Chamber Music
"When all government, in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the Center of all power,
it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another and will become as venal and
oppressive as the government from which we separated."
Thomas Jefferson
it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another and will become as venal and
oppressive as the government from which we separated."
Thomas Jefferson
Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Melanie George Smith, Rep. John Kawalko, Rep. Gregory Lavelle, Rep. Clifford "Biff" Lee and Speaker of the House, Rep. Robert Gilligan
The Sisters are sorry to report that SB 226 passed the House with only three Representatives voting against the legislation. Coming Soon . . . . to a neighborhood near you – released criminals!
There is much to report about the dynamics that took place before the vote happened. First, we prepared a letter and emailed all the Representatives to alert them about SB226 and the problems concerning the bill (You can read more about this under Call to Action page). To ensure the letter would be seen and read by the Representatives, we hand delivered copies of the letter to Legislative Hall for each to be given.
The following day, we were at Legislative Hall for the rally against HB 392 (Healthcare) and to speak to the House Judiciary Committee Hearing regarding SB 226. As we were in the House Judiciary Committee Hearing, Representatives began to leave the hearing, only four remained and the committee went to vote.
A citizen questioned the chairman Representative Smith about voting without a quorum. Rep. Smith said
that only four was needed for a quorum on a ten member committee. The definition of a quorum is the
minimal number of officers and members of a committee or organization, usually a majority, who must be present for valid transaction of business. This was the first time we had heard of a quorum being less than the majority. The vote went on and one by one the remaining Representatives left the committee hearing. The only committee member now left was the chairman, Rep. Smith and she decided to proceed with the hearing. It was time to debate SB 226; Mike Barlow, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Markell along with Peggy Bell, Executive Director of Delaware Criminal Justice Information System, were called to speak. Chair Rep. Smith asked if the public had any comments and The Sisters went forward to speak along with another family opposing SB 226. We were asked to limit our time to one minute. One minute, for real, there was no time limit given for Mike Barlow and Peggy Bell? We began to quickly state our concerns to the sole committee member present and we were cut off by the chairman Rep. Smith that we had to end our testimony. She then asked Mike Barlow and Peggy Bell if they had anything to rebuttal from our testimony. Mike Barlow made a couple of comments, but we were not given the opportunity to rebuttal. Does this procedure sound fair in any way, hours of preparation to speak before one member of a ten member committee, limiting your testimony to one minute, only one side allowed to rebuttal (which happened to be Governor Markell's witnesses) and what about having a quorum (this has not been our first experience with strange committee procedures)?
We left the room and went on to try and speak to the committee members that were not present. Not one committee member was able to speak with us regarding our concerns. We tried later in the day but all the Rep.'s were then unavailable as they were in caucus. If only it was as important to be in the committee hearing you serve on as it is to be in caucus.
We were able to stop Representative Kowalko in the hall and questioned him regarding his introduction of HB 392 (Healthcare). He stated he would only take constructive complaints about the bill as he would not discuss why he had introduced such legislation. He stated how this bill had been introduced not to be voted upon this session but was to allow Delawareans to read the legislation giving them ample time to question Legislators with their concerns (We believe they were caught with their hand in the cookie jar). He told us there would be town hall meetings in all three counties so our voices could be heard. We then questioned him on what was the best way for our voice to be heard as we had just spent hours preparing to speak to a committee hearing that only one member was present plus were asked to limit our testimony to one minute. Rep. Kowalko answered that he read all his emails and that was a great way to voice your concerns. Seizing the opportunity we then questioned him about the letter we emailed and the hard copy of the same letter we left for all the Rep.'s regarding SB 226. Ironically, Rep. Kowalko, knew nothing about our email or letter, even though he just assured us he read all his emails and this was an excellent of communicating with him. We gave him another copy of the letter, explaining the legislation and our concerns; he informed us he had made a mistake when he did not support the BOP by voting for HB 35, back in June 2011. We informed him he could now support the BOP by voting against HB 226. He assured us he would read our letter and he assured us that he supported the BOP. When the vote took place Rep. Kowalko voted for HB 226, the exact opposite of what he told us he supported when we had conversation with him. We know when it comes to many politicians talk is cheap, just because you say something it does not mean it is true. Take this as a warning and look out for what Rep. Kowalko tells you regarding HB 392 (Healthcare) as he has already blatantly lied to us. Better yet, Remember in November.
The next morning we find out that SB 226 was pulled out of committee (remember only one person of a 10 member committee was present for the hearing) based on it merits and was placed on the House agenda (third revision of the House agenda) to be voted upon? Sadly, we were not surprized, we had seen the handwriting on the wall. We quickly were on our way to Dover and spent the morning calling Rep.'s urging them to not bring the bill to the floor for a vote; if it was voted upon we asked to testify before the House, and in the worst case scenario if voted upon we asked them not to support the bill. We asked our Rep. Lee and several others if they would put an amendment to the bill to buy us time with the bill or as a bare minimum allow us to testify before the vote. We went into the Chambers and at the time of recess we split and spoke to Reps. We were assured that our concerns would be addressed in the Republican caucus and once again we stated that at least we wanted to testify if the bill was brought to the floor for a vote. After caucus, our Rep. Lee stated that two Rep.’s in the Republican caucus said there was nothing wrong with the bill. Immediately we knew our concerns had been silenced. Rep. Lavelle, came over to us, selling us on the bill as he stated nothing was wrong with it, the questions we posed to him were not addressed and he shifted the conversation away from the issues by saying it was sort of a liberal think tank. When we told him we knew it was a liberal think tank because the Vera Institute was funded by George Soros he simply walked away from us (the truth is not always pretty). We went back to our Rep. Lee, and told him we absolutely wanted to testify, he replied he would have to ask (even though we had told him this numerous times). By this time, we were really getting exasperated of the run around but remained persistent. During Session, Rep. Lee whispered to Rep. Willis we wanted to testify (we know as citizens, this is our right). Moments before the vote, Rep. Lee leaned toward our seats and told us we were not allowed to testify because Speaker of the House, Rep. Gilligan said we were not experts. Not experts, but we knew enough to send Rep. Lavelle to his seat? We told Rep. Lee we knew more than most anyone in the room, and he said it was not his decision. We told Rep. Lee that it was our understanding that it was your Rep. that allowed his constituents / the citizens to testify. He replied that Rep. Gilligan said it was his house; appalled by that answer, we told him that was not the Truth, it was not Rep. Gilligan’s house, it was the PEOPLE’S HOUSE!
Our voice was squelched.
Believe us when we say “There is An AGENDA.”
There is much to report about the dynamics that took place before the vote happened. First, we prepared a letter and emailed all the Representatives to alert them about SB226 and the problems concerning the bill (You can read more about this under Call to Action page). To ensure the letter would be seen and read by the Representatives, we hand delivered copies of the letter to Legislative Hall for each to be given.
