senators hecklers Gov. John Carney State of the State

GOP senators: Hecklers, smirking legislators ’embarrassment’

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Republican senators said Tuesday they were disappointed at the hecklers interrupting Gov. John Carney’s last State of the State speech  — and even more disappointed in the members of the legislature smirking during the heckling. A video shows the first heckler, a woman in the gallery wearing a pink hajib, start shouting and asking for a moment of silence. As …

The state Department of Justice is set to appeal a recent ruling on absentee and early voting in Delaware.

Delaware DOJ to appeal absentee, early voting ruling

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday it will move to appeal a Superior Court judge’s ruling on absentee and early voting. Judge Mark Conner ruled last week in favor of former state attorney general Jane Brady’s suit that laws passed by the General Assembly – over objections that they were not constitutional – were indeed “inconsistent with our Constitution and …

Early and absentee voting was the focus of a recent Superior Court ruling that received a lot of response from state politicians. (Photo from Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Politicians react to court striking absentee, early voting laws 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A ruling by the Delaware Superior Court that restricts early and absentee voting – a highly contentious aspect of the 2020 Presidential Election – has state leaders reacting on party lines.  Judge Mark Conner ruled Friday in favor of former state attorney general Jane Brady’s suit that laws passed by the General Assembly – over objections that they were not …

wind farm beach

New legislation looks to protect beach economy and nature

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

Two Delaware Republicans are working on a resolution to protect the state’s beach economy and environment. Senate Republican Leader Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, and Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville, announced legislation Friday that would require irrevocable pre-construction decommissioning bonds be posted. RELATED: US Wind offers Delaware beach towns $2 million each Their resolution would also mandate that wind farm developers commit …

scuse

Senate Republicans ask Carney to oust Ag Sec. Michael Scuse

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Six Delaware State Senate Republicans on Thursday asked Gov. John Carney to immediately remove Delaware Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse following an ethics report that said he violated state bidding processes. The Public Integrity Commission released a report saying Scuse improperly used $100,000 in taxpayer money to employees of the department to house seized farm animals without public notice or a public …

gender-affirming

Gender-affirming bill draws GOP criticism; action postponed

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill introduced Thursday adding protections for gender-affirming care in Delaware has drawn criticism from Republicans for the impact it would have on parental rights. House Bill 230, sponsored by Rep. Deshanna Neal, D-Elsmere, would protect medical providers in Delaware who provide gender-affirming care from being prosecuted by other states that ban the practice. Neal said in a statement Friday …

A bill dealing with protection for abortion providers passed the Senate Tuesday.

Allowing abortion workers to mask addresses OK’d by Senate

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Senate passed bills Tuesday pertaining to confidentiality for abortion providers, minority party representation on an emergency health committee and payouts for employment discrimination. Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, focuses on confidentiality rights for medical providers.  The bill allows anyone who is a reproductive health care services provider or employee to apply for participation in …

Ed Harvey, Republicans on EV

Republicans point out high costs, chance of fire in EV debate

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Republicans led a charge Thursday to derail a bill that requires new homes and multi-family dwellings to be wired for electric vehicles, a move that Democrats say will help ensure the sale of more cars and help the environment. They failed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 103, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, would require all new single family …

climate bills, DNREC Facebook

New climate bill would increase scope of energy agency

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

With several climate bills moving through the Delaware General Assembly, a new bill proposes to increase the scope and power of a DNREC energy agency, sort of a state government version of Toklien’s “one ring to rule them all.” Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would empower the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy to help oversee …

marijuana

Marijuana legal in Delaware Sunday; Carney won’t sign, veto

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Government

Gov. John Carney said Friday that even though he disagrees with legalizing marijuana and creating a regulated and taxed industry, he will allow the two bills that do that to become law without his signature. “I want to be clear that my views on this issue have not changed,” he said in a Friday afternoon press release. “I understand there …