The General Assembly is one step closer towards having the final say on any long-term lease of the Port of Wilmington.
Senators narrowly passed the proposal in a contentious 11 to 9 vote with one abstention.
Port Chair and state Economic Development Director Alan Levin is seeking a company to take over port operations and provide what he says are much needed upgrades.
Levin says he’s close to a deal with Texas-based Kinder Morgan Terminals and this move by the legislature jeopardizes the negotiations.
Republicans voted along party lines against the bill. Senator Colin Bonini (R-Dover South) was among those Republican "no" votes, saying the port needs a deal like this to expand.
“We can’t really provide those needs and I think the governor and Alan [Levin] really deserve some credit. They are at least trying to bring in a partner to meet those needs," said Bonini. "And I think what Senator Simpson said is right is having 62 individual legislators pick apart an agreement before it’s signed makes it virtually impossible to do.”, saying this could complicate negotiations with Texas-based company Kinder Morgan -who want to lease the port from the state.
Senator Robert Venables (D-Laurel) cast the lone nay vote for the Democrats, saying the body should trust Levin’s judgment.
Venables adds that Kinder Morgan would be able to upgrade infrastructure and potentially expand the port.
“I understand the position that people want some kind of guarantee, but you might kill the golden goose before we get a hold of him,” said Venables.
The remaining Democratic senators argued that there should be safeguards in place to protect the port - a public asset.
The proposal now moves to the House for consideration.
