A Call for Your Questions
Tomorrow, Governor Markell will sit down for a “Blogger’s Roundtable” with some of your hardworking Delaware Liberal contributors as well as other preeminent and well known Delaware bloggers to discuss his proposed budget, the Delaware economy, and a host of other pressing issues. We must really give Governor Markell and his wonderful staff all the credit for being open and willing to engage the blogosphere. It is wonderful to have a Governor that views the blogosphere for what it really is: an opportunity to connect to and answers the questions of constituents that he might not otherwise reach.
His engagement with bloggers is nothing new, for he sat down for an extended interview at a diner in Smyrna with myself, Liberalgeek and Cassandra during the campaign. But what happens during the campaign isn’t often indicative of what will happen once in office. Access then does not always equal access now. So before I open the floor to the questions you want asked of the Governor tomorrow, I do wish to thank him and his staff for keeping the dialogue going.
And with that, what do you want us to ask him tomorrow? I am sure we will get our fair share here of right wing questions, framed in the Limbaughian world view, like “why are you an evil socialist communist?” We will do our best to rephrase such questions so that normal human beings can understand it. 😉
Would the Governor consider restoring the gradual part to the graduated income tax, i.e increasing the percentage that those making more money have to pay, and increasing the number of brackets to differentiate between salary levels? As it stands, Steve Forbes’ Flat-Tax is, for all intents and purposes, in effect in Delaware for anyone making $60K or more.
Darn it, ‘Bulo stole my question!
Would the governor support a progressive pay cut instead of an across-the-board 8% pay cut? Are layoffs still an option?
Does the governor support civil unions for same-sex couples in Delaware?
Has the Governor considered redefining the drug laws for non violent offenders as a way to possibly trim the budget, like New York has been doing recently?
Is the SEED program dead or will it be recalibrated to lessen the burden on the state?
What I think would be neat, is if the suggestions already submitted would be published somewhere–so that people know they really did go “somewhere”, whether flat out rejected,or for further analysis/investigation, or a whole hearted “Eureka” moment of why aren’t we doing that? Gov. Markell is getting tired, and it’s beginning to show in his rote presentations. Maybe if people had a spot to go to of “already answered questions”, we could move on in this budget thing. I’ve attended these budget information meetings at several sites, for different groups, and I’m wary of the same ol’ suggestions and questions–if he isn’t ready to scream–I am–don’t you get it people–we all have to give something–and it’s not going to be something like a re-gift. It is going to be something of value….from everyone. There I said it. Now will you ask it at your Blog Roundtable?
Where on the governor’s “to do” list is the BlueWater Wind farm? and as a follow up.. What, if any are the governor’s plans for Delaware’s energy independence?
Joanne, that assumes a constant diligence on the part of the average Delawarean, to research or go to a sort of “Answer Repository” to see if his or her question has already been asked and answered. And surely I don’t want my Governor to object to a question like a lawyer would during a deposition, “Asked and Answered. Move on.”
Yeah, the repetition is boring for us, those like you and me that follow this day to day. And I am sure the Governor is getting tired repeating his answers, but hey, that is his job. To answer his constituent’s questions when asked.
I second Joanne’s idea. Great suggestion. It won’t stop the kind of idiots who don’t bother to read instruction manuals on how to install their dishwasher, but oh well.
Here are my questions:
1. Why does Vince Meconi deserve a job in your administration, especially since Matt Denn is overseeing the stimulus package? Whom exactly does he have pictures of, what are they doing, and where would those acts rank on the Purity Test?
2. Why do you need three offices – a working office in Wilmington, a working office in Dover and a ceremonial office in Dover? Will you eliminate one of those offices to save money?
3. Will you and your senior administration officials agree to take a deeper, symbolic, pay cut greater than 8 percent in solidarity with state workers who make much less than you do and with private sector workers who are seeing their jobs completely vanish?
