Series of Emails – See the State Senator Pose and Posture
Jun 22nd, 2009 by RSmitty
Last week, I received from Jud Bennett’s Coastal Network email distribution an opinion from a Delaware citizen who claims that the state Legislature is intending to remove the senior citizen school tax exemption credit. This opinion was written in a way that this was already a done deal and the Legislature was going to sneak it in at the end, so no one can stop it. Leave the controversy on that aside, look at the responses that Jud forwarded:
From Rep Dan Short (R-Seaford, House Minority Whip):
In March, Gov. Markell released a budgetary package containing dozens of items, including a proposal to “means test” the Senior Property Tax Program. This proposal would not eliminate the program, but would make higher income seniors ineligible for it. The proposal was estimated to generate $9 million annually for the state, although no details on the income threshold for eligibility were released at the time.
Since then, it has been one of the many options under consideration to help solve the state’s projected $793 million shortfall for FY 2010. There is nothing secretive about the proposal, but it would be fair to say that it has gotten over-shadowed by other controversial issues (e.g. – the state employee pay cut, sports-betting, the alcoholic beverage tax, etc.). I cannot say, with any certainty, if this proposal will be included in the final budget package. I have not taken any position on this issue and offer this information only to help clarify the situation.
From State Senator Karen Peterson (D- Stanton):
We haven’t seen the budget yet, so I don’t know the answer to the question — but I will certainly ask members of the JFC if they’re proposing this.
From State Rep Joe Booth (R – Georgetown):
Jud, Danny did a good job describing the history and proposal concerning the Senior property tax exemption. Just to tell you ,that I spoke to the (name removed) last week and discussed this proposal. To be fair ,there is nothing secretive going on here and the idea has merit.The concern I have
(as many will) is the threshold at which this will kick in.
Now, here’s the one that burns me, from State Senator Colin Bonini (R – Dover):
Jud, Its absolutely true – “means testing” (see eliminating for most seniors) the up to $500.00 tax exemption for Senior Citizens is part of Governor Markell’s proposed budget solutions (see his March budget speech). Per usual, there hasn’t been a bill yet – probably will be a late-night June 30th vote. This is a tax increase targeting Senior Citizens exclusively. I don’t know the current status of the proposal, but I know its in the Governor’s and the Democrats budget numbers.
The emphasis was mine. I did that to point out the differences between his response and the other three. Does this look to you as an attempt to educate on the issue, or garner points with an interest group? This is what burns me about holding a baton for the party. By choosing these words and using them in this way, all I can say is that he also threw Reps Short and Booth under his political career bus. I don’t think he threw Sen Peterson under the bus. She basically said she wasn’t sure and would find out. I’m cool with that and respect the pass she made against an easy grandstanding attempt.
*Bump*Bump* Here that, Reps Booth and Short? That was the two of you. You happened into the path of Sen Bonini’s career path. Too bad for you, and my rage against the political machine still actually burns.
are you saying that Bonnini recieved the tap dancing responce from Booth, Peterson and Short…. and then decided to let the cat out of the bag with some blunt talk?
Blunt talk is a bad thing?
Should he have pretended that there is a delibrative body in Dover where the merits of this proposal will be publically debated?
No. I think in his spot, he knows less of this possibility than does Booth or Short. I also think Peterson knows less than those two and answered with more honesty in respect to actual knowledge at that moment. Yes, it was in the budget proposal, but what else is known. Plus, by his own words, he indirectly admits he has no idea:
Per usual, there hasn’t been a bill yet – probably will be a late-night June 30th vote
OK, so if no bill and you don’t have a seat on the JFC, how does he know? He doesn’t and to start the answer with such absolutes of evil is not only disengenous, but reeks of point gathering over anything else.
BTW, please. If you know anything from here by now, you know I am no cheerleader. I have always been wanting to hear it straight without the posturing. This has mostly posturing all over it, given his own admission that he does not know what’s ultimately going to happen.
I also stand by my ACCUSATION that he threw Booth and Short under his political ambition bus.
Considering Bonini has never voted for the budget before, looks like he isn’t going to start now
Bismark once remarked that one should not believe anything until it is officially denied.
I have seen some denials and they are rather wishy-washy. Nothing flat out but more on the order of ‘probably not but never say never’.
My concerns over such a move came when I refinanced my home about a month ago and had the escrow for taxes escalate by an even $500. Did the folks at Levy Court know something or was this simply a coincidence?
There is a lot of patronage to pay for and all taxpayers should be annoyed. “Temporary” increases tend to turn permanent.
Perhaps “means testing” will allow the “politics of envy” to kick in and make the surprise palatable.
Just tell the legislators no and put them on notice.
How about a ceiling on state salaries of $100,000 per year as a temporary alternative to any tax increases?
It only costs 713 senior tax exemptions to pay the pension for Orlando George. Some people really know how to make politics pay. While careerists can look for a lifetime with their snouts in the public trough, who looks out for the taxpayers?
How many are drawing a paycheck for sinecures on some ‘board’ that really does nothing to serve the intended beneficiary? Any crime victims want to post a comment on this issue?
We hear candidates boast of their years of public service. But are they really servicing the public?
We need more citizen-legislators than we do time-serving hacks.
Bonnini may not sit on the JFC, but this isn’t his first rodeo.
So you stand by your acusation that Bonnini new that Booth, Peterson and Short were giving Jud a non denial – denial and his offering a blunt oppion “threw them under the bus”.
I guess you left something untyped, because based on whats on the screen, I don’t see it.
on a seperate note, I had a thought about Jud and his emails.
It would be interesting if someone created a “Jud” blog by simply posting his Coastal Conservative emails and allow people to coment.
