Tag: El Somnambulo
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., March 25, 2014
Just a few of the items on the GA Agenda:
1. Starting with the Senate Committee meetings. More accurately, the Senate/House Joint Veterans Freebies Committee. Today’s meeting will consider HB 236(Jaques), which gives free surf fishing licenses to Delaware National Guard members. The concern is not merely, or even primarily, the freebie being handed out. The Fiscal Note for this bill is $44,000 annually. While this may not be a big amount, this money all comes out of the state parks budget. A permanent reduction on an annual basis. Since we have given similar freebies to other exalted groups, the state is taking money from parks in order to provide perks. And these are not one-shot deals, these are annual perks. Unto perpetuity, barring legislative intervention. If you support the state park system, you might just want to let your legislators know that you’re tired of these giveaways, as they have real impact.
2. Rep. Johnson’s ‘Box’ bill, which would ‘prohibit a public employer from inquiring into or considering the criminal record, criminal history or credit history or score of an applicant before it makes a conditional offer to the applicant’, comes before the Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee Wednesday. It’s in an hospitable committee, so the bill could be on the agenda as early as Thursday.
Blackmail Or Bribery? You Decide.
JPMorgan Chase claims it wants to create 500 new jobs in Delaware. Just one problem. They’ll only create those jobs if the State of Delaware forks over $1.5 million.
That’s right. Poor impoverished megabank wants to do the right thing, but simply can’t afford to do it on their own. So, they want Delaware taxpayers to pony up. BTW, as usual, looks like Gov. Markell is cheerleading for them.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thursday, March 20, 2014
I was heartened to see legislators expressing skepticism on a proposal to give $20 million this year to ease financial burdens on casinos. As Rep. Dennis E. Williams pointed out, the casinos will keep coming back year after year. Which raises the question, why should taxpayers bail out a wheeler dealer like Denis McGlynn for making bad business decisions:
Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment and Dover Motorsports Inc., said not receiving any money from the state would spell disaster for casinos, leading to potential layoffs, shutdowns of certain operations and a cutback on marketing.
Layoffs, loss of gaming options and a cutback in marketing ultimately would cost the state much more in lost revenue than what they would be shelling out in the current proposal, he said.
The casino’s bank loan expires on June 17, and the bank is watching the state’s decision, he said. If the bank loan is not renewed, McGlynn said they’d have to shop around with other banks, something that probably won’t work out in the casino’s favor given its finances, he said.
We gave McGlynn and his, wait for it, ilk, every break in the book. And now we’ve gotta bail his ass out because his loan is under water? Hey, Denis, how about moving some of your other assets around to cover this? The Delaware General Assembly should simply stop giving away money to these blackmailers. Which is what and who they are.
Did Rapist Skate Due to DuPont Family Ties Only to Rape Again?
Sometimes, it takes a few hours to absorb a story. Such is the case here. And here. Go ahead and read. Seriously, I’ll wait. You have only to read this excerpt from McJournal to get your blood boiling: A du Pont family heir who received no prison time after pleading guilty to raping his 3-year-old […]
UPDATED: Carney Gives Finger to LGBT Community
Update: John Carney belatedly signed on to the letter.
Seriously, what’s wrong with this guy? Rhetorical question. He’s a Republican. Anyway, from the attached article:
Forty-eight senators and 148 representatives have signed a letter calling on Obama to sign an executive order providing workplace protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
When Obama campaigned for president, he said he’d support such an order. He has not. So, 196 D legislators signed a letter to Obama (R’s were invited, none signed) calling on him to enforce this through Executive Order since the R’s are delaying consideration of a legislative remedy in Congress. Even Carper and Coons.
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., March 18, 2014
Assuming that neither snow nor St. Paddy’s Day waylaid them, the legislators return en masse to Dover today.
I expect the Governor and his staff to be meeting with legislators both to push for the infrastructure package (10 cents a gallon increase) and the clean water package ($45 on average per homeowner). This, to put it mildly, is a tough sell in an election year. I have to wonder why the governor didn’t do this at the beginning of his second term rather than throwing out a not-well-thought-through proposal late last session. It makes passage less likely. Although…a compromise on the infrastructure package could well be reached. One respected legislator suggested a phase-in, a nickel and more state borrowing the first year, and an additional nickel and less borrowing the second year. This is, after all, among other things, a jobs bill. If proponents can message this properly and emphasize this fact, reluctant D legislators could well be brought along.
