Bill to remove double registration requirement passes Senate

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill to require Delaware cities and towns to use the state’s voter registration system for local elections passed in the State Senate Tuesday.  Under Senate Bill 233, voters who live within town limits would be able to vote in municipal elections without having to register separately with both the state and the town.  The bill, sponsored by Sen. Tizzy …

House to consider changes to redistricted maps

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The House of Representatives will consider a bill Thursday to make changes to the district boundaries agreed upon during the redistricting process last year. Redistricting occurs after the national census every ten years and redraws House and Senate districts to reflect population changes.  The General Assembly finalized new district maps in late October, just days before a self-imposed deadline of …

Six months from election, most candidates have yet to file

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

With just six months to go before the first votes are cast in the 2022 General Assembly elections, most incumbent state representatives and senators have yet to file for re-election. The current legislative session comes to an end in November, meaning all 21 Senate seats and 41 House seats will be up for grabs. Candidates must file by July 12 …

Voter registration bill clears Senate committee

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill to require Delaware cities and towns to use the state’s voter registration system for local elections overcame its first legislative hurdle Wednesday.  Under Senate Bill 233, sponsored by Sen. Tizzy Lockman, D-Wilmington, voters who live within town limits could vote in their municipal elections without having to register separately with both the state and the city.  The bill …

Dem. bill would guarantee health insurance for undocumented children

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

Left: Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax. Right: Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington North. Democratic lawmakers plan to file a bill in the General Assembly Friday that would guarantee health insurance for all Delaware children who are not otherwise covered, including undocumented immigrant children. House Bill 317, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington North, would direct the Department …

Republicans give Carney’s $5 billion budget proposal a C+

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Left to right: Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, House Minority Whip Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown. House and Senate Republicans are generally pleased with Gov. John Carney’s $5 billion proposed state budget but argue more should be done to return money to taxpayers given the state’s rosy economic outlook. …

Dems won’t need GOP votes to pass recreational marijuana bill

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A new bill to legalize the cultivation, sale and possession of marijuana in Delaware is likely to make its way before the General Assembly this year. House Bill 305 — also known as the Delaware Marijuana Control Act — builds on last year’s House Bill 150, which was released from committee but never heard on the House floor.  The Marijuana …

Permitless concealed carry bill fails in committee

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill to allow Delawareans to carry concealed firearms without a permit failed to be released from the five-member Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. The lengthy committee meeting drew dozens of public comments on either side of the issue, with some members of the public taking offense to Wilmington Sen. Sarah McBride’s characterization of permitless concealed carry as a “justice system …

Pre-filed bills offer glimpse into legislature’s plans

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The General Assembly will meet in person for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 13. (Getty Images) A list of pre-filed House bills released Thursday offers a glimpse into some of the issues the General Assembly plans to tackle when it reconvenes next week. Proposals included on the list range from a measure to make gun ownership legal for medical …

General Assembly committee meetings to stay virtual

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware House and Senate committee meetings will be held virtually throughout the month of January.   Delaware House and Senate leaders announced Friday that all legislative committees will meet virtually throughout the month of January when the General Assembly returns to session Tuesday, Jan. 11.  House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, and Senate President Dave Sokola, D-Newark, said the decision was …