El Somnambulo – Page 344 – Delaware Liberal

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 25, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 25, 201328 Comments

On the subject of Jack Markell's tactics, when it comes to state employees, he needs an intervention. Which the House D's, who have bottled up legislation giving state employees a voice on the...State Employees' Benefits Committee, seem prepared to offer him. Rather than let SB 21, which would give state employees two seats on the committee, come to a vote, the House has announced a 'compromise'. Rather than just pass the bill, which I have no doubt would pass, or even let it out of committee, well, let's let mealy-mouthed Valerie Longhurst spell out the 'compromise'. Direct from a House of Reps press release:

House Majority Leader Rep. Valerie Longhurst, who chairs the Administration Committee, and Senate Bill 21 sponsor Rep. Larry Mitchell worked with union officials last week to reach a general compromise on the measure and will iron out details of an amendment during the legislative break. “We know that the unions really want this bill to move forward, but we know there is opposition from the administration too,” said Rep. Longhurst, D-Bear. “There also is a good amount of support within our own caucus for the bill, so I have committed to Rep. Mitchell and the unions that we will work out an agreement during the break and come back in January, get the bill released from committee and put it on the floor for a full House vote.”

Allow moi to translate: "We're gonna stick with the Governor's anti-employee approach until we totally have to cave to our members." I mean, what kind of 'compromise' is Governor ~~Walker~~ Markell willing to accept in January that he couldn't accept today? One member instead of two? He's already got the votes to outvote state employees on the committee if it comes to that. He simply doesn't even want them to have a seat at the table. And he's got Schwartzkopf and Longhurst running interference for him. Even though they're supposed to lead a caucus that wants this bill.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 20, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 20, 201325 Comments

Spidey Sense working overtime as we enter the last five days of legislative session. We know that some kind of closed door deal has been cut on HB 165, but…

N-n-noooooh!! ‘Tony Soprano’ Sleeps With the Fishes

By El Somnambulo June 19, 20135 Comments

James Gandolfini reportedly dead of a heart attack suffered while he was in Italy.

Actor James Gandolfini died suddenly after a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Rome to attend the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily. He was 51. Gandolfini will be forever known for his portrayal of mob boss Tony Soprano on the seminal HBO series The Sopranos, which eventually won him 3 Emmy Awards and a $1,000,000-an-episode paycheck. Overweight, balding, rough around the edges with a thick New Jersey accent, Gandolfini was the opposite of a marquee leading man, destined to be a character actor. Yet he proved through his masterful acting that he could make Tony Soprano sexy and smart, towering and powerful.

More inside....

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 19, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 19, 201340 Comments

The ~~Great~~ Grubby Gold Rush of 2013 has begun. Millions for an Archmere mansion(?), $8 mill for racinos w/no strings attached(?), more $$'s down the aglands preservation rabbit hole(?), $2.2 mill to buy a Sussex hunting preserve(?). A disproportionate number of these requests for downstate projects. The News-Journal covers it here. And the racino $8 mill rationalizations here. Enjoy (or despair of) Bloviator Colin Bonini's contradictions within mere paragraphs of each other. Must be Bond Bill time. The idea of giving $8 mill to the racinos that were already given legal monopoly status with no licensing fees and ~~slot machines~~ video lotteries subsidized by the state is brain-dead. What other casinos in this country received such a sweetheart deal? As Al Mascitti pointed out on our show yesterday, it's not our fault that idiots at Dover Downs somehow decided that theirs would be a 'destination resort' that required hotels and restaurants. Nothing says destination resort quite like anonymous concrete strip malls and traffic lights every 20 feet. Why in hell should they get even a penny of bailout money? In this case, true to Markell form, this lame cash dump doesn't even require the racinos to forestall layoffs, which is just what they're threatening to do if they don't get relief. Markell is simply doubling-down on someone else's bad bet. With our money. Let's see...$8 mill earmarked for racinos, $7.5 mill pissed away on agland preservation, you could more than pay for a 1% increase for state employees with that money. Jack, Jack?

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 18, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 18, 201329 Comments