I also expect caucuses to get briefings from their Joint Finance Committee members as to where things stand following the agency hearings (Oops. DEFAC says we’re down another $40 mill). Keep in mind that the budget bill likely won’t get marked up until around Memorial Day, so there will be a lot of dickering between now and then. And more DEFAC numbers.
Delaware Political Weekly: March 8-14, 2014
Rep. Daryll Scott has designated his preferred successor. He’s Sean Lynn, a Dover City Councilman. Looks like he’d be a worthy successor to Scott, and the district is solidly blue. Of course, we don’t know if there will be any primary challengers, and we never know how someone will ultimately perform once in office.
I, for one, can only hope that Rep. Scott is not done with public service. He’s among the best progressives in the Delaware General Assembly.
‘Bulo’s Fave New Tunes: Feb. 2014
I gave you the Lake Street Dive stuff earlier this month. Here’s yet another generous selection of stuff that broke through the white noise for me in February…
Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 22-28, 2014
Jonathan Gallo has filed to face Bobby Outten in the 30th RD. Gallo changed his registration from R to D to run and, if you check out his site right now, you will not find the word Democrat, or the donkey, anywhere on the site. I mean, anywhere. He’s got the classic bio, and he’s a “man of dedication, integrity, and commitment, who early in his life felt a call to serve his community.” Which means, he’s a ‘man of dedication, integrity, and commitment’ who is hiding his party affiliation. He also rides a tractor standing up (picture).
J. Kevin Robbins of Harrington, is challenging Harold Peterman in the conservative 33rd RD. Robbins is a long-time farmer and has the type of profile that could give him a shot in this district. Here is his site. Not only does he have the donkey there, he actually calls the Party the Democratic Party.
Guess which one I prefer.
The 62 Project: #’s 21 and 41
When I started the 62 Project, I had Pete Schwartzkopf ranked 13th on my initial list. That was largely because I thought that he, as House Majority Leader, effectively pushed through key progressive bills, including civil unions. He also was able to get the at-the-time controversial ‘revenue enhancement’ package through a fractured House. This helped balance the budget during the early Markell years. He wasn’t afraid to use legislative power to get things done. While I didn’t always admire his tactics, I respected the results. The role of House Majority Leader requires tough tactics in tough times.
However, as Speaker of the House, Schwartzkopf has governed as if he were still Majority Leader. Aided and abetted by an equally-enthusiastic, though far less skilled, arm-breaker, Valerie Longhurst. Pete not only handpicked Longhurst to be his successor, he insisted that they both be elected as a team or he would not serve as Speaker. Uh, I wonder if he’d be willing, or in any position, to make the same demand today. Put simply, Pete Schwartzkopf is in danger of being a one-term Speaker, and not because the D’s are in any way facing the loss of the House chamber.
Carper Opposes $10.10 Minimum Wage
Yep. Favors a rate lower than that, $9 to be exact. Because he is Tom Carper. It’s keeping Harry Reid from having enough votes to pass the bill. He needs to get out of that bleeping Chamber. Who is paying for his obstructionism this time? He should just take a job with them and end his disgraceful public career.
Dog Bites Man. Carney Thumbs Nose At Social Security Protections.
117 House Democrats, count ’em, 117, have signed a letter urging President Obama to exclude chained CPI from his FY ’15 budget. By now, you know where this is going. Once again, absent from this list is the truly-awful John Carney. You know, our Congressman.
El Somnambulo Hosts Blues Bash This Saturday!!
Yes, this is shameless self-promotion. In one of my many other incarnations, I am Symphony Steve, and I am a volunteer producer with the Arden Concert Gild.
I’m bringing in a killer blues/blues-rock show to the Arden Gild Hall this Saturday night at 8 p.m.
The opener is the Mikey Junior Band. Mikey Jr. is an amazing harp (harmonica, for those of you who are not blues aficionados) player and showman. Originally from Trenton, Mikey is making a big name for himself regionally and nationally. He’s made it to the finals of the International Blues Competition in Memphis. He always has a kicking band, and now he’s got a new CD as well. Check him out for yourself inside…
Recent Comments