Colin Bonini in 2016 DE Governor's race

On Health Care: Expand on the CARE Act and educate caregivers

Q: AARP believes Delaware's 123,000 unpaid family caregivers provide an important service. AARP supports a range of policies to help caregivers, including greater workplace flexibility, state caregiver tax credits, respite care, and expanding the ability of nurses to delegate certain tasks to direct care workers.

Colin Bonini: Continued education and support are key. I believe we should expand on the CARE Act (which I supported) by having ongoing education opportunities for caregivers and those who may be caregivers in the future. Many, if not all, of us will face the situation of aging family members and loved ones needing assistance. There is no question that helping prepare families for these eventualities is a critical component in not only saving taxpayer money, but also helping ensure our loved ones have the best quality of life they can have.

Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race Oct 9, 2016

On Social Security: Tax incentives to encourage payroll deduction savings

Q: AARP fights to put a secure retirement within reach for people who work hard and plan for their future. AARP is advocating for common-sense state solutions that would enable more workers to save for retirement at work. AARP supports the enactment of "Work and Save" plans for workers who do not have access to a retirement plan at work.

Colin Bonini: We MUST encourage savings. I'm so glad the AARP is bringing attention to this issue!!! I support creating tax incentives to encourage payroll deduction savings. I believe under-saving for retirement is a critical issue and I look forward to working with the AARP and others to address this issue! If there are good ideas in other states or organizations that increase savings, we should consider them!

Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race Oct 9, 2016

On Immigration: Only vote against driver licenses for illegal immigrants

The state Senate advanced legislation that would let those who are in the country illegally obtain driving privileges. Applicants would have to submit fingerprints at a police station, sign an affidavit confirming their identity, and show state tax returns. They also would have to provide proof of foreign nationality and show that they've lived in Delaware for two years. Cards would be marked "Not Valid for Identification" and "Driving Privileges Only." It will cost an estimated $317,652 to start the program and an additional $112,652 in annual costs.

The vote was 17-1, with Sen. Colin Bonini casting the only no vote. Bonini said the legislation is unfair to legal immigrants "who are waiting in line, lawfully and legally, to get into this country."

"We're asking Delaware taxpayers to pay half a million dollars for services for illegal immigrants," Bonini said in testimony on the Senate floor.

Source: News-Journal on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race Jun 23, 2015

On Drugs: Decriminalizing marijuana sends young people wrong message

Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in Delaware. Markell signed the bill privately shortly after it passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on a straight party-line vote. "The governor remains committed to reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system and refocusing resources where they are needed most," a Markell spokeswoman said.

Opponents expressed concerns that the legislation sends the wrong message to children, `and that it will lead to greater acceptance and use of illegal drugs while hampering the abilities of police to conduct searches and seizures. "This is a bill we're going to regret," said Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover. "The message we're sending young people is one we simply should not send."

The legislation makes possession by an adult of a "personal use" quantity of marijuana, defined as an ounce or less, a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100, rather than a crime.

Source: Washington Post on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race Jun 18, 2015

On Civil Rights: Opposed same-sex marriage for Delaware

The Washington Blade has learned seven of the 12 Delaware state senators who had previously not stated their position on the state's same-sex marriage bill plan to vote against it next week. Aides for state Sen. Colin Bonini (R-Dover) [and six others] said the lawmakers will vote against House Bill 75 when the state Senate considers the measure on May 7. Eleven of Delaware's 21 senators need to vote for HB 75 in order for it to pass.

Equality Delaware's President reiterated to the Blade she remains optimistic HB 75 will pass. "I am confident we will have the votes to pass marriage equality in Delaware," she said.

Neighboring Maryland is among the nine states and D.C. that currently allow same-sex marriage. The Delaware Senate vote on HB 75 is scheduled to take place five days after Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed his state's same-sex marriage bill into law. Gov. Jack Markell has said he will sign HB 75 into law if lawmakers approve it.

Source: Washington Blade on 2016 Delaware Gubernatorial debate May 3, 2013

The above quotations are from 2016 Delaware Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2016 Delaware Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Colin Bonini. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 08, 2018