Whip Count

Rep. David Bentz joins leaders from Christiana Care Health System to discuss expanding telehealth services for Delawareans through House Bill 160. According to those who support the proposed piece of legislation, all Delawareans deserve high-quality, affordable health care.
Find out if health care professionals will still be able to meet the needs of patients who don't have access to internet, and how the demand for telehealth services exploded during the pandemic. 

Last week, the House passed Rep. Paul Baumbach's House Bill 16, providing low-income individuals financial relief on their income taxes. 
 
House Bill 16 reforms the earned-income tax credit in Delaware so families can receive a few more dollars to help with the everyday financial pressures, from daycare to mortgage payments.
 
Tax legislation can be as complicated as it is tedious, so to help explain the Earned Income Tax Credit and its benefits for thousands of Delawareans,  we’ll hear from bill sponsor Rep. Paul Baumbach and Janice Barlow of KIDS Count Delaware.

Environmental issues affect our lives every day, whether it's flooding on our roadways or the energy used to power our homes. We’re only a few months into the 2021 session, and lawmakers have already introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at addressing issues such as sustainable development and pollution, making it clear that addressing environmental challenges is a priority for the 151st General Assembly.  
 
On this episode, Dustyn Thompson of the Delaware Sierra Club, House Natural Resources Committee Chair Rep. Debra Heffernan, and Senate Environment and Energy Committee Chair Sen. Stephanie Hansen discuss environmental bills being considered in the 151st General Assembly and strategies for addressing environmental concerns in Delaware.

Lawmakers in Delaware have introduced legislation that would legalize and regulate recreational marijuana for adult users, a measure supported by 60% of Delawareans. The Delaware Marijuana Control Act would authorize the cultivation, sale and possession of marijuana, while establishing a new industry with good-paying jobs in the First State.
 
On this episode of Whip Count, lead bill sponsor Rep. Ed Osienski, attorney Adam Windett, and activist Zoe Patchell address the concerns and economic benefits of legalizing marijuana, and discuss the social injustices tied to the prohibition of cannabis.
 
Read more about The Delaware Marijuana Control Act here: bit.ly/DEHB150 

Legislation designed to legally protect all people from hair discrimination could become law if the Delaware House advances SB 32. 
Rep. Kendra Johnson, Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, and Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha came together to discuss the CROWN Act as well as the pressure to alter natural hair textures or change hairstyles in the African American community. Adjoa B. Asamoah, a political strategist leading advocacy efforts across the country also joined the conversation. 
Learn more about the CROWN Act, what it means and how it will impact other races as well. 

Elementary schoolchildren carry trauma and life experiences with them that immensely impact their school and home situations, and without access to mental health resources, these issues can spiral into full-blown crises.
 
In Delaware, one school counselor may be responsible for 500 children, stretching their time incredibly thin and almost guaranteeing some children fall through the cracks.
Lawmakers and advocates are fighting to ensure students in elementary schools have access to the resources they need with House Bill 100, which provides sustained funding for school-based mental health professionals such as School Counselors, School Psychologists and School Social Workers.
 
In this episode, we talked with the sponsors of this bill, Rep. Valerie Longhurst and Sen. Marie Pinkney. We also heard from school-based mental health professionals Emily Klein, Brandon Townsend, and Dawn Hall, and a parent, Chris Locke, who discussed the very real need for increased mental health funding in our schools.

The Delaware legislature typically convenes for session about 45 days a year, however, the job of local legislators goes far beyond passing legislation.  Our local “part-time” lawmakers stay busy 365 days a year as they help constituents, meet with organizations and state agencies, and volunteer in their communities. 
 
Currently, the legislature is taking a short break from session while the Joint Finance Committee works on our state’s 2022 budget. This week we caught up with Rep. Larry Lambert,  Rep. Rae Moore, and Rep. Krista Griffith and learned about what they’ve been up to over the past month. 
 

Black History Month may kick off in February but it doesn't end there. It's an opportunity to commemorate the achievements of African Americans and learn about men and women who have made great contributions across the world.
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha share personal reflections on Black History Month, highlighting local people including establishments that are close to their hearts. 

Heart disease continues to be one of the greatest health threats to men and women across the globe. This information is highlighted annually during February, American Heart Month to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles. 
In Delaware, Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, a nurse and educator shared risk factors, tips, and debunked a popular myth. 
Also, Delaware's Dr. Velma Scantlebury, the first African American female Transplant Surgeon in the United States echoed why it's important to commit to a healthy lifestyle year round. Finally, Michelle Taylor, president of the United Way of Delaware weighed in with a personal experience that changed her life forever. 
 

In the last several years, House Democrats have proposed pieces of legislation aimed at addressing education issues such as lack of mental health resources in schools, inadequate special education funding, and teacher retention.
 
This week, we’ll hear from a few of the lawmakers leading the charge on education equity and fighting to ensure each student gets the education they deserve. Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, Rep. Kim Williams, and Rep. Rae Moore discuss a few of the proposals they’re working on, and Annie Slease of NAMI Delaware weighs in on the importance of providing students with the resources they need to succeed.