Whip Count

In the last several years, House Democrats have proposed pieces of legislation aimed at addressing education issues such as lack of mental health resources in schools, inadequate special education funding, and teacher retention.

This week, we’ll hear from a few of the lawmakers leading the charge on education equity and fighting to ensure each student gets the education they deserve. Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, Rep. Kim Williams, and Rep. Rae Moore discuss a few of the proposals they’re working on, and Annie Slease of NAMI Delaware weighs in on the importance of providing students with the resources they need to succeed.

Enjoy this bonus episode of Whip Count with the full audio of Governor John Carney's 2021 State of the State Address!

To honor International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we're highlighting Holocaust survivor Ann Jaffe's story. 

In 2020, as Delaware lawmakers prepared to vote on a measure that would mandate Holocaust education for students in grades 6-12, Ann Jaffe addressed the General Assembly. Ann spoke about her experience surviving under the Nazi regime and highlighted the importance of ensuring all young people are educated on the horrors of the Holocaust and other genocides. This episode features her entire unedited speech. 

In 2020, the Delaware General Assembly passed legislation that requires schools to implement a curriculum on the Holocaust and genocide for students in grades 6-12, making Delaware the 15th state to enact such legislation. 

This legislation comes not a moment too soon, as a 2020 national survey assessing student's knowledge of the Holocaust ranked Delaware 41st when it comes to Holocaust education. 

In this episode, two individuals who were instrumental in passing Holocaust education legislation, Rep. Debra Heffernan and Steve Gonzer of the Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Committee, discuss the decades of work leading up to this bill and the importance of educating young adults on tolerance and empathy in an age of polarization and misinformation.

Every year, people around the country recognize the accomplishments and impact Dr. Martin Luther King had on our society.

King’s messages had an enormous effect on race relations in Delaware and across the United States; throughout and beyond the civil rights era. 

In this episode of Whip Count, Delaware legislators such as Rep. Kendra Johnson, Rep Sherry Dorsey Walker, Rep. Rae Moore and Rep. Larry Lambert talk about Dr. King’s activism and share excerpts of his speeches that keep them motivated in their daily public service work. 

Everyday residents can play an important role in public policy. Advocacy work can be done as an individual or through a team of people with one goal in mind.

In this episode of Whip Count, Rep. Debra Heffernan and Rep. Paul Baumbach shared how often they engage constituents. The two legislators also talked about proposed bills that started as an idea from people they represent. The legislative process has certainly caught the attention of Samtra Devard who advocated for more speech therapists in the state and Javonne Rich of the American Civil Liberties Union. Find out what motivates them to push for legislative change and how you can do the same. 

When news of Covid-19 hit and restrictions were put in place to stop the spread of the virus, many people anticipated things would be back to normal by 2021. However, that's not the case.

Delaware's 151st General Assembly decided to go virtual in the New Year and legislators such as Rep. Krista Griffith, Rep. Franklin Cooke, and Rep. Melissa Minor Brown have learned to not only adapt to the new normal but stay connected with constituents. In fact, they all share how the pandemic gave them a deeper appreciation for public service. 

Take a listen. 

In 2020, a record number of Americans turned out to cast their vote. This was in part due to expanded voting options, which were put in place by lawmakers temporarily as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This week, Representative David Bentz and Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker talk about legislation they're working on which would permanently make voting in Delaware more accessible and convenient. Jennifer Hill, the former Policy Director at Common Cause Delaware, joins us to weigh in on the importance of removing barriers to voting. 

The new members of Delaware's 151st General Assembly are ready to get to work and focus on community and statewide issues. They don't want to be known for breaking barriers, making headlines or history.

In this episode, you'll hear from Sen. Sarah McBride, the nation's first ever transgender state senator, as well as Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, the state's first practicing Muslim to be elected into office.

We also get up close and personal with Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, Sen. Marie Pinkney, Rep. Eric Morrison, Rep. Larry Lambert, and Rep. Sherae'a Moore.

It's been a long journey for Delaware's own, Joseph R. Biden Jr. who formally ran as a Democratic candidate for president in 1988 and 2008. More than a decade later, Biden will be sworn into office as the 46th President of United States in January 2021. 

In fact, this episode includes a recap of local stories from some of Delaware's most influential people who believe Biden's experiences, and leadership skills exemplify what he was always destined to become. The right person to lead this country.