Firearm dealers Delaware gun laws permit

26 amendments later, permit to purchase bill goes to Carney

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

After 26 proposed amendments and about nine hours of discussion, the permit to purchase bill has passed both the House and Senate and is on its way to Gov. John Carney for signature to become law. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, D-Wilmington, would require most Delawareans to obtain a permit …

The Department of Education, Redding Consortium and Wilmington Learning Collaborative had their yearly state budget requests Wednesday.

Education groups costing â…“ of state budget face JFC

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Education – what one legislator called the most important investment by the state – consumed Wednesday’s Joint Finance Committee hearing for a category that makes up about one-third of the state’s $6 billion budget.  Appearing in the morning before the committee that decided how and where the state’s budget will be spent was The Redding Consortium and the Wilmington Learning …

bills

Bills, issues that will be back before the General Assembly

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Since this year’s General Assembly session opened in January, hundreds of bills have passed,  from marijuana legalization to climate change regulations. Plenty are still waiting for the second half of the 152nd session of the Assembly, which begins in January. Minority Leader Mike Ramone, R-Pike Creek, said Republicans had several tax bills that they are going to introduce at the …

A proposed law creates apprenticeship programs to encourage more Delawareans to become teachers.

Apprenticeship programs law aims to combat teacher shortage

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The most recent plan to attract teachers to Delaware schools was applauded in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. House Bill 138, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and chair of the House Education Committee, addresses the ongoing national teacher shortage. The legislation establishes a new tool to recruit and retain educators through an apprenticeship pilot program.  This model will build …

woman

Changing ‘woman’ to ‘person’ doesn’t stop maternity bill

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Republicans and Democrats went back and forth in arguing about the definition of woman in a maternity health bill, but all agreed on the need to raise awareness about human trafficking. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Gay, D-Elsmere, would replace the words “woman” and “women” with “person” and “people” in the Delaware code on …

STATE AUDITOR KATHLEEN MCGUINESS (LEFT) AND HER ATTORNEY, STEVE WOOD, ENTER THE KENT COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN DOVER ON JUNE 24, 2022. (CHARLIE MEGGINSON/DELAWARE LIVE)

Calls mount for McGuiness to resign, be impeached

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

  Calls continued to mount Tuesday for Delaware’s auditor, who was convicted Friday of three misdemeanors, including official misconduct, to leave her office by resigning or being impeached. Kathleen McGuiness said after the trial that she planned to stay in the job and run for re-election this year. Gov. John Carney on Friday said McGuiness needs to resign, but that …

Pro-business group, ACLU to rally to open police misconduct records

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware will rally in Dover to support bills that would create transparency of policy records. Photo by Brian K. Leonard.     UPDATE: This rally has been postponed to Monday Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. A business group that promotes government transparency plans to hold a rally at Legislative Hall to advocate for the passage of …

Lawmakers, police seek middle ground on oversight boards

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A series of livestreamed roundtables will focus on the need for civilian review boards and more access to law enforcement records. Photo by Pixabay/Pexels. University of Delaware Police Chief Patrick Ogden doesn’t believe police agencies need civilian review boards overseeing their operations and personnel decisions. Ogden also serves as chairman of the Delaware Police Chief’s Council. “These issues are complicated,” …

Legislative leaders spar over mask protests at school board meetings

Betsy PriceEducation, Government, Headlines

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 …