Conspiracy Theory of the Week: DSEA Sells Out Public Schools, Secures Raises for Teachers. If you were wondering why DSEA agreed to support charter schools' grubby grab of public cash earmarked for public schools, we may now have the answer. Included in the Governor's budget is "$8.5 million for 'step increases' for school employees, gradual pay raises teachers get as they gain experience and education", according to Monday's News-Journal article by Matthew Albright. Considering that the first $2 mill of the charter schools cash grab is also in the same budget bill, we can see how Markell bought off public education officials. Another $2.6 million is for 'state testing computers', yet more money down the rabbit hole of standardized testing. Need I remind anyone that we've got $8.5 mill for teachers' increases, $0.00 for state employee increases. While I'm fine with raises for teachers, Strongly supportive in fact, I'm not fine with the Deal with the Devil that enabled them. Ladies and gentlemen, your Democratic governor. And the purported protectors of public education. BTW, time for, IMHO, an important digression. Is it possible, just possible, that Jack Markell is campaigning...for CIA Chief? I'm (sorta) serious about this. The man who ran on the issue of government transparency has made secrecy the defining touchstone of his second term. First, the Port machinations. Then, the Charter Schools debacle, where his administration literally dared doubters to file a FOIA lawsuit. And, just this Sunday, an incredible piece by Jeff Montgomery in the News-Journal, which effectively lays out a strong case that Gov. Markell deliberately suppressed environmental data casting serious doubt on the environmental safety of the Delaware City oil refinery. Deliberately suppressed. Anybody getting angry yet? Meanwhile, SB 97(Henry) "adds the term “gender identity” to the already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance, and it would provide for increased punishment of a person who intentionally selects the victim of a crime because of the victim’s gender identity." SB 97 received the bare minimum 11 votes required to pass the Senate. I think it will likely have a more comfortable margin in the House.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 13, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 13, 201328 Comments

Let me get this straight. Jack Markell cuts taxes for his wealthy friends early this session. The only tax among the so-called temporary emergency taxes enacted in 2009 that he cut. Now he says he needs $80 million in new taxes and fees, or bridges will fall down, highways will crumble. Oh, and if they do, it will be somebody else's fault because Markell gave the legislators a full 2 1/2 week's warning before the end of session. Maybe, just maybe, if he stopped appearing on TV, writing half-baked op-eds, or accepting ginned-up awards created solely to increase his national stature (I recommend lifts as an alternative), he might find time to, you know, actually govern. I mean in public, not in secret.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds. June 12, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 12, 201332 Comments

Let us circle June 11, 2013 on the calendar. It will go down as a day when public schools were dealt yet another blow at the hands of greed and silence. The Governor's greedy desire to rise above his station, D's and R's alike greedy desire to get their hands on funds they shouldn't have, the press' unwillingness to function as journalists instead of lapdogs; a conspiracy of silence that rippled through the Delaware Way, leaving only the have-nots behind (admittedly, that's a dog-bites-man story in Jack Markell's Delaware). Here's the roll call on the charter schools money grab, if you have the heart. Oh, and if anyone thinks that $5 mill is the end instead of the beginning, well, you're not thinking. So, Markell will get his Race to the Top filthy lucre and his imaginary presidential street cred, Charlie Copeland (!) will parlay his family's expertise in bankruptcies into running a hy-ooge city charter. A Tower Hill grad who inherited his fortune will be one of the largest players in Delaware education. In the inner city. I mean, has anybody with any say-so over who gets to run a charter ever read Dissolute Recrimination? The politicians who supported this railroad job (deliberations in private, rushed through in a week and a half) opted to serve themselves instead of the majority of their constituents. The least they could do is let everyone in on the details of the deals. A very dark day for public education in Delaware. And a black mark on the Delaware General Assembly that won't be easily removed. Jack Markell is now officially dead to me.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 11, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 11, 20132 Comments

That was quite the eventful Senate session last Thursday. We can count to three, so let us count the ways (even though Legislative Council can only count to two; seriously somebody needs a wake-up call there): 1. The Senate handily passed SS1/SB 33(Ennis), which would require owners/landlords of manufactured homes communities to justify rent increases above the Consumer Price Index. 17 yes, 1 no(Bloviator Bonini), 1 not voting (Pope Pompous I, formerly Monsignor Lavelle). Now don't get all excited. The Senate vote was viewed as a 'free vote' last session because the Forces of Evil had wired the House. It's getting late in session. Contact your state reps and urge them to move forward and pass this bill. First warning sign will be if this bill doesn't get placed in Paul Baumbach's Manufactured Housing Committee. 2. Although Legislative Council, the official 'information' arm of the Delaware General Assembly, took no note of it, the Senate passed landmark legislation which prohibits gender identity discrimination in Delaware. SB 97(Henry) passed the Senate by an 11-7 vote. Interesting roll call. Cathy Cloutier was the only R to vote yes, Dems Bob Venables and Bruce Ennis voted no, D Brian Bushweller and R Pope Pompous I went not voting. All 11 yes votes were required for passage. If your senator did the right thing, thank them. And, if anybody's home at Leg Council, could you please update the session log? I know that there are some exciting new solitaire options on your computers, but perhaps one of you...? Pretty please? 3. The Senate passed 'redistricting reform' on a straight party line vote. SB 48 creates an 11-member commission to draw the lines and to make the process more open than it has been. Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf has made it pretty clear that he likes the current 'behind closed doors' method of drawing the lines. There are quite a few House D's signed on as co-sponsors, so we'll see what happens. My guess? Schwartzkopf prevails, reform doesn't.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 6, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 6, 201348 Comments

I knew, I just KNEW, that I was gonna like State Rep. Kim Williams. I had liked her votes, I had liked her positions during the campaign, and I loved her work on simplifying school choice for students and parents. But yesterday she demonstrated why she is an invaluable member of the Delaware General Assembly with this quote, courtesy of the News-Journal:

"Until recently, I was on the Red Clay School Board, and we were never informed of the specifics of this bill. I feel that we need to get more public input."

