The General Assembly will hold a public forum next week focused on the recent discovery of lead in the water supplies of nearly 50 Delaware school buildings. The virtual forum will be held Monday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. âLike many parents throughout Delaware, my fellow legislators and I are very concerned about the presence of any lead in the …
3 vie for longtime GOP seat in Dem-heavy district
Voters in Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey will have three choices on the ballot when they vote for their next state senator in the Nov. 8 general election. One familiar name will not be on the ballot — that of Sen. Ernie Lopez, the 10-year incumbent Republican who opted against seeking re-election. Republican State Rep. Steve Smyk, Democrat Russ Huxtable …
Pettyjohn, Briggs King secure exception to magazine ban, save jobs
When Georgetownâs state senator and representative learned a bill to ban high-capacity firearm magazines could impact close to 100 jobs in their district, they knew something had to be done. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Sen. Dave Sokola, D-Newark, banned the possession, sale, purchase, receipt or transfer of magazines that hold more than 17 rounds of …
$69.4 million grant-in-aid bill signed by Carney
The Delaware Senate passed a $69.4 million grant-in-aid bill about 6 p.m. Thursday, just hours before it was set to end the annual session of the Delaware General Assembly. Two hours later, the House passed it, too, making the bill’s next stop the desk of Gov. John Carney, where he signed it June 30. Senate Bill 252, sponsored by Sen. …
Delaware’s 2023 budget signed, starts July 1
On the wings of another staggering surplus, Gov. John Carney on Tuesday signed the $5.1 billion 2023 operating budget for Delaware. It takes effect Friday, July 1. The operating budget, Senate Bill 250, is the largest in Delawareâs history, reflecting a rise in spending of 6.9% in spending over the previous year. It also will increase Delawareâs Rainy Day …
Same-day voter registration bill heads to Carney
The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted along party lines for a same-day voter registration bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 25, sponsored by Rep. Sherry Dorsey-Walker, D-Wilmington, will allow residents to register at the polls on election day and immediately vote. The bill already passed the House and now goes to Gov. John Carney for his signature. When he …
Bill to bypass Constitution, create vote-by-mail system passes committee
A bill to bypass the need to amend Delawareâs Constitution and cement no-excuse absentee ballots in future elections was released from a House Committee Wednesday despite objections from Republicans. Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Ardens, has already passed in the Senate. If passed, the bill creates an opt-in vote-by-mail system wherein voters will have to request …
Senate passes budget bills topping $5 billion
The Delaware Senate on Tuesday passed 2023 budget bills including the largest state operating budget in Delaware’s history at $5.1 billion, reflecting a rise in spending of 6.9% in spending over the previous year. It also will increase Delaware’s Rainy Day Fund from $280 million to $316 million and the Budget Stabilization Fund from $287 million to $402 million. Both …
Energy bills about council, net metering head to House floor
Energy bills pertaining to the Governorâs Energy Advisory Council and how much those who own solar panels can claim back on month power bills were both released by the House Natural Resources Committee Thursday. Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, wasnât happy with either. Senate Bill 310: Governorâs Energy Advisory Council Sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Newark, SB 310 updates the Governorâs …
House committee OKs semi-automatic, under 21 purchase ban
Bills to ban semi-automatic firearms and restrict the purchase of guns by Delawareans 21 and older were released from a House committee Wednesday and will advance to the House floor for a vote. The hearing attracted a crowd of well over 100 concerned citizens on both sides of the issue, many of whom filled lawmakersâ seats in the House chamber. …