The 62 Project: #’s 29 and 33

The 62 Project: #’s 29 and 33

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Today's installment asks the musical question: "Do I grade on a curve when it comes to Republicans?" Why, yes, yes I do. Except when I don't. Another question: Does public comment influence me. Yes, but only to a certain extent. Puzzled? I'll make everything as  clear as taupe (think stockings, as I often do). Starting now. Today's entries: Republican Mike Ramone and Democrat Andria Bennett
The 62 Project: #’s 30, 31, 32

The 62 Project: #’s 30, 31, 32

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We begin the ranking of the 62 legislators smack dab in the middle. As a listaholic, the thought of doing a double countdown, both up to the top and down to the dregs, is close to orgasmic. And, um, the foreplay is just starting. I laid out my criteria here. I'll let the articles speak for themselves. In addition to expressing opinions on the rankings, please let me know how you'd like to see this countdown improved. I'm sure there will be subtle format changes as this moves forward. To me, here's the lede of today's rankings: Being in the middle of the rankings does not mean 'meeting expectations'. As it turns out, all three of the legislators profiled here should be better and should be ranked higher, making their performances so far disappointing, at least to me.
Announcing the 62 Project

Announcing the 62 Project

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I am El Somnambulo, and I'm a listaholic. Today I announce The 62 Project, which will ultimately yield my rankings of legislators from 1 to 62. However, I intend for it to be much more than just a list. I will write a selective bio, some brief, some lengthy, on each state legislator. I want to give people who don't really know the legislators that well the opportunity to know them better. For better or worse. I also don't want this to be just a snarkfest, although, to put it mildly, THERE WILL BE SNARK. Lots of it. Hey, can't help myself. So, how have I ranked the legislators?
DelDem Was Right. Why Biden’s on the Sidelines

DelDem Was Right. Why Biden’s on the Sidelines

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According to Politico, it's because Harry Reid wants him there. Doesn't want him giving any more stuff away to the Rethugs:
“None of the deals Biden has struck have aged well from the perspective of the Democratic Caucus,” said one Senate Democratic official aware of Reid’s face-to-face insistence that Biden be excluded. "In December, McConnell went around Reid — and straight to Biden — to get a better arrangement for Republicans.
Carney Misses Chance for Bipartisanship

Carney Misses Chance for Bipartisanship

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When it comes to John Carney's cherished bipartisanship vs. the obligation to do the job he was elected to do, John Carney has chosen...neither. According to this article, 162 members of the U. S. House of Representatives have called for a debate in Congress prior to any authorization of attacking Syria. 62 Democrats are among those signing the letters to call for such action. John Carney is not among them.
Before You Hoist That Next Black & Tan…

Before You Hoist That Next Black & Tan…

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You need to know about Dick Yuengling's public statements about labor unions and Gov. Corbett of Pennsylvania. Go ahead and read it, I'll wait. Until now, I've neither known nor cared about Yuengling's politics. I have enjoyed the occasional Black and Tan. However, it was Dick Yuengling, not anyone else, who made his views public. He did it on purpose.  In a speech before the Pennsylvania Press Club, Yuengling reportedly called for the adoption of 'right to work' laws in Pennsylvania to disenfranchise unions and to enable him to make beer more cheaply. He also called Gov. Corbett 'a great man', according to the Associated Press.
Election 2014: Delaware’s Most Vulnerable Incumbents

Election 2014: Delaware’s Most Vulnerable Incumbents

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I'm El Somnambulo, and I'm a listaholic. Admit it: So are you. Bearing in mind that incumbents need viable challengers in order to be vulnerable, here is a list of those with at least reason to be worried: State Auditor Tom Wagner: A do-nothing R in an increasingly D state. Here's the problem. If a do-nothing R is replaced by a do-nothing D, does it really make any difference? No doubt it does to Tom Wagner. But not to Patrick Harker or Lonnie George. Which is my point. And the problem. State Treasurer Chip Flowers: While the R's talk hopefully, and, IMHO, delusionally, about defeating him, I suspect that any real challenge would come from the Democrats. We'll likely know in 6 months or so whether there will be a party-backed challenger. We might as well get used to Flowers being a polarizing figure by choice. Which would be fine if it was principle, not ego, driving that train. State Senator Greg Lavelle (4th SD): Got 50.8% against Michael Katz. Probably less vulnerable this time, but he's got two more years of anti-gay and pro-gun votes on his record. Will a credible challenger emerge? I know that people expect me to have Ernesto Lopez on this list, but I don't see him as particularly vulnerable. Feel free to make a case. More inside....
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: The Final Day, Night, & Day

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: The Final Day, Night, & Day

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We're gonna have drama after all!  Democrats vs. fellow Democrat Chip Flowers.  I support the Democrats not named Chip Flowers, and so should you. Here's why. Chip Flowers claims that he has the power to invest state money, money that goes to fund state pensions. He is the only treasurer in memory to make that claim. Other treasurers have recognized that the responsibility for making these determinations rests with the Cash Management Policy Board, of which the Treasurer is but one member.  Flowers wants to play cowboy in search of higher investment returns.  He's even hired some guy to look at how to increase performance. He hasn't hired anyone to warn him of imprudent risk. This is precisely the type of fiscal irresponsibility that left scores of public pension funds in shambles  throughout the country following the financial scandal. Delaware, which had invested its money prudently and conservatively, remained in strong fiscal condition, and so did state pensions. If Chip Flowers wants to gamble, let him do so at a racino or online or in the market with his own money. As a pensioner of the state, the last thing I want is for him to do is play the market with our money. The proposed bill essentially does to Flowers what earlier legislation did to the Sheriff of Nuttingham--make clear that he can't overstep his bounds and/or create new imaginary powers for himself.  For the sake of my fellow pensioners, I hope it passes.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 26, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 26, 2013

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I'm disappointed that HB165(Jaques) passed, and will be signed by the Governor today. But the Senate also passed two bills sponsored by Sen. Townsend that will make that passage at least a little more palatable. SB 147 creates more of a partnership between charters and public schools, including the sharing of 'best practices'. Here is the 17-4 roll call. SB 148:
promotes transparency in government spending relating to competitive grants administered by the Department of Education by requiring that the Department publish on its website the eligibility requirements, criteria and successful applications for every competitive grant it administers.
I believe that the Markell Administration has signed off on both bills. Seriously, you don't see legislating of this quality very often in Dover.  A lesson to legislators: If you know you're gonna lose on an issue, at least try to get something positive out of it. Sometimes you succeed. And thanks to the Markell Administration for working with Sen. Townsend on this. SS1/SB33(Ennis) got final Senate approval and heads to the Governor. Yay!! The two bitter holdouts who voted no were Bloviator Bonini and, wait for it, Pope Pompous I, formerly Monsignor Lavelle. To quote the parrot from 'Aladdin', "Why am I not surprised?"