The Best and Worst of Gov. Jack Markell
It was the Best of Jack. It was the Worst of Jack.
All encompassed in the same week.
The Best of Jack, which should be studied by President Obama, every Democratic governor, and all D legislators, was his calling-out of all the undistinguished Sussex County Rethugs who have been trying to score political points off the travails of the Rte. 113 bypass. Markell’s response?: “You have problems with the bypass? No problemo, you don’t get no steenkin’ bypass.”
Since, of course, Sussex County legislators were the ones who clamored for the bypass to reduce congestion, it should only make sense that bitching from those selfsame legislators should call a halt to the project. Let non-entities like Dave Wilson, Ruth Briggs King, Joe Booth, et al, explain to their constituents that they’ll just have to live with the congestion.
To quote Markell from another News-Journal article:
“This is a project which could literally mean the investment of many hundreds of millions of dollars in Sussex County, and it’s not one we want to go forward with absent a broad consensus from the elected legislators,” Markell said after meeting with all of Sussex County’s House and Senate delegation in his Legislative Hall office.“Should the Sussex County delegation decide to take ownership and leadership with respect to this project in the coming months, I will reconsider my decision,” Markell said. “If not, there are other important projects throughout the state where these resources can and will be re-directed.”
It’s easy to say that you want and need a project to curb congestion, especially when Sussex County Council is chock-full of those who believe in Development Uber Alles.
It’s quite another to get involved in the detail work to ensure that the route is minimally invasive. And that’s something that Sussex County legislators are unwilling to do. Especially when they can blame DELDOT instead. Make no mistake, if the bypass is not built, it will be their fault, not DELDOT’s fault. And Markell showed great policy and political instincts in making this gaggle of grandstanders own the ultimate success or failure of this project.
The Worst of Jack was also out in full force. Governor Markell has said that he’ll embrace any and all ‘good ideas’ to address Delaware’s budget shortfall. Unless those good ideas include taxing Delaware ‘s Most Fortunate at a little higher rate. Which leads me to only one conclusion: When Jack Markell talks of shared sacrifice, he is only talking about those who can least afford to sacrifice. Delaware’s wealthiest citizens, who have had their tax rates slashed over the last 30 years, will be expected to sacrifice NOTHING. Better to try to squeeze more blood from the stones of those on Medicaid than to expect Delaware’s Most Fortunate to have to ante up yet another penny of their ill-gotten gains. You see, In Jack’s World, apparently the Fortunate Few will be the engine for jobs creation. To which I ask, Where are the bleeping jobs?
I’m not asking for the General Assembly to undo 30 years of tax cuts for the wealthy, I understand that politics is the art of the possible. The legislation that Rep. Kowalko introduced in the previous General Assembly didn’t do that, either. We’re just talking about a couple of higher brackets for Delaware’s highest income-earners.
As it is, Governor Markell’s proposal would balance the budget by:
“slashing spending by $100.6 million, with the deepest cuts coming to the preserving farm land and open space, school bus transportation, higher education and social services budgets. Markell called the reductions “painful cuts, but necessary cuts.” Overall spending grew even with the cuts.”“This is a difficult but financially responsible budget,” Markell said in an interview.”
While it may be ‘financially responsible’, it is socially irresponsible. Among the cuts:
“The governor followed the recommendation of DHSS and proposed cutting $4.5 million in cash assistance for a adults who are unemployable, destitute and sometimes homeless. About 3,500 single adults receive checks of about $94 each month (corrected in the N-J) through the welfare program, according to DHSS.”
Yep, it’s essential that the unemployable, destitute and homeless share in the pain while the Fortunate Few share the champagne. And that’s but one example. $94 a bleeping month for our most destitute citizens. As Richard Nixon said to Hunter Thompson in the rest-room scene in “Where the Buffalo Roam”, “Fuck the doomed.” I sure didn’t expect that from Jack Markell, who I’ve enthusiastically supported.
Higher education?:
The University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College would share a $6.52 million reduction in their annual appropriation.