An “average” Delawarean isn’t usually going to these meetings either. People can hit You-Tube w/ a zillion hits, and access their mis/information from the TNJ, then certainly some “official” site of “Suggestions Submitted” as linked via TNJ, the blogs, the State site, could certainly be added–and if the state felt so inclined, to categorize as to status of viability or not. Heck, some ideas can be turned down just because of law…well let people know. It may not be the function so much then of what you describe as “Asked and Answered”, but more I don’t need to ask, because it has been answered, as posted. Really, DD–how many more people have to ask him about consolidating school districts?
Why not furloughs for State workers instead of a pay cut?
Joanne, your idea is a good one, but I don’t think it will stop the repetitive question from being asked, and in such a case, I really don’t want to prevent the question from being asked just because it has been asked and answered before or because there is a repository site with the answer to the question. Do you understand what I am saying here?
yes, you want to limit free speech.
Who is advising the governor on the ‘gaming economic development plan’? I re-read his pre-election book and I do not find any reference to gaming.
I read in the TNJ he had heard from experts from the gaming industry…..has he read any university researched information on the effect of gaming on individuals & the community .
Does the governor know one can cash ones welfare check at Delaware Park?
Gaming is a nasty business and I beleive the down side does not justify any expansion.
PLEASE tell the governor that the city of Wilmington needs a casino like we need another shooting.
Finally, ask him if he has considered terminating Mike Purzucki (sp) from the Riverfront Development Corp….he’s had 8 million over the last 10 years and the Shipyard Shops are a total failure. Not only that he’s the source of the ’eminent domain’ dust up. If he leaves the state will save at least 1million dollars over the next 4 years..
We got rid of Bill Wyer from the Renaissance Corp. (lower Mkt. St.)….folks were outraged to learn he was making two hundred fifty thous per annum.
DelDem I hope this isn’t too much for you but I would be elated if you can get satisfactory responses to these questions.
You can cash welfare checks at liquor stores, payday loan stores and any other business that doesn’t want to be sued for discrimination.
Stop with the bull, don’t waste the Governor’s time with answering to heartless talking points.
a. price…
I don’t want to limit free speech. On the contrary…
i know DD, i know. its just that no one had made a stupid comment yet and i was getting restless
Yes DD I do understand, and I agree he should answer the question. But the repository just may head off the amount of times he answers the question or clarify the answer to a question, when a listener may have misunderstood and reported back misinformation, creating even more permutations of questioning.
But, back to my “Suggestions Submitted” List:
For instance right above at #9 Steve writes:
Why not furloughs for State workers instead of pay cuts?
This is stated in an information site, and it can end there. Or a reply is made ABSOLUTELY NOT-it will infringe on quantifiable hours to maintain health coverage–or UNDER CONSIDERATION, or Never thought of that–CONSIDER IT DONE. Whatever classifications the State wants to do–but let us know what other folks have and are suggesting!
DISCLAIMER–DISCLAIMER–DISCLAIMER
The above use of Steve’s suggestion was for demonstrative purposes only, and no way reflects the views, or positions of The Diamond State and the powers that be. Although Steve would like furloughs?
Some of these budget suggestions are time sensitive (like SEED, as Brian asks), and it would be nice to see some acknowledgement one way or another.
And lastly, Del Gem, you can tell Governor Markell you came up with the idea OK?
And now from the right…
Delaware has an abortion rate 1.5 times the national average. Most folks that believe in abortion’s continued legality acknowledge that it is, at best, a necessary evil and should be limited when possible. What are you going to do to help lower Delaware’s shockingly high abortion rate?
Related – now that we’re strapped for cash will you finally cut planned parenthood, a private entity, out of the state budget?
How important is our bond rating? What level of sacrifice is acceptable to keep it as immaculate as it is?
If the state legislature changed the definition of marriage to include homosexual couples would you follow the president’s, and the Governor of Vermont’s lead and veto it?
Due to the size (and dare I say, awesomeness) of Delaware’s Catholic school system we have one of the highest proportions of children is private schools in America (something like a quarter, right? Any one have exact figures?). With the recession hurting many families’ bottom lines increasing numbers of them aren’t able to keep up with tuition to private schools. Are you prepared to give tax rebates to families that send their children to private schools to keep them from overwhelming the public school system.
