The Nest Is Empty And, Boy, Does It Feel Strange

The Nest Is Empty And, Boy, Does It Feel Strange

I haven't been blogging a lot because this spring and summer have been crazy. My youngest graduated high school, had her wisdom teeth removed, and attended orientation at the university she finally decided on. My oldest knocked off a summer course at UD (He's starting his senior year of Mech Engineering and decided to take a required gen-ed Philosophy course over the summer mainly because he knew he wouldn't give it the attention it needed given his course load this year. Sounded like a good philosophy to me!) Add to that all the shopping for my daughter's dorm, ordering textbooks, finalizing class schedules, endless list making, packing up two kids, scheduling doctor's appointments before both of them left the state, and fitting in a lot of family time and you'll see why my blogging lagged. I still read DL every day! But this weekend everything came to a screeching halt. They left. In the blink of an eye I went from having a million things to do and a house full of people (and chaos!) to... silence. That freaked me out.
Maybe This Is Why The City Wants State Funds For WPD Foot Patrols

Maybe This Is Why The City Wants State Funds For WPD Foot Patrols

Because Wilmington taxpayers spending $8,000 on Uber billboards. Not that $8K would go far in terms of additional policing, but this shows you the fiscal priorities of this Mayor while he and his Police Chief have decided that schilling for more funds from the State is their main job.
The city Office of Economic Development is spending $8,000 under a one-month contract for four billboards with the message “Wilmington proudly welcomes UBER” and a picture of Williams. The billboards also include a website address where residents can apply to become a driver for the service.
Where Are The Smarter Balanced Test Results?

Where Are The Smarter Balanced Test Results?

According to Kavips (posted on August 1st):
It has been 7 days now that the Delaware Department has sat on the results of the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Day one was the release by other states of their preliminary data alerting all that the state now had the results… One must ask why in the “most open and transparent administration in Delaware’s history” (Markell’s state of the state claim) we are still waiting for the preliminary data to be released.
Do we really have the results? The test was given last spring (March and April) so you'd think for a test to have educational impact the results would be available quickly.
Ready, Fire, Aim — The Operation Disrupt Edition

Ready, Fire, Aim — The Operation Disrupt Edition

Today, we get a hilarious press release from the Mayor's Office announcing that the WPD's Operation Disrupt is now coming back. This is the Operation Disrupt put into place with great fanfare after multiple shootings in January -- pulling the city's Community Police Unit, as well as resources from other special units to flood the streets of certain sections of the city with officers. And only for eight hours in the evening and only for 5 days a week. Sundays were covered by NCCOPD and Mondays were covered on an ad hoc basis. Operation Disrupt started winding down in March and by the time that the WPSSC presented its report, Operation Disrupt was a shadow of its former self, with most of the special unit officers returned to their units and the CPU officers preparing to move on to other assignments. This is March 31. The NJ reported that Operation Disrupt was being reconfigured into a 7 officer unit that would specifically target certain areas. Then it said that Operation Disrupt was over on June 5, which may be when the original configuration ended. And then -- TA DA! -- Operation Disrupt is BACK and Mayor and the Chief are pulling the newly deployed CPU to do the larger effort.
DCRAC Asks AG Lynch to Investigate the Misuse of the Mortgage Settlement Funds in DE

DCRAC Asks AG Lynch to Investigate the Misuse of the Mortgage Settlement Funds in DE

Very proud of Rashmi Rangan and the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, Inc. for stepping up and asking for an official investigation into whether or not the settlement funds Delaware received have been misued. You'll remember that the GA grabbed those funds to fill their own budget deficit. The one they created by not being able to ask for additional revenues. And you'll also recall that California was sued over this same money grab by its legislature and was told by the courts to pay it back. Ms. Rangan sent her request directly to the US Attorney General Loretta Lynch:
Schwartzkopf’s Budget Deal Deplorable. Was It Also Illegal?

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

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.