Newsletter | December 11, 2017
With the year’s end approaching, I want to take a moment to look back at my first session as your senator.

I was proud to sponsor legislation defending middle class jobs and fair wages, ensuring quality healthcare, and keeping Delaware competitive in the national and global economy. As chairman of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee, I also spent many days at the head of the committee table helping to review and streamline government spending.

That experience proved important at the end of session, when a drawn-out budget conflict threatened to shut down the state government. Faced with proposals to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from schools, healthcare, fire companies, and incredibly important non-profit organizations around the state, I stood with my colleagues to demand a budget compromise that was fair to seniors, students, and working Delawareans. The compromises we made will get us through to next year, but there is a lot of work left to do. As we gear up for next session, I am looking forward to fostering better ideas to grow our economy for everyone, right-size our revenue, thoughtfully control spending, and take a more even-handed approach to balancing our budget.
Throughout this first year, I have particularly looked forward to my meetings with constituents at coffees and other events around the district. Engaging with civic associations, local unions, small businesses, and neighbors at church and little league games helps me carry your voice to Dover as clearly as possible. If you haven’t already, please stop by my Facebook page and give it a like to receive updates on my day-to-day Senate activities. Below you will find more specific information on bills I sponsored that have since been signed by the governor as well as important updates on construction projects that are ongoing or upcoming in the district.
Legislative Updates
My first piece of legislation, Senate Bill 59 , was signed by Governor Carney on June 30 th after passing unanimously in the House and Senate. This new law helps protect middle-class jobs and ensures broader access to quality care around the state by updating Delaware’s membership in the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. Through the compact, in-state nurses can do business across state lines and out-of-state nurses can help meet the demand here in Delaware.
 
I also sponsored House Bill 226 , which restructured our approach to economic development here in Delaware and created the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a public-private partnership that gets businesses around Delaware to join the state government in attracting new jobs, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, developing our workforce, and forecasting economic trends so that we can change tack accordingly. This new partnership will be instrumental in guiding our state through the ever-changing economy.
Combating Human Trafficking in the First State
Last month, Rep. Kim Williams and I attended a community forum on human trafficking hosted by Yolanda Schlabach, executive director of Zoë Ministries. The information presented at that event was eye-opening, to say the least. The statistics on human trafficking point to a daunting global problem, one that extends even into our little state. Delaware’s position along I-95 and between major US cities gives us a particularly important role in fighting this modern-day slavery. I will be doing everything in my power to help be part of the solution on this issue and I look forward to hosting an information session for constituents who want to know more about this issue in the near future.
Meet Santa at Ab Jones!

I'll be joining Rep. Kim Williams, Sen. Anthony Delcollo, County Councilmen Kenneth Woods and Tim Sheldon, and County Executive Matt Meyer at Absalom Jones Senior Center (310 Kiamensi Road, Wilmington) this Saturday, December 16 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Bring the family for craft stations, breakfast treats, letters to veterans, pictures with Santa (bring a camera!) and a meet and greet with local children's author Rick DeDonato. The first 20 kids will get a free autographed copy of Rick's book, "Pipsie, Nature Detective." Register today!


DelDOT Updates
  • The bridge on James Street spanning the Christina River (BR 1-159), running parallel to 141 at exit 4 is being altered this spring. Design is completed to rehabilitate the bridge instead of replace it, saving time, traffic, and resources. Construction will begin in the spring of 2018 and should be completed in the fall.

  • Minor repairs to BR 1-239 and 1-238, Red Mill Road and Elizabeth Court. Both projects will be started and completed in the spring of 2018.
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