The Good News About Governor Markell’s Downtown Development District Initiative

The Good News About Governor Markell’s Downtown Development District Initiative

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Today, Governor Markell has visited Wilmington, Dover and Bridgeville to announce the Downtown Development Initiative. You'll remember that he discussed this in the State of the State Address and it is one of the multiple revitalization initiatives proposed by the Governor this year. The goal of this plan is to have 3 municipalities (to start, one in each county) propose and apply for a Downtown Development District, where development projects in line with the plan would be eligible for up to a 20% grant-in-aid rebate on investment. Investments could be for a single home -- or for larger, transformative projects. The pool of funds available for this is proposed at $7M, shared by those doing the development. If the pool is oversubscribed, then developers would get a smaller share, but all developers would get some rebate. In addition, the Governor proposes to reserve $1.5M in the state's Historic Tax Credits for use in the Downtown Development Districts, adding some additional incentive to help re-create the State's Downtowns.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., April 1, 2014

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., April 1, 2014

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Today’s Senate Agenda features one bill, but it’s a good one. HB 56(D. Short) “sets certain regulations for motor vehicle data-reporting devices to prohibit the use by insurance companies of such data for anything other than consideration for premium discounts, requires disclosure to the insured of others who may gain access to such data, and otherwise prohibits insurance companies from releasing such data to others.” Quite possibly the best bill sponsored by a Republican this session. Unanimously passed the House, likely to experience a similar fate in the Senate. The House will likely work HB 265(Schwartzkopf), which would raise about $51 million through various corporate tax increases. Consideration of the bill was delayed last week due to (a) the fact that the Secretary of State, who will carry out this law, was out of state; and (b) the absence of a couple of Democratic legislators from session, calling passage of a super-majority vote into question.
Charter School Cherry Picking Was Predicted

Charter School Cherry Picking Was Predicted

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Mike O., The Seventh Type blog, found an interesting document in his inbox.  Go over to his place and read the whole thing - the link to the entire document is at Mike O's place.  I'll post some of the highlights from this 1995 Delaware Senate debate on SB 200 (DE Charter School Law).  This document pretty much puts an end to the but, but... whocouldhaveknown debate. Here's part of the question and answer segment with Bill Manning (Red Clay's School Board President at the time)
SENATOR MARSHALL: Understanding that the harshest critics of charter schools around the nation where they’ve been in place and operating, is the issue of the schools skimming off the top and creating an elitist academy with public money. My concern is looking at the focus of the charter schools by attracting the best at times for a specific educational discipline offered by that charter school; and the concern of recruitment. I looked at children throughout New Castle County in moderate low income neighborhoods, I looked at the City, the west side, the east side, hilltop, I need to understand how your board and how you will guarantee fairness and equal access to every student from every unit.
Delaware Political Weekly: March 22-28, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: March 22-28, 2014

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Granted, he’s a Libertarian. Scott Gesty. Unfortunately, he’s not a Steve Newton Libertarian. More like a ‘they’re taking away our freedoms’ Libertarian. He congratulates himself on predicting that ‘Obamacare is destroying the healthcare system’. Man, can’t at least one of these third party types not make you unclean when considering casting a protest vote for them? Paging the Green Party… Looks like the Republicans are doing better in concentrating on recruiting candidates in General Assembly races...
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., March 27, 2014

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., March 27, 2014

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Let's talk about the $51 million dog that didn't bark. Namely HB 265(Schwartzkopf). Was on Tuesday's House Agenda.  Would 'increase(s) the annual tax assessed on partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability companies on file with the Secretary of State from $250 to $300 and increases the corporation franchise tax by $100 for those corporations that file on the authorized shares method". $51 mill, just like that. So, why didn't it happen? I think that Gary Myers, one of our commenters, identified the reason. He asked why wasn't this a supermajority bill since it raises revenue.  Enter House Amendment 1. Adds a supermajority (3/5) enactment clause.  Makes 25 the magic number of votes needed, not 21. It's possible that Pete has the votes. However, the bill isn't on today's agenda. So, I'm guessing he doesn't have the votes right now. I'm honestly not sure how he could possibly have tried to push this bill through as one requiring only a simple majority. Things are just not flowing smoothly in the House right now.