The Delaware Department of Education released a resource to help ease the nerves of educators, parents, and families in regard to immigration actions in the state’s public schools. Secretary of Education Cindy Marten launched a website with guidance and resources. The website includes information on immigrant student rights, support available for schools and educators, recommended action steps for Delaware schools, …
Bipartisan bill would see Inspector General at work by 2025
A much-debated Office of Inspector General would be up and running by early 2025, if a new bill passes the Delaware Assembly by the end of June. Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin, would create the Office of Inspector General, an independent watchdog agency empowered to investigate waste, fraud,and abuse in the executive and legislative branches of state government with Senate Bill …
Lawmakers work to ensure low-income, disabled get relief checks
When Bridgeville resident Debra Dawson learned that Delaware lawmakers had announced a plan to give every Delawarean $300 in direct financial relief, she was elated. Dawson, 61, relies entirely on Social Security Disability Insurance to live. She worked since she was 16 and paid into the system for decades. In 2012, a series of debilitating health events forced Dawson into …
General Assembly committee meetings to stay virtual
Delaware House and Senate committee meetings will be held virtually throughout the month of January. Delaware House and Senate leaders announced Friday that all legislative committees will meet virtually throughout the month of January when the General Assembly returns to session Tuesday, Jan. 11. House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, and Senate President Dave Sokola, D-Newark, said the decision was …
Proposed voting maps draw ire of voters, advocacy groups, GOP
Expedited redistricting process draws ire of open-government groups, concerned citizens House Democratic leaders have held the second and final public hearing on proposed redistricting maps. Now, the clock is ticking toward the General Assembly’s self-imposed Nov. 8 deadline to finalize the maps that will define Delaware’s House and Senate districts for the next decade. Despite the majority caucuses’ efforts to …
Little is being said about state redistricting, despite calls for transparency
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 …
Dems retaliate for Republican no votes by adjourning before GOP bills hit House floor
After Republican members of Delaware’s House of Representatives voted Thursday against a bill that would allow people to vote absentee for any reason, the Democratic leadership responded by ending the session before three Republican bills came to the House floor. “Those bills were not considered because of and in retribution for the Republican vote against House Bill 75,” said …