League of Women Voters proposed redistricting of Sussex County. Delaware’s state House and Senate districts must be redrawn and approved by Nov. 7, but legislative leaders have yet to announce a date to convene a special session to vote on the new district lines. In August, a broad coalition of community organizations sent an open letter calling on Democratic House …
Rep. David Bentz announces he won’t run for re-election
Rep. David Bentz Rep. David Bentz, D-Christiana, announced Tuesday that he won’t run for re-election in 2022. “For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege and honor to serve the residents of the 18th District in the House of Representatives,” he said in a press release issued by the House Democratic Caucus. “Starting out as a legislative aide …
Legislative leaders spar over mask protests at school board meetings
Delaware legislators issued dueling press statements about people opposing the school mask mandate. Photo by Vera Davidova/Unsplash Democratic members of the Delaware Senate Education Committee lashed out Wednesday night, calling vocal protesters at school board meetings opposing the state mask mandate “immature and irresponsible.” “Our schools and our children’s education should not be held hostage by a vocal minority …
New grants will help ready sites to lure commercial, industrial business
Gov. John Carney on Tuesday signed a bill that will allow state organizations to have possible commercial sites ready for quick building or move in. Gov. John Carney signed a bipartisan bill Tuesday aimed at attracting new businesses to Delaware by investing in site readiness. Senate Bill 127 establishes a fund to provide economic assistance to qualified businesses and public …
Brady announces he will not seek re-election after using racial slur
Democratic State Rep. Gerald Brady will not seek re-election in 2022, he announced Monday. Brady has represented the 4th district, which includes Greenville, in the House of Representatives since 2007. His statement comes a week after he was caught using a racist slur to refer to women of Asian descent. He said in a statement Monday that there was no …
State Democrat leaders condemn Brady for racist speech
House Democratic leaders condemned one of their own Tuesday after an email was uncovered in which he joked about human sex trafficking and referred to women of Asian descent as “chink broads.” Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Trolley Square, sent the message from his state email June 27 in response to a plea from an out-of-state advocate asking Brady to consider decriminalizing …
Sen. Ernie Lopez will not seek re-election in 2022
Sen. Ernie Lopez Republican State Senator Ernie López will not be seeking re-election in 2022, according to a press release issued by the Senate Republican Caucus Friday afternoon. He didn’t cite a reason why. López’s district includes Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Harbeson. “It is with a great deal of thanks and humility to the people of …
Here’s list of $70 million in projects picked by legislators for their districts
The General Assembly has posted the list of its $70 million in community redevelopment projects picked by individual legislators. The list of projects included in the Delaware General Assembly’s $70 million community redevelopment grants includes $2 million for a private school stadium, $1.6 million for the Delaware Agricultural Museum, and $1.35 million for the Nanticoke Indian Association. Community …
List of Bond Bill’s community projects still unpublished
When the General Assembly passed a record-setting $1.3 billion bond bill last week, the spending package did not include a list of the $70 million in projects chosen by legislators for their districts. The Community Redevelopment Fund includes one-time allocations which legislators earmark for nonprofits, schools, and community agencies in their districts. Ordinarily, each organization receiving funding would have its …
39 new nonprofits included in Grants-in-Aid bill headed to Carney
Gov. John Carney, center, and state legislators pose after the governor signed the state budget and bond bills Wednesday. On the heels of the largest bond bill in state history being passed by the General Assembly Wednesday, the State Senate rubberstamped a $63.2 million grant package, closing out a markedly peaceful week of budget discussions. The FY 2022 Grants-in-Aid bill …