death

Death penalty bills would codify Supreme Court’s 2016 ban

Katie KazimirGovernment, Headlines

Two bills moving through the General Assembly officially will ban the death penalty in Delaware. Both are sponsored by Sen. Sean Lynn, D-Dover. The state Supreme Court in 2016 ruled that Delaware’s death penalty was unconstitutional and effectively banned it but state laws are still on the books. House Bill 70 would eliminate the death penalty. Instead, it would establish …

Both bills were released by the committee and will next be debated in the House.

Committee releases bills to combat trafficking, ammo theft

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Prostitution and gun ammo were the odd couple of topics to be handled in Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing. House Bill 264, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, makes the crime of “patronizing a prostitute” a class E felony rather than a misdemeanor when the person from whom prostitution is sought is a minor. Williams’ second bill, House Bill 270, …

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 …

Kowalko Schwartzkopf

2022 Rewind: Kowalko says House Speaker killed IG bill

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in July 2022. An outgoing Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives says House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf blocked his bill to create an office of the inspector general.  Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, said the move was typical of Schwartzkopf’s leadership style. That leadership style can be characterized by “coercion, intimidation, incentivizing and reward,” Kowalko …

Caucus votes for new leadership

Democrats pick (not so) new caucus leaders

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware House and Senate Democrats are sticking with the status quo in the next General Assembly. Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, was re-elected Speaker of the House during a caucus meeting Saturday after serving in that position since 2013. Schwartzkopf faced a challenge from Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark. House Democrats would not release a roll call vote to Delaware LIVE …

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Legislature to reconvene to tackle Medicare Advantage

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In response to protests by state government retirees who say they were left in the dark over a significant change to their health insurance, the General Assembly unveiled a bill Monday aimed at creating additional oversight. The House of Representatives and Senate will hold a special session in Dover on Oct. 26 to debate and vote on the bill. Pensioners …

Government Transparency Delaware FOIA

Transparency advocates: Update FOIA for 21st century

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Government transparency advocates say there’s no reason in 2022 that public information should be as difficult to access as it is in Delaware. “At the root of democracy in Delaware and in the United States is citizens’ access to government information — and not just access, but easy access,” said Charlie Copeland, co-director of the Caesar Rodney Institute’s Center for …

Realty transfer tax

Delaware’s realty transfer tax to remain highest in nation

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Government

Delaware will remain the state with the highest realty transfer tax in the nation after a bill to decrease the tax died in the General Assembly.  Introduced by Rep. Bill Bush, D-Dover, House Bill 358 would have cut the tax from 4% of a property’s sale price to 3% — the level it was at prior to 2017 when the …