Whip Count

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...

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 preg...

This week on Whip Count: The 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate explained, economic policies to help Delawareans become more resilient to inflation, and maintaining a strong and fair economy in the First State

House Majority leader Valerie Longhurst provides listeners with an in-depth explanation of the 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate and gives us a look into the bipartisan brainstorming sessions that lead to HB 360, historic legislation that...

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 c...

In February, lawmakers announced the formation of the Delaware Legislative Women's Caucus, a bipartisan and bicameral coalition of legislators focused on advancing the shared interests of women.

In this episode of Whip Count, the co-chairs of the caucus, Rep. Valerie Longhurst and Sen. Marie Pinkney, discuss the importance of coming together to advocate for change and the caucus's plan to address gender inequities in all facets of ...

Approximately 5,000 Delaware children lack access to medical coverage due to their immigration status. For these children, a simple trip to the doctor for an illness or to get vaccinated is not a financially viable option.

In this episode, Rep. Krista Griffith, Sen. Sarah McBride, and Yvette Santiago of Nemours discuss a new proposal that would ensure all Delaware children have access to the medical care they need when they need it...

People who have been incarcerated often encounter challenges that are very difficult to overcome, which makes it hard for them to build a stable future. 

Unfortunately, there is no “quick-fix” solution to employment, education, and entrepreneurship for formerly incarcerated people. However, legislation could help reduce a person’s chances of relapsing into criminal behavior through Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown’s Second Chances proposal...