Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 12-18, 2016

Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 12-18, 2016

22 Comments
Some people have a pathological need to run.  I don't know why. (Well, actually, yes I do.  Every now and then, the stars align and one of these losers gets elected. Including Williams. And, uh, Karen Weldin Stewart, anyone?) Dennis E. Williams is one of those people.  No, he's not running for Congress, his nascent candidacy apparently having died aborning.  Instead he's gonna give the voters of the 10th Rep. District a chance to admit they were wrong when they threw Williams' sorry ass out of the General Assembly in 2014.  Problem is, Sean Matthews proved the voters right.  Even with Pete & Val parking political operatives in the 10th to save one of their lackeys, Matthews defeated Williams by a 55-45 margin.  It will be much larger this time, but, hey, Dennis, thanks for the filing fee.  Although I now must dig into my pockets to send some $$'s Matthews' way.  He is already one of the most valuable legislators we have in Dover, especially on education.
A Literal “Yes” or “No” Question

A Literal “Yes” or “No” Question

16 Comments
If you're like me, you know the law states the State Board of Education must vote yea or nay on WEIC as a whole package, as it is submitted by the Commission. No amendments, no language changes, just a straight yes or no, and they had to vote. If you're like me, you may also remember that in January the State Board decided to not vote at all on the plan, as they were legally required to do, and handed it back to Tony Allen with their reasoning for not supporting it. Remember that part about having to vote? Pepperidge Farm Remembers.
President Bartlet is Robocalling…

President Bartlet is Robocalling…

A progressive group is invoking the classic television show "The West Wing" via its star Martin Sheen to pressure GOP senators who face tough re-elections to hold hearings on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee. A robocall campaign by the liberal People For The American Way will get underway in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and target Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), respectively, who are both up for re-election. People For The American way provided the TPM with the robocall in advance of the public announcement. Come inside for the audio of the call.
Now is the time to raise the gas tax.

Now is the time to raise the gas tax.

60 Comments
Right now, in the Brandywine Hundred region, the price for a gallon of gas is about $1.67. So if you are going to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure and transportation improvements throughout the state, now is the time, when the prices are low, to do it. Personally, I believe the tax is a regressive tax that punishes the lower wage earners more than the wealthy. So a gas tax is not my first choice. But if you are going to do it, now is the time to do it. And State Reps. Sean Matthews' and Michael Mulrooney's bill will allow a reevaluation if the price of a gallon of gas rises, as it surely will.