Kowalko Schwartzkopf

2022 Rewind: Kowalko says House Speaker killed IG bill

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in July 2022. An outgoing Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives says House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf blocked his bill to create an office of the inspector general.  Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, said the move was typical of Schwartzkopf’s leadership style. That leadership style can be characterized by “coercion, intimidation, incentivizing and reward,” Kowalko …

Kathy McGuiness appeal

No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not see the inside of a jail cell after being sentenced on two misdemeanor public corruption charges Wednesday. Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 30-day prison sentence. Instead, she’ll face one year of probation, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. McGuiness plans to appeal her convictions to the Delaware Supreme …

Transparency advocates push for campaign finance reform

Transparency advocates push for campaign finance reform

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

With weeks to go before the first votes are cast in Delaware’s 2022 election cycle, advocates for government transparency are pushing for better campaign finance reporting. Common Cause Delaware, a nonprofit group that lobbies for open, honest and accountable government, has called for more frequent and detailed reporting of campaign funds collected when candidates run for office.  “It’s common knowledge …

Vote by mail

Delaware governor signs vote by mail, same-day registration

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In a private ceremony Friday, Gov. John Carney signed two Democrat-backed bills to allow voters to request mail-in ballots and register to vote on election day.  In response, Delaware Republican Party chairwoman Jane Brady said she’d be holding a press conference Friday afternoon to announce a legal challenge aimed at stopping the laws from taking effect. “When [the bill] first …

Kowalko Schwartzkopf

Kowalko: House Speaker killed inspector general bill

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

An outgoing Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives says House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf blocked his bill to create an office of the inspector general.  Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, said the move was typical of Schwartzkopf’s leadership style. That leadership style can be characterized by “coercion, intimidation, incentivizing and reward,” Kowalko said, and the inspector general bill is just …