Monday Open Thread [6.29.15]

Monday Open Thread [6.29.15]

3 Comments
I'm back from vacation, and it looks like my 10 day departure from political world were ten days of great political consequence that forever made this country a more progressive place. The lesson here is that I should go on vacation more often. Ed Kilgore at the Washington Monthly:
It would be hard to identify a recent day in the more saturated with "history" than Friday, June 26. You had an epochal marriage equality decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, still echoing from its decision the day before rejecting what could have been a traumatic and politically overwhelming challenge to the Affordable Care Act. down in Charleston, the President of the United States--you know, that secular socialist--delivered a eulogy at the funeral of slain pastor/politician Clementa Pinckney that (I can assure you from my correspondence) made cold-blooded political analysts weep and atheists murmur the lyrics to Amazing Grace.
BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

28 Comments
The D's and R's have finally found something they can both agree on.  I had previously written about HS 1 to HB 128,  a candidate and party cash grab which was removed from the House Agenda once it was exposed. Guess what? They've got another bill they plan to work under the cover of darkness of June 30 and July 1.  And, while they won't fund $$'s for road building, 'leadership', including 'mortal enemies' Greg Lavelle and Patti Blevins, are united in crushing any insurgent candidacies under something called a 'Party Building Fund'. No, it's not for buildings. Ladeez and gentlemen, let me introduce to you SB 155, which is sort-of a Delaware version of Citizens United. The bill creates a new fund for political parties.  Here's the key sentence:
No political party may make any expenditure from its building fund except for the costs of telephone and other communications services and the rental or purchase of equipment, office supplies, or an office or building.
The NJ is taking Lafferty seriously…is Copeland?

The NJ is taking Lafferty seriously…is Copeland?

Is throwing the Gov's race a sign that Charlie Copeland is willing to keep his powder dry for yet another statewide election? Is he going allow the teabags to run "a real conservative" and fall on their faces (again)? If that is the plan, he is more a much more cagey tactician than I've ever given him credit for.
Wilmington’s City Council Looks to Wash Its Hands of the City’s Safety Problem and Just Throw Money At It

Wilmington’s City Council Looks to Wash Its Hands of the City’s Safety Problem and Just Throw Money At It

1 Comment
Timed for the Friday afternoon news dump, Wilmington's City Council has scheduled a joint Committee of the Whole and a Public Safety meeting to debate the City budget's first budget amendment (not a month after the new budget went into effect). This budget amendment will add funds to the WPD budget to create two new Inspector positions and one civilian CIO position. The meeting is this Monday (June 29, 2015) at the City Council chambers starting at 5pm. This amendment has been revised from the original ask, now it provides approval for 3 new positions (rather than 4), does not add to the authorized strength of the Department and now spends just $285,000 of a projected surplus. A projected surplus that no one has any confidence in and AGAIN, I do not understand why we are committing to spending money that we think that we might have, rather than money that we actually do have. I'll extend that to wonder why they are having this hearing at all right now -- given that the GA has blown a hole in their budget and no one know what the world will look like on July 1, it seems clueless to spend any time talking about more spending until you know that your budget is intact.
Saturday Open Thread [6.27.15]

Saturday Open Thread [6.27.15]

7 Comments
Seriously? Multiple choice Mitt is reported by the WaPo to be gathering his team to get into the Presidential race for 2016.
In the conversations, Romney said he is intent on running to the right of Bush, who also is working vigorously to court donors and other party establishment figures for a 2016 bid. Romney has tried to assure conservatives that he shares their views on immigration and tax policy — and that should he enter the race, he will not forsake party orthodoxy.
To the RIGHT of Jeb Bush. As if that part of the Clown Car isn't already overflowing.
Bond Bill Committee Zeros Out Municipal Street Aid and Community Transportation Fund

Bond Bill Committee Zeros Out Municipal Street Aid and Community Transportation Fund

36 Comments
This is reported to me by multiple sources at Leg Hall, (and the NJ!)with counties and other municipalities (and the REALTORS) furiously pushing back on this as well as the decrease in revenue sharing for the Real Estate Transfer tax. None of this is a done deal until the legislature takes its final vote, but blowing big holes in every single county and municipal entity here in Delaware doesn't strike me as the most productive bit of business. Of course, they wouldn't have such a big problem if they had passed a gas tax last year. Or if they had even passed the weak tea of the fee increases this week:
Scott Walker’s Wingnut Extortion Plan

Scott Walker’s Wingnut Extortion Plan

7 Comments
Scott Walker is threatening to NOT run for President, unless he can extort $100 grand from a bunch of suckers by June 30th.
Jason, As you know, I am nearing a decision about whether to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States, but a decision this important takes time ... and money. Whether I run will depend on the support I receive from conservatives like you during this crucial decision-making process. To that end, we have set an ambitious goal...
Friday Open Thread [6.26.15]

Friday Open Thread [6.26.15]

1 Comment
President Obama delivered an emotional and powerful eulogy at the funeral service for Reverend Clementa Pinckney this afternoon. If you haven't had the chance to see this magnificent and compassionate eulogy, sit down and see it now and see it until the end:
BREAKING: Gay Marriage Is Legal!

BREAKING: Gay Marriage Is Legal!

26 Comments
The Supreme Court has declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States. Gay and lesbian couples already can marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court's ruling on Friday means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.