Boondoggle | by Pat Garofalo Wilmington, Delaware, is home to the U.S. consumer banking division of the British bank Barclays. Last year, Barclays moved 500 jobs from that location to a new “hub” in Whippany, New Jersey, receiving about $40 million in tax breaks over 10 years from the Garden State. Now, Delaware is giving the bank new funds to create 300 jobs at its Wilmington location — only they’re worse gigs. This churn is a great illustration of how corporations are the only ones who win the subsidy competition […]
For Delaware, Jess Scarane is the right choice for U.S. senator
The News Journal | Opinion | by Rep. John Kowalko I am proud to endorse Jess Scarane for U.S. Senate. As an elected official, who has served seven terms, I am often asked for my opinion of different candidates vying for elected office. It would be presumptuous of me to try to define the sincerity of an individual candidate’s intentions or motives for attaining office or the ideals that motivate them. However, it is logical for me to examine the historical record of elected officials’ performances and positions and let […]
Newark Charter students, alumni call for change amid allegations of racism
Newark Post | by Josh Shannon A group of Newark Charter School students and alumni are petitioning the administration for changes, alleging that minority students are subjected to racism that goes unpunished by teachers and administrators. Approximately 150 students, alumni, parents and community members gathered via Zoom on Sunday night for a virtual town hall meeting to discuss their concerns and their list of requests for the administration. Many of the students who spoke gave examples of other students using racial slurs, making offensive comments or committing other “microaggressions” that […]
Commentary: Transparency issues would accompany Wesley-DSU merger
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 […]
Final budget bills win approval in Delaware legislature
Independent Tribune | by Randall Chase Delaware lawmakers have given final approval to spending bills for the fiscal year starting Wednesday. The state House on Monday approved a $708 million capital budget for construction and transportation projects, and a $55 million package of grants for nonprofit groups, community organizations and volunteer fire companies. Both bills cleared the Senate last week and now go to Democratic Gov. John Carney for his signature. A $4.5 billion operating budget for fiscal 2021 is already on Carney’s desk after being approved by both chambers […]
Final budget bills win approval in Delaware legislature
WBOC | by Tom Lehman Delaware lawmakers have given final approval to spending bills for the fiscal year starting Wednesday. The state House on Monday approved a $708 million capital budget for construction and transportation projects, and a $55 million package of grants for nonprofit groups, community organizations and volunteer fire companies. Both bills cleared the Senate last week and now go to Democratic Gov. John Carney for his signature. A $4.5 billion operating budget for fiscal 2021 is already on Carney’s desk after being approved by both chambers last […]
Delaware House passes remaining budget bills
Delaware State News | by Matt Bittle The state House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the capital bond bill and a nonprofit funding measure Monday, setting the General Assembly up for what will hopefully be a quick and easy conclusion to its session today. The chamber passed the grant-in-aid measure 41-0 and the bond bill 40-1, with Rep. John Kowalko, a Newark Democrat, as the only holdout. Both measures were approved by the Senate last week. The two chambers previously passed the operating budget. Legislators will wrap up their session tonight, […]
After Barclays jobs leave Delaware, state gives bank $2.5M grant to hire again
The News Journal | by Jeanne Kuang Delaware officials are giving Barclays $2.5 million in taxpayer grants to create more than 300 jobs at its Wilmington consumer banking headquarters, a year after the bank moved 500 jobs from the same site to New Jersey. The company also plans to spend close to $7 million renovating the space to accommodate the new positions, which “include a range of customer support and operations management roles,” according to a news release. Gov. John Carney, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank […]
Commentary: Delaware legislators back measures against discrimination
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 […]
Grants-in-aid, bond bill head to Governor Carney’s desk
WDEL | by Amy Cherry Just one day before the end of the legislative session, the Delaware House passed two key spending bills that are now heading to Governor John Carney’s desk for his signature. The $54 million grants-in-aid bill that gives state funding to senior centers, non-profits, and volunteer fire companies, passed unanimously in both the state House and state Senate in virtual sessions. The $708 million capital bond bill, of which funding goes towards school and road construction, had just one “no” vote in the House Monday from […]