The following day, we were at Legislative Hall for the rally against HB 392 (Healthcare) and to speak to the House Judiciary Committee Hearing regarding SB 226. As we were in the House Judiciary Committee Hearing, Representatives began to leave the hearing, only four remained and the committee went to vote.
A citizen questioned the chairman Representative Smith about voting without a quorum. Rep. Smith said
that only four was needed for a quorum on a ten member committee. The definition of a quorum is the
minimal number of officers and members of a committee or organization, usually a majority, who must be present for valid transaction of business. This was the first time we had heard of a quorum being less than the majority. The vote went on and one by one the remaining Representatives left the committee hearing. The only committee member now left was the chairman, Rep. Smith and she decided to proceed with the hearing. It was time to debate SB 226; Mike Barlow, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Markell along with Peggy Bell, Executive Director of Delaware Criminal Justice Information System, were called to speak. Chair Rep. Smith asked if the public had any comments and The Sisters went forward to speak along with another family opposing SB 226. We were asked to limit our time to one minute. One minute, for real, there was no time limit given for Mike Barlow and Peggy Bell? We began to quickly state our concerns to the sole committee member present and we were cut off by the chairman Rep. Smith that we had to end our testimony. She then asked Mike Barlow and Peggy Bell if they had anything to rebuttal from our testimony. Mike Barlow made a couple of comments, but we were not given the opportunity to rebuttal. Does this procedure sound fair in any way, hours of preparation to speak before one member of a ten member committee, limiting your testimony to one minute, only one side allowed to rebuttal (which happened to be Governor Markell's witnesses) and what about having a quorum (this has not been our first experience with strange committee procedures)?
We left the room and went on to try and speak to the committee members that were not present. Not one committee member was able to speak with us regarding our concerns. We tried later in the day but all the Rep.'s were then unavailable as they were in caucus. If only it was as important to be in the committee hearing you serve on as it is to be in caucus.
We were able to stop Representative Kowalko in the hall and questioned him regarding his introduction of HB 392 (Healthcare). He stated he would only take constructive complaints about the bill as he would not discuss why he had introduced such legislation. He stated how this bill had been introduced not to be voted upon this session but was to allow Delawareans to read the legislation giving them ample time to question Legislators with their concerns (We believe they were caught with their hand in the cookie jar). He told us there would be town hall meetings in all three counties so our voices could be heard. We then questioned him on what was the best way for our voice to be heard as we had just spent hours preparing to speak to a committee hearing that only one member was present plus were asked to limit our testimony to one minute. Rep. Kowalko answered that he read all his emails and that was a great way to voice your concerns. Seizing the opportunity we then questioned him about the letter we emailed and the hard copy of the same letter we left for all the Rep.'s regarding SB 226. Ironically, Rep. Kowalko, knew nothing about our email or letter, even though he just assured us he read all his emails and this was an excellent of communicating with him. We gave him another copy of the letter, explaining the legislation and our concerns; he informed us he had made a mistake when he did not support the BOP by voting for HB 35, back in June 2011. We informed him he could now support the BOP by voting against HB 226. He assured us he would read our letter and he assured us that he supported the BOP. When the vote took place Rep. Kowalko voted for HB 226, the exact opposite of what he told us he supported when we had conversation with him. We know when it comes to many politicians talk is cheap, just because you say something it does not mean it is true. Take this as a warning and look out for what Rep. Kowalko tells you regarding HB 392 (Healthcare) as he has already blatantly lied to us. Better yet, Remember in November.
The next morning we find out that SB 226 was pulled out of committee (remember only one person of a 10 member committee was present for the hearing) based on it merits and was placed on the House agenda (third revision of the House agenda) to be voted upon? Sadly, we were not surprized, we had seen the handwriting on the wall. We quickly were on our way to Dover and spent the morning calling Rep.'s urging them to not bring the bill to the floor for a vote; if it was voted upon we asked to testify before the House, and in the worst case scenario if voted upon we asked them not to support the bill. We asked our Rep. Lee and several others if they would put an amendment to the bill to buy us time with the bill or as a bare minimum allow us to testify before the vote. We went into the Chambers and at the time of recess we split and spoke to Reps. We were assured that our concerns would be addressed in the Republican caucus and once again we stated that at least we wanted to testify if the bill was brought to the floor for a vote. After caucus, our Rep. Lee stated that two Rep.’s in the Republican caucus said there was nothing wrong with the bill. Immediately we knew our concerns had been silenced. Rep. Lavelle, came over to us, selling us on the bill as he stated nothing was wrong with it, the questions we posed to him were not addressed and he shifted the conversation away from the issues by saying it was sort of a liberal think tank. When we told him we knew it was a liberal think tank because the Vera Institute was funded by George Soros he simply walked away from us (the truth is not always pretty). We went back to our Rep. Lee, and told him we absolutely wanted to testify, he replied he would have to ask (even though we had told him this numerous times). By this time, we were really getting exasperated of the run around but remained persistent. During Session, Rep. Lee whispered to Rep. Willis we wanted to testify (we know as citizens, this is our right). Moments before the vote, Rep. Lee leaned toward our seats and told us we were not allowed to testify because Speaker of the House, Rep. Gilligan said we were not experts. Not experts, but we knew enough to send Rep. Lavelle to his seat? We told Rep. Lee we knew more than most anyone in the room, and he said it was not his decision. We told Rep. Lee that it was our understanding that it was your Rep. that allowed his constituents / the citizens to testify. He replied that Rep. Gilligan said it was his house; appalled by that answer, we told him that was not the Truth, it was not Rep. Gilligan’s house, it was the PEOPLE’S HOUSE!
Our voice was squelched.
Believe us when we say “There is An AGENDA.”
Chamber Music
Rep. Schwartzkopf,Markell's
Gunga Din
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
Abraham Lincoln
The Sisters, their brother Greg and many Delawareans were out to Legislative Hall last week to show their support for SB 161. Delawareans, strongly and clearly stated that they want harsh penalties for Home Invasions. The question is, will legislators vote as the people pleaded?
Tuesday May 8th, Senator Dave Lawson, prime sponsor of SB 161 spoke at a press conference where a crowd of approximately 70 supporters of SB 161 were present. WBOC-TV covered the press conference and ran the story on why Delaware citizens are urging their legislators to support harsh penalties for Home Invasions during their Tuesday evening broadcasts.
Wednesday May 9th, The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing discussing both home invasions bills before a crowd of approximately 60 or more attendees. Those on the Senate Judiciary Committee are the following: Chair: Senator Blevins, Members: Senator DeLuca, Senator Henry, Senator McDowell, Senator Simpson and Senator Sorenson. Senator DeLuca did not attend the hearing, Senator McDowell came in more than half way through the testimonies, and Senator Henry joined the hearing just a few minutes late.
