Special Political Theater Event Next Tuesday: Sign My “Public Body”
Way back in 1977 the Delaware General Assembly passed our FOIA law. It said, among other things, that:
It is vital in a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner so that our citizens shall have the opportunity to observe the performance of public officials and to monitor the decisions that are made by such officials in formulating and executing public policy;
. . . It also defined public bodies as follows:
“Public body” means . . . any regulatory, administrative, advisory, executive, appointive or legislative body of the State, or of any political subdivision of the State . . . PUBLIC BODY SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE, nor any caucus thereof, or committee, subcommittee, ad hoc committee, special committee or temporary committee. [emphasis added]
Let’s see, they are elected by the public. They are paid by the public. They spend the public’s money on their legislation. But they are not a public body? WTF?
If you want to join the public to let these people know what we think of this, come to Dover on opening day of the General Assembly for a demonstration in support of Senate Bill 4 which would make the legislature a public body.
WHEN: January 8, 2008 at 2:00 PM
WHERE: The Senate Wing, first floor hallway, of Legislative Hall, Dover, DE. We’ve got tee-shirts, buttons, and signs. We need the public! Lot’s of the public.
HERE IS THE KICKER: I’ll be shirtless on the steps of leg hall and will have a short petition written on my torso that says: Make the General Assembly a “public body.” which you will be able to sign with a sharpie. So come down and sign my “public body” to help make the General Assembly a “public body.”
OPEN OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY! OOGA!
Comment by donviti on 4 January 2008 at 10:07 am:
I’m going on a limb and going to say, you might want to reconsider.
However, for a fee I could go shirtless.
I just shaved my back!
Comment by FSP on 4 January 2008 at 10:09 am:
Why? Why focus on SB 4 when the Amick Resolution is by far the most important piece of legislation?
I just spent six months working on a transparency package and I’m willing to put it aside to work on changing the Senate rules.
SB 4 hits the floor, guaranteed, if the rules change.
Comment by FSP on 4 January 2008 at 10:09 am:
So let’s all focus on changing the rules.
Comment by Rebecca on 4 January 2008 at 10:11 am:
Anybody who wants to carpool to Dover on Tuesday should show up in the parking lot at DelDems Headquarters no later than 12:30. That’s 19 E. Commons Blvd, New Castle. We don’t want to leave without anyone but we are leaving at 12:30 sharp.
Comment by PI on 4 January 2008 at 10:27 am:
Nothing speaks louder to legislators than large numbers of people descending on Dover.
SB4 is the best first step to open government. I’m glad to see the R’s are finally trying to do something to improve their situation but in order for them to be viable they need to get people elected and shift the balance in their favor. And, quite honestly, I don’t see that happening in little ole Delaware. The republican party has become almost irrelevant in this state and I hope it stays that way. A look at what happened in Iowa is heartening….Democrats turned out more than 2 to 1. I don’t think it’s so much to back a candidate as it is to rebuke the current state of affairs in the country. I do think the dissatisfaction will trickle down to other levels of government.
Comment by anon on 4 January 2008 at 10:30 am:
If Jason runs out of space I’m signing Burris.
Comment by FSP on 4 January 2008 at 11:33 am:
“SB4 is the best first step to open government.”
Okay. I see what this is. SB 4 is the only open government bill that is a Democratic vehicle, so that’s what you’re going to push.
Great way to get nothing done.
The best first step is the bipartisan SR 13, which would allow bills like SB 4 and my transparency package to the floor.
To argue otherwise is ridiculous.
Comment by Dana Garrett on 4 January 2008 at 11:52 am:
Folks, Delawareans deserve the passage of BOTH the FOIA and Senate Rules Changes bills.
Most everyone believes this is the year we can get the good and transparent government legislation done. Let’s not blow it for the people of our state by directing the debate on which party deserves the most strokes.
The debate needs to be focused on rebutting those, regardless of party, who will try to maintain the status quo. If one absolutely needs a partisan angle on this, I suggest this one: Let the parties compete by trying to fashion the best legislation in these areas as well as being the better party at getting their legislators to vote for the good legislation for the benefit of the people of our state.
Comment by Whoever YOU want it to be on 4 January 2008 at 12:18 pm:
R.Y.’s kind offer aside it doesn’t do it for me…..I am stuck in Wilmington w/o a ride. Any volunteers?
I am a Charming Conversationist with a Sense of Humor, Opposed to backseat driving, Listen to talk radio, Will pay DE 1 tolls (kick in for gasoline, if needed) and You can have my FREE Tee.
Comment by Nancy Willing on 4 January 2008 at 1:17 pm:
Whoever YOU want it to be
*
If we had decent mass transit, you could take a bus to and from the DEM HQ to access the carpooling. I ‘m leaving from Newark if anyone wants a ride.
Jason, the capital police are not known for their sense of humor. Be prepared for violation of public decency charges!
Comment by anon on 4 January 2008 at 1:19 pm:
Dude… you might want to try to find some pens with non-toxic ink.
Comment by disbelief on 4 January 2008 at 1:35 pm:
You’d think after years of the Capitol Police gazing upon the Governor that a flabby Jason wouldn’t be much of a public spectacle.
Comment by jason330 on 4 January 2008 at 1:47 pm:
Well I’m no Donvit, but I’d call this petition pudgie not flabby.
Comment by disbelief on 4 January 2008 at 2:06 pm:
Just kidding. I’m often consumed with jealousy from the fact that this blog has at least two Greek God-like posters. If everyone at DWA (including me) were at an office building, we’d have to take different elevators.
Comment by Rebecca on 4 January 2008 at 3:02 pm:
I might have a solution for YOU. Email me at young.rh@comcast.net
Comment by R Smitty on 4 January 2008 at 9:26 pm:
Just as long as the letter “L” remains in the word “Public,” this stunt of yours is worth the attempt.
Comment by jason330 on 4 January 2008 at 9:52 pm:
It is a “stunt” and a celebration of my return to blogging after my year hiatus.
Comment by R Smitty on 4 January 2008 at 9:56 pm:
Oh yeah? Cool! Welcome back! It seems like only yesterday since your last post, too! Where does the time go?
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