Jonas Gerlach

Senate passes ban on restaurant use of plastics

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The Senate on Thursday passed the bill banning the use of single-use foam take containers and plastic items in restaurants, but it will allow customers to request a straw.  Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, would ban the use of beverage, cocktail picks and sandwich picks made of plastic, but exempts straws attached to an item such …

Taxes

Bill to give low-wage workers lower taxes moves on

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A House finance committee released a bill that ultimately will allow low-wage earners to keep more of their money, a move that will cost the state 10s of millions every year. House Bill 89, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, would do three things: Increase the amount of refunded tax from 4.5% to 7.5% for low-wage earners who meet the …

Marijuana 1 1

Marijuana bills fly through Senate, head to Carney. Again.

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Bills that would legalize marijuana and set up a state-monitored legal sale industry passed the Delaware Senate and are headed to the governor. Only one Republican voted for House Bill 1, which would legalize marijuana use in Delaware. It passed 16 to 4. Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, partially attributed his vote to his libertarian values of letting his neighbor relax …

Tax documents

Bill to let lower wage earners keep more $$$ heads to hearing

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that would allow more lower wage earners to keep more of their pay is set to be heard Tuesday in the House Revenue & Finance committee. House Bill 89, introduced by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, would increase the amount of refunded tax for those who meet the federal Earned Income Tax Credit from 4.5% to 7.5%. It would …

Tax rebate Delaware General Assembly

House moves to block federal taxes on $300 rebate checks

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

If a bill approved Thursday by the Delaware House of Representatives succeeds, residents won’t have to pay state or federal taxes on the $300 rebates issued last year. House Bill 25 would designate that money as qualified disaster payments and therefore untaxable. The 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program was a one-time direct payment of $300 per Delaware resident taxpayer who …

Vote-by-mail ruled unconstitutional by Delaware Supreme Court

2022 Rewind: Supreme Court strikes down vote-by-mail

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in October 2022. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of Delaware has ruled the state’s mail-in voting and same-day voter registration statutes unconstitutional. Neither will be allowed in the Nov. 8 general election. The ruling, which came just one day after oral arguments, is a major defeat for Gov. John Carney and Delaware Democrats. …

Leg Hall

Senate Dems pick up committee seats with larger majority

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Leaders in the Delaware Senate have revealed the body’s committee assignments for the 152nd General Assembly which begins in January. Senate President Pro Tempore-Elect Dave Sokola announced the assignments Monday. “Legislative committees are an essential part of the legislative process where senators gather public input and determine which bills should move forward,” Sokola said in a news release. “The assignments …

GOP Leaders

Del. House Republicans pick new minority leader, whip

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware House Republicans will be led by a new pair of officers when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, and they’re both promising to move the caucus in a less divisive and more welcoming direction. The caucus on Tuesday elected Rep. Mike Ramone of Hockessin as minority leader and Rep. Lyndon Yearick of Camden as minority whip. “This is an …

No Cap Beach Tags 1

No cap on next year’s surf fishing tags

Charlie MegginsonCulture, Headlines

There will be no cap on the number of surf fishing tags sold next summer, but drive-on beachgoers will have to pay a fee on weekends. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced the change Wednesday. The agency said the change will be piloted for the 2023 surf fishing permit program after record interest in the program …

Election Center 8

Who’s running? Nov. 8 Delaware general election

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Jump to: Statewide candidates State Senate candidates State House candidates County candidates The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8. The 151st General Assembly comes to an end the same day, meaning all 21 state Senate seats and 41 state House seats are up for grabs. The deadline to file for election has passed. Three of the state’s executive …