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 of the revenue gains and revenue shortfalls should be taken in […]
Good news for Delaware utility ratepayers!
As a result of the efforts of the Public Advocate, joined by my colleagues in the General Assembly and members of the public, the Delaware Public Service Commission has ruled to accept the Public Advocate’s petition to restore windfall profits from the recent federal tax cuts to the ratepayers in Delaware. I also am greatly appreciative of a personal note of thanks from Mr. Drew Slater, the Delaware Public Advocate, who is a true champion for the people. We could not have done this without all of us coming together […]
Statement against repeal of Clean Power Plan
Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) hosted a public meeting today to provide an opportunity for Delawareans and citizens of other East Coast states to comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal the federal Clean Power Plan (CPP). I join my fellow citizens in denouncing this destructive plan to assault our health and environment. Below is my statement from today’s hearing. John Kowalko State Representative 25th District Good morning. I am State Representative John Kowalko, 25th District, Newark South. I want to thank the […]
Lawmakers Announce Bi-Partisan Letter of Support for Public Advocate Petition
Delaware General Assembly Rep. John Kowalko Rep. Kim Williams For immediate release: January 3, 2018 Lawmakers Announce Bi-Partisan Letter of Support for Public Advocate Petition Letter supports petition to the Public Service Commission requesting reduction of utility rates in Docket No. 17-1240 due to recently signed taxed reform DOVER – Twenty-six members of the Delaware General Assembly sent a letter to the Delaware Public Service Commission pronouncing their support for Public Advocate Drew Slater’s petition to open a docket “to reduce the rates of Commission-regulated utilities as a result of […]
Delaware Public Advocate fighting for utility rate reduction
Public Advocate Drew Slater has petitioned the Public Service Commission contending that the cash windfall from the recent lowering of corporate taxes that would directly benefit utilities, such as Delmarva Power and Artesian, should not be added to those companies’ coffers but should flow directly to electricity and water consumers. This is a petition that should be granted without any hesitation and is another example of the dedication and thoughtfulness exhibited by Mr. Slater who takes his responsibilities to the consumers as Delaware’s Public Advocate more seriously than any other […]
Governor’s proposal for Christina schools in Wilmington is a farce
Below is my statement from the recent board meeting concerning the proposed reform of Christina schools in Wilmington and the points I raised about Wilmington education to the Governor. John Kowalko State Representative 25th District Nine other legislators and I attended a meeting called by Governor Carney less than a week ago purportedly to discuss the proposed Wilmington school reform plan and MOU proposal. Since we weren’t given copies of the MOU and it doesn’t seem to be available any longer at the link the Administration provided, I cannot offer […]
Delaware’s road to austerity is destroying most vulnerable
The Delaware General Assembly and Governor Carney gave millions away to wealthy corporations and even got rid of the estate tax last year despite a massive budget gap. Out of those millions, we could have spared the $2.5 million to continue funding the Delaware Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. The recent News Journal headline “Husband and wife of 71 years identified in Kenton murder-suicide” is heartbreaking. I am deeply saddened by this predictable turn of events caused by the General Assembly and Governor’s failure to give even a minimal consideration for the needs of the […]
Demand action to rein in LLC crimes
In response to a FOIA request made by DelCOG and the News Journal, Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock claims to have tweaked internal policy to “rein in secretive limited liability companies.” Instead, these newly proposed regulatory and policy changes are unimpressive and disappointing in my opinion. My proposed legislation (HB 57) simply mandates that registered agents “who serve as administrative liaisons between Delaware companies and the state” check client applicants for a Delaware LLC license against the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) list and report entities […]
Federal Indictments Expose Corruption in Delaware LLC Licensing
We’re number one! The release of indictments today regarding the ongoing Mueller investigation reveals the startling reality of Delaware’s complicity in enabling corruption due to lax LLC licensing rules and laws. You can read the full indictment here. Per the filed indictment: Manafort and Gates owned or controlled 23 “Domestic Entities” used in the scheme, and, of those 23 domestic entities, 9 were Delaware LLCs. Congratulations, Delaware, we are number one again. Please call and write your representatives and senators demanding that they move HB 57 to the floor for […]
PSC Public Meeting Notice & Invitation
Delmarva Power & Light is requesting that another large increase be imposed on its ratepayers and business customers that might very well adversely affect your economic circumstances. I am posting this public meeting schedule below in order to ask all DP&L electric and natural gas customers to show up and speak up at these “public comment sessions.” The frequency and size of these rate increases is stifling and unfair to the public and the commercial business community alike. There are many knowledgeable experts who find these rate increases unjustified and […]