Brandywine’s Referenda: Take 2

Brandywine’s Referenda: Take 2

17 Comments
So what’s all this mean? When a District goes out for an operating referendum they’re not going out because the Superintendent wants a raise or because they want gilded flatware in their cafeterias. They’re going out because they can’t keep paying for everything they currently have without more revenue -or- getting rid of existing staff and programs. The only way Districts get more operating revenue in Delaware is by asking residents to raise their own property taxes. Take a look at Christina this year and what changes we had to make because we failed twice to pass an operating referendum last year. Class sizes pushing 40, no librarians in our high schools, scaled back guidance services, no after-school transportation for extracurriculars, most extracurriculars cut. This will be a reality for BSD next year without passage tomorrow. Slashing $8 million out of an operating budget will pretty much decimate the same things.

To the Haters.

13 Comments
To all who want us to address the McDole shooting and the Howard beating: I know very little about it, and to the extent that I do know about it, I do not have a political opinion on it yet. I will check into it over the next few days, and if I am inspired to write about it, I will. But I won't make any promise that I or any one here will. I am not paid to do this. In fact, I pay to do this. This may sound kinda of crass, but this is my hobby. Politics. Local Politics. National Politics. When I get time to read and write, I do. As such, things that interest me, and that I have a political opinion about, are what I tend to write about. I don't know how to write about the beating of a teenager to death in a high school bathroom. This is not the News Journal or WDEL where we report the news and then analyze the news. I focus on politics, both Delaware and National. It is true, we have focused too much lately on national politics and the presidential race. Behind the scenes last week, I began to switch that national focus back to local by researching and writing up the Vote Tracker piece. El Som has his Pre Game Post Game General Assembly posts coming back this week. I am going to be writing more on the Congressional race, and I have a new entry coming tomorrow or Tuesday on who is running for each General Assembly seat. But I and we cannot cover everything you want. So, I do want you to encourage any and all of you to submit guest posts on the topics you want to see covered. Email me at DelawareDem@delawareliberal.net. And I your writing is good, hell, we may just keep you around.

A Longhurst Always Pays Her Debts

10 Comments
I have heard that Valerie Longhurst was a little perturbed by Sean Barney taking some credit for passing the background check bill when he was in the Markell Administration. Apparently she warned Barney months ago to stop taking credit for gun safety legislation since allegedly he had no hand it helping get it passed. He didn’t listen. So now this: Longhurst
Monday Open Thread [5.16.16]

Monday Open Thread [5.16.16]

32 Comments
“Hillary Clinton is considering a running mate who could make a direct appeal to supporters of Bernie Sanders, bridging a generational and political divide,” USA Today reports. “Clinton’s chief requirements include a candidate’s resume and a fighter capable of hand-to-hand combat with Trump. The campaign’s vetting also prioritizes demographics over someone from a key swing state as she seeks to unify the Democratic voting base, said the individuals coordinating with the campaign, who were not authorized to speak on the record about early deliberations.” On that note, Warren's audition for the job has been noticed by Hillary. Huffington Post: “One close Clinton confidant said that she and her aides were ‘thrilled to see Warren get under his skin.’ Another senior Clinton adviser, who is advocating internally for Warren as a vice presidential pick, said the senator has ‘very influential people in the campaign pushing for her.'” Said one longtime Clinton veteran: “You want a running mate who can take the fight to the other side with relish. Geography does not matter, but attitude and talent and energy and bringing excitement to the campaign, Senator Warren does all that.” “The attributes that Warren would bring to the VP slot extend beyond vigorous mocking of Trump. Top Democrats increasingly see a dual-female ticket as a potent response to a GOP nominee with a well-documented past of sexist remarks.” Clinton-Warren 2016!!!