Yep, who needs a 21st Century Workforce if it comes at the expense of people who don’t have to work b/c they’re rich?
And protecting the safety net?:
Totalling just those three examples, we’re talking about $13.3 mill out of a budget of $3.4 billion. A pittance, really.
Governor Markell has prioritized cutting the social safety net and cutting higher education over restoring some simple fairness to a tax code that places those earning $60,000 a year in the same tax bracket as the filthy-rich oligarchs on the hill.
For an otherwise progressive governor and a (far less progressive) General Assembly to support such an inequitable policy makes me wonder just what makes these public servants tick.
A personal plea to Jack Markell: Do you REALLY want your legacy to be ‘He cut funding to the neediest, but he preserved lower tax rates on Delaware’s most comfortable’?
If not, it’s not too late to change.
As long as you are up on the soap box defending the poor, I would like to know what you think about the increase in energy costs that will accompany the RGGI and other green initiatives that will definitely hurt the poor. Talk about “fuck the doomed”.
Don’t forget the ‘worst’ of Jack part where HE was the State Treasurer when all of these DelDOT shenanigans took place. Talk about the pot callin’ the kettle…..
Thanks, Newshound. Your cogent and well-reasoned meanderings are always welcome here. Does someone prepare your thought-free talking points for you, or do you just not have a life?
I would like to know what you think about the increase in energy costs that will accompany the RGGI and other green initiatives that will definitely hurt the poor.
It would be so refreshing if you would — for once — pay attention to what is going on around you instead of the BS coming from your wingnut handlers.
The RGGI has been in force for more than two years here — with multiple auctions of offsets and futures contracts for same going on NYMEX. What that means is that there is more than 2 years of data for you to analyze to come up with something actually back up claims of higher energy prices. Delaware gets about $3M (+/-) for each auction and the proceeds go to the SEU. One more thing — at least 15% of those proceeds are supposed to be spent on energy efficiency projects for low-income families (to help them save on energy costs, if that wasn’t apparent).
Thanks, Cassandra. I would really like someone from the Governor’s office to respond to the main thrust of this thread–why aren’t you even TALKING about some reasonable and modest tax increases for Delaware’s wealthiest citizens? Are you afraid that they’ll have their servants throw foie gras at your house? Or not break out the good scotch when you come over?
Those seeking to hijack this thread for their own wingnut purposes would do well to find other threads to hijack.
Oh, that’s right. You try to hijack ALL of them…
We’ve heard the argument that renewable energy policies will hurt the poor during the debate over wind power. It’s a way of making opponents’ inflated cost claims seem warm hearted.
So far I have not seen a specific and credible accounting of how or why RGGI or the state’s other renewable energy policies will cost as much as its opponents claim.
Meanwhile, there is some interesting information on the benefits of renewable energy buried deep in a document filed with the PSC. Stay tuned.
So cassandra, are you saying that the RGGI and other green energy plans do not raise the cost of producing energy and that the producers do not pass the increased cost on to the consumers which include businesses which will also pass on the extra cost to consumers.
I am saying that there is more than 2 years worth of data for you to definitively prove your claim that energy prices do go up due to RGGI. Just repeating the made-up bullshit of your handlers won’t make it true. Get out your spreadsheets and show us your homework — back up your claims with numbers (it *can* be done) or GTFOH.
I repeat my request: FBH, take your talking points elsewhere. We DO have a daily thread for that purpose.
I am asking for Gov. Markell and/or his supporters to lay out a credible reason as to why Delaware’s wealthiest citizens are not being asked to share in the pain.
Is that such a far-fetched proposal? If so, please explain why. If not, then why the silence on this issue? Is it truly progressive to further squeeze Medicaid recipients while billionaires pay a ‘flat tax’?
Not to me. Then why the conspiracy of silence?
the increase in energy costs that will accompany the RGGI and other green initiatives that will definitely hurt the poor.
