voting

Bill changing state voting rules seems headed to Senate floor

Sam HautHeadlines, Government

A bill that would ditch a constitutional requirement that people must live in Delaware for a year before voting, officially change the voting age to 18, remove the literacy requirement for voting and make it easier for ex-felons to vote seems headed to the full Senate. Senate Bill 180, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Gay, D-Elsmere, would do all that. Because …

gender-affirming

Gender-affirming bill draws GOP criticism; action postponed

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill introduced Thursday adding protections for gender-affirming care in Delaware has drawn criticism from Republicans for the impact it would have on parental rights. House Bill 230, sponsored by Rep. Deshanna Neal, D-Elsmere, would protect medical providers in Delaware who provide gender-affirming care from being prosecuted by other states that ban the practice. Neal said in a statement Friday …

woman

Changing ‘woman’ to ‘person’ doesn’t stop maternity bill

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Republicans and Democrats went back and forth in arguing about the definition of woman in a maternity health bill, but all agreed on the need to raise awareness about human trafficking. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Gay, D-Elsmere, would replace the words ā€œwomanā€ and ā€œwomenā€ with ā€œpersonā€ and ā€œpeopleā€ in the Delaware code on …

absentee voting

Ā 2023 attempt to alter absentee voting passes SenateĀ 

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The Senate voted along party lines 15 to 5 to pass a bill that would amend the Delaware constitution to allow absentee voting for any reason. Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, ultimately would allow absentee voting for any reason. However, it would require voters to sign an oath or affirmation saying they are free from improper …

Casinos

Senate OKs casinos offsetting license cost with investment

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would lower licensing fees for casinos that make capital investments. Senate Bill 64, sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, would allow the casinos, which under a 2018 bill were required to pay a $3 million license fee to operate table games, to forgo portions of that fee if they pay for …

Jar of marijuana

Richardson urges Carney to veto marijuana bills

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Sen. Bryant Richardson has asked Gov. John Carney to veto bills dealing with the legalization of marijuana. ā€œThe dangers associated with legalization of recreational marijuana were ignored by those who voted for the bills,ā€ the Laurel lawmaker said in an open letter he released Friday. ā€œBut the dangers are real.ā€ House Bill 1 and House Bill 2 would legalize recreational …

Marijuana 1 1

Marijuana bills fly through Senate, head to Carney. Again.

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Bills that would legalize marijuana and set up a state-monitored legal sale industry passed the Delaware Senate and are headed to the governor. Only one Republican voted for House Bill 1, which would legalize marijuana use in Delaware. It passed 16 to 4. Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, partially attributed his vote to his libertarian values of letting his neighbor relax …

retiree healthcare

Adding retirees to health panels passes Senate

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Despite vehement opposition from a state retirees’ group, a bill that would add retirees to committees that help determine health care options overwhelmingly passed the Senate Wednesday, just moments after it had cleared a committee hearing. Voting against it were three Republican senators. Senate Bill 29, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, would give retirees a voice by …

Leg Hall

$69.4 million grant-in-aid bill signed by Carney

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate passed a $69.4 million grant-in-aid bill about 6 p.m. Thursday, just hours before it was set to end the annual session of the Delaware General Assembly. Two hours later, the House passed it, too, making the bill’s next stop the desk of Gov. John Carney, where he signed it June 30. Senate Bill 252, sponsored by Sen. …

Senate bills and votes

Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

Delawareā€™s Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …