Delaware State News | Commentary | by Rep. John Kowalko The imminent merger/acquisition of Wesley College, a private college, by Delaware State University, a public university, has once again brought into focus the determined effort by our state government to resist the transparency and openness necessary to allow public awareness and accountability. Delaware has historically ranked near the bottom for its lack of transparency and accountability. Delaware’s shaky financial disclosure and ethics system is one big reason why the state earned a failing grade on the State Integrity Investigation, an […]

Delaware State News | Commentary | by Representatives Baumbach, Bentz, Brady, Jaques, Kowalko, McDowell, Seigfried, Viola, and Senator Sokola We, the undersigned, submit this open letter as elected Delaware legislators who have been appalled by police actions of the last few weeks. We have been equally appalled by the attempt to shift focus to “looters,” seemingly to distract attention from the cry of racism and Black disenfranchisement. The recent events surrounding and following the brutal public murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by four members of that city’s police force […]

The News Journal | Guest Column | Rep. John Kowalko Full transparency in government matters is of the utmost importance in embracing and appreciating the public’s right to know. Full transparency guarantees that the public’s need to know is not obfuscated under some misguided interpretation of the public’s right to know. During this most threatening crisis enveloping Delaware, which has its families faced with economic upheavals as well as fears for their safety and welfare, the government must be totally and honestly transparent in regards to the information it is […]

First State Media | by Staff Writer Newark Representative John Kowalko has penned an open letter calling on Governor John Carney to release additional details regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Delaware. COVID awareness a right and a responsibility Full transparency in government matters is of the utmost importance in embracing and appreciating the public’s right to know. Full transparency guarantees that the public’s need to know is not obfuscated under some misguided interpretation of the public’s right to know. During this most threatening and serious crisis enveloping Delaware and its […]

The News Journal | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko The editorial in Wednesday’s News Journal commending the efforts of Govs. Wolf, Hogan and Carney in response to the COVID-19 outbreak should have pointed out the consistent misrepresentation of the Centers of Disease Control reports by Carney and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. The recommendation to keep daycares open while closing schools and the additional irresponsible declarations that child care centers are safer places or that children are less vulnerable to becoming infected poses […]

Delaware State News | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko Once again Delaware taxpayers can bear witness to the ugliness and venality of the so called “Delaware Way”. Amazon, the multi-billion dollar conglomerate owned by one of the richest individuals on the planet, Jeff Bezos, is asking for $4.5 million in Delaware taxpayer money to “establish its operations in Wilmington”. This is another “prime” example of wealthy corporations seeking “corporate welfare” from ordinary working families who struggle each day to afford basic essentials. Throughout my entire tenure […]

Delaware State News | Opinion | by Nick Wasileski & Keith Steck Transparency, accountability, and “in the public interest” describe essential guideposts to assist state officials in establishing laws, making decisions, and carrying out policies for the well-being, safety, and happiness of Delaware’s citizens. When state officials dismiss these guideposts, misconduct, mismanagement, and neglect of office swiftly can lead to conflicting policies and actions and even fraud. Consequently, the Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG) perceives a need for an independent, nonpartisan office for oversight and investigation to ensure good […]