It is always funny when wingnuts conveniently discover the poor. Can you blame the poor for not believing you really have their best interests at heart?
Alternative energy benefits everyone in the long run, and dependence on fossil fuels create multiple problems for everyone including higher prices. That is the point.
Fighting Blue Hen has, unwittingly, elucidated the very reason that electrical power generation in this country should be taken over by the government: They just pass along costs to customers, along with an additional charge for “profit.” If we eliminate the profit-skimming middlemen, we all save. Consider: Most companies have to avoid raising costs because consumers will do without their products. The power company has no such worries, meaning its investors face no risk of failure. Why should we guarantee their returns on investment? Nationalize them.
By the way, you right-wingers who are so concerned about the effect of higher costs on the poor: You should look up what industry pays vs. what you pay for electricity. By not charging business for its actual usage, they can offer products at artificially low prices. In effect, high rates to the poor subsidize cheaper consumer goods for the middle class. Fair? Not hardly.
Great post, ES. That needed to be said.
Geezer, if the government took over the power companies, the money hungry bureaucracy that would be created to run them would be the “middlemen”,and my guess is that it would still be expensive.
Newhound – Jack didn’t sign off on the DelDOT contract. Maybe you need to do some more research before mouthing off and showing everyone here how much of an arse you really are.
FBH just likes to post here coz they can use profanity and virgin ears won’t censor it out like DP does…
False modesty and hypocracy masked as Christianity over there – Loving Don Ayotte calling others liars
at least here there is honesty
“I’m not asking for the General Assembly to undo 30 years of tax cuts for the wealthy, I understand that politics is the art of the possible. The legislation that Rep. Kowalko introduced in the previous General Assembly didn’t do that, either. We’re just talking about a couple of higher brackets for Delaware’s highest income-earners.
OK, it’s a given that the elected officials don’t want to subject themselves to higher taxes, nor do they dare raise the taxes of state employees, not even the judges.
So why not raise the tax rate by 1 percent for all Delawareans whose adjusted gross is $100 or more above the base pay for any state official whose position is named in the state constitution?
It protects the pols and the civil servants from an increase. It adjusts upward for inflation whenever the judges get a pay raise. And it gives the nouveau riche high rollers the motivation to manipulate their deductions to keep their adjusted gross below the base for the higher rate.
The issue needs to be punched in the nuts. The political reality is that any tax increase will be used by Republican fucknuts as a campaign issue. So what needs to happen is, a dem with Jack’s stature needs to say “you’re goddam right I raised taxes on those lazy Greenville fops.”. Or something to that effect.
I know that it will never happen with this generation of politicos, but someday…. Someday.
Yes, Jason, it DOES need to be punched in the nuts.
Instead, we’re getting silence from the Markell Administration and virtually every member of the Delaware General Assembly, including the ‘progressives’.
If everybody thinks that this will just go away, it won’t be on my account. If enough people, especially Jack supporters, raise the question of the inequity of who gets screwed and who gets to skate, then the Governor will at least have to ANSWER the question.
And, raising salaries for judges who may or may not have been at some point victimized seems especially ill-advised when most state employees are being given the back of the governor’s hand.
The Governor needs to explain why he has chosen the billionaires on the hill to make no sacrifice while those least able to give are expected to suffer even more.
It simply isn’t fair, and it deserves more than what appears to be an administration-wide vow of silence.
“if the government took over the power companies, the money hungry bureaucracy that would be created to run them would be the “middlemen”,and my guess is that it would still be expensive.”
The belief in the baseless myths conservatives love to spin touches the heart, really it does. You mean like the “money-hungry bureaucracy” that administers Social Security? Medicare? The best illustration of money-hungry government bureaucracy is the military — the very organization your side loves best.
El, while sometimes I agree with you, you are way off base with this one. The Senate Resolution was introduced 12 years ago calling for the study of 113 by Sen. Bunting. No current Sussex legislators were in office except maybe Lee and Simpson, so to blame it on the current office holders is mis-leading.
