House session

Climate bill passes House after vote on two amendments

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Rep. Rich Collins on Tuesday begged House Democrats to join him in opposing a bill that set greenhouse gas emission limits in Delaware. “I have begged you to stand up one time and not just take this direction that apparently is so overwhelmingly powerful in this chamber,” the Millsboro Republican said. “And I know I’ve lost. I tell you it’s …

Lasma Artmane, Holocaust

Legislative Council discusses plans for Holocaust memorial

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Legislative Hall may get a Holocaust memorial, according to discussions in the week’s Joint Legislative Council.  The council, made up of the Democratic and Republican leadership in the Senate and House of Representatives, also agreed to re-establish the Legislative Building Committee so it can oversee a $23 million expansion of Leg Hall, including a new wing and a parking garage. …

House voting on property

House sends 5-year property reassessment bill to Senate

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Property value must be reassessed every five years, according to a bill passed by the Delaware House Thursday and sent along to the Senate. House Bill 62, sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, would require counties to reassess real property values at least once every five years, starting with the next reassessment. That hasn’t been done in New Castle County …

gender picture

Draft bill would strike all references to gender in state law

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A legislative council voted Wednesday to create a bill that would allow all references to gender to be removed from Delaware law. The Joint Legislative Council, a bipartisan committee, unanimously approved a draft bill that would remove terms like he, she, his, hers with a noun that does not express gender. For example, in Title 14, Section 170, a student …

pexels skitterphoto 390089

Sunset Committee backs reorganizing Delaware Motion Picture Commission

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

The state Sunset Committee would like to see the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Commission reorganized and funded.   A powerful state committee voted Tuesday to ask for the Delaware Motion Picture & Television Development Commission to be reconstituted, saying it could be an economic and public relations boost. The Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee also asked its staff …

Student activist convinces State Fair to build more accessible bathroom

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A Thursday’s dedication of a handcap-accessible restroom at the Delaware State Fair are, from left, fair Treasurer Doug Crouse, Janet Butler, fair vice president Clark, student activist Jarrett Butler and State Sen. Dave Wilson.   One Delaware student appears to have a jump on a career as a lobbyist, as evidenced by his successful efforts to make the Delaware State …

List of Bond Bill’s community projects still unpublished

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

When the General Assembly passed a record-setting $1.3 billion bond bill last week, the spending package did not include a list of the $70 million in projects chosen by legislators for their districts. The Community Redevelopment Fund includes one-time allocations which legislators earmark for nonprofits, schools, and community agencies in their districts. Ordinarily, each organization receiving funding would have its …

House, Senate send largest bond bill ever to Carney for signature

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate says the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of Tuesday’s session. Delaware residents will soon see the effects of a $1.35 billion spending package authorized by both houses of the General Assembly on Tuesday. Gov. John Carney is expected to sign the spending package as well as a $63 million Grants-in-Aid bill on Wednesday at 1 p.m. …

Minimum wage bill sponsor condemns last-minute amendments to bill

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

    The bill to raise Delaware’s minimum wage is set for its final stop on the General Assembly roller coaster Thursday before being sent to the governor. And when it comes up in the House of Representatives, so will nine amendments filed since June 10, most by Republicans opposed to raising minimum wage to $15 by 2025. They would …

Republican bills would cut taxes in wake of state’s revenue windfall

Betsy PriceEconomy, Government & Politics, Headlines

5 Republican bills in the House would reduce income, business taxes because of Delaware’s strong revenues   Delaware House Republicans have filed five bills that will cut taxes, saying the state should share its unexpected financial fortune with residents and businesses. Among other things, the bills would  cut the state personal income tax by 10%, cut corporate income tax by …