Kowalko the Job Killer Strikes Again
May 13th, 2009 by David Anderson
Our favorite job killer in the state House of Representatives has joined with one of our favorites in the senate (Senator Sokola) to give us more regulation of hairdressers. Of course this bill would disproportionately affect minorities who can’t afford giving a monopoly to accredited schools. We all know that silly regulations that prevent many convicts from being licensed in the field are a barrier to the market. The solution is to place barriers to those who wish to own their own business a bit higher without giving the consumers any better protection.
If you can pass the tests, keep safety regulations, and gain a following in the marketplace, what right does Representative Job Killer AKA John Kowalko have to say that you aren’t worthy. With the economy the way it is you would think that our leaders would work to allow job creation, that was before one party rule. (But a lot of other states are doing it– just because it doesn’t work for them doesn’t mean we can’t try it. )
As a licensed cosmetologist, cosmetology instructor and salon manager I can tell you that these standards are desperately needed. In all my years in the profession (running schools and salons) I have never met anyone just out of cosmetology school and newly licensed who was remotely qualified to start doing hair, nails, etc. – serious apprentice training was required because the standards required in cosmetology schools weren’t enough.
And do you have any idea all the chemicals stylists and estheticians work with on a daily basis? Do you understand that chemistry is a vital part of the profession, as well as being able to identify skin, nail and scalp disorders and diseases and the use of electricity, infra-red rays, etc?
This is a serious profession, and it’s past time Delaware raised its standards and treated it as one.
Without commenting too much on how you made this a bill with racist intent (Of course this bill would disproportionately affect minorities who can’t afford giving a monopoly to accredited schools.), you should at least be aware that his name is JOHN Kowalko, not Joe.
I have to add, David, that I’m questioning how much of this you actually read. There is a grandfather clause:
So, I see this as legitimizing schools that haven’t bothered to seek accreditation over the past several years, although they should have. In other words, if they’ve been good players in terms of “healthy” practices (literal meaning on “healthy”) and teaching of the like, then here’s your amnesty for not doing what has always been expected.
On top of that, one of YOUR favorite Senators signed on as a co-sponsor, one Senator Bonini.
I don’t see this as one of your better picked battles.
OUCH!
I know that it exempts some schools for now and not others. That does not change one of the problems with the bill. It reduces competition. Increases cost and time to get into the field by at least 50%. It creates barriers for people who are trying to make a better life and makes an unregulated underground more likely to flourish. It is a terrible bill and one that I oppose. As for the couple of Republicans who mistakenly signed on to this regulatory nightmare, they are irrelevant because they are not important to the outcome. The prime sponsors of this bill are Democrats and the fate of the bill rests with Democrats. They run the show and are responsible for what happens to their bills. I do think that Republicans are too quick to jump on the regulate it bandwagon, but considering the superior record of Bonini and Thornburg on opposing regulation I tend to prefer to quietly give them my opinion when the stray as they do occasionally (I am sure they don’t approve of all of my positions either). I save my ire for those who make it a lifestyle.
If I wanted to call the bill racist, I would have. The fact is that it hurts minorities more than others that is not the intent. I don’t believe for one minute that the Representative or any of the people on the bill would intentionally say, let’s find a way to hurt minorities. They are all good people. I believe that labels are tossed around too freely. A lot of legislation has a disproportionate effect on one group or another. I oppose HB 5 mainly because as written it would have a negative effect on church ministries. It isn’t the intention of the authors to be anti-religious bigots so I would not call the bill’s sponsors that. It is just not thinking the bill through.
I do say thanks for the one correction; I was interrupted several times writing that post. I certainly met no disrespect the Rep. John Kowalko.
Of course an apprenticeship is needed Pandora. That is where the real learning takes place. They could have 1000 hours of schooling and until they have the supervision of one in the field, it would be next to useless. I favor splitting Cosmetology from barbering to allow either a combined or split career track. That would do more to solve your problem than this bill.
David, you completely ignored Pandora’s point!
I also find it highly inconsistent of you, that you would be concerned (rightly) for the greater impact of this bill on fledgling minority entrepreneurs, but not be at all concerned for homosexuals to be legally discriminated against re your position opposed to HB5.
Explain yourself, David.
My explanation is that your basic/core principles are like a misapplied jib sail flapping in the wind!
OK, you did reply to Pandora.
My point on your inconsistency, however, stands.
It was timing. My reply apparently hadn’t appeared.
You raise a valid point. HB 5 is not a clear cut bill. I will admit that opposing it makes me uncomfortable unlike most other positions that I have taken. Unlike the marriage issue, it is one that my associates who are gay or lesbian do not understand the objection, and it makes me unhappy that they may feel slighted. I do not favor institutionalized discrimination against gays and lesbians. I addressed some of those issues in my comment on the other post since you posted this as well as in the post.
I will also add that bills like HB 5 which are broadly drawn have eventually been used as a stepping stone to undermine traditional marriage. Even though we disagree on that issue, you are aware that I believe that traditional marriage is the touchstone of civilization.
Some laws/regulations disproportionately affect gays and lesbians and I don’t mind addressing some of them such as having household insurance instead of family insurance or allowing survivor benefits to go to whomever you want. I believe that the bill HB 5 will create more problems than it solves. We can find a Delaware solution which will make 80% of the people happy. Why keep on a divisive path?
But he did miss the point (sorta). Do you have any idea how many new cosmetology graduates get their own chair in a salon? *shudder*
There’s a reason I pay the price for a high-end salon. I’m paying for standards – standards set by the salon, not the schools or licensing board.
When a newly licensed cosmetologist came to work in the high-end (Wilmington famous – hint, hint) salon where I was employed they started out as a shampoo tech, then moved – when deemed ready – to an assistant to a stylist. The assistant period varied depending on how much they learned (classes were offered), and some never made it past this level even though the state “claimed” they were qualified. If they made it past assistant, they were given a chair and called a junior stylist. The entire process took approximately 4 years – and that’s after they’d been to school.
You know the profession has come a long way since the days of beauty parlors. The state needs to catch up.
The free market has surpassed the regulation by giving people choice. The market always outstrips the state. BTW thanks for gracing this with an expert opinion. Split the two both need training and education, both need licensing to ensure that a minimum standard is being upheld to protect health and safety. After that it is a market function.
So John K got a bad haircut?
who the hell is Joe Kowalko?
David Anderson…defender of minorities….
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I have a much better record of defending minorities, the poor, and the homeless than you imagine. I will compare it any day you desire to your own. I have actually spent time and money helping people defend against discrimination, find attorneys, and research. I have actually opened my home to the homeless. I have actually spent my own money to help people get birth cert., ID’s, and other forms of documentation so they could get aid. I have actually helped immigrants get a fair hearing. Go ahead and bring out your record.