Why Should Delaware Care?
Nearly a decade ago, Delaware state government ranked as one of the least accountable and transparent in the country, according to a review by the Center for Public Integrity. Since then, little progress has been made to reform public access to records or to hold public officials more accountable to laws and regulations on the books.
Recent headlines have been replete with examples of official misconduct, alleged cover-ups of significant issues in state government and the limits of Delaware’s public access to records.
Several attempts in recent years to create new oversight of government, law enforcement and more have been stymied by elected leaders and special interests.
We asked the candidates for their opinions on several hot topics related to government accountability, and the three Democrats – Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and former chief environmental regulator Collin O’Mara – along with Republican Mike Ramone, responded directly to our questions. Meanwhile, Republicans Jerry Price and Bobby Williamson did not. We have compiled any relevant comments from other interviews on the campaign trail.
Below you’ll find a quick breakdown on each topic along with abridged versions of each candidate’s answers for context. They are ordered alphabetically by last name.
What changes, if any, do you think need to be made to Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act?
Hall-Long
As government officials, we are accountable to our constituents. Delaware should continue to uphold and enhance the Freedom of Information Act as needed.
Meyer
Open and honest government is critical to democratic governance.
As County Executive, we put all of New Castle County government expenditures of your tax money online. No need for any Freedom of Information Act request to see what money was spent where. It is all available online.
As governor, we will work to do the same. The idea citizens should be able to petition the government to access documents produced by a democratic government is a good concept but it is also a 19th or 20th century concept.
In the Meyer administration, we will require that many more documents be made available without any citizen needing to file a Freedom of Information Act request.
I will continue to advocate policies and propose changes to law that deliver greater transparency and more honest government to Delawareans.
O’Mara
Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The narrow interpretation of Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act perpetuates the perceived culture of secrecy and decision-making that favors special interests over the public interests. While the Attorney General has made some progress, overly broad interpretations of exemptions continue to deprive the public of information that should be public.
With technological advances, there’s no reason why more information about state government isn’t readily available online. We also likely need legislation to tighten up the exemptions that are consistently being interpreted too broadly.
Ramone
The Freedom of Information Act is a necessary channel for citizens throughout Delaware to hold our government and representatives accountable. We should ensure that every Delawarean has the ability and access to request public information without restrictions or interference.
Do you believe changes need to be made to Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights? If so, what specifically should be changed?
Hall-Long
As a nurse, I believe no one should ever be hurt at the hands of someone whose job is to protect or care for them. The General Assembly passed a series of criminal justice and law enforcement reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The improvements made to the Delaware Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (now called the Police Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency) included the first revisions to LEOBOR in decades, revamping how officer disciplinary cases are handled and publicly disclosed.
We must monitor how this law is implemented and its impact on Delawareans, and consider further reforms to ensure safe communities. Police transparency and accountability are essential to public safety and transforming the justice system.
Under my leadership, I will prioritize public safety and address the root causes of justice involvement, ensuring access to basic needs like health care, housing and economic vitality. Through my work as the chair of the Board of Pardons, I’ve seen these needs firsthand and have the experience needed to move the needle. I’m proud of the reforms we’ve been able to achieve.
Meyer
We must provide protections for law enforcement officers to be safe and also to be able to make difficult, quick decisions in the interest of public safety.
We also must provide protections for communities, particularly communities of color, and police in such neighborhoods equally and with cultural competence.
We must understand that in many communities across Delaware there are generations of mistrust, and we must work together, with honesty, transparency and integrity, to build that trust.
Following the most recent amendments to Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights, I ordered the creation of Delaware’s first Citizens Police Accountability Board. I believe local government accountability boards should be able to provide additional oversight over police agencies, should the local government decide to give the board such responsibilities.
O’Mara
Yes. Increasing transparency and accountability is the key to restoring community trust. Despite tireless work of advocates, the failure of the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 149, despite a strong co-sponsor list and being reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee intact, demonstrates why this needs to be a gubernatorial priority.
While some modest steps forward were achieved, including increasing the investigative authority and community representation on the reconstituted Council to the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission, they did not achieve the level of transparency, nor the accountability that communities were seeking.
We still need greater public transparency and to create community-led review boards with investigative authority.
Ramone
Last year, the House of Representatives took decisive action to reform the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights and I supported those efforts. With crime rates rising in cities throughout Delaware, I understand the critical role law enforcement plays in keeping our communities safe. As governor, I will ensure that law enforcement agencies have the tools, resources, and training necessary to serve our communities with honor.
The legislature has spent two years debating the need for a nonpartisan Inspector General. Do you support that proposal?
Hall-Long
Delaware has two independently elected officials – attorney general and state auditor – whose departments conduct much of the operations that the proposed inspector general’s office would encompass. A reorganization of state agencies and functions at this level must involve the agencies that would be most affected by the proposal to thoroughly review it and offer input.
Anytime we consider creating a new state agency in an effort to provide greater efficiencies and safeguards, or streamline services, requires careful consideration that we’re not creating any gaps in service, or duplicating efforts already undertaken. I will engage with this proposal’s authors to ensure that the path forward meets those goals.
Meyer
Yes. As Governor, I will create an Office of Inspector General. Such an independent, non-partisan office, with authority to investigate waste, fraud, and mismanagement throughout the government, exists at the federal level and in two-thirds of the states.
It’s time Delaware had one, as well. Legislation to create such an office has stalled in the legislature; I will press for its passage and, failing that, will authorize and appoint an Inspector General to keep tabs within the executive branch.
O’Mara
Yes. Fully Support. I made it a key part of my broader reform agenda to clean up Delaware state government. (https://www.collinomara.com/reform)
Ramone
With the state of partisan politics in Dover continuing to deteriorate, we should take appropriate measures to ensure that statewide investigations are not tainted by political infighting. In the Delaware House of Representatives, I have introduced and supported legislation to establish this office. As governor, I would support the bipartisan efforts to establish a non-partisan Inspector General’s office so Delawareans can have trust in our institutions.
