Dover – The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs announced the launch of a new integrated employment tool to connect veterans and service members with employers, and to help translate military skills into the civilian workforce. The Veterans Employment Center, an integrated, online tool connecting veterans, transitioning service members and their spouses with both public and private-sector employers, is the result of an interagency effort to improve, simplify and consolidate the current array of employment resources for veterans. Additionally, this will provide one comprehensive database of resumes for employers who are seeking to leverage the skills and talents of veterans, service members, and their spouses.

The new online resource, called the Veterans Employment Center, is the first interagency tool to bring a wealth of public and private job opportunities, a resume-builder, military skills translator and detailed career and training resources together in one place. In connection with the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, the Department of Veterans Affairs worked with employers, the Departments of Defense, Labor, Education, and the Office of Personnel Management to design and develop the site and incorporate features of existing online employment tools within government.

The result is an integrated solution providing veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with the tools they need to connect to employers. With this tool, employers will be able to search and view Veteran, Service Member, and spouse resumes in one comprehensive location.

The Veterans Employment Center will provide employers with access to a targeted pool of resumes from veterans and transitioning service members, allowing them to search resumes to identify veterans with skill sets applicable to civilian employment at their organization, and to track progress towards reaching their veteran hiring goals. Resumes are visible to all employers with an active LinkedIn or Google profile. To prevent spam, an applicant’s name and email address are redacted and only visible to employers verified by the VA as registered companies with the IRS. The site is also built using open data and an open application programming interface to attract private-sector innovation.

The Veterans Employment Center can be found at: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs

For a tutorial video on how to use the Veterans Employment Center, please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWfhI-eSoWk.

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Delaware police officers are writing tickets to save lives.

 

Dover –  The Click It or Ticket campaign will be in full effect with statewide overtime seat belt enforcement starting Monday, May 12th through 26th.  Enforcement includes seat belt checkpoints in Dover and Wilmington and 446 saturation patrols to be conducted day & night by 35 state, local, and municipal police agencies statewide. Much of the enforcement will occur in the afternoons and evenings when the majority of unrestrained injuries and fatal crashes occur.

Delaware’s seat belt use rate is 92% compared to the national use rate of 86%.  At this time last year 50% of the 14 fatal vehicle occupants in Delaware were not wearing seat belts compared to currently 42% of 31 fatal vehicle occupants.

Delaware law requires drivers and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear a seat belt.  An officer can pull over a driver if he sees any person in the vehicle not wearing a seat belt, even if there is no other violation.  Officers will be issuing citations for seat belt violations as part of a zero tolerance policy.  The ticket, which goes to the driver no matter who is unbuckled in the vehicle, totals $83.50.

Participating agencies include Bethany Beach, Blades, Bridgeville, Camden, Capitol, Cheswold, Clayton, DE River & Bay Authority, Dewey Beach, Dover, Elsmere, Felton, Fenwick Island, Georgetown, Greenwood, Harrington, Laurel, Lewes, Middletown, Milford, Millsboro, Milton, New Castle City, New Castle County, Newark, Newport, Ocean View, Rehoboth Beach, Selbyville, Seaford, Smyrna, University of Delaware, Wilmington, and Wyoming police agencies along with and Delaware State Police.

Delaware law enforcement will also be participating in a one day seat belt border to border enforcement blitz on May 19^th.  The Border to Border initiative will be kicked off at 10:30 a.m with a joint press event at the Delaware Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park with law enforcement from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware.  Law enforcement agencies along the east coast are teaming up to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: Driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what State.

“As we kick-off  the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Jana Simpler, Director for the Office of Highway Safety. “Delaware law enforcement officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt – Click It or Ticket.”

Click It or Ticket enforcement is being accompanied by paid media including radio, tv, billboards, gas pump toppers, digital & Pandora advertising. OHS will also promote seat belt safety through community outreach and public awareness activities including the Buckle Up Stencil project, messaging at the Wilmington Grand Prix, a seat belt education event with Chick-Fil-A in Camden, pizza box stickers, little league sponsorships, and race weekend activities at Dover International Speedway in the Monster Mile FanZone.

OHS has also established new partnerships this year with Dover International Speedway and several little league organizations. OHS is partnering with several little league organizations throughout the summer to bring the seat belt message to parents and kids during the games with activities including a fast pitch game, mascot appearances by Wilmington Blue Rocks “Rocky”, the Shorebirds mascot “Sherman”, and OHS very own Bucklebear.  Each mascot will be handing out custom Buckle Up baseball cards to kids to teach them about seat belt safety.  OHS will also be sponsoring the May 31st NASCAR Nationwide Series race- Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket.

High School seat belt checks will be conducted at several high schools by the student resource officers along with student groups.  They are handing out Smarties candy and dum-dum lollipops along with good and bad ‘tickets’ to occupants in the car depending on who is buckled up or not.

