Delaware
In Which John Carney Becomes A Profligate Spender
Over $376,000-worth. What could possibly compel John Carney to spend that much taxpayers’ money? The answer: Defending Delaware’s quaint, but likely unconstitutional, requirement that state courts in Delaware must be politically-balanced. Matt Bittle has the story right here. First, this requirement is a crock, and everybody in the legal community knows it. Over the time […]
My Breakfast With Catherine Ciferni
Well, in my case, it was a ‘second’ breakfast, but I skipped lunch. I swear! BTW, I recommend the Sinclair Cafe as a nice breakfast spot in Newark. Catherine is running for Mayor of Newark and is the progressive Democrat in the race. Mayor of Newark has little in common with what we normally think […]
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., March 13, 2019
Senate didn’t do much yesterday. Doesn’t look like they’ll do much today. Yesterday’s scheduled agenda is still posted, but it doesn’t appear that the tobacco bill will be run today. Since Sen. McBride was out sick yesterday, perhaps Sen. Poore was supposed to prepare today’s agenda. Mission not accomplished. Take a look at what’s posted […]
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., March 12, 2019
The big story today is, of course, the scheduled debate on the bill that would increase the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. It is almost certain to pass. It’s probably good public policy (although I have some questions I’ll lay out here in just a few sentences), and, most importantly, it’s […]
High Praise for Kathleen Jennings’ Reforms
El Somnambulo wrote weeks ago about Attorney General Kathleen Jennings’ bold prosecution and sentencing reforms. Now her program is gaining national attention. Shaun King, the social-justice activist, journalist and author, positively gushed in The Intercept over Jennings’ memo: I need you to read and share this memo. It’s six pages of brilliance. Now listen, if […]
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., March 7, 2019
The big story, if there is one, is which bills cleared committee, and which ones did not. In addition to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact bill discussed below, legislation increasing the legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 cleared committee. Other notable bills clearing Senate committees: SB 11(Sokola) and SB 12(McDowell). As I […]
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Wed., March 6, 2019
As portended by yesterday’s sparse agendas, it was a slow day in Dover Tuesday. Here is yesterday’s session activity report. So much intriguing legislation will be considered in committees today. Take a deep breath. We’ll start with the House Committees. Damn. The House Administration Committee meeting has been canceled. The committee was set to consider […]
Kathleen Davies Vindicated Again
The State News is running a story by AP’s Delaware reporter, Randall Chase, that no local news-gathering organization had the staff to cover. The Merit Employee Relations Board voted 2-1 Monday to order that former chief administrative auditor Kathleen Davies be reinstated to her previous position within 30 days, and that her termination be changed […]
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., March 5, 2019
Here’s what happened while the General Assembly was in recess: 1. Del-Tech President Mark Brainard’s latest attempt to make homeowners pay for deferred maintenance (aka: ‘We let things go b/c we figured if things got so bad, the General Assembly would have to bail us out’) died aborning as legislators figured out what he was up to. […]
Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown Challenges The Secrecy State
Delaware is the Secrecy State. So much vital information is withheld from citizens who truly need to know. Citizens are often told that there is nothing to worry about, assertions generally presented without facts. Rep. Minor-Brown has challenged that notion. The first-term D was publicly skeptical and critical of the know-nothing DNREC officials who were […]
Carney Addresses the Statewide Property Tax
In what has become an annual custom, Mark Brainard, grand poobah of Delaware Technical and Community College, is asking the General Assembly for a new statewide property tax to raise money for upkeep of its facilities. And a lot of lawmakers seem ready to give it to him. Senate Bill 50, sponsored by frequently-used tool […]
An End To Civil Forfeiture? A Decision Kathy Jennings Must Read Right Away
Could this be the beginning of the end for civil forfeitures? The United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that ‘…the Constitution’s prohibition on excessive fines applies to state and local governments, limiting their abilities to impose fines and seize property.” The case in question concerned an Indiana man who had his $42K Land Rover seized […]
Monsignor Lavelle Resurfaces: Defrocked, But Not Deloused
He reemerges precisely where you’d expect him to reemerge, spewing precisely the Santorumesque creamy froth you’d expect him to spew. If you guessed he’d reemerge with the Caesar Rodney Institute, and if you guessed that he’d be railing against even the possibility that state workers could earn a little more money, then you know Greg […]
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