Republican Steve Smyk of Milton voted no on the following as state representative:
- House Bill 75 (2013) established civil marriage equality by allowing two persons to marry, regardless of their genders.
- Senate Bill 97 (2013) added the term “gender identity” to the already existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes.
- Senate Substitution 1 for Senate Bill 5 (2017) codified the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, thus ensuring abortion remains legal in Delaware.
- House Bill 455 (2022) included legal protections for providers, organizations and patients, including out-of-state residents, receiving abortion care in Delaware.
- Senate Bill 1 (2022) created a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program of up to 12 weeks for a worker’s own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, to bond and care for a new child or to address the impact of a family member’s military deployment.
- House Bill 388 (2014) allowed peace officers who have completed an approved training course to administer naloxone (Narcan), which counters the effects of an opioid overdose and saves lives.
- House Bill 58 (2017) allowed homeowners to install roof- and ground-mounted solar panels by making void and unenforceable covenants or other restrictions that prohibit solar panels.
- House Bill 88 (2021) removed the training and youth minimum wage, which allowed employers to pay certain employees 50 cents less than the minimum wage.
- Senate Bill 15 (2021) provided for gradual increases in the Delaware minimum wage to $15 over a period of several years.
- House Bill 35 (2013) closed a loophole that had allowed private gun sales without a background check.
- Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 83 (2015) expanded the definition of “domestic violence” to include civil protections for persons who have experienced abuse from dating partners and co-habitants. It also reduced abusers’ access to guns.
- House Bill 325 (2016) closed a loophole that allowed guns to be given to a purchaser if the background check wasn’t completed in three days.
- House Bill 63 (2019) made it a crime to intentionally or recklessly store or leave a loaded firearm where a minor or other unauthorized person can have access.
- Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 6 (2022) banned large-capacity magazine clips with a capacity of more than 17 rounds of ammunition.
- House Bill 450 (2022) bans the sale of assault weapons.
- House Bill 451 (2022) raised the age from 18 to 21 to purchase most firearms.
Rep. Steve Smyk’s record speaks for itself. You can count on his no vote for civil rights, women’s rights, economic justice and ending gun violence.
Joanne Cabry
Chair, Progressive Democrats of Sussex County