Senator Lawson was present for the entire hearing as the prime sponsor of SB 161 and Senator Booth joined him a few minutes into the hearing and stayed until its conclusion. Although Senator Booth was not on
the Judiciary Committee, he took the time to attend in order to listen to the debate and testimonies. Representative Heffernan was present for the entire hearing as she is listed as the prime sponsor of HB 277.
Representative Schwartzkopf was present just long enough to make several statements that offended the supporters of SB 161, and then he left the hearing.
A quick synopsis of the hearing is as follows: Senator Blevins chaired the hearing. Senator Lawson, presented SB 161 and questions were opened to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Representative Heffernan presented HB 277, Representative Schwartzkopf made comments and questions were opened to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Each prime sponsor of the two bills could make additional comments and Delaware citizens requesting to speak would go next. Out of the 60 or more attendees, ten of those requested to speak. All who spoke strongly supported SB 161, and were very disturbed by HB 277. Citizens were perplexed why Delaware legislators would even consider a lite penalty for the treacherous crime of a home invasion.
For many attendees who came out in support of SB 161, it was a roller coaster of emotions. Unified in their belief of the bill, they then witnessed first-hand “politics at play” and the one party rule of the Democrats.
Representative Schwartzkopf insulted those who came out to support SB 161 by the many untrue statements he made; one following the other. He stated how the House was not aware a Senate bill regarding Home Invasions had been written when the House started writing their own Home Invasion bill. He stated that he was supporting a bill that he knew would pass legislation, not one that was unable to get the needed votes.
He stated that the House had tried to compromise with the sponsors of SB 161 regarding sentencing times. He stated the “politics at play” were coming from the other party. He stated that he did not want to appear soft on crime, but he was in total support of HB 277 (The “Lite” Home Invasion Bill). He stated that although he supports the Death Penalty, we will soon see that it will no longer be law in the State. After his statements he got up and left the room. Those present got to witness first-hand what Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf considers his role to be as he previously touted, “Part of my job is to carry the water for the governor and it’s just that simple.” (http://www.delawarepolitics.net/the-waterboy/).
Representative Heffernan kept her head down and appeared to be writing for most of the hearing, only briefly raising her head. During testimony, a citizen confronted Rep. Heffernan with this fact, only to be called out by Senator Blevins for what she considered an inappropriate statement.
Senator Henry would roll her eyes when she felt Delaware citizens were too emotional or spoke too long, giving a cue to Senator Blevins to cut the testimony short. (Blevins had asked to try and limit testimony to 3 minutes per person).
Senator McDowell made the comment that additional discussion was needed regarding the two Home Invasions bills. One would think he would not have missed more than half of the committee hearing if he truly felt that way. Furthermore, we believe he was asleep during the Senate committee hearing for SB 185.
Obviously, he doesn’t deem anything worthy enough to give it his full attention.
A concerned Senator Simpson asked Senator Lawson if the House had approached him with an offer to negotiate sentencing for Home Invasions. Senator Blevins sarcastically said you know the answer to that question. To which, Senator Simpson responded sharply, that no, actually he did not know the answer to that question.
Do not forget that, Senator DeLuca, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was not present at any time during the hearing.
A majority of those who testified remarked about Rep. Schwartzkopf’s many untrue statements, and one even said they were insulted by his comments. It has been heard that Rep. Schwartzkopf said that the truth does not matter, and it appears this is a standard which he lives by. Several people pointed out that Attorney General Beau Biden had actually written HB 277, and it was then given to Rep. Heffernan to present as her own. One stated, the truth is that the Markell administration, including Attorney General Beau Biden, is soft on criminals. Those in attendance expressed that legislators were put into office to be the voice of those whom they represent, and as such, need to listen to their constituents when voting. The last person to give testimony only spoke because they were very offended by Rep. Schwartkopf‘s statements. He told all those present that he felt because of Delaware’s one party rule by the Democrats, and with the current politics at play, SB 161 would not be legislated. He also told all those who came out to make their voice heard, not to give up. If the legislators would not listen at this time, we could have them listen later at election time. He urged all present to make those guilty of playing politics hear your voice in November by not re-electing them. A wave of applause resonated throughout the chamber, and Senator Blevins, over the roar of the applause, stated that these actions were not appropriate behavior for the hearing. It truly was an exciting day in Legislative Hall.
Remember to call your legislators, examine how they vote and see if your voice is being represented.
Delaware, be encouraged and don’t give up! If your legislators will not listen today, you can hold them accountable for their actions in November. It is time to end the One Party Rule and Politics At Play in Delaware.
We Are Making a Difference and We Will Continue to Make a Difference!
Abraham Lincoln
The Sisters, their brother Greg and many Delawareans were out to Legislative Hall last week to show their support for SB 161. Delawareans, strongly and clearly stated that they want harsh penalties for Home Invasions. The question is, will legislators vote as the people pleaded?
Tuesday May 8th, Senator Dave Lawson, prime sponsor of SB 161 spoke at a press conference where a crowd of approximately 70 supporters of SB 161 were present. WBOC-TV covered the press conference and ran the story on why Delaware citizens are urging their legislators to support harsh penalties for Home Invasions during their Tuesday evening broadcasts.
Wednesday May 9th, The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing discussing both home invasions bills before a crowd of approximately 60 or more attendees. Those on the Senate Judiciary Committee are the following: Chair: Senator Blevins, Members: Senator DeLuca, Senator Henry, Senator McDowell, Senator Simpson and Senator Sorenson. Senator DeLuca did not attend the hearing, Senator McDowell came in more than half way through the testimonies, and Senator Henry joined the hearing just a few minutes late.
Senator Lawson was present for the entire hearing as the prime sponsor of SB 161 and Senator Booth joined him a few minutes into the hearing and stayed until its conclusion. Although Senator Booth was not on
the Judiciary Committee, he took the time to attend in order to listen to the debate and testimonies. Representative Heffernan was present for the entire hearing as she is listed as the prime sponsor of HB 277.
Representative Schwartzkopf was present just long enough to make several statements that offended the supporters of SB 161, and then he left the hearing.
A quick synopsis of the hearing is as follows: Senator Blevins chaired the hearing. Senator Lawson, presented SB 161 and questions were opened to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Representative Heffernan presented HB 277, Representative Schwartzkopf made comments and questions were opened to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Each prime sponsor of the two bills could make additional comments and Delaware citizens requesting to speak would go next. Out of the 60 or more attendees, ten of those requested to speak. All who spoke strongly supported SB 161, and were very disturbed by HB 277. Citizens were perplexed why Delaware legislators would even consider a lite penalty for the treacherous crime of a home invasion.
For many attendees who came out in support of SB 161, it was a roller coaster of emotions. Unified in their belief of the bill, they then witnessed first-hand “politics at play” and the one party rule of the Democrats.
