Whip Count

The Right to a Healthy Environment: Delaware’s Green Amendment Explained

On the latest episode of Whip Count, Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and environmental activist Anissa Cartagena join us to discuss HB 220, also known as Delaware’s Green Amendment.
This proposed amendment would enshrine residents’ right to a clean and healthy environment in the Delaware Constitution and make it clear that all branches, agencies and political subdivisions of the state would serve as trustee of Delaware’s natural resources and be responsible for conserving, protecting, and maintaining them.

Catching Up With the Freshman: Representative Cyndie Romer

Before the 152nd General Assembly officially kicked off, we introduced the five new members of our caucus and their plans to make an impact in Legislative Hall. 
 
On this new series, we’ll catch up with these history-making members as they reflect on their first legislative session and the surprising lessons they’ve learned along the way. This week, we sat down with Rep. Cyndie Romer to hear her perspective on her first year in the legislature. 
 

Aggressive Speeding

In spring 2023, Gov. Carney, DelDOT, the Delaware Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security, and members of the General Assembly introduced a package of bills designed to improve safety on Delaware's roadways. This week's podcast episode of Whip Count highlights Representative Frank Cooke’s HB 120 and how this bill will assist law enforcement in cracking down on reckless driving in Delaware.

A Path Forward: Revising the Registry to Help Young Offenders Lead Productive Lives

On this episode of Whip Count, Rep. Cyndie Romer joins us to explain her HB 186, a measure that would reduce the number of children placed on the sex offender registry by empowering judges, in consultation with child psychologists and case workers, to decide whether a child should be included on the Registry.
Wilmington resident Anthony Gibbs, who understands firsthand the harsh reality of being on the sexual offender registry as a youth, also joined us to discuss the negative unintended consequences that follow many of these kids into adulthood.

The Delaware Climate Solutions Act

On this episode of Whip Count, we’re joined by Rep. Debra Heffernan, Rep. Sophie Phillips and Emily Knearl from the Nature Conservancy to talk about the Delaware Climate Solutions Act, a bold step toward tackling Climate Change here in the First State.

The Case for Regular Property Reassessments: House Bill 62 Explained

On this episode, Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton joins us to discuss her HB 62, legislation requiring properties to be assessed every five years. This would allow the state to be fairer in its taxation structure, ensuring that property owners finally have parity.
You can find additional reassessment resources here:
New Castle County: https://bit.ly/3Irf7yn
Kent County: https://bit.ly/43ivB3Q
Sussex County: https://bit.ly/3OqTkeh

Spending Less & Saving More: Policies to Ease the Tax Burden on Working Delawareans

On this episode of Whip Count, Rep. Paul Baumbach discusses measures that would put money in the pockets of working Delawareans by increasing the standard deduction and refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Matthew D. Klosowski Act: Creating Safer Recovery Homes for Delawareans

Recovery housing is an integral part of the recovery journey, providing transitional homes in a substance-free, supportive environment. However, here in Delaware, the lack of standards and regulations for these homes has created difficult and sometimes dangerous situations for individuals recovering from addiction and their families.
On this episode of Whip Count, we talked to Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris about her new bill, the  Matthew D. Klosowski Act, which would create standards for recovery homes to become certified. Matthew's mother, Marybeth Cichocki also joined us to discuss her firsthand and tragic experience with an unregulated recovery home and how that experience led her to advocate for change.

Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day

Just before we gaveled out for the February Joint Finance Committee break, the House commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day with a resolution and an address from special guest David Meluskey of the World Jewish Congress.
This episode of Whip Count features audio from that address as well as a conversation with all three Jewish members of the House, Rep. Debra Heffernan, Rep. Sophie Phillips, and Rep. Jeff Spiegelman as they reflect on what Holocaust Remembrance Day means to them. 

Meet the Freshmen: New House members begin 2023 session

Who are the new members in the House? On this episode of Whip Count we introduce you to Representatives Kerri Evelyn Harris, DeShanna Neal, Sophie Phillips, Cyndie Romer, and Stell Parker Selby. The newcomers  were recently sworn in at the state capitol, as the 152nd Delaware General Assembly launched its new session. 
 
For these incoming lawmakers, it’s the beginning of a brand new road to rebuilding their communities, and working on critical issues that impact the entire state. 
 
What can you expect? Tune in now to hear what everyone had to say including their answers to some fun questions.