Can we have civil discourse during the upcoming 2024 election cycle? I'm responding to the letter to the editor posted Jan. 19, making the preposterous claim that Sen. Russ Huxtable ignores teachers and kids. We must deal with facts, truths and actual accomplishments. Concluding that our current state senator ignores education because one article omits one subject is dishonest and misleading.
Let's review the facts from the last legislative session (Jan. 10-June 30, 2023) and more:
• Sen. Huxtable (primary sponsor) spearheaded passage of SB186 enabling Sussex County Council to enact a voluntary school assessment, which past Republican legislators failed to bring to Sussex County and the current Republican county council is ignoring. He is quoted in one of several recent articles in the Gazette reporting on this subject that the bill "will help schools and children," to see the articles, go to: tinyurl.com/3sxwt22a; tinyurl.com/26zwbep5; and tinyurl.com/28nhmmmn.
• The Delaware State Education Association endorsed Sen. Huxtable's 2022 election campaign. The DSEA's motto is Standing Strong for Student Success
• State Democratic leadership increased public education teachers’ pay by 9% for the 2024 budget, plus added millions for student opportunities and school safety
• SB 9 (Sen. Huxtable co-sponsor) provides a process to eliminate lead-based paint to protect children
• SB 156 (co-sponsor) promotes salary equity for paraprofessionals in public schools
• Supported HB 33 - increase funding for preschool children with disabilities
• HB 201 (co-sponsor) - makes it a crime to possess a firearm in a safe school and recreation zone.
Sen. Huxtable's objectives directly impact the lives of teachers and kids. They include the opportunity for home ownership, gun safety, affordable healthcare, protection of the environment, support for first responders, etc.
Modern affordable housing is urgent for schoolteachers and aides, plus doctors, nurses, hospital support staff, retail workers, etc. and their children. Reducing commute times and providing housing security improves retention/recruitment of these critical professionals.
"Surveys of families with safe, stable and affordable housing show fewer health problems, improved school performance, less psychological stress and more self-assured parents." - Habitat for Humanity. "Children living in stable, affordable homes are more likely to thrive in school and have greater opportunities to learn." - National Low Income Housing Coalition. "Quality affordable housing helps create a stable environment for children, contributing to improved educational outcomes. - Enterprise Community Partners.
I recall letters to the editor right after Sen. Huxtable was elected in November 2022 claiming that he had not accomplished anything yet. One letter denigrated Sen. Huxtable, then the most junior senator, that he was not appointed as chair of the Housing and Land Use committee - he is vice chair. Was that honest?
I appeal to our civility; we should have serious conversations regarding the issues in our elections. We can debate and argue the facts; we should never be dishonest.
I support Russ Huxtable in his 2024 re-election campaign. He will not ignore any of his constituents. I base this on performance, not wild speculation.
Greg Kordal
Lewes
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