Press Advisory: For immediate release September 29, 2022 Contact: John Kowalko 25th District Representative (302) 547-9351 Rally to Oppose Privatization of Delaware State Retirees’ Medicare Benefits Set for Tuesday, October 4 at Freedom Plaza in Wilmington RISE Delaware has scheduled a public rally to take place on October 4, 2022, from noon to 1PM at Freedom Plaza in Wilmington. The location is 8th and French Streets next to the Caravel State Building. The purpose of the rally is to allow state retirees and future retirees to demonstrate their unwillingness to […]
RISE Delaware and Retirees File Lawsuit to Stop Privatization of Health Benefits
Press Advisory: For immediate release Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Contact: Elisa Diller (302-369-6756) Karen Peterson (302-999-7522) RISE Delaware and Retirees File Lawsuit to Stop Privatization of Health Benefits RISE Delaware, a group formed to assist State Retirees in their fight against privatization of their Medicare benefits announced today that they have filed a lawsuit to stop the unilateral implementation of their insurance through a privatized Medicare Advantage plan. “The fact that retirees were neither aware of these changes to their benefits nor invited to participate in crafting this mandate is […]
State of Delaware Retirees Organize to Fight Medicare Advantage Plan
Press Advisory: For immediate release August 28, 2022 Contact: Rep. John Kowalko (302-547-9351) or risedelaware@gmail.com State of Delaware Retirees Are Coming Together to Stop Medicare Privatization and Benefit Reductions 25th District State Representative John Kowalko and New Castle County 5th District Councilwoman Lisa Diller, a State of Delaware retiree, are teaming up to form RiseDelaware (Retirees Investing in State Equity Delaware), a new membership organization dedicated to educating, advocating, and informing State of Delaware retirees about what is happening with their health and pension benefits. The catalyst is to fight […]
State of Delaware Retirees, Act Now!
State of Delaware retirees, retired Delaware teachers, as well as college and university faculty covered through the state of Delaware’s health benefits must act immediately and let their state elected officials know that the proposed move of all these retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan is unacceptable. What are Medicare Advantage plans? In short, they represent the privatization of one of the most successful federal programs in history and it is an embarrassment that the state of Delaware wants to participate in undermining the traditional Medicare program. Unfortunately, unless you […]
Delaware Flame Retardants Ban Becomes Law
National Caucus of Environmental Legislators | Policy Update “Finally Delaware decided to join over 15 other states in prohibiting the use of harmful flame retardant chemicals in children’s products, upholstered furniture used in residences and mattresses.” – Rep. John Kowalko On August 4, Governor Carney signed Delaware HB 77, a bill that prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of children’s products, upholstered furniture used in residences, and mattresses that contain harmful flame retardant chemicals. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2023, and received bipartisan support. Why […]
Point/Counterpoint: Lawmaker refutes, says inspector general role differs from auditor’s
Bay to Bay News | by Rep. John Kowalko Editor’s note: The following was sent to Kathleen McGuiness and the Delaware Office of Auditor of Accounts in response to a letter from the auditor sent to the Delaware General Assembly on May 17 and again June 16. This is the response to the auditor’s allegations that deliberately distort the differences in responsibilities, obligations and authority between the auditor general’s office and the proposed Office of the Inspector General being created by House Bill 405. The Delaware Office of Auditor of […]
Inspector general would serve important role
Cape Gazette | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko House Bill 405 would create an independent and nonpartisan inspector general who is selected by an independent, blue-ribbon panel of various community stakeholders and is required by statute to investigate corruption, waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement and any other conduct harmful to the public interest. Delaware currently has no government agency responsible for this type of oversight. The Delaware Office of Auditor of Accounts is a government agency controlled by a partisan elected official whose constitutional and statutory duties […]
Lawmakers file bipartisan legislation to create an independent Office of the Inspector General
Delaware General Assembly Press Advisory: For immediate release May 11, 2022 Contact: Representative John Kowalko 302-547-9351 Representative Michael Smith 302-290-7726 Lawmakers file bipartisan legislation to create an independent Office of the Inspector General HB 405 would enhance accountability, ensure good government, and create a repository for complaints and investigations of potential fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption. DOVER – Rep. Kowalko (D-Newark) and Rep. Michael Smith (R-Pike Creek) have joined together as prime sponsors of HB 405 creating an Office of Inspector General that would investigate the management and operation of State […]
Retirement announcement
I have had the privilege and pleasure of serving as a State Representative for almost 16 years. As you might know, this is my second career. For 37 years, I was a machinist. I was a proud union member during that time, serving as a union official and advocate. I worked at the Delaware City refinery for 25 years serving as a union steward and General Foreman. These experiences gave me a solid foundation for Rules of Order and their importance, the power of solidarity, and a profound respect for […]
Kowalko: Delawareans deserve lower prescription prices
Bay to Bay News | Letter to the Editor | by Rep. John Kowalko Delawareans’ relationship with the pharmaceutical industry is shaky at best, underpinned by years of high-priced prescription drugs for them but lower prices around the globe. But now, our U.S. senators have a chance to take proactive steps to introduce accountability and transparency to an industry that’s shown us time and time again it is profits over patients. A series of prescription drug-pricing reforms that would lower the cost of prescription medications for every Delawarean is currently […]