This Week in Government: Feb. 4

Kaufman makes maiden floor speech on economy

Sen. Ted Kaufman, who replaced Vice President Joe Biden in the Senate last month, made his first floor speech late Monday night as the Senate began debate on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the $819 billion stimulus bill being backed by President Barack Obama.

“Mr. President, I am a brand new Senator, but I have been around the Senate for thirty six years. Today we are embarking on a task that will test this institution. We begin debate on our response to a profound economic crisis,” he said, opening his remarks.

Citing job loss figures and declining wages, Kaufman said the Senate had a responsibility to act swiftly to help Americans who are struggling.

“If we fail to act we can be sure that we will lose more jobs, lose more homes, and reduce the value of our economy,” he said. “As the jobs are created, consumers will be able to spend, homeowners will be able to keep up with their mortgages, families will be able to keep their kids in college. That is what economic recovery means.”

NCCo finalizes list of stimulus projects

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, New Castle County is requesting $100 million in federal funding for capital projects it says it can begin work on this year.

The majority of the requested funding - $69.5 million – would be targeted for two dozen sewer upgrade projects throughout the county and some storm water management projects, while another $13.4 million would go toward equipping county buildings with solar panels and energy efficient upgrades.

Another $16.4 would go towards the construction of new county facilities, parkland and greenway trails, including 1.5 miles of paved trails and boardwalks along the Mill Creek.

Tracy Surles, who heads the Special Services Department, which oversees capital projects, said the administration tried to include as many projects as it thought it could realistically begin to work on starting in June, as is outlined in the legislation. She said it was unclear exactly how much funding the federal government would ultimately authorize.

NCCo Council to consider rezonings on Limestone and Naamans roads

Two northern New Castle County parcels could be rezoned by the county council at its Feb. 10 meeting.

In Pike Creek, a senior living facility is proposed for the corner northwest corner of Limestone and Paper Mill roads, but cannot be built unless the council consents to rezoning the 21.3 acres there from “suburban” to “suburban transition.”

And in Brandywine Hundred, a 0.6-acre parcel could be rezoned from “suburban” to “commercial neighborhood” to allow a Happy Harry’s to be built on Naaman’s Road, at the site of the current Suburban Lawn Equipment store, which is relocating. The rezoning is needed because the footprint of the drug store and its parking lot will cross into the 0.6-acre property, which sits orphaned among other commercial lots.

Both communities seem supportive of the plans, with nobody speaking in opposition at either Tuesday’s Land Use Committee meeting or at last fall’s Planning Board hearing where they were first aired.

Bill aimed at helping firefighters answer calls

Some firefighters and ambulance crews would have an easier time getting to calls under a bill that cleared the Senate on Jan. 29.

Under Senate Bill 6, firefighters and ambulance crew members, specifically designated by their fire and ambulance companies as first responders, will be able to have aftermarket kits that allow for rapid flashing of a car’s high- and low-beam headlights installed in their vehicles.

Under current law, the kits are allowed, but must be factory installed. Sen. Bruce Ennis (D-Smyrna) says the change is a nod to the tight economy.

Lawmakers voted 20-0 to send the bill to the House, which will take up the measure in March when the General Assembly returns from its break for the Joint Finance Committee’s budget hearings.

The bill, which was backed by the fire service and police agencies, also cleans up language about which fire and ambulance personnel are entitled to traditional emergency lights – something Ennis said the headlight kits are not.

Although the headlight kits are designed to alert other motorists that a firefighter’s heading to a call, they don’t carry the same weight as red and blue emergency lights.

“This does not make first responders emergency vehicles,” Ennis said. “They still have to obey all the traffic laws.”

But Ennis said he thinks that, coupled with a planned public awareness campaign, it will help emergency personnel get to the station sooner.