Or at least SOME public input. The Markell Administration is pushing HB 165(Jaques) to the max. In fact, I think they tried to put one over even on the legislators who are sponsoring this bill. Rep. Earl Jaques made clear that this bill is not going to be rushed through:

"We have a bill in front of us, let's discuss this bill. The time for the public to get involved is now, while we're discussing this legislation."

Others on this blog have done a far better job of describing the issues raised by this bill than I ever could. What particularly galls me is that we don't even know officially where this bill came from. There was indeed a group created to review ways to improve charter schools. Hell, the list has been provided here. But, get this, even though Gov. Markell appointed the 24-member working group, he claims that this group had no real authority and, as such, public meetings were not required. So much for 'Governor Transparency'. That is one of the most disingenuous things I've heard out of this Administration, which is really saying something. Shades of the Port of Wilmington deal. But, I digress. HB 165 barely made it out of the House Education Committee, 7-6. It is far from ready for prime time. It is June 6. People are already on vacation, including teachers, students, and parents. There is no way that this bill should be worked by June 30. Let's just see what this Governor does...

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 5, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 5, 201334 Comments

SB 97(Henry), which would add 'gender identity' to the "already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance, and it would provide for increased punishment of a person who intentionally selects the victim of a crime because of the victim’s gender identity." In Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee will also consider HB 88 As Amended(Barbieri), which attempts to keep weapons away from those who are dangerously mentally-ill. The bill passed the House with only one no vote. You can read a compelling narrative on behalf of SB 97 here. I can't hope to top that, and I won't. Except to say that the Senate has an agenda today. I don't find much of interest there, but feel free to rummage around.

Did Wilmington’s Mayor Try to Funnel $4 Million to Southbridge Church?

By El Somnambulo June 4, 201328 Comments

On today's Al Mascitti Show on WDEL, featuring notable guest El Somnambulo, both a City Council member and a city pastor alleged that the Williams Administration budgeted $4 million that would go to a Southbridge church to help build a gymnasium. According to both Wilmington Councilman Michael Brown and Reverend Derrick Johnson, the church in question is the church of City Councilman Justen Wright.

General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 4, 2013

By El Somnambulo June 4, 20134 Comments

With the final budget details being worked out, the Delaware General Assembly begins its final sprint to the June 30/July 1 session finish line. At least one issue of note has arisen since the Memorial Day two-week recess--alleged unprofessional and dangerous conduct by at least one employee of Planned Parenthood. You can bet that the Bob Venables' and Greg Lavelles of this world will use this to further their anti-choice agendas. You can expect tougher legislation regulating clinics as a result of the scandal surrounding Dr. Liveright (his real name?) and Planned Parenthood. And, as a Planned Parenthood supporter (financially as well as philosophically), such scrutiny is deserved. One of the most powerful arguments for availability of legal abortion services is that, without them, clients (and there will always be clients) will be forced to seek less safe alternatives. However, when you have Eric Harrah, Dr. Gosnell, and Dr. Liveright serving as cautionary examples, it is incumbent on legitimate providers to demand standards above the minimum of what the law will allow. Planned Parenthood knows their foes will use any pretext to go after them, which is why I really worry about why PP gave it to them. And, in so doing, placing their clients at risk. Memo to PP and supporters: Don't bury your heads in the sand here, face the problem head-on.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., May 16, 2013

By El Somnambulo May 16, 201325 Comments

Your last legislative fix for almost three weeks, so savor it! In a Dog Bites Man story, Sen. Colin Bonini sided with the oil polluters, casting the only 'no' vote against legislation eliminating a monetary cap on company liability for damages caused by an oil spill. Bloviator Bonini has suffered a precipitous decline in ink this session, having ceded his senatorial Hot Air Hegemony to Monsignor Greg Lavelle. I, for one, feel sorry for the disheartened former champion, and intend to do everything within my power to rehabilitate his diminished stature (I'm speaking figuratively, of course). The Comedic Gods demand it. Probably the biggest news of the day is what didn't happen: 1. Bill adding 2 more casinos doesn't make it out of committee. Nobody has clean hands in this game. Just read today's News-Journal article about it. Which I can't link. Because even though we still buy the dead trees edition, the online access is screwed up, and I'm still limited to only 5 articles a month. Except the month doesn't begin and end at the beginning and ending of the month. Hate to say it, but this enterprise has earned obsolescence, alienating the few of us who still believe in newspapers. But, I digress. Williams claims to have the support of Governor Markell, but the Executive branch provides weasel words instead (I'm typing this word for word from today's print edition):

"The Governor always looks forward to discussing proposals with the sponsors and supporters to understand how proposals might add to the state's revenue and economy."

Which raises this question: Rep. Dennis E. Williams, overly-optimistic or delusional? For better or for worse, I don't think this bill is going anywhere.