That's exactly what the state of Delaware and the Minner-Carney administration plan to do:
Delawareonline:

Hundreds of teachers could be laid off, students may not get new textbooks and after-school programs could be cut if public schools across the state have to implement the most severe education budget cut in more than a decade.

Jennifer "JJ" Davis, director of the state Office of Management and Budget, has asked the state's 19 district superintendents and 17 charter school leaders to identify 8 percent of their budgets that could be cut for fiscal year 2009, which starts July 1. Davis also asked elected officials, state agency directors, higher-education institutions and all Cabinet secretaries to identify 8 percent cuts for the coming fiscal year.

In March, the Office of Management and Budget asked every state agency to return to the state a collective $100 million to $150 million from their current fiscal-year budgets because of revenue shortfalls. Public schools were exempt from that request, but after the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council announced last month that projected revenues for the current fiscal year will come up $126 million short, with a $200 million shortfall projected for next fiscal year, public education had to be part of the solution, Davis said.

The General Assembly has to find $250 million to cut from the entire state budget -- of which one-third belongs to public education, Davis said.

Therefore, the Department of Education, school districts and charter schools must identify a collective $85 million to cut.

. . .

And when personnel is the largest part of every district's budget, layoffs are likely, many district superintendents said.

In Christina, the state's largest district, principals held meetings with their staff this week to inform them of potential cuts.

"We were told that there will be about 120 teachers laid off. There won't be any summer school or any after-school programs for extra help and tutoring," said Paul Sedacca, a fourth-grade teacher at McVey Elementary School.

"The first answer everyone has is to lay off the teachers," he said. "Laying off more people is like a Band-Aid. That will work for now but not for the long term."

Teachers aren't the only ones who could lose their jobs. Positions ranging from secretary and custodian to paraprofessional are at risk.

This is an outrage. What about all those trips abroad Minner made? Where else can the state cut from?

Robbing kids of teachers and music, art, and after-school program is unacceptable. Someone should strike over this.

Labels: Delaware, Education

Posted by Ryan S. at 1:26 PM | Permalink | |

Apologies to all, I thought I was doing ATHF this week. Anyway, here's some links:

First, Hube has some extensive thoughts on Battlestar Galactica as it heads into its final season, while Paul points to George Will on McCain and the housing crisis. Jeff the Baptist is helping the economy, one big screen at a time, and Ryan Mc is reflecting on his college experience.

Meanwhile, Mike Matthews is fighting corruption in two places now. What a media diva! Over at DelawareLiberal, the 'Geek is pointing to Hillary's worldliness. Dave is covering the Democratic governor's health care debate, and partisan-ly declaring no winner, except Floyd McDowell.

Kavips is blaming Republicans for the financial crisis and ignoring that a certain even-numbered president (Clinton!) passed all of this regulation. Duffy is having fun with LOL-candidates, but also reminding us that April is Autism Awareness Month. Mike Mahaffie is Osprey watching. Cool.

Joe M. is defending Expelled and DelawareLibertarian has an interesting guest post about Indian independence.

Sorry if I forgot anyone, and the person for this week is, I think, TBD.

Labels: ATHF, blogging, Delaware

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:26 AM | Permalink | |

As I mentioned previously on JttR, yesterday I decided to head on up to Wilmington with friend and fellow blogger Ryan Mc of Liberal Delight. Even though I'm not a Democrat, I figured having a presidential candidate in Delaware was pretty sweet, so I went. I certainly admire Barack, and he doesn't make my insides feel funny like Hillary, so I'm interested with what the man has to say.

The rally was held in Rodney Square, starting at 11:30 AM. We left Newark just after 9:00 AM and headed up to Wilmington. After finding parking, we arrived at Rodney Square around 10 AM. Obama supporters we out in full force, and there were well over a hundred people already in line to get into the Square, with people constantly streaming in. I heard the line was several blocks long towards 11 o'clock, and many people seemed to content to swarm the area around the square. The crowd mostly made up of black people and younger (under 40 years old) white people.

Being so early, Ryan and I ended up around 12 or 15 feet from Obama when he spoke. Introducing him were Delaware gubernatorial rivals, Jack Markell and John Carney (one of which will probably be governor). While they were all smiles (see pic), they seemed generally uncomfortable being on stage together like that. At least they sucked it up to show support for Barack. I'd never really paid attention to either of them before, but Jack Markell is easily a much better speaker.


Finally, U2's "City of Blinding Lights" (one of my personal favorites) came over the speakers, and the crowd went nuts. First he thanked a bunch of people, including Joe Biden, saying he did an "outstanding job" running and was a "good friend." Overall his speech was good, and had a lot more substance than I was expecting. I've often wondered what Obama's "Change" was a change to, but now I have a better idea.

