Editor’s note: The following letter was delivered to Delaware Senate Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark.
As a former 16-year colleague of yours in the Delaware legislature, I cannot begin to express my disappointment in you and the Democratic leaders in the Senate.
In your capacity as Senate pro tempore and Newark Sen. Bryan Townsend’s capacity as Senate majority leader, I am more than a little disappointed in the willingness of leadership to betray the public’s right to an open government that obeys its own rules and regulations.
Rushing through important legislation such as Senate Bill 21 and any hastily contrived substitutes for it without allowing public participation or input displays an attitude of arrogance that I certainly never expected from Democratic leaders.
I cannot see any justification for this type of politics other than a willingness to serve the “special interests” and place those interests above those of the people of Delaware.
When the corporate bar commission writes legislation, delivers it to its corporate attorneys (elected to office) and decides and influences when and how such proposed legislation will be considered, I fear for our freedoms and the public’s right to know and participate.
John Kowalko Jr.
Retired state representative
Newark
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