Representative Schwartzkopf insulted those who came out to support SB 161 by the many untrue statements he made; one following the other. He stated how the House was not aware a Senate bill regarding Home Invasions had been written when the House started writing their own Home Invasion bill. He stated that he was supporting a bill that he knew would pass legislation, not one that was unable to get the needed votes.
He stated that the House had tried to compromise with the sponsors of SB 161 regarding sentencing times. He stated the “politics at play” were coming from the other party. He stated that he did not want to appear soft on crime, but he was in total support of HB 277 (The “Lite” Home Invasion Bill). He stated that although he supports the Death Penalty, we will soon see that it will no longer be law in the State. After his statements he got up and left the room. Those present got to witness first-hand what Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf considers his role to be as he previously touted, “Part of my job is to carry the water for the governor and it’s just that simple.” (http://www.delawarepolitics.net/the-waterboy/).
Representative Heffernan kept her head down and appeared to be writing for most of the hearing, only briefly raising her head. During testimony, a citizen confronted Rep. Heffernan with this fact, only to be called out by Senator Blevins for what she considered an inappropriate statement.
Senator Henry would roll her eyes when she felt Delaware citizens were too emotional or spoke too long, giving a cue to Senator Blevins to cut the testimony short. (Blevins had asked to try and limit testimony to 3 minutes per person).
Senator McDowell made the comment that additional discussion was needed regarding the two Home Invasions bills. One would think he would not have missed more than half of the committee hearing if he truly felt that way. Furthermore, we believe he was asleep during the Senate committee hearing for SB 185.
Obviously, he doesn’t deem anything worthy enough to give it his full attention.
A concerned Senator Simpson asked Senator Lawson if the House had approached him with an offer to negotiate sentencing for Home Invasions. Senator Blevins sarcastically said you know the answer to that question. To which, Senator Simpson responded sharply, that no, actually he did not know the answer to that question.
Do not forget that, Senator DeLuca, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was not present at any time during the hearing.
A majority of those who testified remarked about Rep. Schwartzkopf’s many untrue statements, and one even said they were insulted by his comments. It has been heard that Rep. Schwartzkopf said that the truth does not matter, and it appears this is a standard which he lives by. Several people pointed out that Attorney General Beau Biden had actually written HB 277, and it was then given to Rep. Heffernan to present as her own. One stated, the truth is that the Markell administration, including Attorney General Beau Biden, is soft on criminals. Those in attendance expressed that legislators were put into office to be the voice of those whom they represent, and as such, need to listen to their constituents when voting. The last person to give testimony only spoke because they were very offended by Rep. Schwartkopf‘s statements. He told all those present that he felt because of Delaware’s one party rule by the Democrats, and with the current politics at play, SB 161 would not be legislated. He also told all those who came out to make their voice heard, not to give up. If the legislators would not listen at this time, we could have them listen later at election time. He urged all present to make those guilty of playing politics hear your voice in November by not re-electing them. A wave of applause resonated throughout the chamber, and Senator Blevins, over the roar of the applause, stated that these actions were not appropriate behavior for the hearing. It truly was an exciting day in Legislative Hall.
Remember to call your legislators, examine how they vote and see if your voice is being represented.
Delaware, be encouraged and don’t give up! If your legislators will not listen today, you can hold them accountable for their actions in November. It is time to end the One Party Rule and Politics At Play in Delaware.
We Are Making a Difference and We Will Continue to Make a Difference!
Chamber Music
"I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always
oppressive."
Thomas Jefferson
The next speaker giving testimony before the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement was the Director of Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Alan Levin. We decided to stay and listen to the testimony as DEDO had been showing up in a lot of the research we had been doing.
DEDO receives $33.5 million of Delaware’s funding. Director Levin specifically spoke about $3.5 million of the $33.5 million and cited several accomplishments of the agencies funding. Mr. Levin proudly touted several new accomplishments of DEDO, which happens to be
loan programs. One was the Delaware Rural Irrigation Program (DRIP) which is a no interest loan for farmers to buy new irrigation systems. This program has generated loans to 5 farmers and has encompassed 248 acres. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a loan program that has granted 5 new business loans.
DEDO gives $33.5 million away in a fiscal year and they are touting 5 DRIP loans that cover 248 acres of farm land along with the SSBCI that has produced 5 new loans? We were perplexed about the other $30 million, as no breakdown on the disbursement of that money was given. We wondered where did those
funds go, what have they been used for or were the funds distributed to the companies mentioned that were bringing jobs to the State, as that was the only other thing mentioned?
Companies that were cited as bringing jobs to the State were Citibank, Discover, ING Direct and Johnson Controls. Companies bringing jobs to the State with specific number of jobs cited were Amazon’s new facility coming to Middletown, creating 849 jobs, Bloom Energy creating 1500 jobs, Capital One creating 500 jobs and Hawker Beechcraft creating 100 jobs.
Our research has answered a portion of our earlier question about the breakdown of the remaining $3o million and has produced the following results, which is more than Mr. Levin provided to the committee. In
December 2011, DEDO awarded Amazon a $3.47 million grant for their new facility coming to Middletown
from the Delaware Strategic Fund to support the expansion. A separate grant for up to $4 million has been awarded from the Delaware New Jobs Infrastructure Fund
(http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/press/NewsEvents_pdf_press_2012/AmazontoOpenNewCenterinMtown-FINAL14Feb12.pdf). Secretary Bhatt asked if there were any requirements upon Amazon to remain in Delaware for a defined period of time attached to the funding. Chairman Levin responded that given Amazon’s track record with the State in the past, and that it is entering into a long term lease and with the $90,000,000 investment
(mainly the building and equipment), he didn’t believe that Amazon would be leaving the State any time soon (http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2012/December_12_2011_InfrastructureInvestmentMeetingMinutes.pdf). In others words, the answer to whether Amazon has to remain in Delaware for a defined period of time attached
to receiving the funding is, no. Total State funding for Amazon in Middletown thus far is $7.47 million. Oh, did we tell you Amazon will also receive real estate tax abatement from the town of Middletown for the next 10 years.
Philly Magazine printed an article March 14, 2012 titled “Is Amazon.com Perfecting the American Sweatshop?” The article states Delaware tripped over itselves to get Amazon to pick them but ironically
the very taxpayers funding the deal will not receive basics like insurance or paid time off. Last fall problems
at Amazon’s Lehigh Valley distribution center were exposed by the “Morning Call.” Extreme heat required
EMT’s to remain on-call in the Amazon parking lot because workers were frequently fainting and they did not have health insurance. Most workers at the Lehigh Valley center were not Amazon employees but
staffed by employment agencies with promises of permanent positions for those who worked hard enough and this turned out to be mostly no one. Thanks to government-funded programs like CHIP, children can get health insurance when their parents aren’t provided any by an employer and can’t afford it. Companies that don’t offer benefits are essentially getting another kickback because the government steps in to provide
what the company can afford but chooses not to offer their workers. Deals like the one Amazon just got from Middletown are negotiated and brokered under the pretense of what’s good for a community, but it’s truly only about the company getting the most for the least. Big business is as profitable as ever. Do not accept it, unless you think sweatshops are a good thing (http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/03/14/amazon-employees-sweatshop/).
