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Drew Serres
503.507.9135
drew@delawareada.org
http://www.delawareada.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2015

DELAWARE ADA CONDEMNS MOVE TO SILENCE LEGISLATIVE HERO

Organization supports Rep. John Kowalkos work to bring more transparency to state
government
Wilmington, DE, January 12, 2015 Progressive organization Delaware Americans for Democratic Action
offers its full support to State Rep. John Kowalko (D-25) for his unwavering effort to hold state
government more accountable and roundly condemns action taken by House leadership last week in
stripping Rep. Kowalko from his seat on the House Education Committee and taking away his
chairmanship of the House Energy Committee.
What the House leadership has done to Rep. Kowalko this week is nothing short of an act of retaliation
for Rep. Kowalkos long history of attempting to make the House a more open and transparent body,
said Delaware ADA Chapter President Mike Matthews. Its disturbing that Speaker of the House Pete
Schwartzkopf would use such dissent-stifling tactics to silence a lawmaker who is one of the most
responsive to not only his constituents needs, but the state of Delawares needs, particularly on
education and energy issues.
In last years Delaware ADA Legislator Report Card, Rep. Kowalko was the only member of the House of
Representatives who scored a perfect 100%. On issues ranging from minimum wage to support for
expanding healthcare to redistricting reform, Rep. Kowalko has been a solid and consistent voice
demanding change in how the government holds itself accountable and best serves its citizens.
Educators and families were up in arms when they learned Rep. Kowalko had been removed from the
House Education committee, presumably because of his vocal opposition to the Governors Priority
Schools plan in Wilmington.

Rep. Kowalko is our highest-rated legislator for one reason: He never gives up fighting for what he
knows is right, said Matthews. As a teacher who lives and works in the City of Wilmington, I know full
well I can count on him to take up the issues that have the most impact on the students in our neediest
schools.
Also concerning to Delaware ADA members was the removal of Rep. Kowalkos as chair of the House
Energy Committee. Rep. Kowalko played a major part in questioning the actions in the States pursuit of
a power plant in the city of Newark, which could have had negative ramifications for local residents as
well as those throughout the region.
Johns removal from education and the taking of his energy chairmanship for representing his
constituents should not be tolerated in a democracy, said ADA board member and chair of the Action
Planning Committee Catherine Ciferni. This gag order imposed by the House leadership is an assault
on the open and transparent government Delawareans so richly deserve.
Delaware ADA roundly condemns the action taken by House leadership last week and offers its full
support to Rep. Kowalko.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Drew Serres at 503.507.9135 or
email at drew@delawareada.org.

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