DOVER, Del.- The 150th General Assembly resumed its work on Tuesday as lawmakers made history by meeting digitally for the first time in its history and passing a resolution clearing the way to continue doing so amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The brief session was held via Zoom Video Conferencing and broadcast online via YouTube, marking the first meeting of the entire House since lawmakers postponed the resumption of session in March after the first coronavirus cases were reported in the state. The Senate is set to do the same tomorrow.
House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth) said during comments in the virtual session that the move would help the legislature continue its business and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among lawmakers, staff, or any other regular visitors to Legislative Hall.
"The coronavirus pandemic that has gripped our world has fundamentally changed our lives, and we are taking steps today to change with it," he said.
The move was not approved universally.
Rep. Rich Collins (R-Millsboro) was one of two legislators who voted against the move and said the legislature should have considered other options in buildings that have been closed by the COVID-19 pandemic, like schools or even Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.
“This is the time when we, as elected representatives of our state, should show courage and leadership as our citizens begin the difficult process of getting back to normal," he said.
During the virtual session and in a subsequent interview, Schwartzkopf dismissed Collins' concerns that the resolution may have been unconstitutional.
"We had attorneys from the House, Senate, legislative counsel, Democrat, Republican---all look at this thing, and not just what he looked at. They looked at everything that would come in play," he said.
The entire House chamber was mostly empty except for Schwartzkopf, House Minority Leader Danny Short, and some staff members.
Rep. Sean Lynn (D-Dover) participates in a virtual session of the Delaware House from his law office.
Rep. Sean Lynn (D-Dover) participates in a virtual session of the Delaware House from his law office.
Rep. Sean Lynn (D-Dover) attended the virtual session from his law office and described the meeting as "surreal."
"It's kind of cool to be alive in a time when we have the technology to do this...in that regard it's impressive, but it's going to be hard to have meaningful, substantive debates," he said.
The meeting did see some hiccups, with a couple lawmakers not being able to unmute themselves to participate in a roll call or attendance, though Short (R-Seaford) believes things worked fairly smoothly.
"I'm hoping that success can continue," he said.
Tough Decisions Ahead, Major Initiatives Likely Shelved
Lawmakers will be tasked with bridging a major budget deficit that has resulted from restrictions on everyday life to prevent the spread of COVID-19, like closing non-essential businesses.
House Minority Leader Danny Short said major losses in revenue from sources like personal income taxes, gross receipts, and gaming revenue will make it more difficult to pass an operating budget, let alone other pieces of legislation like the capital budget and Grant in Aid package.
"If we can get that accomplished and the two other money bills and help fund the nonprofits and fire departments and senior centers I think that's a big checkmark to get done," he said.
The General Assembly is required by law to pass a budget by June 30.
House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf presides over a mostly empty House chamber during a virtual session of the legislative body. (House Majority Caucus)
Schwartzkopf said lawmakers will likely use consent agendas to pass non-controversial or less-impactful legislation, like a charter change sought by Sussex County, during the remainder of the legislative calendar but does not believe major pieces of legislation outside of the budget bills and COVID-19 related items will be considered.
Shrinking revenue, he said, also means major pieces of legislation like a $50 million investment into a new clean water fund are likely shelved for 2020.
"Everybody wants this bill," he said. "We found a bill that we liked. We all found a funding mechanism that we liked and then the coronavirus came around."