Bloom Energy will create a manufacturing hub in Newark, which will create approximately 900 jobs at the facility, 600 jobs through suppliers and an estimated 350 construction jobs. Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) will give Bloom Energy $11.2 million if it reaches the 900 employee mark,
up to $1.5 million for outfitting the facility, and $3.3 million if 600 jobs are created via suppliers. The
employment target grants contain provisions that reduce payouts if the targets are not met (http://treasury.delaware.gov/wpcontent/uploads/economicindex.pdf). The deal is the product of nearly a year’s work by Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara, the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Delmarva and Bloom (http://www.delawarefirst.org/18847-bloom-hearing-delaware).
DEDO and the State has reached an agreement with Capital One. Capital One will be adding 500 new jobs over its current base at ING and HSBC. Currently, the proposed incentive is worth $5.6 million to be paid from the Delaware Strategic Fund (http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2011/September26_2011_CDF_Meeting.pdf).
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support Corporation has been awarded a performance-based, job-creation grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund program in the amount of $750,000. The Applicant proposes to use the funds to support cash flow as it opens a factory service center at the New Castle County Airport. Mr. Levin indicated that the Company will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Blue Collar Tax Credit program, assuming the pending legislation is signed by Governor Markell. When questioned about how Hawker was performing, it was stated that they had seen some losses on the aircraft side of the business yet they have always found a way to grow in difficult financial times. (http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2011/June27_2011CDF_Meeting.pdf). March 30, 2012, the situation at Hawker Beechcraft is grim as it is reported they are preparing for a prearranged bankruptcy filing in the coming weeks according to Reuters (http://www.flyingmag.com/news/report-hawker-beechcraft-bankruptcy-imminent).
We just have to add, as it was not discussed at the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements, that Sallie
Mae was awarded a grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund program in the amount of $5.1 million for relocating its corporate headquarters from Reston, VA to their Newark location. Specifically, grant proceeds will be used towards the renovation of its existing building, furniture and fixtures at the current location of 300 Continental Drive in Newark(http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2011/June27_2011CDF_Meeting.pdf). Who decided that bringing new business to Delaware is having taxpayers remodel an existing office space?
We have testimony given by Mr. Levin touting the so called accomplishments of 5 DRIP loans and 5 new SSBCI loans along with 2949 jobs that are being created in the State, but no mention of spending $25 million plus of taxpayer’s dollars to those 4 corporations, so they will operate their business in the State of Delaware. Mr. Levin did not bother to tell the committee the above details we cited about the job creations. When asked by the committee if DEDO spent all their money (again $30 million was never discussed by Mr. Levin) Mr. Levin responded “Yes, we spend every penny.” Would it not be a novel idea to support Delaware small businesses rather than give our State away to large corporations who come in and further deplete the State’s financial resources because they do not take care of their employees.
Senator Venables stated some of his constituents were deeply concerned that Delaware ranked 42nd out of 50 states in Top States for Business. Senator Venables questioned Mr. Levin if that was accurate, stating when I came to Dover as a Senator 25 years ago, Delaware was in the top ranking for being a great State
for Business? When we looked back, 25 years ago, Governor Pete DuPont (Republican) had just finished his eight years in office. Delaware businesses were flourishing under his business friendly policies. Mr. Levin stated, “It depends on what report you reference and CNBC actually ranks Delaware as one of the top States for business.” One of the Sisters was taken aback by Mr. Levin’s statement as she had just read that same article and that was not at all how Delaware was referenced.
Kimberly’s testimony stated she was not at that meeting Senator Venables referenced, but ironically she had just read that same article where CNBC ranked the States for Business and Delaware ranked 42nd, (the number cited by Senator Venables’ constituents) not in the top as Mr. Levin stated. There were 6 categories where Delaware lost points. Citing the article, Kimberly stated Delaware lost the most points in the following 4 categories: cost of doing business, quality of life, the economy, and transportation and infrastructure.
Here are the main factors within those 4 categories where Delaware lost points. In the cost of doing business, Delaware took a big hit because of high energy costs, Delaware ranks 36 in highest energy costs among the States. In quality of life, Delaware has a high and rising violent crime rate, ranking 4th in the nation for violent crime. In the economy category, Delaware has a low proportion of employment coming from small business and Delaware has been a slow growth economy for over a decade. Lastly transportation and infrastructure are measured by the value of goods shipped and the availability of air travel. A good deal of Delaware’s manufacturing is management rather than production and Delaware does not have a major airport (http://criblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/cnbc-doesn%E2%80%99t-believe-delaware-is-the-first-state-for-business/).
A couple of questions were asked by the committee after the testimony. One Senator wanted a copy of the article referenced, so I stated I would be happy to send it to the entire committee. A Representative also wanted to know who I represented, was I with a coalition? My answer was I was a concerned citizen who has been doing a lot of research and has discovered that Delaware has a lot of big problems.
Our question to you, Delaware, is when did we switch from being an entrepreneurial State to a government subsidized job creator State? How did Delaware get to this point, when did Delaware get to this point and did you know that Delaware is to this point?
Ironically, it seems as if you are the head of a department in Delaware you are revered as the “expert” and anything you say is regarded as truth. Maybe, at one time it was like that, but times have changed Delaware and from our observations we have witnessed many situations where truth is not being spoken today. However, it is a great indicator that the climate is changing when an informed citizen knows more than the “expert” and they are in the right place at the right time to voice that truth to others.
Delaware Get Informed and Take Action, Together We Can and We Will Make a Difference!
Thomas Jefferson
The next speaker giving testimony before the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement was the Director of Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Alan Levin. We decided to stay and listen to the testimony as DEDO had been showing up in a lot of the research we had been doing.
DEDO receives $33.5 million of Delaware’s funding. Director Levin specifically spoke about $3.5 million of the $33.5 million and cited several accomplishments of the agencies funding. Mr. Levin proudly touted several new accomplishments of DEDO, which happens to be
loan programs. One was the Delaware Rural Irrigation Program (DRIP) which is a no interest loan for farmers to buy new irrigation systems. This program has generated loans to 5 farmers and has encompassed 248 acres. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a loan program that has granted 5 new business loans.
DEDO gives $33.5 million away in a fiscal year and they are touting 5 DRIP loans that cover 248 acres of farm land along with the SSBCI that has produced 5 new loans? We were perplexed about the other $30 million, as no breakdown on the disbursement of that money was given. We wondered where did those
funds go, what have they been used for or were the funds distributed to the companies mentioned that were bringing jobs to the State, as that was the only other thing mentioned?
