Tag: Rep. Valerie Longhurst
Today’s Word Is: Petulant
Petulant. pet·u·lant ˈpeCHələnt/ adjective (of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered. Imagine this. You’re attending or employed by a large land grant university that receives a measly 11.9% (down from 18.9%) of its funding from the State’s general fund, that was previously able to partake in the State’s group benefits purchasing power […]
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., April 29, 2014
‘Money, That’s What I Want’: Barrett Strong
That’s what the Governor wants, that’s what the General Assembly wants, and that’s what they will talk about. I don’t know what kind of negotiations went on over the Easter break, but state government is facing a budget shortfall, largely due to revenue from ‘abandoned property’ (escheats) coming in lower than projected. BTW, you can’t spell ‘escheats’ with out ‘cheats’. If you think you’ve started to notice a pattern of how much of our budget is built on gimmickry, you are not imagining things. Especially when an alternative is to make the wealthy pay their fair share.
Not to mention that we’ve seen no movement on either the gas tax or proposed water assessment. Unless you count the Rethugs’ putting up signs reading ‘No New Gas Taxes’ all over the New Castle County landscape. Might I suggest perhaps a more constructive project for Rethugs with time on their hands? Maybe fix bridges or fill potholes? You know, the types of repairs that will not be done if Dover denizens do not come to their respective senses? For the umpteenth time:
Governor: Stop talking about castor oil. Start talking about the jobs this would create and the projects that would get done. Then go out there and sell it. If it’s not too late.
Democrats (and whatever Valerie Longhurst passes for this week): Do the same bleeping thing. You do want to create jobs, don’t you? If so, govern like Democrats. If you can’t sell jobs and bridges that won’t fall down, get outta town.
Delaware Political Weekly: March 22-28, 2014
Granted, he’s a Libertarian. Scott Gesty. Unfortunately, he’s not a Steve Newton Libertarian. More like a ‘they’re taking away our freedoms’ Libertarian. He congratulates himself on predicting that ‘Obamacare is destroying the healthcare system’. Man, can’t at least one of these third party types not make you unclean when considering casting a protest vote for them? Paging the Green Party…
Looks like the Republicans are doing better in concentrating on recruiting candidates in General Assembly races…
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.
Memo to Pete Schwartzkopf: You’re Not Speaker Yet.
A rookie mistake, or a sign of things to come? Celia Cohen has the story here, and I think it’s an important one. Here’s why. During my time in Dover, the following served as Speaker of the House, the leader of the institution: Lonnie George, Chuck Hebner, Brad Barnes, Terry Spence, and Bob Gilligan. In […]
Delaware’s 10 Most Intriguing Primaries Of 2012: Part 1
Here are my ground rules. Intriguing to me. And races that I consider to be competitive. So much for the ground rules. I admit that I know little about the individual races for Wilmington City Council, and only a little bit more about Sussex County Council primaries. So, I’m counting on all of you to provide insight and perspective. Not to mention your bouquets and brickbats.
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