The Delaware Senate [2012]

15 Comments
Now onto the Senate. The Senate currently stands at 14 Democrats and 7 Republicans. The GOP would need to pickup 4 seats to gain of majority of 11. You saw how Speaker Gilligan handled redistricting in the House. He protected and sought to expand the Democratic majority. In the Senate, Tony Deluca has placed it in jeopardy, so much so that it is now a 50-50 bet as to whether the Republicans win back the Senate in the fall.

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., March 14, 2012

30 Comments
The House unanimously passed HB 245(Heffernan), which essentially eliminates the 'R' word from the Delaware Code. Those of who missed the Al Mascitti Show with yours truly missed a strong disagreement on this issue between us. I was all for the bill, and pointed out that, in many ways, children are ahead of adults now when it comes to respect for their peers who might have unique challenges. Al thought, and I'm paraphrasing here, and I'm not good at paraphrasing, that it was part of some Liberal Groupthink thingy. If you're not listening from 10-12 every Tuesday morning, you're missing some damned lively radio.

ACLU Weighs In On Newark Charter School

11 Comments
The ACLU sends a letter to Secretary Lowery and Governor Markell. Check inside for the full letter. In the past I've been on the fence with Charter Schools, but my opinion is changing - mainly due to their admission policies, the way they can disinvite students, and, in the case of NCS, the way they can shape their population by not having a cafeteria, thereby eliminating a Free and Reduced Lunch program. Which leads me to ask... Are Charter Schools really public schools? Other than public funding and having to provide their own space (for now), how are Charter Schools comparable to public schools. The more I learn the more I think that Charters have more in common with Private Schools. Are Charter Schools really publicly funded private schools?

The Delaware House [2012]

After yesterday's expected but still game changing and shocking retirement of Senator George Bunting downstate, it is obviously time to update our 62 District Strategy charts. Some more candidates have officially filed, but you will be surprised at how many districts still have no filed candidates, including those with incumbents who everyone expects to run for reelection. That is not unusual, especially if they have no declared opposition. Some, in that scenario, wait until the last possible minute (which is July 10, the filing deadline). Due to the 2010 Census, and the resulting redrawing of all of the House and Senate districts, all of the seats in the General Assembly are up for election this year. All 21 Senators. All 41 Representatives. Kent and Sussex Counties have each gained a House seat, and Sussex County gains a Senate seat. In this post, we are going to address the House first. Click through to see the House map and charts and my estimation on how the races are shaping up.

Delaware Liberal Tracking Poll Results — Tony Deluca

To be fair, Tony Deluca has his supporters. John Daniello and those who make up the party appartus adore him. And to be fair, where did a lot of the progressive legislation that was pasted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 originate? The Senate. In large part, Deluca has kept the desk drawer shut whereas his predecessor used it with glee. And as a result, Deluca has support among a lot of the party faithful. It explains why 44% approval rating, 39% of which strongly approve of his performance. Then you flip the coin that is Deluca and you get the other side. The double dipping. The federal investigation. The arrogance. The vindictive leadership. The redistricting fiasco. Which is why 56% disapprove of his performance, 52% strongly.

Republican War On Women – Crazy Arizona Goes Even Further

41 Comments
The bill doesn't just aim to implement a Blunt Amendment-type law at the state level -- it would also strike a protection from the books that forbids a religious employer from firing "an employee who independently chooses to obtain insurance coverage or prescriptions for contraceptives from another source.” That means that if women sought coverage outside of her employer plan, she could be fired, although that might conflict with other laws in Arizona that would protect women from such employer actions.

BREAKING HORRIBLE NEWS: Senator Bunting to Retire. Rep. Hocker to Run.

42 Comments
I have just been informed that Senator George Bunting (D-20th SD) announced his retirement on the Senate floor this afternoon. My source tells me that Pete Schwartzkopf is talking to Bunting now to try to prevent Bunting from endorsing his friend, Representative Gerald Hocker (R-38th RD), for the seat. Hocker and Bunting are good friends, apparently. Bunting is 67 years old and has had health issues in the past.

Tuesday Open Thread [3.13.12]

1 Comment
“I’ve got a lot of good friends, the owner of the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, both owners are friends of mine,” he added. “But let’s keep him away from New England.” — Mitt Romney, stepping in it once again. He is almost a self parody at this point.

Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, March 13, 2012

3 Comments
The overriding question of the day is: Will the issue of John Atkins' behavior surface in today's House Majority Caucus meeting? I spoke to two caucus members in the last few days, and got two distinctly different opinions about what would happen. Neither, to put it mildly, is a strong supporter of John Atkins. One expressed pessimism that the rank-and-file would have the opportunity to weigh in on the issue, and told me that they expected leadership to back Atkins. The other told me that Speaker Gilligan is really angry over Atkins' behavior, and that they expected a frank discussion of what should be done.

Vince White Ends Campaign for IC, Endorses Mitch Crane

5 Comments
Not that he had ever started his campaign by filing to run, but Vincent White has announced that he is withdrawing from the Insurance Commissioner's Race and is endorsing Mitch Crane. This is excellent news if you want to replace Karen Weldin Stewart as Insurance Commissioner. For a crowded primary with more than 2 candidates ensures that the anti-incumbent vote is divided, and in those situations, the incumbent almost always prevails.