Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen
During the final week of legislative session, lawmakers were busy with critical legislation regarding voting access, gun control, reproductive rights, and more.
However, the final week of legislation was not strictly business, as lawmakers celebrated their departing colleagues and some important visitors in Legislative Hall, among other notable happenings in the state capitol.
On Wednesday, the Senate welcomed a special guest for House Bill 390 — which makes Dryptosauridae the official dinosaur of the state. Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, introduced his son, Logan, to his colleagues in the chamber. With Logan at the podium, Sen. Townsend asked his son, who the senator noted is a big dinosaur fan, if he would be okay with making Dryptosauridae the state dinosaur. “Yes!” Logan replied, standing on his toes to reach the microphone.
“Given how many times I’ve missed bedtime reading, I just wanted you to come see Daddy and his friends and see what we do here,” Sen. Townsend said, to
“awws” from the room.
“Thank you, Logan. Is there anything else you want to say?” Sen. Townsend said.
“Drypto!” Logan said. “Thank you!” he added, after his mother, Lilianna, brought Logan back up to the podium.
Title IX
Senate lawmakers also passed a resolution recognizing the positive impacts of a federal law which prohibits sex discrimination in schools — Title IX. Female Delaware student-athletes joined senators in the chamber for the occasion and received a standing ovation.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives had their chance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX on Thursday, passing the resolution with concurrence.
Bentz’s final week
Tuesday’s session on the House floor kicked off the final week of legislating for Rep. David Bentz, D-Christiana, who announced in August 2021 that he would not seek re-election. Prior to a party caucus meeting, Rep. Bentz was honored by House leadership, including Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, who awarded him a commemorative silver plate for his time serving the people of Delaware.
House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, said the legislature would miss Rep. Bentz very much and reminisced on seeing his children, Katie and Henry, grow up over the years.
During his time in the House, Rep. Bentz advocated for affordable, accessible health care, fought against the opioid crisis, and in 2019, he championed the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act, which restricts access to firearms for those with mental health issues that pose a danger to others.
Once the House returned from party caucus, Rep. Schwartzkopf appointed Rep. Bentz as acting speaker for a brief period of the legislative session.
Special guests
At the beginning of Thursday’s meeting in the House chamber, Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf welcomed U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del, and her father, Ted Blunt.
Mr. Blunt had a long career in public service, which included an eight-year tenure as president of the Wilmington City Council. The two were in Legislative Hall for the final day of the session to attend Gov. John Carney’s signing of all of the bills contained in the gun safety package.
“It was an honor to be in Dover today with Delaware’s legislators and gun safety advocates to witness [Gov. Carney’s] historic signing of the gun violence prevention package,” Rep. Blunt Rochester wrote on Twitter.
“In true First State fashion, Delaware is leading the way in saving lives and making our communities safer.”
Freel honored
After 24 years on the Wilmington City Council, Rep. Bud Freel, D-Wilmington, served perhaps the shortest tenure in the House in state history.
Rep. Freel won the 4th Representative District seat in March after the incumbent, former Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Wilmington, resigned. Shortly after winning the seat, Rep. Freel made it clear that he was not interested in seeking reelection.
During his short tenure in the House, Rep. Freel sponsored just one bill, HB 422, which allows the city of Wilmington to determine if city employees are required to be residents. While being honored by House leadership, Speaker Schwartzkopf said the sole piece of legislation reflects his lifelong commitment to the city of Wilmington and its residents.
Majority Leader Longhurst said while Rep. Freel was door-knocking for his campaign, she was blown away with how every resident already knew him. She said the group was spending at least 15 minutes at each house because of his popularity in the city.
House Minority Leader Danny Short, R-Seaford, joked, “Well, Bud, hello, and goodbye.”
Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton, said that in honor of Rep. Freel’s tenure in the House, he had written a poem, which he said was very appropriate for his short term. After some exaggerated stretching and vocal exercises, he delivered the poem.
“Representative Freel,” he said.
Kowalko heads to retirement
On Thursday, House Leadership honored the career of Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, who was joined by his wife, Connie, as he heads to retirement. After 16 years in the Delaware House of Representatives, Rep. Kowalko announced in January that the current legislative session would be his last.
During his career in the House, Rep. Kowalko, was a champion for many causes, including government transparency and accountability, affordable housing, and assistance for those struggling during economic crisis.
After House leadership reminisced on Rep. Kowalko’s career, Mrs. Kowalko took to the podium to offer an emotional tribute to her husband.
“I have to say, life in Dover is going to be easier for many of you. You won’t have John regaling you on the evils of corporate rule, imploring you to do the right thing for people, correcting you on rules of order, or informing the public about what actually happens down here,” she said.
“John is not always a great guy, but he’s a good man.”
Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, thanked Rep. Kowalko for his kindness when he first got involved in state and local politics just six years ago. He said he will never forget how welcoming Rep. Kowalko and his wife were when he joined the couple to knock doors, recalling the wonderful experience he had with them.
“You are the conscience of this House of Representatives,” Rep. Morrison said.
“That’s a role that’s going to be missed, and I hope some of us can pick up that torch and try to do half of what you did.”
In vintage fashion, Rep. Kowalko did not pass up the chance to preach to his colleagues the importance of transparency and avoiding the “Delaware Way.”
“The ‘Delaware Way’ is not 30 years ago; a group of legislators going out and having a beer, meeting in an office and compromising legislation. The ‘Delaware Way’ has deteriorated into special interests controlling our minds, our thoughts — sometimes subconsciously, sometimes deliberately. Everyone is susceptible to the temptation that is powerful, well-heeled special interests who are going to dominate your thoughts and your laws,” Rep. Kowalko said.
“We are a state that has become dependent on corporate rule and become dependent on the big business community, but we’ve also become dependent on pleasing them.”
New beginnings
About nine hours after Rep. Kowalko was honored on the House floor, two additional legislators were honored in the early hours of July 1.
First up was Rep. Andria Bennett, D-Dover, who was scheduled to be honored on the House floor Wednesday, but pleaded with Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf not to do so. That was all for naught, as Rep. Spiegelman called attention to her final session, stating it was a pleasure serving with her over the years.
Rep. Bennett, who has served in the House since 2012, comes from a family of legislators as her father, John Viola, formerly served as a state representative and House Majority Whip for the 26th district. Additionally, when she was elected in 2012, Rep. Bennett replaced her husband, Brad Bennett’s seat.
Rep. Bennett is not seeking reelection due to a conflict of interest with her new position, as she will take over as the city clerk of Dover.
Afterward, the House Republican Caucus took the opportunity to honor the last House session for Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton.
Rep. Smyk, however, is not retiring or even leaving Legislative Hall; On April 1, he filed for the Senate seat in the 6th District, replacing Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, who is retiring.
Many members of the caucus joked about Rep. Smyk’s departure from the House, including Rep Spiegelman, who said that luckily, he will take over Rep. Smyk’s office. While honoring Rep. Bennett, Rep. Shannon Morris, R-Camden-Wyoming, also made light of his departure.
“It really sets in when we come back in January. We’re all sitting here and look back on the last year and say who’s not here that was here the last time. And that’s really when it hits home, when the gavel drops and we’re looking around,” Rep. Morris said.
“Now, Smyk, it might be 45 minutes later that we’ll miss you because you’re never here on time, but I wish you guys nothing but the best of luck.”