Seat belts save lives. Get the facts:

• Wearing a seat belt decreases your risk of being seriously injured or killed in a crash by approximately 50%.
• Strong seat belt laws protect families.  When parents are buckled up, 90% of the time their children are too.
• The safest place for children under 12 to be buckled up is the back seat.
• Hospital data shows that unbelted occupants in crashes are 3 times more likely to require a hospital stay. On average, hospital costs for an unbelted crash victim are 55% higher than those for a belted crash victim.

For more information on Click It or Ticket campaign and enforcement results please visit www.BuckleUpDE.org, Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe .

Every day law enforcement officers across our state put themselves at risk to protect us and keep us safe. We must never take their service for granted. At a memorial for Delaware officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we declared next week as Delaware Law Enforcement Officers Week. And I was proud to sign legislation that protects our officers’ families, recognizing that without their support, we could not keep our communities safe.

The new law ensures heath care coverage for the children of officers killed in the line of duty, giving our first responders the peace of mind of knowing that, even in tragedy, their kids will be taken care of. House Bill 158 represents one small token of respect and appreciation to show our officers and their families that we truly value what they mean to our state. It shows that we understand that when everyone else flees a dangerous scene, they run into harm’s way: Like the officers who, without hesitation, sprint toward a burning building to rescue a family. Or like those who respond to the scene of a courthouse under a different kind of fire. Or like Georgetown’s Chad Spicer, who 4.5 years ago confronted a dangerous criminal so someone else wouldn’t have to. Officer Spicer tragically lost his life that day.

By taking action to support our law enforcement and by keeping alive the memories of Officer Spicer and the 39 other Delaware officers who have been killed in the line of duty, we inspire new generations to serve, and we keep Delaware moving forward

Letters underscore concerns about job retention, and impact on R&D in both states

Dover, DE –Governors Martin O’Malley (MD) and Jack Markell (DE) sent a letter today to Ian Read, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer, Inc., expressing deep concerns about the potential acquisition of AstraZeneca PLC. The letter highlights the potentially significant impact on good, family-sustaining jobs in both Maryland and Delaware, and expresses concern about the company’s open interest in gaining access to offshore funds and “tax-efficient” operations.

AstraZeneca employs approximately 3,100 people in Maryland, and approximately 2,600 people in Delaware, prompting the two governors to seek answers about the company’s potential future in the two states.

The two governors also sent letters expressing concern to several federal executive branch officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, and SEC Chair Mary Jo White, as well as to a number of members of Congress — including Speaker of the House John Boehner, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, several congressional committees, Chairs Representative Kevin Brady and Senator Amy Klobuchar of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, and members of both the Maryland and Delaware Congressional delegations.

The governors also highlighted Pfizer’s assurances to British Prime Minister David Cameron on job retention, potential relocation, as well as employment guarantees for workers in the United Kingdom, and noted that Pfizer has yet to provide any commitment to Maryland or Delaware.

The letter requests responses from Pfizer regarding the potential impact on thousands of residents in both states as well as a number of other issues, including: the potential number of jobs to be eliminated upon acquisition; commitments Pfizer is prepared to make to current AstraZeneca employees; future interest in investments in R&D and maintenance of innovation efforts; and answers to questions about potential redistribution of assets.

In order to preserve and protect American jobs and the future of families affected in the two states, both governors indicated that they intend to continue to pursue their concerns with the White House, members of the Obama Administration, and the U.S. Congress.

The full text of the letter to Pfizer is below.

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Letter to Pfizer Chairman and CEO

Dear Mr. Read:

The states of Delaware and Maryland are leaders in research and development in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, and biotech industries. As such, we are very concerned by Pfizer, Inc.’s efforts to acquire AstraZeneca PLC. As you know, AstraZeneca employs approximately 3,100 people in Maryland and 2,600 people in Delaware in good jobs in manufacturing, research and development, and many other related positions that contribute to innovation and economic growth in our states.

Widespread media reports indicate that Pfizer has made assurances to British Prime Minister David Cameron about retaining jobs in the United Kingdom should this transaction occur. Pfizer has committed to: (i) moving the combined company’s corporate and tax residence to England; (ii) basing key scientific leadership in the United Kingdom; (iii) keeping 20% of the combined company’s R&D workforce in the United Kingdom; and (iv) actively looking to locate manufacturing opportunities in the United Kingdom.

We are concerned because, despite our requests, we have received no corresponding assurances about retaining jobs and research and development in our states. Our concern is exacerbated by Pfizer’s history of closing U.S. research facilities, including sites in Michigan and Illinois, after closing on previous corporate transactions.

