A few Republicans have heard there’s a possibility that the Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, plans on stepping down.

Democrats may elect new speaker, GOP reps have heard

Sam HautGovernment

A few Republicans have heard there’s a possibility that Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, plans on stepping down by the end of the week. Rep. Kevin Hensley, R-Odessa, said during a Zoom meeting with the Delaware GOP that there is speculation that a new speaker will be elected by Friday. “So the speculation, just keep in …

Delaware is moving to ban polystyrene. (Photo by Caleb Lucas on Unsplash)

Polystyrene ban passes House committee

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

On Wednesday, the House Health & Human Development Committee approved a bill that would ban polystyrene containers in most businesses across the state, with seven voting in favor and two voting on its merits. Senate Bill 51, which previously passed the Senate 14 to 5, would ban beverage, cocktail picks and sandwich picks made of plastic, and food packaging made …

Senate Bill 2 would require Delawareans planning to buy a handgun to get a permit, unless they are a qualified law-enforcement officer, are retired law-enforcement officer or have a concealed weapons permit. (Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels)

Handgun permitting bill generates intense discussion

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Dotted around the committee hearing room were around a dozen people wearing red “Moms Demand Action” shirts, who gave tearful accounts of why Delaware should take action against guns. On the other side, many disabled veterans were just as passionate, saying that a proposed handgun permitting bill would disregard the sacrifices they made to protect the United States. On Wednesday, …

Multiple amendments have been proposed for a resolution covering rules in the Delaware House. (file photo)

House looking to codify rules on remote participation

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

  When the Delaware House began meeting in January, it adopted temporary rules for operations. House Resolution 3 governs how the House operates, from how bills are voted on to how parking spaces are allocated to each member. House Resolution 10, which includes the permanent rules, awaits a vote by the whole House. It received four votes on its merits …

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2022 Rewind: Republican Party must change to win, leaders say

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in November 2022. Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move …

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Delaware GOP leaders: Party needs change to win

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move in a more productive direction — one that …

House Administration Committee meeting

Bill to create Delaware inspector general moves forward

Ken MammarellaGovernment & Politics, Headlines

A bill to establish an “independent and nonpartisan” inspector general’s office moved forward Wednesday in a Delaware House committee. The House Administration Committee also moved along a bill to encourage filming in the state by offering tax credits. The committee started discussion to create a constitutional right of a clean environment, but, citing time, continued discussion to Thursday’s committee meeting, …

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General Assembly may end long-standing June 30 tradition

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously passed a measure aimed at ending the tradition of extending legislative business beyond midnight on June 30 of each year. Under House Bill 411, the General Assembly would only be constitutionally mandated to stay until 5 p.m. on the last day of June.  “Five o’clock becomes the new twelve o’clock, basically,” said …

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Renter, landlord advocates disagree over solutions to eviction crisis

Charlie MegginsonBusiness, Government, Headlines

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 …

Pre-filed bills offer glimpse into legislature’s plans

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The General Assembly will meet in person for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 13. (Getty Images) A list of pre-filed House bills released Thursday offers a glimpse into some of the issues the General Assembly plans to tackle when it reconvenes next week. Proposals included on the list range from a measure to make gun ownership legal for medical …