I know you’re not just going to up and take my guns away because you’re not a jerk and there are constitutional issues. At the same time there was a fair bit of talk of gun control on the campaign trail. I look at what New Jersey gun owners suffer under and I worry. Do you have any specific plans and how high a priority will tighter gun control be for your administration.
And most importantly – the treatment Delaware prisoners suffer from their institutions and from each other is inhuman. It has led to the unnecessary harm of innocent men, a failure to reform the incarcerated and a clime in the HIV rate via the victims of prison-rape. The state of Delaware prisons is one of Ruth Ann Minner’s most tragic legacies. What are you doing to correct it?
Related – some other states let convicts vote, should we follow their example?
Jack, being the former treasurer, you might know this off the top of your head…. Today, with bond prices at basement levels and… with our high bond rating and banks only lending to those with high ratings such as ours, how much can we save by swapping all old debt for new?
2nd question:
There is less waste and less corruption when someone is watching… Instead of spending more money for auditors and audits, why not use your position to excite the public to pressure this General Assembly to support putting all the state’s expenses on line, so there will be at least 800,000 possible auditors all having the potential to audit state spending… with no cost involved?
Final question:
Corporate tax cuts or tax rates mean absolutely nothing if or when a business is in negative figures and is operating in the red. It is obvious that we need economic growth first to generate any type of revenue..
Like it or not, Delaware’s economics are centered around financial services… What plans other than inconsequential tax breaks offered by “silly” Republicans, are out there to entice, and keep in business, those financial service companies who employee so many of our workforce?
(I’m at a blank on that last one too… lol)
I’d like to know who is part of this “Bloggers Roundtable” do you have the list?
I have a similar question as kavips:
What is Gov. Markell going to do to diversify the state’s sources of business revenue? Do we want to be the financial services state? I know there is interest in green technology, are there other ideas?
Also related, NY’s AG and CT’s AG have begun investigations into criminality in the financial services industry. Will DE do this as well?
can I address Tom’s question? Ok, I will any way.
I’m impressed you show concern for both criminals and unborn zygotes that eventually become a fetus that eventually becomes a baby. You almost impressed me all the way by caring for a criminal until, well you showed your true colors by not caring about gays and lesbians. Way to come up short. Jesus would be proud
But I must address your BS line about worrying that a decline in private school enrollment will over crowd our Public School system.
There is space for the kids, they just closed down a few schools in the BSD because they had too much spaces. Don’t worry, the public schools will manage. And shockingly, the kids will still thrive. I have three kids in public school in 2 different districts and even though 1 has some issues they aren’t with the school. My kids are thriving.
“You almost impressed me all the way by caring for a criminal until, well you showed your true colors by not caring about gays and lesbians. Way to come up short.”
You know where I stand on that issue. To cut short the questions I’d like to ask would a lie.
“Don’t worry, the public schools will manage. And shockingly, the kids will still thrive. I have three kids in public school in 2 different districts and even though 1 has some issues they aren’t with the school. My kids are thriving.”
I meant to voice no ill-will of our public schools. I was not questioning the ability of the teachers to educate students, only the ability of the school districts to physically deal with a 25% jump in the student body.
O Bloggers Of The Round Table – Hear my plea:
Don’t…. Get… Played
Meconi’s got a job with the stimulus package. Parkowski’s got a job with the judicial nominating commission. How, exactly, is your administration different from Ruth Ann Minner’s? No Patterson?
Another thing with the public schools – We’ve got give or take 150,000 school age children in Delaware. It takes the state what? Optimistically, $15,000 a head, per year to educate a child?
Imagine if the Department of Education had to find another 550 million a year in a recession.
I think this is a question he won’t be expecting:
Does he support Delaware joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact? It’s an initiative to override the electoral college and have the president elected by popular vote.
Well people, DelDem said they would be discussing
pressing issues….I thought of a more time sensitive nature–like the budget come July 1—or hey like a budget until July 1.
Sorry, if I followed instructions, but I don’t think this “Roundtable” was meant to deliberate abortion law, or change immediate penal code for low level drug offenders. That’s a process. We’re in a product mode right now!!!
Was the table really round?