The News-Journal is all over Joint Finance Committee secrecy this year:
DOVER — The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee spent Tuesday locked in closed-door session and adjourned for the day without taking any formal action.
…The 12-member JFC, made up of House and Senate members, goes into closed-door “orientation” and then opens the doors to announce the decisions it has reached.
Fortunately, John Kowalko addressed the panel yesterday, and you know that Rep. Kowalko isn’t exactly the most circumspect person, so at least the public knows that Kowalko’s plan was presented, and knows what was in it.
The public also got a small glimpse into the arrogant and condescending world of Nancy Cook who reportedly told Kowalko that “…the JFC isn’t responsible for raising revenue, and that he would have to sell his plan to the caucuses.” In other words, “we’re not interested.”
Folks, HB 1 is the first bill on the agenda when the Senate reconvenes on Tuesday, June 2. Please contact your senators and insist that they pass the most important open government legislation in Delaware in 30 years, and that they pass it without exempting the money committees.
Otherwise, what the News-Journal has reported the past two days, which is really what has gone on as far back as anyone can recollect, will continue unabated. It is up to you, and it’s that simple.
Update: John Kowalko responds in our comments.
I never made those quotes to the News Journal. I did not discuss the details of the JFC response except to mention after the session that the committee was very attentive and asked many questions and gave me over an hour of their time. Senator Cook was never abrupt or dismissive. I am trying to reach the News Journal now to find out whose byline that was since those instances in the article where remarks are attributed to me were never made by me. I suspect that someone in that room has chosen to cast aspersions, and there were many administration people there. Someone decided to cast a different light on a very cooperative JFC and I can’t help but suspect that it would be those who hope the plan would fail.