(presser)
Response to Opponent’s (Fourth) False Negative Mailing to Our Public Employees and Emergency Responders
The Flowers for Treasurer campaign has received urgent notice that our opponent, incumbent state Senator Colin Bonini, in response to his decline in poll numbers, has done the unthinkable — sent a letter to our public employees and emergency first responders falsely asserting that Chip Flowers, the leading candidate for state treasurer, would withhold their paychecks if elected.
Mr. Flowers has never made such assertion and Mr. Bonini, who has threatened not to sign checks, is trying to deceive those who serve the public. As an elected official, Mr. Bonini has reached a new low and continues to violate the public trust. With each passing day, Mr. Bonini’s statements stray farther from the truth, farther from reality. They are, however, consistent with the dubious and extreme statements issued throughout the campaign by the Republican ticket.
Additionally, in the negative letter, Mr. Bonini falsely claims that he championed the cause of public employees by voting against the budget. This could not be further from the truth. Mr. Bonini has voted against every budget since becoming a member of the Delaware state senate – which means, among other things, Mr. Bonini voted against paying salaries for our public employees. Furthermore, Mr. Bonini voted against restoring pay to our public employees earlier this year. Mr. Bonini’s actions by asserting falsehoods clearly reflect his poor character.
Mr. Flowers has been endorsed by, among others, the Delaware State AFL-CIO, Delaware State Education Association (DSEA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Regardless of Mr. Bonini’s false claims, Delaware’s state employees are confident that Mr. Flowers will serve them well — and that he will provide outstanding service to all citizens of the state while serving as its treasurer.
Delawareans must reject Mr. Bonini’s lies and slander.
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The candidates for State Treasurer are scheduled to debate on today, Nov. 1st, from 12:30 to 2, at the Academy of Lifelong Learning, on the University of Dwlaware's Wilmington campus on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Chip Flowers writes:
As Delaware works to emerge from its most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression, it has become apparent that the state can no longer be satisfied with a “business as usual” approach to managing its accounts. In many states, governments have recognized that the state treasurer should be a key player in managing state investments to maximize returns and to promote business. Throughout the nation, state treasurers have assumed increasingly significant roles in economic forecasting and economic development.
In Delaware, it is time to refocus the priorities of the state treasurer’s office, transforming it from one whose duties are primarily administrative to one where the treasurer performs an essential role in economic forecasting and development. Throughout my campaign for this office, I have attempted to identify key areas in which it is appropriate for the treasurer to provide greater services to our state.
Here are some examples.
Economic growth is an important component in restoring prosperity. With the state experiencing major layoffs, large budget deficits and an unacceptably high unemployment rate, Delawareans need a comprehensive plan filled with new ideas that will create jobs in all three counties. While our agricultural, banking, chemical, financial and legal sectors will remain an essential part of our economic recovery, emerging markets and industries are instrumental to our state’s future. The treasurer can offer fresh ideas to support private sector investment and create jobs that will strengthen our economy for the long term.With several studies ranking Delaware ranking close to last in entrepreneurship among the states, stimulating business is another key to restoring prosperity. With our sister states seeking to attract new and rising businesses, Delaware must remain vigilant in assisting businesses create jobs and provide services and products that are competitive in the 21st century global economy. Reducing the tax burden, assisting small businesses and promoting our ideal location for corporate headquarters are significant components of restoring our state’s prosperity. My ideas for stimulating business include offering tax credits to businesses that hire graduates of Delaware universities and high schools —keeping “our best and brightest” employed close to home — and to those that hire holders of advanced degrees from top-tier institutions — providing an incentive to recruit the best talent available nationwide. In addition, the treasurer should also leverage the state’s deposits at local financial institutions by urging these banks to increase their lending to the state’s small businesses.
Good planning and forecasting precedes good government. As witnessed during the recent budget shortfall, it is difficult to address a budget crisis without a strategic “rainy day” plan. Though our General Assembly is in session for half the calendar year, financial planning and forecasting is a year-round obligation. As state treasurer, I would make the office the central collection point for economic research conducted by all state agencies, and layer this research on top of data available from federal and private sources to prepare the Delaware Economic Index, an indicator of changes affecting both the private and public sectors in the state. This index could serve both state government and our citizens in assessing the strength of the recovery and as an early warning of future downturns.
While it is essential that the treasurer manage the state’s accounts efficiently, working both to maximize return on investment and to minimize operating expenses, all without assuming undue risk, the treasurer must also promote innovation if Delaware is to prosper in the global economy of the 21st century. To assist small- and medium-size businesses and to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, the Delaware Investment Fund should be created within the treasurer’s office to invest and/or loan funds to businesses, particularly start-up ventures that will create jobs in Delaware. Financed by public and private funds, this fund would be securitized by the assets within its portfolio and advance capital to a broad range of industries. The fund would be managed under investment guidelines developed in accordance with parameters established by the General Assembly.
A hard-working, forward-looking treasurer should be able to advance these ideas and work with the governor and the General Assembly to implement them in a way that will benefit Delaware’s residents and its business community. Bold plans and fresh ideas are essential for the successful revival of our state’s economy and for its continued advancement in the world of finance.
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Hans-Werner Zachow prepares for the arrival of the nuclear waste together with the "Rural Emergency Association." He and his farmer colleagues plan to block roads with tractors.
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