Anoni – Are you being purposely deceptive with your logic? I guess you, too, are happy with throwing Booth and Short under the bus for Bonini’s political gain? Hey, go get points all you want, but he answered the question with a conviction of knowledge on something specific, where it is painfully obvious he did not know the detail.
The accusation that I stand by, as a Republican, is that I find it shameful that I am asked to carry the baton in situations where a public member stands up, without full knowledge of a specific topic, yet gives a very specific answer on said topic, condemning members of his own party, who have that knowledge, and that person does so for what possible gain? The only gain that could be garnered is self. That is my accusation.
“I have not taken any position on this issue and offer this information only to help clarify the situation.” Joe Booth
Perhaps if someone wrote a book “Profiles in Equivocation” this might be a good chapter heading.
All that is asked is a simple answer, for for or against the measure.
If enough say ‘no’ the problem goes away. The claim can be made that there was never any intention to eliminate the credit. If the measure passes at the last minute, there may be some long memories of who was for and who was against. There is a distaste for primary elections in some quarters. Such challenges are not in keeping with the spirit of party unity. Worship of the status quo is not the key to long-term political success.
From talking with a number of elected state and national officials over the years, it is obvious that we do not always send the brightest and best to our various legislative bodies. If more people held their elected officials accountable for their actions rather than voting for the name they know, we might have a more responsive government.
He wasn’t asked his position, though, Art. Heck, he wasn’t even asked for an answer. All these responses were to address the concern that citizen put out there about that issue.
Just to remind everyone, this post is not about the senior citizen school tax exemption credit. For a long time, despite being a public school proponent, have supported an expemption for senior citizens over school tax. I concede that is a big issue with this possible bill. That is not what I intended to debate here.
My problem comes with grandstanding and point hording at the expense of an issue like this. The two Reps, who of the four responses are the closest to it, gave information that they had, verifiable information. I do also believe, Art, that at the time they wrote the response they may not have known the way they’d vote. They aren’t an automatic up or down, they have to think about it. Yay! We don’t have lemmings there. The two Senators, who don’t have the same knowledge of that pending bill as the two Reps also chimed in. Sen Peterson admitted that lack of knowledge and offered to find out. HONESTY! Awesome. Sen Bonini, though, took advantage of the hot button issue and just slapped around anyone within reach. I do have issue with that, because I do not believe he had the specific knowledge to back up his criticism. Does he have experience? Sure, I don’t argue that. Does he have the specifics of what might or will be introduced on this bill? Hardly. THAT is my point.
RS,
I have read and reread the quotes you posted. I can figure figure out how you draw these conclusions from the words on the screen:
“slapped around anyone within reach”
“do not believe he had the specific knowledge to back up his criticism” (who did he criticise?)
“condemning members of his own party”
or rather, I can not figure out…
as for a lack of specific knowledge…
we are talking about the back room wheeling and dealing in Dover. Everybody is guessing about what will be in the budget, until July 1st.
I don’t know the current status of the proposal, but I know its in the Governor’s and the Democrats budget numbers.
hmmm the Gov and the majority party in the house and the senate support raising taxes on seniors…
anyone want to take bets on whether it will happen?
Spam much?
Again, I said the point is about the responses given and I still say his response effectively pushed Short and Booth under the bus.
Sorry (not really) if this hurts your thoughts on the Senator, but I don’t prefer the method of elevating ones self by stepping on the backs of an unwilling colleague.
Look anoni, you want to play parse-his-response to support your stance? Fine.
Opening…
Jud, Its absolutely true
followed later by
I don’t know the current status of the proposal…
Then why create the shitstorm by thrusting daggers, if HE DIDN’T KNOW? It’s called gamesmanship. I’ve been around long enough to know how to play those words and I still think it smells foul as much today as it did then. THAT is my point. It’s all about PR and Short and Booth have his footprints (and tire tracks) on their back to show for it.
I must have lost my secret decoder ring…
his actual words blame the democrats, but his secret meaning was jab at republicans…
don’t worry about hurting my feelings, I’m not a fan of any of the leppers in Dover. While you have used this bland email exchange as an excuse to express your dislike for Bonnini, I noticed that NOBODY said they were going to vote against the plan or work to keep it out of the final bill.
which leads us back to the death of the republican party – every tax increase, every spending increase passes with republican vote.
…..which leads us back to the death of the republican party – every tax increase, every spending increase passes with republican vote…. anoni notes.
While there may be a lot of nominal Republicans (some in high places) who hold their jobs by playing the go-along game, there are a lot who will be heard. Seek them out and work with them.
…his actual words blame the democrats, but his secret meaning was jab at republicans…
except that it went straight in the face of what Reps Booth and Short said. Again, that is my point.
I noticed that NOBODY said they were going to vote against the plan or work to keep it out of the final bill.
AGAIN, I said this issue aside, I wanted to focus on the exchange that happened of two Reps explaining, one Senator admitting not knowing and wanting more info, and then another Senator who didn’t know, but also made stern statements based on an assumed, but not literal, knowledge.
Should this repeal pass, if introduced? NO!
Senator Bonini is correct that the objective was to keep this out of the press and he is right that the typical approach is to wait until it can be slipped in unnoticed. He didn’t throw anyone under the bus. He just took a position. I know that straight talk isn’t the Delaware way, but it should be. What I liked about Senator Adams is that I knew where he stood. We can use more not less of that candor.
The matter was under the media radar. Would it have remained so until it was a fait accompli had some ‘whistle blowing’ not begun as a result of ‘chatter’ from a variety of sources. Vague responses to pointed questions always raise more questions.
Perhaps we are supposed to place eternal trust in our elected officials and feel secure that every legislative action is in the best interest of the public.
Perhaps not.
I was going to write a similar post contrasting and comparing the various statements Jud collected on this issue. Good going Smitty.
I am getting the heebeejeebees over what will end up in epilogue this session.