Also, Dagsboro, Frankford and Selbyville Town Councils have passed resolutions against the by-pass.
Millsboro needs relief but the locals dont want a bridge across the Millsboro Pond. If the Gov. wants to build it upstate, thats fine with us locals. We didnt ask for a by-pass anyway.
Gotcha, but you miss the point. The project was begun at the request of Sussex County legislators including, as you’ve indicated, at least three of the current legislators.
The problem, i.e., the congestion caused by growth in Sussex County, does not seem to be at issue. Correct me if you and/or legislators/councilpersons disagree.
The issue is that several currently-elected Sussex County officials, have opted to blame DELDOT for the problems rather than, as legislators, look to work with DELDOT to address concerns.
Markell has called their bluff. Either be part of the solution, or the bypass goes away. It’s easy for legislators and even less-informed town council members to grandstand instead of doing any heavy lifting.
I’ve been involved in a few of these matters. One of my first was the Browntown Truck Route, designed to relieve the residential portions of Browntown from commercial truck traffic. I remember the first meeting I attended, residents looking at the plans and screaming. Guess what? With both DELDOT and elected officials in attendance, calmly listening to the complaints and suggestions, and subsequently acting on the input, the project was built to the apparent satisfaction of everyone.
That’s what public officials are supposed to do, not grandstand to try to score political points. Markell has called them on it, and they’re not happy. Maybe, just maybe, they’re not as suited to public service as those legislators who originally proposed the project.
And, Anon, if, as you say, “(w)e didnt ask for a by-pass anyway,” then, by all means, don’t build it. Which is exactly what Markell is saying. Of course, you also claim that Millsboro needs relief from congestion, but the locals aren’t willing to act constructively. To which Markell is saying, fine, we won’t build it.
I think we’re all happy here. Just don’t bitch about how DELDOT won’t do anything about congestion in Sussex County. It’s your own damn fault, no one else’s.
As a frequent travler of route 113, the congestion is only noticable on late Fridays, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons in the summer. The bulk of the truly local congestion occurs M-F at traditional rush hours, however this congestion is on the east-west routes 9,24,and 26. These e-w route also appear to be the cause of the w/e congestion on 113. A bypass it seems would be of no help, unless the e-w routes were made more free flowing in which case a 113 bypass would be unneeded.
In other words Jack isn’t saying screw me, he’s saying screw you (New Castle Countians traveling to the beach). What? Are ya’ll gonna stop coming down if a bypass isn’t built?
El, no bitching from me. Really the locals,(those of us that were born here)don’t want the by-pass. Never did. We know the back roads and can get around the area just fine. I dont hear any public support for the project. If the Governor has pulled the Sussex Legislators bluff as you claim, hes mistaken. But seriously, we could care less about a by-pass.
If Deldot want to get people to the beach, get serious about widening routes 24, 26 and 54. Now thats a solution the local folks agree on.
Hey, if the people don’t want it, then we shouldn’t build it. It would seem to me that more people heading to Sussex County could only be good for the businesses of Sussex County, but what do I know? Especially since I’m not a beach person.
If no one’s upset about having the plug pulled on this project, then let’s pull it and move on.
And I dont think any legislator is gonna be run outta town for protecting family farms and peoples homes from a unwanted project.
Probably not. But they will deserve at least some blame for any increased congestion in Sussex. Unless they actually try to constructively engage themselves in the process instead of merely blaming DELDOT.
I agree with you, Anon. My only problem is with the grandstanding of legislators. Hopefully, killing the project will shut them up.
El, the beach is only so wide from the ocean to the inland bays. ITS FULL! What are we gonna do with them when they arrive? RT 1 is full now with traffic?
With your reasoning, that more traffic is better for business, how so if they bypass the towns of Millsboro, Dagboro, Frankford, and Selbyville? Is that fair to those shop and small business owners? Just asking your opinion.