Companies that were cited as bringing jobs to the State were Citibank, Discover, ING Direct and Johnson Controls. Companies bringing jobs to the State with specific number of jobs cited were Amazon’s new facility coming to Middletown, creating 849 jobs, Bloom Energy creating 1500 jobs, Capital One creating 500 jobs and Hawker Beechcraft creating 100 jobs.
Our research has answered a portion of our earlier question about the breakdown of the remaining $3o million and has produced the following results, which is more than Mr. Levin provided to the committee. In
December 2011, DEDO awarded Amazon a $3.47 million grant for their new facility coming to Middletown
from the Delaware Strategic Fund to support the expansion. A separate grant for up to $4 million has been awarded from the Delaware New Jobs Infrastructure Fund
(http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/press/NewsEvents_pdf_press_2012/AmazontoOpenNewCenterinMtown-FINAL14Feb12.pdf). Secretary Bhatt asked if there were any requirements upon Amazon to remain in Delaware for a defined period of time attached to the funding. Chairman Levin responded that given Amazon’s track record with the State in the past, and that it is entering into a long term lease and with the $90,000,000 investment
(mainly the building and equipment), he didn’t believe that Amazon would be leaving the State any time soon (http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2012/December_12_2011_InfrastructureInvestmentMeetingMinutes.pdf). In others words, the answer to whether Amazon has to remain in Delaware for a defined period of time attached
to receiving the funding is, no. Total State funding for Amazon in Middletown thus far is $7.47 million. Oh, did we tell you Amazon will also receive real estate tax abatement from the town of Middletown for the next 10 years.
Philly Magazine printed an article March 14, 2012 titled “Is Amazon.com Perfecting the American Sweatshop?” The article states Delaware tripped over itselves to get Amazon to pick them but ironically
the very taxpayers funding the deal will not receive basics like insurance or paid time off. Last fall problems
at Amazon’s Lehigh Valley distribution center were exposed by the “Morning Call.” Extreme heat required
EMT’s to remain on-call in the Amazon parking lot because workers were frequently fainting and they did not have health insurance. Most workers at the Lehigh Valley center were not Amazon employees but
staffed by employment agencies with promises of permanent positions for those who worked hard enough and this turned out to be mostly no one. Thanks to government-funded programs like CHIP, children can get health insurance when their parents aren’t provided any by an employer and can’t afford it. Companies that don’t offer benefits are essentially getting another kickback because the government steps in to provide
what the company can afford but chooses not to offer their workers. Deals like the one Amazon just got from Middletown are negotiated and brokered under the pretense of what’s good for a community, but it’s truly only about the company getting the most for the least. Big business is as profitable as ever. Do not accept it, unless you think sweatshops are a good thing (http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/03/14/amazon-employees-sweatshop/).
Bloom Energy will create a manufacturing hub in Newark, which will create approximately 900 jobs at the facility, 600 jobs through suppliers and an estimated 350 construction jobs. Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) will give Bloom Energy $11.2 million if it reaches the 900 employee mark,
up to $1.5 million for outfitting the facility, and $3.3 million if 600 jobs are created via suppliers. The
employment target grants contain provisions that reduce payouts if the targets are not met (http://treasury.delaware.gov/wpcontent/uploads/economicindex.pdf). The deal is the product of nearly a year’s work by Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara, the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Delmarva and Bloom (http://www.delawarefirst.org/18847-bloom-hearing-delaware).
DEDO and the State has reached an agreement with Capital One. Capital One will be adding 500 new jobs over its current base at ING and HSBC. Currently, the proposed incentive is worth $5.6 million to be paid from the Delaware Strategic Fund (http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2011/September26_2011_CDF_Meeting.pdf).
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support Corporation has been awarded a performance-based, job-creation grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund program in the amount of $750,000. The Applicant proposes to use the funds to support cash flow as it opens a factory service center at the New Castle County Airport. Mr. Levin indicated that the Company will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Blue Collar Tax Credit program, assuming the pending legislation is signed by Governor Markell. When questioned about how Hawker was performing, it was stated that they had seen some losses on the aircraft side of the business yet they have always found a way to grow in difficult financial times. (http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2011/June27_2011CDF_Meeting.pdf). March 30, 2012, the situation at Hawker Beechcraft is grim as it is reported they are preparing for a prearranged bankruptcy filing in the coming weeks according to Reuters (http://www.flyingmag.com/news/report-hawker-beechcraft-bankruptcy-imminent).
We just have to add, as it was not discussed at the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements, that Sallie
Mae was awarded a grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund program in the amount of $5.1 million for relocating its corporate headquarters from Reston, VA to their Newark location. Specifically, grant proceeds will be used towards the renovation of its existing building, furniture and fixtures at the current location of 300 Continental Drive in Newark(http://dedo.delaware.gov/dedo_pdf/NewsEvents_pdf/minutes/2011/June27_2011CDF_Meeting.pdf). Who decided that bringing new business to Delaware is having taxpayers remodel an existing office space?
We have testimony given by Mr. Levin touting the so called accomplishments of 5 DRIP loans and 5 new SSBCI loans along with 2949 jobs that are being created in the State, but no mention of spending $25 million plus of taxpayer’s dollars to those 4 corporations, so they will operate their business in the State of Delaware. Mr. Levin did not bother to tell the committee the above details we cited about the job creations. When asked by the committee if DEDO spent all their money (again $30 million was never discussed by Mr. Levin) Mr. Levin responded “Yes, we spend every penny.” Would it not be a novel idea to support Delaware small businesses rather than give our State away to large corporations who come in and further deplete the State’s financial resources because they do not take care of their employees.
Senator Venables stated some of his constituents were deeply concerned that Delaware ranked 42nd out of 50 states in Top States for Business. Senator Venables questioned Mr. Levin if that was accurate, stating when I came to Dover as a Senator 25 years ago, Delaware was in the top ranking for being a great State
for Business? When we looked back, 25 years ago, Governor Pete DuPont (Republican) had just finished his eight years in office. Delaware businesses were flourishing under his business friendly policies. Mr. Levin stated, “It depends on what report you reference and CNBC actually ranks Delaware as one of the top States for business.” One of the Sisters was taken aback by Mr. Levin’s statement as she had just read that same article and that was not at all how Delaware was referenced.
Kimberly’s testimony stated she was not at that meeting Senator Venables referenced, but ironically she had just read that same article where CNBC ranked the States for Business and Delaware ranked 42nd, (the number cited by Senator Venables’ constituents) not in the top as Mr. Levin stated. There were 6 categories where Delaware lost points. Citing the article, Kimberly stated Delaware lost the most points in the following 4 categories: cost of doing business, quality of life, the economy, and transportation and infrastructure.
