The News Journal | Letter to the Editor | by John Young As I reflect upon my tenure as a member of the Christina School Board member, I am often reminded of those Delawareans who support a genuine, equitable, and robust public education. Christina School District, oft maligned by the state and its executive leadership, sometimes struggles to find true champions.The state is routinely cutting state funds, eliminating reading and math specialists, foisting tests with no evidence of efficacy whatsoever, and attempting to intervene in district operations with prescriptive plans […]
Letter: State representative stands for the people
The News Journal | Letter to the Editor | by Carol Robbins I am writing today to say that as a die-hard Republican in an all-blue state, there is only one candidate that will get my vote for state House of Representatives. That person is John Kowalko. I have known John for several years and I can truthfully say that he is a man of his word. That is a rare thing these days, especially for a politician. John has represented the people in our district in Newark for the […]
Letter: Drug law will save lives
The News Journal | Letter to the Editor | by Bonnie & Chuck Yeatman We want to thank Rep. John Kowalko for the tireless effort and time he put into sponsoring House Bill 331. This bill requires physicians to obtain informed, written parental consent prior to prescribing specific mind-altering drugs (including “benzos”) to teens. The parent will be given a form that explains, in layman’s terms, possible life-threatening risks to minors using the drug for the first time. This groundbreaking legislation has the potential to save teen lives; we were […]
Kowalko: News Journal Editor’s statement out of line
The News Journal | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko In an obvious misrepresentation of the truth, you make statements in today’s article, “Mike Feeley, executive editor of The News Journal, said the news organization will not be deterred by threats of legal action,” that show that you have apparently not read the letter (from Rep. Williams and myself sent to Attorney General Denn) or you are deliberately misinterpreting the content and intent of the letter. Nowhere in that letter does it state or allude to any legal action […]
Kowalko: Davies endorsement
Delaware State News | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko It is not often that I choose to make an endorsement in a primary election, but sometimes a candidate stands out from the rest and earns my recognition and support. An individual of impeccable integrity, experience, and intelligence best describes Kathleen Davies. Ms. Davies stands above the others in my opinion and will administer the affairs and responsibilities of the auditor’s office with an exceptional consideration for fairness and honesty. I am proud to endorse Kathleen Davies […]
Kowalko: Governor’s secrecy hurts public trust
The News Journal | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko This governor’s unwillingness to engage and inform the public in matters of significant importance to their quality of life, such as the decision to remove the Rodney Square bus hub, is a violation of the public trust. Implying that some conveniently created policy of “executive privilege” exists is inexcusably wrong. Without full transparency and openness in the government’s decision-making processes, we as legislators cannot and should not expect to have the public’s confidence and trust in the […]
Don’t buy the corporate spin. ‘Budget smoothing’ means budget cuts.
The News Journal | Opinion | by Rep. John Kowalko The usual suspects of corporate propagandists are at it again, disingenuously arguing for budget cuts under the guise of revenue stabilization. House Bill 460, supported by these corporate lobbyists in an article published in the Sunday News Journal, is an attempt to pass a Grover Norquist conservative dream version of a “balanced budget amendment.” The proposed constitutional change would establish budgetary constraints to force the services and programs of the most vulnerable Delawareans onto the chopping block regardless of the […]
Listen to the public: Restore the Rodney Square bus hub
The News Journal | Delaware Voice | by Rep. John Kowalko & John Flaherty On Dec. 17, Delaware’s transit agency, DART, dismantled the bus hub at Rodney Square in Wilmington at the urging of Gov. John Carney. Removing a bus hub and the bus stops located there is an action that has never before been done across America, as far as we know. Many bus riders reacted with outrage when the proposal was announced. Now, DART passengers face daily disruption as they endure walking several city blocks to make their […]
Warning: There is no budget surplus in Delaware
Delaware State News | Opinion | by Rep. John Kowalko With the governor’s proposed budget scheduled to be unveiled today and in light of recent Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) reports purportedly showing an uptick in revenues, it is incumbent upon me, as an elected official, to alert the taxpaying public to the reality and complexity of Delaware’s economic situation. While increased revenue projections might appear to be welcome news, a number of factors should be considered in the final analysis. The specifics of the revenue gains and […]
Corporate tax cuts are undermining Delaware’s budget
The News Journal | Delaware Voice | by Rep. John Kowalko With the Governor’s proposed budget scheduled to be unveiled in less than a week, and in light of recent Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) reports purportedly showing an uptick in revenues, it is incumbent upon me, as an elected official, to alert the taxpaying public to the reality and complexity of Delaware’s economic situation. While increased revenue projections might appear to be welcome news, a number of factors should be considered in the final analysis. The specifics […]