A few Republicans are speculating that Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, plans to step down.

Democrats may elect a new speaker, GOP reps believe

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

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 …

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 …

Two bills pertaining to gun restrictions passed the House Thursday.

Guns in school zones, polling places bills pass House

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Two laws restricting the presence of guns in school zones and election polling places passed the House and are headed to a Senate committee for debate.  House Bill 201, sponsored by Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, aims to enable a police officer to act immediately when they see or suspect a person with a gun in …

regulation

Republican bills on EV regulation meet committee opposition

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Two Republican bills that would stop DNREC from implementing an unpopular electric vehicle mandate failed in House and Senate committees. Senate Bill 96, sponsored by Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, would forbid the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control DNREC from making any rules or regulations that would restrict the sale of gas-powered vehicles. House Bill 123, sponsored by …

Oral health checks bill passes through.

Oral health checks, animal abuse report bills pass House

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Three bills unanimously flew through the Delaware House of Representatives Tuesday. The first one, House Bill 83, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, requires every public school to provide kindergarten students an oral health screening by the last day of each school year.  “Oral health care is so vital for our children’s health, not just physically but mentally and socially,” …

Delaware state police officers could soon have the option to have special license plates honoring the division's 100th year. Photo by Delaware State Police.

State police may get special tags to mark 100th anniversary 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A bill that would create a special license plate for the Delaware State Police to celebrate the division’s 100th anniversary was sent to the House floor Wednesday. House Bill 100, deliberately named for the anniversary, unanimously passed the House Administration Committee.  The plates would be granted only to active Delaware State Police officers at the discretion of the Col. Melissa …

No means testing is done for the disabled veterans and senior property tax credits. (Unsplash)

Legislators call for means testing for property tax credits 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Calls to consider means testing before granting veteran and senior housing tax breaks shocked a legislative committee last month. Delaware’s secretary of finance doesn’t think an income-based means test for property tax breaks is likely.  Even so, Rick Geisenberger did say that a means test based on property values not only could happen, but should.  “Seniors get a lot of …

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long spoke on the state of early education in Delaware.

Report: Despite early childhood ed gains, some kids need help

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Generally praising Delaware’s investments in early childhood education, a state panel also said “a tremendous number” of underserved children don’t have access to it because of a lack of teachers and the cost of childcare. That puts them at a disadvantage when they go to kindergarten, said the final report from the Delaware Early Childhood Advisory Committee.  The teacher shortage …

Legislative Hall livestreaming

Livestreaming of meetings seems set to stay at Leg Hall

Rachel Swick MavityGovernment, Headlines

  As the Delaware General Assembly prepares to reconvene Tuesday for the start of its 152nd session, livestreaming of meetings seems set to stay. Nobody seems sure yet whether members of the House or Senate will be able to continue to vote remotely. After fighting the livestreaming of meetings for years, the General Assembly started doing that when the COVID-19 …

REP. MIKE RAMONE, R-PIKE CREEK SOUTH, FACES A STIFF CHALLENGE FROM DEMOCRAT FRANK BURNS.

2022 Rewind: History favors Ramone, numbers favor Burns in Pike Creek race

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Government

This story was originally published in October 2022 A suburban New Castle County race for state House is turning into one of most hotly-contested battles of this year’s general election. Incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Ramone, who has been in office since 2009, faces Democrat Dr. Frank Burns for the South Pike Creek seat — one of the last held by Republicans in the …