Here are the main factors within those 4 categories where Delaware lost points. In the cost of doing business, Delaware took a big hit because of high energy costs, Delaware ranks 36 in highest energy costs among the States. In quality of life, Delaware has a high and rising violent crime rate, ranking 4th in the nation for violent crime. In the economy category, Delaware has a low proportion of employment coming from small business and Delaware has been a slow growth economy for over a decade. Lastly transportation and infrastructure are measured by the value of goods shipped and the availability of air travel. A good deal of Delaware’s manufacturing is management rather than production and Delaware does not have a major airport (http://criblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/cnbc-doesn%E2%80%99t-believe-delaware-is-the-first-state-for-business/).
A couple of questions were asked by the committee after the testimony. One Senator wanted a copy of the article referenced, so I stated I would be happy to send it to the entire committee. A Representative also wanted to know who I represented, was I with a coalition? My answer was I was a concerned citizen who has been doing a lot of research and has discovered that Delaware has a lot of big problems.
Our question to you, Delaware, is when did we switch from being an entrepreneurial State to a government subsidized job creator State? How did Delaware get to this point, when did Delaware get to this point and did you know that Delaware is to this point?
Ironically, it seems as if you are the head of a department in Delaware you are revered as the “expert” and anything you say is regarded as truth. Maybe, at one time it was like that, but times have changed Delaware and from our observations we have witnessed many situations where truth is not being spoken today. However, it is a great indicator that the climate is changing when an informed citizen knows more than the “expert” and they are in the right place at the right time to voice that truth to others.
Delaware Get Informed and Take Action, Together We Can and We Will Make a Difference!
Chamber Music
"Government at its best is a necessary evil, and at its worst, an intolerant one."
Thomas Paine
February 29, 2012 the Sisters traveled again to Legislative Hall in Dover. We were
there to hear testimony from the Department of Corrections Commissioner, Carl
Danberg, before the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement.
One would have to say it was a rather uneventful testimony, considering Governor Markell’s Executive Order 27 (This Task Force has requested the Vera Institute of
Justice for assistance in reducing state correctional spending), most especially since the first report of the executive order was released on January 19, 2012. Mr. Danberg did not address anything about the report or even acknowledge an Executive Order had been issued by Governor Markell. Oddly enough, many legislators are not aware Governor Markell issued Executive Order 27. Commissioner Danberg only focused his discussion on the improvements taking place at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington. He discussed the $11.5 million dollar roof replacement, kitchen expansion and the $300,000 dollar new fire pump the city of Wilmington was requiring them to install.
When questioned by the committee, Danberg stated the Department of Corrections has 2600 employees.
He also answered there are 5600 inmates in prisons throughout the State and 16,500 under supervision in communities.
Danberg is on record stating roughly 2/3 of the DOC $250 million annual budget is for personnel costs (http://www.wboc.com/story/16924309/del-corrections-commissioner-discusses-budget?client), that translates to $166.6 million in personnel costs and $83.3 million for operational costs. Let’s further look at those figures: $166.6 million in personal costs with 2600 employees translates to an average annual income per DOC employee of $64,077 plus state benefits and pension. The Average Delaware Household is defined as 2.58 persons and the Median Average Income per household for Delawareans is $57,599 from 2006-2010 (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/10000.html). You might want to revisit this document from the Caesar Rodney Institute regarding overtime and other pay within the DOC (http://transparentdelaware.org/fiscal-prisoners-120220/).
$83.3 million is left for operating costs, after removing personnel costs. 5600 inmates plus 16,500 under community supervision equals 22,100 under the authority of the DOC, which translates to $7,217 cost per person under the authority of the DOC. We do not know of any business in the private sector that can survive with 2/3 of the annual budget going to personnel costs.
When questioned by the committee regarding capacity issues Danberg made the following two statements: Referring to Plummer Community Corrections Center Danberg said “The State made a mistake when they built it, let me correct that statement by adding, in my opinion.” Referring to Sussex Correctional Institution Danberg said “I am not ready to concede yet that we need more space in Sussex.” Sussex Correctional Institution has an operating capacity of 1,149 people, and as of June 30, 2011 the population was 1,053. One
might say Danberg knows something that the majority of Delawareans do not.
We believe when reform is needed you start at the top and work your way down, as this will reveal the true source of the problems. We think the DOC is in need of reform. Here is the Department Organizational Structure of the prison system in Delaware.
State of Delaware
Governor - Jack Markell
Department of Correction
Commissioner - Carl Danberg
Deputy Commissioner - Tom Carroll
The following five branches come from the upper two:
Office of Commissioner; Bureau of Management Services; Bureau of Correctional Healthcare Services;
Bureau of Prisons; Bureau of Community Corrections (http://www.doc.delaware.gov/downloads/2011AnnualRpt.pdf).
Thomas Paine
February 29, 2012 the Sisters traveled again to Legislative Hall in Dover. We were
there to hear testimony from the Department of Corrections Commissioner, Carl
Danberg, before the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement.
One would have to say it was a rather uneventful testimony, considering Governor Markell’s Executive Order 27 (This Task Force has requested the Vera Institute of
Justice for assistance in reducing state correctional spending), most especially since the first report of the executive order was released on January 19, 2012. Mr. Danberg did not address anything about the report or even acknowledge an Executive Order had been issued by Governor Markell. Oddly enough, many legislators are not aware Governor Markell issued Executive Order 27. Commissioner Danberg only focused his discussion on the improvements taking place at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington. He discussed the $11.5 million dollar roof replacement, kitchen expansion and the $300,000 dollar new fire pump the city of Wilmington was requiring them to install.
When questioned by the committee, Danberg stated the Department of Corrections has 2600 employees.
He also answered there are 5600 inmates in prisons throughout the State and 16,500 under supervision in communities.
Danberg is on record stating roughly 2/3 of the DOC $250 million annual budget is for personnel costs (http://www.wboc.com/story/16924309/del-corrections-commissioner-discusses-budget?client), that translates to $166.6 million in personnel costs and $83.3 million for operational costs. Let’s further look at those figures: $166.6 million in personal costs with 2600 employees translates to an average annual income per DOC employee of $64,077 plus state benefits and pension. The Average Delaware Household is defined as 2.58 persons and the Median Average Income per household for Delawareans is $57,599 from 2006-2010 (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/10000.html). You might want to revisit this document from the Caesar Rodney Institute regarding overtime and other pay within the DOC (http://transparentdelaware.org/fiscal-prisoners-120220/).
$83.3 million is left for operating costs, after removing personnel costs. 5600 inmates plus 16,500 under community supervision equals 22,100 under the authority of the DOC, which translates to $7,217 cost per person under the authority of the DOC. We do not know of any business in the private sector that can survive with 2/3 of the annual budget going to personnel costs.
