The Dover Post via the Community News has an article about the Video and Sports Lottery Study Commission meeting for the first time yesterday to begin their mandate of “investigating the possible effects of new gambling venues on state revenues, business at existing casinos, the horseracing industry, the job market and local communities.”
One of the first things they decided to do was hire a consultant for $50,000 to help them in their investigation. Now, don’t get me started on consultants, because in my experience, consultants only tell you what you want to hear and, to top it all off, how many gambling economists are out there that don’t have deep ties to the gambling industry?
The commission’s first meeting was August 27th and their deadline to report to the General Assembly is October 15th of this year. As reported by the Dover Post, House Majority Leader Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf (D-Reheboth) said, “I think we’re getting a late start on this thing.” Well, that’s an understatement.
You would think that spending $50,000 and starting late would be enough to get me upset, but no, Sen. Nancy Cook (D-Kenton) just pushed me right over the freaking edge. The Dover Post quotes Cook as saying, “We miss deadlines all the time.”
Seriously, Sen. Cook this is your defense? I’ve done work for the government in the past as well as worked on my projects big and small in the private sector. True, deadlines are missed or extended, but managers and executives who lead with, “We miss deadlines all the time” are usually shown the door.
Sen. Cook, the Delaware Way cannot be an excuse.