The Republican Party of Delaware has selected Wilmington attorney Ted Kittila to serve as their nominee in the upcoming special election to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Gerald Brady. In 2014, Kittila received the nomination of the Delaware GOP to be the Republican candidate for attorney general, ultimately finishing second in the five-way race to Democrat Matt Denn. The …
Republican bill would increase senior property tax credit to $750 max
A Republican-backed bill to nearly double the tax break for senior citizen homeowners is pending action in the Delaware House of Representatives. House Bill 287, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Hensley, R-Odessa, would increase the Senior School Property Tax Credit to a maximum of $750 annually. Currently, homeowners ages 65 and older are eligible for a 50 percent tax credit against …
Renter, landlord advocates disagree over solutions to eviction crisis
Lawmakers and advocates say a new Delaware Supreme Court rule that allows tenants to be represented by non-lawyer advocates in eviction proceedings will create parity with landlords and mitigate some of the most harmful effects of housing insecurity. Opponents, including the Delaware Apartment Association, the non-profit group that represents the interests of multi-family rental unit landlords, say efforts and money …
Special election to fill Brady’s House seat set for March 5
A special election to fill the vacancy left by embattled former Rep. Gerald Brady has been scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2022. The Wilmington Democrat from the 4th District tendered his resignation Wednesday triggering a state law that requires a special election to be set by the Speaker of the House. Whoever wins the special election won’t hold the seat …
Female lawmakers launch Delaware Legislative Women’s Caucus
A group of female legislators on Wednesday announced the formation of a new caucus to focus on issues affecting women. The Delaware Legislative Women’s Caucus will include lawmakers from both parties and both chambers of the General Assembly and “will focus primarily on advancing the shared interests of women by advocating for policies that will make Delaware a better place …
Christina School District asks for moratorium on new, expanding charter schools
Christina School District’s Board of Education has called for a statewide temporary moratorium on new charter schools and the expansion of existing charter schools. The board hopes that the pause will stabilize relationships between schools and districts that serve students in Wilmington while they work together on developing Gov. John Carney’s proposed Wilmington Learning Collaborative and implementing proposals from the …
Progressive Rep. John Kowalko will not seek re-election
Firebrand progressive Rep. John Kowalko will retire at the end of his term in November after spending nearly 16 years in the Delaware House of Representatives. The 76-year-old Democrat from Newark made the announcement on the House floor Thursday afternoon to the surprise of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. “I am proud of my continuous and resolute support, …
Recreational marijuana moves one step closer to becoming legal in DE
A bill to legalize the cultivation, sale and possession of marijuana in Delaware was released from the House Health and Human Development Committee Wednesday by a margin of 10 to four. All 10 Democrats on the committee voted in favor of the bill’s release. Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, was the lone Republican to support the bill. The bill will …
Paid family leave bill lands in the hands of lawmakers
A bill to give Delaware workers up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave was heard by the Senate Health and Social Services Committee Wednesday. It is expected to be released and head to the Senate for consideration. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, would create a statewide insurance program to …
As revenues rise, Republicans say taxpayers should get some money back
Republicans in the General Assembly have introduced six bills to decrease Delawareans’ tax burden. (Getty Images) Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced six new bills to return surplus state revenue to Delawareans. With a windfall of cash from federal stimulus bills and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, Republican lawmakers say there’s no better time to give Delawareans some needed …