It is also concerning that Pfizer is seeking to complete an acquisition involving jobs supporting thousands of families in our states in order to achieve tax advantages. In describing the reason for a proposed takeover, Pfizer’s Chief Financial Officer was quoted as saying, “that would still allow me to access the offshore funds and do it in a tax-efficient way.” While we understand your desire to operate efficiently, relocating your corporate and tax residence outside of the United States is not only detrimental to the United States, but potentially comes at a direct cost to our states and our constituents.

Our states have invested substantially to make AstraZeneca a success in our communities. Elected officials and the public have a right to know Pfizer’s intentions with respect to the key U.S. operations of AstraZeneca and the thousands of employees in our states whose jobs may be jeopardized by Pfizer’s desire to reduce its tax liabilities.

We are, therefore, seeking additional information to help us understand how the proposed acquisition of AstraZeneca will affect our states and the leading role they play in research and development and the pharmaceutical industry generally. Thus, we would appreciate if you could provide responses to the following questions.

1. How many jobs in Maryland and Delaware do you estimate will potentially be eliminated or relocated outside of our states or the United States if Pfizer acquires AstraZeneca?

2. As you have done in the United Kingdom, what binding commitments can Pfizer make to continued investment in Maryland and Delaware? What would be the level of such investment?

3. What commitments can you make regarding AstraZeneca’s North American headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware; its research and development center in Gaithersburg, Maryland; its manufacturing facility in Newark, Delaware; or any other facilities?

4. Media reports have noted Pfizer’s intent to merge the assets and potentially then split off separate businesses or business units. What are Pfizer’s intentions in this respect, and what are the details, timeline, and likely impacts on our states?

5. What binding commitments can Pfizer provide regarding maintaining its investment in the research and discovery of biopharmaceutical products based on its proposed acquisition of AstraZeneca? What binding commitments can you make to maintain the pace of innovation?

6. What other commitments can Pfizer make regarding the effect of the transaction on jobs in the United States in general, and in Maryland and Delaware specifically?

Your cooperation in providing this information is very much appreciated. Time is of the essence, as are American jobs and the livelihood of American families. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, as we are actively engaging our federal partners in the White House and its individual Cabinet agencies and in the U.S. Congress to join us in protecting these jobs and the families they support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Martin O’Malley

Governor

State of Maryland

 

Jack Markell

Governor

State of Delaware

 

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Signs bill to prevent criminal background from denying ex-offenders an interview

Dover, DE – Emphasizing that one of the best predictors of whether ex-offenders will commit more crimes is whether they have a job, Governor Markell today signed legislation to prohibit public employers from inquiring into an applicant’s criminal record before their first interview. Known as “banning the box,” House Bill 167 forbids the practice of asking job candidates to check a box if they have a criminal record. The same prohibition will apply to asking for an applicant’s credit history or score.

The Governor included banning the box as one of the criminal justice reforms proposed in his State of the State address in January, when he said “we need to start by looking at employment discrimination against people who have repaid their debt to society.”

Representative JJ Johnson (D-New Castle), the prime sponsor of the bill who was recognized in the Governor’s State of the State, led the legislation’s passage through the General Assembly. It was approved by bipartisan margins of 31-8 in the House and 15-5 in the Senate. Other sponsors were Senator Bryan Townsend (D-Newark) and Representative Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South).

“We cannot accept the human tragedy that occurs when those who we incarcerate – who have the intention and ability to rejoin mainstream society – return to a destructive lifestyle because we erect barriers that deny them fair opportunities,” said Markell. “I want to thank Representative Johnson for his leadership in ensuring that public employers in Delaware can no longer prevent ex-offenders from getting a foot in the door and proving themselves. Without Representative Johnson’s commitment to this cause, we would not have achieved this change today.”

This law permits consideration of criminal background after an applicant’s initial interview and does not place any requirements on private employers. When making solicitations for state contracts, agencies will note the state’s policy and encourage companies to adopt the same practice without asking them whether they do so.

“In Delaware, more than two-thirds of the men and women we release from prison end up back there within three years,” said Rep. Johnson. “Without a stable job, without regular income, we know that the person who has committed a crime before is more likely to do so again. A simple checkmark in a box can send a job application to the trash and send the person down a road we all want to avoid.

“House Bill 167 is not a ‘hire ex-felons’ bill. This is a ‘foot-in-the-door’ bill. It gives otherwise qualified individuals an opportunity to be considered on their merits first and their criminal histories second. I’m very pleased to be here to watch Governor Markell sign this bill into law.”

Police forces, the Department of Corrections and other positions with a statutory mandate for background checks are excluded from the law’s provisions.

“We want people to look for jobs. We want people to take initiative. We want people to have hope. We want people to believe that they’ve made amends and they’ll have opportunity,” Townsend said. “I think it’s important to em¬phasize how many people don’t even apply because they know by checking that box their application will not be looked at.”

 

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