Election Center 8

Del. primary is Tuesday, with early voting until Sunday

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Government

Delaware’s primary is Tuesday, Sept. 10, featuring dozens of races pitting Republicans against Republicans and Democrats against Democrats. Some people have already voted via absentee ballots and in early voting. RELATED: Elections error changed registration for 750 Delaware voters  The marquee vote is the Democratic primary for governor, which features two well-known figures – New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer …

Bills passed Tuesday would offer rebates for electric vehicles and require some school buses to be electric, too. (Unsplash photo by Cchuttersnap)

Senate passes 5 environment bills, budget

Sam HautHeadlines, Government

On Tuesday, the Senate passed with five bills that relate to the environment, with Republicans offering some resistance, and a budget that had less opposition. House Bill 99, sponsored by Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Brandywine Hundred South, would require that Delaware meet certain emission reduction requirements, getting to zero net emissions by 2050, and create climate change officers within all nine …

A bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting in Delaware now goes to the full Senate. (Delaware Department of Elections)

No-excuse absentee voting bill passes Senate committee

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday privately advanced a bill, with four members in favor, that allows for no-excuse absentee voting in Delaware, joining 35 other states and the District of Columbia. Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, would amend Delaware’s constitution to allow absentee voting for any reason. However, voters must sign an oath or affirmation …

GOP delaware 1

2022 Rewind: Republican Party must change to win, leaders say

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in November 2022. Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move …

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 …

Leg Hall hospital board CPI

Senate Dems pick up committee seats with larger majority

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Leaders in the Delaware Senate have revealed the body’s committee assignments for the 152nd General Assembly which begins in January. Senate President Pro Tempore-Elect Dave Sokola announced the assignments Monday. “Legislative committees are an essential part of the legislative process where senators gather public input and determine which bills should move forward,” Sokola said in a news release. “The assignments …

Ruth Briggs King

A woman’s place? For Ruth Briggs King, it’s the legislature

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

It’s not uncommon for state Rep. Ruth Briggs King to be the only woman in a room full of men.  The Georgetown lawmaker is the only female legislator in Delaware’s General Assembly who belongs to the Republican Party. She doesn’t let that get in the way of representing her constituents.  In fact, she sees it as an opportunity. “There have …

Short legislative hall

Lawmakers take oaths Jan. 10 but already working

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Even though Delaware’s state senators and representatives won’t be formally sworn in until Jan. 10, their work begins the day after election day — and so do their paychecks.  Delaware is one of just four states where lawmakers assume office the day after an election. Three other states’ lawmakers assume office on election day, while eight others assume office sometime …

GOP delaware 1

Delaware GOP leaders: Party needs change to win

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Republicans did not fare well in Delaware’s Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move in a more productive direction — one that …

GOP Leaders

Del. House Republicans pick new minority leader, whip

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware House Republicans will be led by a new pair of officers when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, and they’re both promising to move the caucus in a less divisive and more welcoming direction. The caucus on Tuesday elected Rep. Mike Ramone of Hockessin as minority leader and Rep. Lyndon Yearick of Camden as minority whip. “This is an …