When My wife and I moved from Hockessin to the beach 6 years ago all our friends said “Oh you’re going to hate the traffic”. My response was it couldn’t be any worse than I95 or Kirkwood Highway and it’s not, not even close. I agree with anon, there’s no traffic for locals. I know the back roads and when to stay off Route 1 during the summers. But I agree it wa a great move politically for Markell to stop the project until the elected legislators decide they want it. I just don’t think they will because most of the people a bypass would benefit is out of state tourists. Like I said, there’s no traffic for locals.
Some people just love to throw the fact that they have friends in your face.
“most of the people a bypass would benefit is out of state tourists.”
Don’t kid yourself. Based on the route chosen, it looks like it would benefit a lot of commercial strip-mall developers, too, and it’s more than likely that they, not regular constituents like the commenters here, are the ones who pushed for the construction. Or is it just a coincidence that the juncture of 113 and the bypass would be right about where DelPoint would go?
“El, no bitching from me. Really the locals,(those of us that were born here)don’t want the by-pass. Never did. We know the back roads and can get around the area just fine. I dont hear any public support for the project. If the Governor has pulled the Sussex Legislators bluff as you claim, hes mistaken. But seriously, we could care less about a by-pass.
If Deldot want to get people to the beach, get serious about widening routes 24, 26 and 54. Now thats a solution the local folks agree on.”
Correct on all points. I don’t even know anyone down here who gives a rats ass about the Millsboro Bypass.
Must we go through this scare tactic budget bullshit every freakin year? Pull at the heartstrings, so the real cuts can be made somewhere during the negotiation process.
“If Deldot want to get people to the beach, get serious about widening routes 24, 26 and 54. Now thats a solution the local folks agree on.”
Fuck yeah. 24 is a nightmare. It’s slower than speed limit during rush hour NOW in JANUARY. (In full disclosure, the place I work would greatly benefit from a wider Rt 24) The Milford bypass I can logically see… traffic is rough. The rest of it, though, is fluff. Not needed. Maybe a Georgetown 18-9 bypass north of town. The circle confuses the tourists and if a train rolls through Millsboro or Georgetown to feed coal to the IRPP all is lost.
I will say that the Millsboro bypass cut through my ex-boss’ house that he threw away his business to build.. so i will be disappointed by the lack of schadenfreude.
The response on the bypass has certainly been interesting. It looks like nobody wants it. At some point, somebody wanted it, but that time seems to have passed.
Either that, or (and I would be shocked, shocked if this was the case) our readers do not constitute a broad cross-section of Sussex County.
Since I think I’ve only been on Rt. 113 three times in my life, I can’t really answer anon’s questions, but they are good ones.
As to why legislators were so hot for this project, maybe Geezer’s got the best take:
“Based on the route chosen, it looks like it would benefit a lot of commercial strip-mall developers, too, and it’s more than likely that they, not regular constituents like the commenters here, are the ones who pushed for the construction. Or is it just a coincidence that the juncture of 113 and the bypass would be right about where DelPoint would go?”
And, Brian, sorry about the reverse schadenfreude thing. You’re probably right…Markell wants to kill the project and he’s making the western Sussex delegation look stupid in doing it. Not that they need any help.
Seriously, thanks for all the feedback from those who know Sussex best. This is what makes blogging informative, which I’d like it to be more frequently.
Interesting thread. Is/was the Sussex bypass something to throw a bone to the downstate powers that be (commentors here say is not needed)? The old Delaware Way is always as much across county lines as it is across the aisle. Did the Minner/DelDOT give lower slower some red meat to shut them up about the 2004 ‘gift’ to New Castle County and Pam Scott-Paul Clarky – Bayberry’s Jay Sonecha Infrastructure Agreement (Rte. 301)?
That would be my guess.
I’m in a rare agreement with most of what Vance says here:
I was quite surprised by Gov. Jack Markell’s recent decision to halt indefinitely the U.S. 113 North-South Study project, but even more so by his comments that all the recent controversy surrounding the proposal is somehow at the feet of elected leaders, and in a manner of speaking, the people in general.