A lot of what he said reminded me of things I like about Mike Huckabee. Huck talks about "Vertical Politics," and Obama talks about transcending partisan rhetoric and lifting people up. Which Huck defines as "Vertical Politics."

While highlighting the youth vote factor in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, he also mentioned that lots of people support him, "even Republicans." There was more than enough Bush-bashing for those inclined, but Barack paused to remind the crowd that it isn't enough to "be against something without standing for something."

I think my main point of contention with Obama is summed up in his sentence that "the government should help people achieve their dreams." This may sound cold-hearted, but no, that really isn't the government's job.

Now let me break down the issues:

Health care:
Same plan as Congress
Option to buy into or keep private program
Emphasis on preventative medicine

Economics:
Says he believes in free market capitalism
The balance between CEO and worker pay is currently "out of balance"
Roll back Bush tax cuts on "wealthiest Americans"
Transfer those cuts to middle class
$4,000 credit for college tuition
Raise minimum wage with inflation toward a "living wage"

Energy:
We're addicted to oil and it is both an environmental and security issue
Cap greenhouse emissions
Create green technology jobs for all skill levels
Raise fuel efficiency to 40 mpg

Foreign Policy/Veterans:
Focus on safety and security as well as moral authority
Obama says he "won't hesitate to strike down those who would do us harm."
Maintain military
Increase benefits for veterans
Deploy military wisely
Bring troops home from Iraq in 2009
No permanent bases
Following JFK's example, quoted JFK saying that "strong nations don't negotiate out of fear"
Finish the fight in Afghanistan
Stop genocide in Darfur
Close Gitmo

On his lack of experience:
"The bigger gamble is expecting different results from the same folks" who have been making policy for 30 years.

He also compared potential GOP nominee John McCain to Hillary Clinton, saying that he is the starker contrast from Bush-like policy. According to Obama, McCain has fallen in with the Bush Administration, and the "wheels have fallen off the 'Straight Talk Express.'"

Referring to this incident, Obama says he stands by his answer as being honest, and not laced with "Washington Speak." "I didn't realize you were allowed to spin a weakness into a strength," he says. "I'd rather be straight with people."

He also says he recognizes the difficulties we face, and that he is ready for the challenge. Besides JFK, he quoted or alluded to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Abraham Lincoln. Not a bad group. Cool fact: his grandfather fought in Patton's Third Army in WWII.

His exit music was "Higher and Higher," best known to me from Ghostbusters II. I assume it was the Jackie Wilson version, but it could have easily been the Howard Huntsberry cover version.

More of my photos from this event.

Labels: 2008 Watch, Barack Obama, Delaware

Posted by Ryan S. at 9:22 AM | Permalink | |

Tyler and Jenny Somers are friends of mine who also happen to be very talented musicians and very in touch with God. Their first album, entitled A Prelude, has just been released, so I'm going to do my part (after buying a copy or two) and help spread the word.

First, I'm going to preface this review by saying that I don't really listen to Christian music. Yes, I like Switchfoot and some of Relient K's stuff, but I never go seeking out specifically Christian rock, it always finds me. What I'm trying to say is that this review is coming from someone unfamiliar with the Christian rock "scene" and someone who is not predisposed to like Christian rock.

The lyrics are beautiful, and Jenny's and Tyler's vocals blend into a nice harmony on the tracks which they sing together, and Jenny holds her own on her solo vocal efforts. I would characterize the overall sound as folk-rock, a genre I'm really liking right now.

After listening to the disc a couple times, I really like this album, and I can see it being cycled into my oft-played tracks list on iTunes. Technically, it's well-produced, but moreover, it speaks. A Prelude definitely comes from a personal place for both Tyler and Jenny, and it shows.

Standouts for me are "American Dream," "Love's Going to Last," "It's Been Going On So Long," and "Wide-Eyed."

Overall, this is a solid debut. 4 stars.

Order a copy from their website, iTunes, or at the Main Street Florist next to the Korner Diner.

Their website also has previews of the album to listen to (on the very top).

Labels: Delaware, Music, University of Delaware

Posted by Ryan S. at 2:36 PM | Permalink | |

Jason's beloved "Americans Against Escalation in Iraq" apparently don't bother to fact check. They're targeting Michael A. Castle. Guess Delaware's only Congressman can rest easy about them showing up at his house tomorrow, they'll never find the address!

Labels: Delaware, Fact Check

Posted by Ryan S. at 10:52 AM | Permalink | |

The following is a guest post by Gary, a good friend and fellow CR, who guest blogged here in April (and did a great job!). He was in attendence at Mitt Romney's recent Delaware appearance, and these are his thoughts on the fundraiser, as well as some of the pictures and video he took:

Friday night, June 1st, was the much-anticipated GOP Cookout with Special Guest Mitt Romney. The event started when the first shuttle arrived at the unbelievable estate of Michelle Rollins at 6pm and ended around 8:30pm.

