Sussex Republican Women's Club hosts Short, Lopez

The Sussex County Republican Women’s Club hosted House Minority Leader Danny Short, R-Seaford; and Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes; as keynote speakers at a recent SCRWC meeting at Kings Creek Country Club. Both Short and Lopez emphasized the need to find common sense solutions for the critical economic, social and political problems facing Delaware.

Short began by reviewing the recent controversial proposal to repeal the death penalty. This was defeated, thanks to bipartisan efforts involving both parties. Supporters of the death penalty see it as a meaningful tool that is not used that often, but one that protects both individual citizens and law enforcement officials. Short cautioned that this repeal effort will probably be revisited after the election.

Short also noted that Delaware receives 23 cents for every gallon of gas sold in the state. Since the price of gas has declined, people are driving more, thereby causing gas tax revenues to increase more than $50 million, a big bonus for the state’s coffers. However, he and his Republican colleagues are questioning why Democrats are pushing to increase the gas tax rate by another 10 cents, which will drive down the demand for gas and lower tax revenues. Lopez pointed out that lower gasoline costs save the average taxpayer about $1,000 per household.

While it is doubtful that gas tax increases along with the water tax proposals will go through during this election year cycle, Democrat support for increases will no doubt continue in the coming year. Other concerns include a 1 percent wage increase for all state employees, but this will be absorbed by increased healthcare costs for both state employees and retirees. Sussex County’s 22 state troopers had not yet been included in this next fiscal year’s budget.

Questions remain about the Wilmington redistricting proposal that will cost every taxpayer in the state. Real solutions to the state’s crises could begin with the election of more Republicans to the House and Senate in 2016. This could lead to a 2 percent decrease within the State’s budget, the transfer of $40 million a year from the Transportation Trust Fund as well as a reduction in corporate taxes so that businesses will be encouraged to remain in Delaware.

Lopez followed these discussion points by praising his fellow Republican legislators as some of the most dedicated people he has ever had known. One of his major concerns is the effort by Democrats to raise the minimum wage, because this increase will have far-reaching detrimental effects not only for businesses but also for consumers.

On a positive note, Lopez is working to set up a task force to look into Lyme disease, which has the highest concentration of cases in Delaware. He is also supporting an Assessment Task Force to eliminate unnecessary testing within the public education system.

Lopez pointed out that teachers need more time to work with their students with less time mandated for teaching to a test.

It is the mission of the Sussex County Republican's Women's Club to assist in the election of Republican candidates, act as an advocate for the Republican Party's principles, and empower women to participate in the political process. SCRWC, the largest Republican Women’s Club in Delaware, has been actively engaging women in the political process for more than six decades. For additional information go to www.SCRWC.net.