When questioned by the committee regarding capacity issues Danberg made the following two statements: Referring to Plummer Community Corrections Center Danberg said “The State made a mistake when they built it, let me correct that statement by adding, in my opinion.” Referring to Sussex Correctional Institution Danberg said “I am not ready to concede yet that we need more space in Sussex.” Sussex Correctional Institution has an operating capacity of 1,149 people, and as of June 30, 2011 the population was 1,053. One
might say Danberg knows something that the majority of Delawareans do not.
We believe when reform is needed you start at the top and work your way down, as this will reveal the true source of the problems. We think the DOC is in need of reform. Here is the Department Organizational Structure of the prison system in Delaware.
State of Delaware
Governor - Jack Markell
Department of Correction
Commissioner - Carl Danberg
Deputy Commissioner - Tom Carroll
The following five branches come from the upper two:
Office of Commissioner; Bureau of Management Services; Bureau of Correctional Healthcare Services;
Bureau of Prisons; Bureau of Community Corrections (http://www.doc.delaware.gov/downloads/2011AnnualRpt.pdf).
Chamber Music
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding,
is but swindling futurity on a large scale."
Thomas Jefferson
On Feb. 28th, 2012, the Sisters traveled to Legislative Hall in Dover. We were there to listen to testimony before the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement from Del Tech College President Dr. Orlando J. George Jr. because of our recent discovery regarding Dr. George (Read this story under the Connect the Dots page).
Delaware’s fiscal year 2013 budget is currently being developed and will be presented before the legislative bodies for approval sometime in June. Now is the time when Delaware organizations and agencies submit their budgets and also expound on all they have accomplished in the past year using state funds.
We arrived on time; however the presentation by Dr. George had already begun. The meeting chamber was filled to capacity and seating had spilled out into the hallway. We quickly were given two additional seats and began to listen to the president report on the college’s accomplishments. Dr. George did the entire presentation himself, and his colleagues nodded in approval. The Joint Committee on Capital Improvement glowed at the accomplishments Dr. George sited before posing a few questions of their own. The whole
time, we wondered if anyone secretly questioned why Dr. George was making $454,000 a year, or even how many people actually knew this to be the case. He seemed to be admired, adored, and treated like a demagogue.
The governor’s budget for the college is $10.5 million. At the end of the presentation, Dr. George pleaded with the committee to honor the governor’s request for an additional $3 million in capital funding for fiscal
year 2013, bringing the total to $13.5 million. Last year the college received three Federal EDA grants supporting energy education. Dr. George stated it was unprecedented for an organization to receive three EDA grants in one year. The college had pursued Federal Grants and received $5 million, the full amount
requested according to Dr. George’s testimony.
When questioned about the SEED Scholarship Program though, Dr. George said, “25% graduated, 30% (+ -)are still attending school.” For those unfamiliar with this program, students are allowed to enroll at the college without tuition fees in order to attain a two-year degree. They even are granted a total of three years to complete their studies and graduate. Doing the math based upon Dr. George’s statistics, approximately 45% do not graduate through the SEED Scholarship Program. When questioned about total enrollment and graduation statistics, Dr. George replied two-thirds of the students needed more college to graduate. He also stated 90% of the student body begin as full-time students, and then drop to part-time. Amazingly enough,
the answers to these questions were nowhere near as lustrous as those sited in Dr. George’s initial list of accomplishments. A fact, one hopes, that will not be lost when casting a vote on the additional $3 million.
The advancement of education is always beneficial to any society. Education can prevent social maladies such as poverty, drug abuse and crime. The question to our state officials is, how are our funds best spent?
Who is watching over the disbursement of taxpayers’dollars? Federal grants bring Federal mandates.
The State of Delaware has received millions, maybe even billions of dollars, from the Federal government. Who is going to own and operate our state if these trends are not stopped or reversed?
On Feb. 29th, we once again attended the Capital Improvement Committee hearings where a CNBC report was quoted incorrectly. Coming Soon… full details and the true report that we presented!
is but swindling futurity on a large scale."
Thomas Jefferson
On Feb. 28th, 2012, the Sisters traveled to Legislative Hall in Dover. We were there to listen to testimony before the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement from Del Tech College President Dr. Orlando J. George Jr. because of our recent discovery regarding Dr. George (Read this story under the Connect the Dots page).
Delaware’s fiscal year 2013 budget is currently being developed and will be presented before the legislative bodies for approval sometime in June. Now is the time when Delaware organizations and agencies submit their budgets and also expound on all they have accomplished in the past year using state funds.
We arrived on time; however the presentation by Dr. George had already begun. The meeting chamber was filled to capacity and seating had spilled out into the hallway. We quickly were given two additional seats and began to listen to the president report on the college’s accomplishments. Dr. George did the entire presentation himself, and his colleagues nodded in approval. The Joint Committee on Capital Improvement glowed at the accomplishments Dr. George sited before posing a few questions of their own. The whole
time, we wondered if anyone secretly questioned why Dr. George was making $454,000 a year, or even how many people actually knew this to be the case. He seemed to be admired, adored, and treated like a demagogue.
The governor’s budget for the college is $10.5 million. At the end of the presentation, Dr. George pleaded with the committee to honor the governor’s request for an additional $3 million in capital funding for fiscal
year 2013, bringing the total to $13.5 million. Last year the college received three Federal EDA grants supporting energy education. Dr. George stated it was unprecedented for an organization to receive three EDA grants in one year. The college had pursued Federal Grants and received $5 million, the full amount
requested according to Dr. George’s testimony.
When questioned about the SEED Scholarship Program though, Dr. George said, “25% graduated, 30% (+ -)are still attending school.” For those unfamiliar with this program, students are allowed to enroll at the college without tuition fees in order to attain a two-year degree. They even are granted a total of three years to complete their studies and graduate. Doing the math based upon Dr. George’s statistics, approximately 45% do not graduate through the SEED Scholarship Program. When questioned about total enrollment and graduation statistics, Dr. George replied two-thirds of the students needed more college to graduate. He also stated 90% of the student body begin as full-time students, and then drop to part-time. Amazingly enough,
the answers to these questions were nowhere near as lustrous as those sited in Dr. George’s initial list of accomplishments. A fact, one hopes, that will not be lost when casting a vote on the additional $3 million.
The advancement of education is always beneficial to any society. Education can prevent social maladies such as poverty, drug abuse and crime. The question to our state officials is, how are our funds best spent?
Who is watching over the disbursement of taxpayers’dollars? Federal grants bring Federal mandates.
The State of Delaware has received millions, maybe even billions of dollars, from the Federal government. Who is going to own and operate our state if these trends are not stopped or reversed?
On Feb. 29th, we once again attended the Capital Improvement Committee hearings where a CNBC report was quoted incorrectly. Coming Soon… full details and the true report that we presented!