Both of the Seans in the Delaware House of Representatives have a lot in common. They are both Democrat, they are both named Sean, they both voted against the budget last June, and they both began their first terms as State Representatives this year. They both supported House Bill 50 in a big way. They brought in a much-needed amount of fresh young blood to the General Assembly. They are both up for re-election this year. Both of them dealt with some controversial issues in 2015.
Sean Lynn’s biggest moment came during the debate of Senate Bill 40, the legislation designed to repeal the death penalty in Delaware. According to Delaware Liberal, Lynn plans to attempt a suspension of House rules to bring the bill back from its own form of death: not coming out of the Judiciary Committee. This could happen as early as January according to the article. The death penalty is one of those issues in Delaware that keeps coming back, draws the ire of both sides, and doesn’t move forward. Will Lynn’s attempt to reanimate the bill be the difference? Time will tell.
Sean Matthews sponsored or co-sponsored many education bills in the General Assembly. He enjoyed moderate success with these bills, which helped to land him a slot on the assessment inventory task force stemming from Senate Joint Resolution #2. As one of the key players in this group, Matthews will be the voice of reason in a group filled with many who lean toward Governor Markell’s way of thinking with state assessments. Time will tell if this group can get rid of the Smarter Balanced Assessment, but I doubt it.
Both of the Seans will have their hands full with the rest of their own party. As part of the “Six” who voted against the budget last year, along with State Reps. Baumbach, Bennett, Kowalko and Williams, many in their party felt it was a mighty bold move for two legislative rookies. It was. I would rather see legislators vote with conviction and belief than going along to get along. I fear there could be retribution of a political sort this year by the House leadership. The easiest targets are the new guys. But both Seans are a mighty stock and I have faith they will deal with any fallout from their decision last year with grace.
With an election year looming, many are assuming no matter what the Democrats will keep their power in Legislative Hall. But there is a growing feeling of discontent in Delaware. After years of questioned policies and agendas coming from Governor Markell and the leadership in Legislative Hall, many Delawareans are willing to vote out of party this year. I predict both of the Seans will be safe because they are among those questioning what is really going on in Delaware. The key to all of this will come in January when Governor Markell releases his budget proposal for Delaware. We will get a very firm idea on where Delaware stands in terms of a budget deficit.
The Season Of Myths 
So even though I support the death penalty – in cases like Dr. Bradley, Timothy McVeigh, Jeffery Dahmer, etc. where there is no doubt that the person convicted was indeed the guilty party, I have to agree that there is currently no “humane” way to take the life of a person convicted and sentenced to death. I don’t like the fact that Bradley is living off the taxpayers whose children were horrifically harmed by him. A total repeal? I don’t see that happening anytime soon. However, Sean should seek a moratorium on it which I think would pass based on the factual evidence at this time and on the incidents in Oklahoma and Ohio. We should consider a freeze until there is a better means to carry out the sentences.
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