It is my impression that all proceeds go to help fund the state party and that prices were $15 per person, or $25 per couple. Getting Mitt Romney to attend a state party fundraiser is a victory for State Chairman Terry Strine. The official estimate is that 300 people attended. I’m not good at estimating numbers of people in a large crowd, though, I’d be comfortable saying that there were at least 200 people there. Very few were outright Mitt Romney supporters. Some are openly supporting other candidates, some are undecided, but most people just wanted to see a top-tier candidate for President.

After the people were fed (hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, cole slaw, and potato salad) and drinks were served (water, soda, wine, and beer) State Chairman Terry Strine walked to the platform with the just-arrived Mitt Romney. Of course, people had started gathering by the platform as soon as they arrived (some as early as 6pm – Romney spoke at 7:30pm), making sure they received the best possible view of the former Governor.

Mitt Romney looked his usual polished self, giving the usual stump speech, talking about the need for strength in the economy, strength in the military, and strength in the family. If there is one thing that this candidate wants people to know about him, it’s that he can provide strength.

“Stronger families, stronger people, stronger values, the strength of America, by you, is one of the things defined by conservatism and is something we want to protect, and I’m concerned that we, we’ve let our military get weakened over the years and we must rebuild our military’s might…”
- Mitt Romney, June 1, 2007

Sure Romney was short on specifics and verbose on generalities, but Romney was genuinely funny – and that is what the people will remember. He also attacked every GOPers enemy, Hillary Clinton. Romney mentioned Clinton’s comments the other day of ending the On-Your-Own society. Romney stated in his speech “it sounds like Hugo Chavez and Castro would say something similar.”

After the speech he left the platform and started shaking hands. He had two security personnel, not Secret Service, who pushed people aside if they were too close to Romney (like I was), but Romney also posed for pictures, signed autographs, and shook many hands. One smart kid brought a Time Magazine from a couple of weeks back that had Romney on the cover and got him to sign that.

When it was time for him to get to the real fundraiser- inside Michelle Rollins indescribably nice mansion, of which people paid thousands of dollars to attend, he was walked to his equally nice black Dodge Avenger and hopped into the back seat.

Video:


At $15/$25 per person/per couple, this was a great event for the state party and brought something that is typical in Iowa and New Hampshire to Delaware.
For some more thoughts about Mitt Romney, look at this week’s issue of Time Magazine. Joe Klein has a critical, yet dead-on commentary of Mitt Romney’s stump speech.

Like Klein says “Romney is the most perfect iteration I’ve seen of the television-era candidate… blue suit, white shirt, red tie, high forehead, slick black hair, tan, tall and ramrod straight…"

Labels: 2008 Watch, Delaware, Romney

Posted by Ryan S. at 4:03 PM | Permalink | |

Today I was down in Dover for the committee hearing on Senate Bill 5, a piece of state legislation that deals with the issues of stem cell research.

The biggest issue, however, was human cloning. SB5 legalizes somatic cell nuclear transfer, which is widely defined as cloning, and was the process used to clone Dolly the sheep. Among the speakers was former Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell, who spoke on behalf of Hands Off Our Ovaries talked about egg harvesting that legalizing cloning would seem to require. Cloning requires thousands of eggs per attempt.

The committee meeting ran from after one to three o’clock in the afternoon. There were many speakers on both sides, but Senator Venables, the sponsor of the bill, and Senator Sokola specifically, the only other committee member who spoke, seemed not to be swayed by the testimony of the anti-clone side.

I am not sure if SB5 will in fact make it out of committee, but if it does, Venables says he would like it to come to the floor for a full vote in the next couple weeks.

After the SB5 hearing concluded, I strode across the State House to the committee hearing on HB76. HB76 is sponsored by Representative Joe Miro, the intent of which is to ban human cloning.

In the hearing, when the Representatives spoke, it seemed that most seemed to state that they opposed human reproductive cloning. Some of the Representatives took issue with some of the specific instances of language within the bill. The bill attempts to cover all the bases, including reproductive cloning, and the creation of chimeras.

In the end, the vote for SB5 to make it out of committee is tomorrow, and HB 76 was table for another week. Officially, HB 76 was tabled to refine the language, but I have my suspicions that SB 5 sympathizers on the House committee are trying to stall HB 76.

For more information: A Rose and a Prayer

Labels: Cloning, Delaware, Stem Cells

Posted by Ryan S. at 11:59 PM | Permalink | |