Whip Count

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Recognizing the ongoing challenges facing mothers and newborns, Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown introduces us to the 2022 Delaware Momnibus, a series of several bills, addressing issues impacting pregnant and postpartum persons and decreasing infant mortality. Minor-Brown explains how lawmakers and organizations are working together to tackle child and maternal mortality. She also talks about support for doulas, help for incarcerated pregnant persons, and incentives for new parents. Collectively, support as well as the series of bills would improve healthy outcomes for all families and infants throughout Delaware. Tune in now.

Delaware kids are dealing with an unprecedented mental health crisis, and to address it, Rep. Valerie Longhurst is encouraging more people to normalize conversations around mental illness so more students understand they are never alone. Annie Slease of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Delaware is committed to helping students as well by gaining access to the mental health resources they need to succeed. Learn how you can be a part of the mental health awareness effort and support legislation such as House Bill 301, which would establish a statewide mental health educational curriculum for K-12 students.