is always talking about students having the best education possible, but when he issued the unit count funding executive order some years back, he didn’t include a group of students who need this the most.

House Bill 30 cleared the House Education Committee months ago as well and was sent to appropriations due to a $7.5 million fiscal note attached to it.  While that may seem like a great deal of money, it would hire the extra teachers and paraprofessionals these children need.  Things they should have had in the first place!!!