DelawareLIVE Weekly Review – December 31, 2023

Sonja FreyDelaware Live, Weekly Review

This Week’s Review Includes: Oaths of office open most diverse General Assembly ever EastSide breaks ground on $25 million community STEM hub Heated debate ends in vote to raise teacher pay over 4 years Judge refuses to block state’s assault rifle, magazine law First new Wilmington school in 50 years topped off with joy Jeep to stop sending gas-powered Wranglers …

Ammunition appropriations

GOP reps: Dems never told us about Appropriations bill releases

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee say they were not notified that Democrats planned to release bills from the House Appropriations Committee they sit on. The bills were signed by the Democrat members Wednesday, maybe during a caucus meeting, and then press releases were sent out saying they had been released by the committee, which never met. Among them …

Schwartzkopf

Worst kept secret: Longhurst is new House Speaker

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

On Friday, speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, choked up several times as he announced that he would be stepping down and that Rep. Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, will succeed him as the new speaker. It will be the first time a woman has been elected the speaker of the House in Delaware. With Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long presiding …

doulas

Reps share personal experiences with doulas as bill passes House

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Two Delaware House of Representative members talked up the benefits of their doulas before a bill requiring Medicaid to cover their services passed unanimously Thursday. A doula is someone who provides physical and emotional support to pregnant women. The bill would require the state to cover their services for three prenatal and postpartum visits, both up to 90 minutes, as …

Special election District 37

4 bills awaiting their fate in legislature as session end nears

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Several bills that have been making their way through the legislature are still in limbo despite being passed by committees and either the Delaware Senate or House of Representatives earlier in the session. House Bill 80, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, would require doula services to be covered by Medicaid starting Jan. 1, 2024. A doula provides support …

house

House approves bills on tenants, solar panels, theft

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

On Tuesday, the House approved bills ranging from a tenant bill of rights to making certain buildings ready for solar panels. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, would give tenants below 200% of the federal poverty line free legal representation if they are evicted. The bill would create a Right to …

police

House Committee approves two bills adding police oversight

Sam HautHeadlines, Government

Despite opposition from police reform advocates and one vocal Democrat, two bills that add accountability and transparency for Delaware police officers easily passed the House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee Wednesday. House Bill 206, sponsored by Rep. Kendra Johnson, D-Bear, would change the Council on Police Training to the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission, and would expand it …