Wednesday Open Thread [6.25.14]

Wednesday Open Thread [6.25.14]

13 Comments
So the teabaggers were all whiny last night because their favorite Nazi candidate, Chris McDaniel, lost to Sen. Thad Cochran (R) in their Republican runoff in Mississippi. The outcome was something of a surprise, as polling of Republican likely voters, which I have posted here over the past weeks, showed McDaniel leading anywhere from 2 to 10 points. But that was the key: Republican likely voters. The conventional wisdom for the runoff was that if Cochran could somehow woo African American Democrats to vote for him in the runoff, he could win. It was a daunting proposition, since Cochran spent the last three decades doing everything he could to make life as difficult as possible on his African American constituents. And yet, that is precisely what happened.
Delaware casinos bailout

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 25, 2014

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We also know that the General Assembly will find some way to waste money on the casinos. Casinos that are in the shape they're in due to disastrous business decisions by its oligarch owners. Didja see the latest?   Read the article carefully and see if I come to the same conclusion you do.  Those supporting the latest casino bailout, including Jack Markell, are now proposing to use 'one-time' funds that were not used for their original purpose:
The casino aid proposal now offers $9.9 million to casinos by using $5 million left over from an $8 million bailout approved by the General Assembly last year (?). The proposal also uses $3.2 million set aside for the Kent County Sports Complex in the the Delaware Economic Development Office's job infrastructure fund and the remainder would come from other money available from that fund.
Got that? The "Delaware Economic Development Office's job infrastructure fund". And just what are these funds supposed to, um, fund?:
The infrastructure fund for economic development, established in 2012, provides assistance for renovation, construction, or other improvements to roads, utilities and infrastructure to attract new businesses to the state. It also can be used for the expansion of existing state businesses to create jobs, according to the fund's guidelines.
In other words, that Fund could (and I think should) help fund road and infrastructure improvements. Instead it's going to bail out the casinos. As to the 'expansion of existing state businesses to create jobs', we're not getting job expansion at the casinos.  In fact, I think Cassandra's right. The ink won't be dry on the Governor's signature before the alarm bells are once again sounded by the casinos. They are now essentially extorting money from the State. Our public officials are paying.
Delaware’s Special Education Program “Needs Intervention”

Delaware’s Special Education Program “Needs Intervention”

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Public schools are required to provide the educational resources to meet the needs of students with disabilities can make progress in school. Today, the Obama Administration announced that they were tightening oversight and the rules for assessing whether schools were doing what they are meant to do under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Part of today's announcement was an assessment of the status of various state's programs according to the new guidelines. [...] In that reassessment, Delaware falls into the "Needs Intervention" category.

Tuesday Open Thread [6.24.14]

41 Comments
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) warned Monday of a deadly 'trail of tears' in the unforgiving Rio Grande Valley if the federal government doesn't act.
"More than 52,000 unaccompanied youths have been caught along the Southwest border this fiscal year, almost double last year's total. The influx is fueled by danger at home, experts say, and by false rumors that minors and women with young children will be welcomed."
I agree Governor. Unfortunately, your party has made any other option impossible. We have to send them back. It is your party that wanted stricter immigration controls and more border security. Well, this is the result. You must embrace it because it is what you wanted. If you do not want to embrace it, then come out loud and proud for immigration reform and convince your party to pass it now.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 24, 2014

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 24, 2014

18 Comments
I really didn’t think this would happen, and, I must admit, I’m almost stunned that the General Assembly would choose political expediency over our deteriorating infrastructure. The Governor is not exempt from criticism. Far from it. Jack Markell (a) waited until an election year to play a game of chicken on infrastructure spending; (b) likened the need to continue our ongoing periodic road maintenance program to swallowing bitter medicine rather than pointing out the benefits to our state’s economy from having those great construction jobs; and (c) decided to (pardon the expression) muddy the waters by making this a two-fer with a proposed clean water initiative. Horrible messaging, horrible staff work. Still, I never expected the Delaware General Assembly, by dint of deliberate inaction, to blow (at least) a $70 million hole in the annual transportation capital budget. $70 million less spent on keeping our roads and bridges drivable in FY 15 than was spent in FY 14. (Well, maybe $60 mill, should the Honorables hike weekend tolls on Rt. 1.) This is blatant dereliction of duty. From the ridiculous (Valerie Longhurst proclaiming that she simply won’t allow a gas tax increase) to the equally-ridiculous (Greengrocer Hocker claiming that, since the D’s can’t pass this by themselves, he’s not going to ‘help’ them). Never mind everybody who drives in this state who will suffer the consequences. I’ve been around a long time. This Profile in Cowardice ranks near the top of the most cynical gestures ever to emerge from Dover. When the roads become pockmarked, you know who to blame. Call them on it. And if you live in one of these idiots’ districts, and you have the chance, vote against them. While ignoring public safety, the Honorables appear poised to provide another $10 million to help bail out the bad business decisions made by greedy racino millionaires who were literally given licenses to steal by the State. Who could possibly argue that our legislative luminaries have their priorities in order? Looks like we’re headed towards a horrible conclusion to what has generally been a good legislative session.
QOD — Why Can’t Delaware’s Utilities Participate in Consumer Conservation Programs?

QOD — Why Can’t Delaware’s Utilities Participate in Consumer Conservation Programs?

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I know I'm late to this -- it was in the NJ in late May -- but I keep thinking about this and wonder WHY exactly this is:
Delmarva is currently banned from providing help with home efficiency upgrades, with the SEU designated as the primary provider in this regard. Rather than reaching 1,500 homes, the SEU could reach 30,000 homes by involving Delmarva Power in the program's execution, O'Mara said. The bill would also allow utilities to credit some energy efficiency toward their renewable power purchase requirements after a utility achieved a full 15 percent reduction in overall energy usage through efficiency measures.