When Governor Markell Speaks For Reformer Companies, Why Isn’t It On His Public Schedule?

Very interesting.  Each week, Governor Markell’s website releases his public schedule.  Since the Governator is speaking at the Center For American Progress today I thought I would check his public schedule today…

Monday, November 9th at 7:15 p.m.

Governor Markell will attend the 14th Annual Cornerstone Awards- Joined by restaurant industry partners and Delaware restaurateurs, the Governor will attend the 14th Annual Cornerstone Awards event, which is held in recognition of the work that the restaurant industry maintains throughout the year. This event will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Delaware Restaurant Association. World Café Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market Street, Wilmington

Tuesday, November 10th at 12:45 p.m.

Governor Markell will participate in the Broad Valley ribbon cutting ceremony. Georgetown Circle, Georgetown

Tuesday, November 10th at 4:30 p.m.

Governor Markell will present a proclamation in recognition of the 2015 Radiation Protection Week. Governor’s Office, Tatnall Building, 150 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard South, Dover

Wednesday, November 11th at 10:30 a.m.

Governor Markell will speak at the Annual Veterans Day Service.Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge, New Castle

So if Governor Markell is not including this in his public schedule for this, and he is using taxpayer funds for transportation, how is this even allowable?  We know he has done this before when his bodyguard had a bit of an argument with a citizen in Washington D.C.  And if he is giving the keynote speech in D.C. around 10am, is that enough time to get back to Georgetown at 12:45pm?  I sincerely hope he isn’t travelling by helicopter for a non-public event at an education “non-profit”.  When he spoke at New America last summer, I emailed his Education Policy Advisor Lindsay O’Mara to find out who pays for transportation for things like this.  I never received any response.

As announced everywhere yesterday, Delaware came in 48th out of 50 states for public transparency from our state government.  Add this one to the list full of reasons why we did.  One of the marks Delaware got an F for was public access to the Governor’s schedule.  It is far past time we stopped allowing Governor Markell to abuse his executive power for corporate interests and flipping the bill to the state.

I emailed Lindsay O’Mara again on this issue and included several other folks in the email:

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From: Kevin Ohlandt <kevino3670@yahoo.com>
To: O’Mara Lindsay (Governor) <lindsay.omara@state.de.us>
Cc: Markell Jack <jack.markell@state.de.us>; Kowalko John (LegHall) <john.kowalko@state.de.us>; Jonathan Starkey <jstarkey@wilmingt.gannett.com>; “claire@clairesnyderhall.com” <claire@clairesnyderhall.com>; Flaherty John <jdf0000@aol.com>; Visalli Ann <ann.visalli@state.de.us>
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 9:44 AM
Subject: Asking again

Good morning Lindsay,

Last summer when Governor Markell spoke at New America about education, I asked you how that was paid for with the transportation costs.  Does Governor Markell pay for it personally?  Does the company reimburse the state for travel expenses?  I never received a response on this.

This morning, I learned Governor Markell is speaking at the Center for American Progress in Washington D.C. at 10am, but this is not on his public schedule.  Why is that?  He has spoken out of state before and it is on his public schedule.  As I am sure you are aware, Delaware ranked 48th out of 50 in public integrity and transparency, thus receiving a grade of F.

So I will ask again, how does the state pay for transportation to these non-public events the Governor speaks at?  Does the Governor get paid for these events?  If you do not know the answer, can you please direct me to who does know these answers.  Thank you,

Kevin Ohlandt