For the Governor to suggest that Sussex County legislators are somehow to blame for potentially losing $850 million in road improvements and hundreds of jobs, not to mention critical improvements to our network of roads, is irresponsible. And to further frustrate the fragile psyche of Sussex County’s unemployed by taunting them with phantom jobs that simply aren’t there is just plain wrong.
The governor knows the money for such a project doesn’t exist at this point. Only a small portion has been allocated thus far, mostly for planning, and as we all know, land reservation deals that have raised serious questions. But even if the $850 million necessary for the project was in hand today, construction would not likely begin for at least another five to 10 years as detailed engineering and property acquisitions would have to take place first. And even then, the money would be spent and jobs created over the course of many years, not in one fell swoop.
The governor should know the alignments DelDOT has chosen would be impractical, if not impossible, to build given the enormous environmental obstacles that already exist. DelDOT has yet to complete the Indian River Inlet bridge project, rife with its own set of problems. Can you imagine the fiasco that would ensue when building a series of bridges and mitigating hundreds of acres of wetlands involved in this mythical Route 113 project?
I believe the route chosen by DelDOT over the objections of the citizenry was a crafty attempt to avoid responsibility of providing real traffic solutions for Sussex County. This same behavior has killed other major highway projects in Sussex County, where a new road has not been built in more than 50 years. Now, the governor is threatening to divert the $850 million for the project to other construction in the state. That only serves to further punish the people of Sussex County.
Unfortunately the tenor of the governor’s statement indicates to me that he believes he can ‘give and take’ at will, and that shows a fundamental disregard for our founders and the time-honored principle of separation of powers. If the governor can ‘giveth and taketh’ away, why are the legislators – or the people, for that matter – involved in the first place? How are they to blame?
Sincerely, Vance Phillips, Sussex County Council
That is an outstanding post, ES.
Regarding the bypass, the politicians score some easy points with the public for stopping the bypass. It seems like they are working hard for the constituents, but they’re just scoring short-term, easy points.
Many of you already mentioned the traffic issue. Regarding that, we must provide efficient routes for people to reach the beach, or those DC and Baltimore will go somewhere else for the weekends. Those tourists are the economic engines behind much of Sussex County’s economy. So, yes, damn right the road is being built for the tourists.
What no one is mentioning is safety. Right now, 113 has a dangerous mix of local and through traffic. Having people turning, pulling into traffic right next to people with the cruise on, travelling 70 miles per hour is dangerous.
Remember that mini-van with a family who died last year, pulling onto Route 113? That is a perfect example of what happens when roads combine through and local traffic.
I wonder, will the legislators attend those funerals, of the people who are killed on Route 113, and tell the families, “Sorry, about your teenager, but my buddy Frank didn’t want a road that close to his new house.”
It will be interesting to watch the legislators scramble for cover on this one.
Nancy, this is also similar to US301. If you succeed in your quest to stop 301 being built near your friend’s house, will you or your visit the funerals of the people killed on existing 301?
Mongo
Route 24 is slow, but it’s only because of the old fogies,”undocumented workers”,and local drunks.
“Remember that mini-van with a family who died last year, pulling onto Route 113? That is a perfect example of what happens when roads combine through and local traffic.
I wonder, will the legislators attend those funerals, of the people who are killed on Route 113, and tell the families, “Sorry, about your teenager, but my buddy Frank didn’t want a road that close to his new house.” “
Actually, the owner of the sandwich shop next to us was the father of that teenager and family that died in Frankford on 113. He was so grief-stricken his shop went into disarray and closed a year ago November.
Route 24 is slow, but it’s only because of the old fogies,”undocumented workers”,and local drunks.
Amen. If they aren’t pilled up, boozed up, or transporting “glaucoma medicine” they aren’t driving in Long Neck.
“If they aren’t pilled up, boozed up, or transporting “glaucoma medicine” they aren’t driving in Long Neck.”
John Atkins’ political success is starting to make more sense.