A move to add asexuality and pansexuality to the state definition of sexual orientation led to conversations about what those terms mean — and a warning that adding them could one day lead to adding pedophiles, too. Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Newark/Bear, said the idea for House Bill 275 came from a member of Delaware’s LBGTQ+ community who identifies as pansexual. …
Politicians react to court striking absentee, early voting lawsÂ
A ruling by the Delaware Superior Court that restricts early and absentee voting – a highly contentious aspect of the 2020 Presidential Election – has state leaders reacting on party lines. Judge Mark Conner ruled Friday in favor of former state attorney general Jane Brady’s suit that laws passed by the General Assembly – over objections that they were not …
Bill to change state tax brackets halted in committee
A bill that would alter Delaware’s tax code in a way the sponsor says would ultimately lower tax payments for everyone was put to death Tuesday by the House Revenue and Finance Committee. Another was delayed for consideration until the next meeting. Votes for House Bill 233, sponsored by Majority Leader Mike Ramone, R-Newark/Pike Creek, split along party lines in …
Democrats may elect a new speaker, GOP reps believe
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 …
Democrats may elect new speaker, GOP reps have heard
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 …
Guns in school zones, polling places bills pass House
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 …
Republican bills on EV regulation meet committee opposition
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, animal abuse report bills pass House
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,” …
State police may get special tags to mark 100th anniversaryÂ
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 …
Legislators call for means testing for property tax creditsÂ
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 …