Ayanna Khan, Founder & President/CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, has joined the World Trade Center Delaware board of directors, the organization announced today. Khan is the newest business leader to join the board, which guides and advises the operations of the state’s foremost global business resource. She is founder, president and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber …
Ed leaders detail what they consider legislation highlights
With the 2023 General Assembly session ending in June, educational advocates are cheering the legislature’s action on early education, mental health support and transparency relating to school boards. One leader, though, would like to see bills that focus on letting parents know clearly and precisely what’s happening in the classroom, starting with easy to find proficiency ratings. About 60 bills …
Senate passes $1.4 billion for capital improvementÂ
The Senate has approved $1.4 billion in capital improvement projects, along with a bill that would ban the LGBTQ panic defense, and a bill that adds more funding for the suicide crisis hotline. Senate Bill 160, sponsored by Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Stanton, would allocate $1,409,448,938 to address capital improvement projects across the state through this year’s bond bill. Walsh said …
Cost of EV charging stations pops up in DELDOT budget talks
The cost of providing electric vehicle charging stations up and down Delaware popped up in a Joint Capital Improvement Committee meeting this week. Sen. Nicole Poore, D-Delaware City, asked if the Department of Transportation is considering the cost of adding more electric vehicle charging stations across the state and transitioning school districts to more electric vehicles. “Everybody wants to move …
Paid leave hasn’t started, but changes already suggested
Proposed laws shifting who deals with appeals to the state’s new paid leave program, which starts in 2026 drew little comment in Wednesday’s Senate Health and Social Services Committee meeting. Senate Bill 178, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington and committee chair, makes technical changes to private plans under the Family and Medical Leave Program. The new program requires Delaware …
Senate passes offshore wind energy collaboration bill
The Senate passed seven bills Thursday, but two of them – one about offshore wind energy and one about tenant protections – received some resistance. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, requires the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to work with the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection to look into the viability of generating offshore wind …
Union members speak in favor of dues deduction bill
Several representatives of Delaware unions praised a bill that would allow state tax deductions for union dues, a practice no longer allowed on federal taxes. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 72, sponsored by Sen. Nicole Poore, D-Delaware City, would let people claim up to $500 in a tax credit to pay union dues on state taxes. Opponents say it’s …
Police dogs, animal shelter bills pass Senate committee
Furry friends took over the conversation in the Senate Health and Social Services Meeting Wednesday. Senate Bill 117, sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, aims to protect and treat police dogs who are injured in the line-of-duty. SB 117 would authorize paramedics and other EMS providers to provide medical care to police dogs who were hurt at the …
Legalizing assisted suicide sparks debate in Dover. Again.
Moral, ethical and religious opinions were at the heart of a lengthy debate on assisted suicide that had nearly 40 public commentors in the House Health & Human Development Committee Tuesday. House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, permits a terminally ill adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual’s life in a …
Union dues bill passes Senate committee
The Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would give union members a tax credit for their union dues. Senate Bill 72, sponsored by Sen. Nicole Poore, D-Delaware City, would let people claim up to $500 in tax credit to pay for union dues on state taxes. Poore said union members used to be able to deduct dues …