Legislature: Midnight finale preview

State lawmakers are back in Dover today for meetings that will stretch past midnight as they complete work on a six-month legislative session that remains difficult to define.

Gov. Jack Markell's signature initiatives - tax-raising proposals to fund transportation infrastructure and waterway cleanup - failed to win support from Democrats or Republicans as lawmakers avoided tough votes ahead of November's elections.

Tax collection estimates continued to fall throughout the session, leaving budget writers scrambling to fill holes. But lawmakers and administration officials found enough money to offer $10 million to Delaware's casinos, no strings attached.

Here are some items of interest, starting with the casino bailout, as the session wraps up late Monday:

1. Casino bailout likely to pass

Lawmakers in the House gaming committee will consider the $10 million relief legislation at a 2:30 p.m. meeting Monday. "Nothing is a slam dunk in that committee," said House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, "but I think it will be released."

House lawmakers could pass the bill with or without support from the committee. With the backing of Markell and House Democratic leadership, it's difficult to imagine lawmakers adjourning the session without getting the legislation done.

2. Markell to sign budget

Lawmakers have approved a $3.8 billion operating plan, which Markell will sign Monday night. A $420 million capital budget awaits action in the House and Senate.

But the state's capital plan has taken a hit, with Markell and lawmakers using $40 million that had been dedicated to road and bridge improvements to pay for higher operating expenses. The state's capital appropriation for transportation infrastructure will fall from $192 million in the current year to $155 million next year, aided only by a last-minute deal to raise Del. 1 weekend tolls and $20 million in new debt.

Like clockwork, election-year lawmakers did find $8 million to fully fund their Community Transportation Fund accounts, which they use to pay for hometown road projects.

3. Death penalty repeal chances slim

An effort to abolish Delaware's death penalty stalled in a House committee in March 2013. But with the bill's House sponsor - Rep. Darryl Scott, D-Dover - retiring after this session, it's logical to assume he might attempt one final push Monday night.

Scott needs majority support in the House to bypass the House Judiciary committee, which tabled the bill last year. But the procedural move is opposed by Schwartzkopf, the chamber's top Democrat and a former State Trooper. It's unlikely the repeal gets done, but not impossible.

4. Marijuana decriminalization dead

Rep. Helene Keeley's effort to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana will have to wait until next year. It looks like the legislation, which was approved by the House Public Safety committee, will not get a House vote before lawmakers adjourn Monday night.

Because lawmakers are completing a two-year session, Keeley will have to re-introduce the legislation when lawmakers return to Dover in January.

Contact Jonathan Starkey at 983-6756, on Twitter @jwstarkey or at jstarkey@delawareonline.com.