General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., May 6, 2014

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., May 6, 2014

29 Comments
Ban the Box passes! HB 167( J. J. Johnson), which would 'prohibit a public employer from inquiring into or considering the criminal record, criminal history or credit history or score of an applicant before it makes a conditional offer to the applicant', passed the Senate 15-5 on Thursday. As we've previously mentioned, the bill does:
specif(y) that once a background check is conducted an employer shall only consider felonies for 10 years from the completion of sentence, and misdemeanors for 5 years from the completion of sentence. Further, employers are required to consider several enumerated factors when deciding whether to revoke a conditional offer based on the results of a background check.
HB 167 does not apply to those positions where a criminal background check is statutorily mandated (law enforcement, the courts), but it does apply to contractors with state agencies. Sens. Greg Lavelle and Ernie Lopez were the only Rs to vote yes. Credit where credit's due. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk. BTW, Rep. J. J. Johnson is one of our most effective legislators. He is low-key, doesn't call attention to himself, but he quietly gets things done. Apropos of nothing, he's also a serious jazz buff. He deserves to be better-known.
Delaware Political Weekly: April 26-May 2, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: April 26-May 2, 2014

8 Comments
I Don't Think Tom Wagner's Running. No inside info although he hasn't yet filed. But I went to his campaign site, and it doesn't look like it's been updated in years. Don't believe me? Click on 'In the News'. Latest update? 2009. Click on the photos. Latest update? 2009.  I kid you not. The site's highlight is a photo of a seemingly disinterested Wagner 'being briefed on a recent special investigation'.  There is no one else in the picture. Perhaps the Robo-Auditor provided the briefing. As to his future plans? I believe that his old pal Dick Cathcart has an underwater fort with Wagner's name on it.  Well, the name's DuPont, but I hear that they're exiting the underwater fort business. Oh, almost forgot, for those of you new to the site and/or unaware of who or what Tom Wagner is, he is our State Auditor. He does nothing.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., April 30, 2014

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., April 30, 2014

47 Comments
A particularly-sketchy 'redevelopment' project headlines today's House Committee meetings. HB 310(Longhurst) essentially enables the ethically-bankrupt Dick Cathcart to be at the center of what looks like a deal that will put $$'s in connected people's pockets far from the view of the public. You may remember that Cathcart awarded no-bid contracts to friends of his while 'working' as contract administrator at Delaware State University; had his clear involvement in awarding these contracts whitewashed by Republican crony pal Auditor Tom Wagner; and even had Wagner recommend him for the position of City Manager of Delaware City as the scandal-scarred Cathcart beat a hasty retreat from elective office before the voters did it for him. Under HB 310, which, by the way just happens to be in the House Administration Committee chaired by...sponsor Valerie Longhurst, this is what would happen....
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., April 29, 2014

Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., April 29, 2014

5 Comments
'Money, That's What I Want': Barrett Strong That's what the Governor wants, that's what the General Assembly wants, and that's what they will talk about. I don't know what kind of negotiations went on over the Easter break, but state government is facing a budget shortfall, largely due to revenue from 'abandoned property' (escheats) coming in lower than projected. BTW, you can't spell 'escheats' with out 'cheats'.  If you think you've started to notice a pattern of how much of our budget is built on gimmickry, you are not imagining things. Especially when an alternative is to make the wealthy pay their fair share. Not to mention that we've seen no movement on either the gas tax or proposed water assessment. Unless you count the Rethugs' putting up signs reading 'No New Gas Taxes' all over the New Castle County landscape. Might I suggest perhaps a more constructive project for Rethugs with time on their hands? Maybe fix bridges or fill potholes? You know, the types of repairs that will not be done if Dover denizens do not come to their respective senses? For the umpteenth time: Governor: Stop talking about castor oil. Start talking about the jobs this would create and the projects that would get done. Then go out there and sell it. If it's not too late. Democrats (and whatever Valerie Longhurst passes for this week): Do the same bleeping thing. You do want to create jobs, don't you? If so, govern like Democrats. If  you can't sell jobs and bridges that won't fall down, get outta town.