This Barbieri Business Does. Not. Look. Good.

This Barbieri Business Does. Not. Look. Good.

21 Comments
I've made no secret of my opinion that Mike Barbieri was one of the most effective legislators in Dover during his time there.  A serious legislator with the willingness to build coalitions to pass progressive legislation that helps some of our most vulnerable citizens. Having said that, the relationships between Barbieri, his company (Crossroads of Delaware), the state, and his recent hiring by the state raise all sorts of questions that require answers.
The Most Important Delaware Race of 2016…

The Most Important Delaware Race of 2016…

26 Comments
...will be the primary for US Congress between State Rep. Bryon Short and State Senator Bryan Townsend. It is a battle of the present (and, one hopes, the past) of the Democratic Party vs. a more progressive future. Make no mistake: Bryon Short is the chosen heir to the mantle of middle-of-the-road mediocrity personified by Tom Carper and John Carney. He, or more likely Ed Freel and his ilk, have chosen ex-Carper staffer Mat Marshall to run his campaign. Carper's 'Brain', Ed Freel, is calling the shots from his UD bunker.  Short, of course, served in Carper's congressional office, and has made no bones about his friendship with Carper and Carney.  You may also recall that Bryon Short bottled up a minimum wage increase in his House committee until the bill was essentially emasculated.  Although strong on social issues, Short's principal legislative focus has been on cutting yet more 'red tape' that, according to the Chamber and its allies, hobble businesses in Delaware. In fact, Short essentially had a committee created just for him with this run in mind: The (get this) House Economic Development/ Banking/Insurance/Commerce Committee, aka The Business Lapdog Committee.
18th RD: David Bentz Is the Real Deal

18th RD: David Bentz Is the Real Deal

5 Comments
I'm quite impressed with the progressive positions he has taken on the issues, and I hope we can all do whatever it takes to help him win the Special Election.  I've decided to print the entire endorsement from Progressive Democrats of Delaware, because he really spells out his positions here:
“Waiting For Carn(e)y”

“Waiting For Carn(e)y”

3 Comments
"Carn(e)y: I can't go on. Greek Chorus*: You must go on."

Curtain.

*Greek Chorus consists of Ed Freel, bifocals at half-mast; Rich Heffron; Sean Barney; Vince Meconi, trolling for yet another high paying job;  banking executives; The 'titular' leaders of the Democratic Party, including Carper, Coons and Markell; and a cast of insider party aparatchiks with visions of cabinet posts dancing in their heads. Those not in the Greek Chorus: Progressives. And/or people who support a living wage and/or tax fairness. Plus, of course, the poor.
Schwartzkopf’s Budget Deal Deplorable. Was It Also Illegal?

Schwartzkopf’s Budget Deal Deplorable. Was It Also Illegal?

36 Comments
I think the answer may well be yes. But first, let's talk about how Pistol Pete threw over his own caucus in order to crawl into bed with the Rethugs.  According to several Leg Hall sources, Speaker Schwartzkopf had pledged to reconvene with his caucus to try to recalibrate any budget agreement that could impact core D constituencies.  Specifically, those who were at risk of losing 10% in public assistance for health care.  He did not hold that promised meeting. Instead, he called the Budget Bill up for a vote, which is why so many D progressives voted no.  And, yes, those receiving public assistance saw their monthly stipend cut from $90 monthly to $81.  Meanwhile, $1.2 mill worth of additional state police coverage to Sussex County and $3 mill of Ag Lands preservation were the booty claimed by the Rethugs and, not coincidentally, by Sussex County's most powerful legislator, Schwartzkopf. Oh, and the $5 mill that was transferred from the Transportation Trust Fund in the name of 'reform', ended up...nope, not telling you yet. Soon. Have patience.  Let me first start with what might appear to appear to be mundane language, but will prove to be real important, IMHO.
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes: June, 2015

‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes: June, 2015

13 Comments
Following perhaps the most embarrassing June performance by a General Assembly that I can recall, at least we have some great tunes to help us turn the page. 9-0? That's the official score when a baseball team forfeits. Which is pretty much what the GA did. Fortunately, the artists didn't. Not even close. Best music month of the year so far...
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 30, 2015

Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 30, 2015

21 Comments
"HOSTAGE-TAKERS WIN. YOU LOSE."
That will likely be the headline from the last day of session barring something unexpected. Especially with the Rethugs seemingly determined to abdicate any responsibility to be, um, responsible. For purely id(iot)eological reasons, the R's have tied any willingness to cooperate to screwing workers through their obsessive need to push for 'right to work for less'.  They have also abandoned any pretense of thinking for themselves, leaving all talking points to their ALEC overlords. Check out their refusal to stop the escalating infrastructure crisis from getting any funding. Check out the result.  Greg Lavelle perhaps cemented (the use of 'cemented' is deliberate) his position as the Worst Legislator in the General Assembly by his phony demands for 'reform' which, for anyone paying attention, simply is a transfer of  administrative costs from the Transportation Trust Fund to the operating budget w/o providing a mechanism to pay for it:
BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

28 Comments
The D's and R's have finally found something they can both agree on.  I had previously written about HS 1 to HB 128,  a candidate and party cash grab which was removed from the House Agenda once it was exposed. Guess what? They've got another bill they plan to work under the cover of darkness of June 30 and July 1.  And, while they won't fund $$'s for road building, 'leadership', including 'mortal enemies' Greg Lavelle and Patti Blevins, are united in crushing any insurgent candidacies under something called a 'Party Building Fund'. No, it's not for buildings. Ladeez and gentlemen, let me introduce to you SB 155, which is sort-of a Delaware version of Citizens United. The bill creates a new fund for political parties.  Here's the key sentence:
No political party may make any expenditure from its building fund except for the costs of telephone and other communications services and the rental or purchase of equipment, office supplies, or an office or building.