With some state expenses, such as Medicaid, higher than expected for 2024, legislators who want to create a state office of inspector general plan to wait until next year to introduce a bill to do that. “[I]t does come with a fiscal note, to create a new agency does cost some money,” said Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin. “It’s not astronomical. …
Bipartisan attacks kill bill lowering school board voting age
A bill that would lower the voting age to vote in school board elections from 18 to 16 drew heavy criticism from both sides of the aisle in the House Education Committee Wednesday. After an hour-and-a-half conversation filled with both Democrats and Republicans opposing the legislation, House Bill 96 was tabled Wednesday. That means the committee will take no further …
Legislators, activists hear benefits of inspector general
The idea of creating an inspector general for Delaware united multiple advocacy groups that sponsored a Zoom forum on the benefits of such a job. On Monday, 71 people attended a virtual forum hosted by the Delaware Coalition for Open Government and Delaware Press Association. Also sponsoring the call were Common Cause Delaware, Delaware Poor People’s Campaign, Delaware Public Preschool …
Morrison again calls for senior tax break means testing
Seniors in Delaware may save an additional $350 in school property taxes next year under a bill that drew lots of discussion in the House Education Committee Wednesday. House Bill 29, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Hensley, R-Odessa, increases the Senior Real Property Tax credit to $750 from $400. That’s will counter a raise put in place by the Appropriations Bill …
Should 16-year-olds be able to vote in school board races?
A bill that would drop the age to vote in school board elections to 16 is drawing strong opposition from one education group. The voting age now is 18. House Bill 96, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, which would lower that voting age for school board races, is set to be heard Wednesday at the 3 p.m. House Education …
Catalytic converter theft bill sent to House floor
A bill that would crack down on the spike in catalytic converter thefts breezed through the House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Tuesday afternoon. House Bill 78, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, imposes rules on scrapyards’ purchase or sale of catalytic converters, part of a vehicle’s exhaust pipe. “Law Enforcement talked about the extreme rise in catalytic converters …
Bill would remove confession privileges for child abuse
A new bill would remove the privileged secrecy that priests have in sacramental confession in cases related to child abuse or neglect. In response, the Diocese of Wilmington put out a statement that calls the idea “non-negotiable.” House Bill 74 is sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, with 10 other Democrats and Republican Rep Dave Wilson, R-Seaford, listed as additional …