Whip Count

In November 2024, six new voices joined the 153rd General Assembly as part of the House Democratic Caucus.

In part three of Mic’d Up: The Rookie Rewind, we sat down with Rep. Kamela Smith to reflect on her first legislative session. She shared the highs, the challenges, and how she’s learned to prioritize mental health while navigating the fast pace of policymaking. From lessons in balance to moments of growth, Rep. Smith offered...

In November 2024, six new voices joined the 153rd General Assembly as part of the House Democratic Caucus.

In Part Two of Mic’d Up: The Rookie Rewind, we’re sitting down with Rep. Josué O. Ortega to reflect on his first legislative session. From navigating the ins and outs of policymaking to the experiences that have shaped his first year in office, Rep. Ortega shares his perspective on stepping into public service and what lies ah...

In January 2025, hundreds of residents were hit with dramatic increases in their energy bills. For the past several weeks, lawmakers have been working on solutions to reduce energy costs and provide relief to families. In this episode of Whip Count, Representatives Debra Heffernan and Frank Burns discuss the legislation introduced by House Democrats and share how they are actively working to find solutions that will provide relief.

On this episode of Whip Count, Speaker Valerie Longhurst along with Alisa Schneidman, Author of the House of Weird, and Patricia May board member from the Delaware Association for Children of Alcohol and Marijuana Dependency discuss the impact and effects of alcoholism on individuals and the family dynamic. Additionally, they discuss the importance of House Current Resolution 83 which designates February 11th to 17th as “Children o...

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 resourc...

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 th...

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...

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  Matth...

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...

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 t...