Limited Use of Styrofoam Containers & Single-Use Plastics Passes DE Senate

Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, containers and many single-use plastics are one step closer to limited use at Delaware food establishments. Senate Bill 51 would bar restaurants from serving ready-to-eat food in styrofoam containers and prohibit the providing of single-use straws, unless requested by the consumer, as well as single-use plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks and sandwich…

Read More

Delaware Senate Republican Leadership Re-elected

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus this week selected its leadership heading into the 152nd General Assembly. Senators Gerald Hocker of Ocean View and Brian Pettyjohn of Georgetown were re-elected Republican Leader and Republican Whip, respectively. Senator Hocker will be entering his third General Assembly as the caucus’s leader. Senator Pettyjohn will serve a second consecutive…

Read More

HB 426 Signed into Law – Expands Use of Realty Transfer Tax Funds

Governor John Carney has signed House Bill 426, which will allow Delaware’s counties to expend Realty Transfer Tax funds for two additional uses. The measure amends Chapter 81, Title 9 of the Delaware code by striking of one word and adds “recreational amenities and land preservation” to how Realty Transfer Tax monies can be used.…

Read More

Gov Carney Signs Package of Bills Related to Maternal & Infant Health

Governor John Carney has signed a package of six measures related to maternal and infant health – aimed a decreasing infant and maternal mortality. The measures also expand services to communities across the state and will improve health outcomes for families and infants throughout Delaware. Representative Melissa Minor-Brown, lead sponsor of all six bills, is…

Read More

Dr. Jeffrey Hilovsky Files To Run In Del. House 4th District

Dr. Jeffrey Hilovsky
Hermann-Financial

Delaware’s new 4th State House district has another candidate.Dr. Jeffrey Hilovsky is seeking the Republican nomination for the district, that moves south to Sussex County from Wilmington following the redistricting process. Hilovsky is a retired Air Force Active Duty and Reserve veteran and served during three wars. He also is co-founder of Sussex Eye Center,…

Read More

Del. Legislative Committee Hearings To Be Livestreamed

Delaware General Assembly committee meetings will be livestreamed when lawmakers resume the session in January, according to leaders of the majority Democratic caucuses. While regular sessions have been available virtually since May 2020 – early in the COVID-19 pandemic – committee hearings have continued via Zoom. Citizens will be able to attend in-person or virtually.…

Read More

Del. Legislative Leaders Announce Formal Review Of Constitutional Powers Regarding Auditor Case

de-state-senate

Leaders of the Delaware General Assembly have announced a plan for a formal review of its powers and procedures under two Articles of the Delaware Constitution regarding cause for removal of a public official. The Senate and House last week passed different concurrent resolutions asking for an advisory opinion from the Delaware Supreme Court. Now,…

Read More

2nd-Chance Bills Become Law; Expungement Fair Coming To Georgetown

Mattress Peddlers

Three ‘restorative justice’ bills have become law in Delaware. Governor John Carney signed legislation Monday that expands second-chance opportunities. What is called the Clean Slate Act (SB 111) automates Delaware’s existing expungement process for thousands of adults and juveniles by eliminating the requirement for them to first file a petition with the State Bureau of…

Read More

Del. Offers Tuition Waiver Program For Foster Students

Gov. John Carney signed a tuition waiver program that helps foster children Thursday (photo courtesy of Gov. John Carney's office)

Young people who age out of foster care may qualify for a tuition waiver at Delaware public universities and colleges. Governor John Carney signed legislation Thursday (House Bill 123) to create the program, which also waives room and board costs for students in foster care who pursue higher education at the University of Delaware, Delaware…

Read More

DE Redistricting Public Hearings Next Week

The General Assembly will host public hearings later this month to allow residents to comment on its proposed legislative redistricting maps. The House will host a hybrid hearing on Monday, October 18. The Senate will host a virtual hearing on Tuesday, October 19, and an in-person hearing at Legislative Hall on Thursday, October 21. All…

Read More

Gov Carney Signs 2 Joint Resolutions into Law

Hermann-Financial

Governor John Carney has signed House Joint Resolution 4 which directs the Criminal Justice Council to establish and publish integrity reports concerning complaints made against police officers in each police agency in the state – as well as create and publish a list of de-certified police officers in the state. The resolution is sponsored by…

Read More

Del. Expands Mental Health Services In Elementary Schools

Delaware elementary schools will be able to significantly expand mental health services. Legislation signed by Governor John Carney Thursday (House Bill 100) establishes a mental health services unit for elementary schools, allowing them to hire more full-time counselors or social workers. $8-million was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Delaware budget to support additional mental…

Read More

Sen. Stephanie Hansen seeks to Advance Community Solar in Delaware

de-state-senate

Thousands of Delawareans currently unable to benefit from the cost savings and low carbon footprint of solar power could soon reap the benefits of renewable energy through a new class of community-solar generating facilities enabled by legislation introduced by Sen. Stephanie Hansen on Thursday.  Senate Bill 2 would provide the legal framework for Delmarva Power customers to take…

Read More

Delaware Legislation Looks To Address Systemic Injustice

Justice for All
Mattress Peddlers

Members of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus Wednesday unveiled a package of legislation that addresses police procedures and systemic injustices the sponsors say have impacted people of color. Lawmakers were joined by Governor John Carney, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and others as they discussed the initiative on the steps of Legislative…

Read More

Delaware Budget-Writers Could Look to Reserves

de-leg-hall

With Delaware state revenues flagging due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) economic disruption, there is a possibility budget-writers could look to two reserve accounts to bridge a shortfall. The first of these reserves, often referred to as the Rainy Day Fund, is one of the most misunderstood mechanisms in state government. Adopted in 1980, Article 8,…

Read More

Delaware revenue estimates take another hit

The revenue expected to be available to state budget writers took a major hit Monday, dropping by more than $655 million in Delaware. The Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) issued their latest forecast Monday afternoon. The group predicted the state would have $4.2149 billion available to be budgeted for Fiscal Year 2021, that…

Read More

Delaware bill would prevent stores from refusing to accept cash

Delaware lawmakers have introduced legislation to prohibit businesses from rejecting cash payments. Cash-free stores have begun popping up around the world with the promise of customer convenience and quick transactions, but their cash-free model leaves many people out, according to State Senator David McBride, the primary sponsor of the bill. “Technology can bring about exciting…

Read More

Rep Mike Smith Pushing for Streaming Video & Audio of DE General Assembly

Hermann-Financial

One New Castle County lawmaker wants more transparency in the General Assembly and is introducing legislation that will call for audio and live video streaming of ALL General Assembly proceedings – House and Senate floor action and committee meetings.  And that all content be archived and accessible on the internet.  Representative Mike Smith says most…

Read More

Legal Smoking Age in Delaware is now 21

Beginning today, you must be 21 to purchase tobacco products in the State of Delaware. Senate Bill 25 went into effect at midnight. This legislation was strongly supported by Governor Carney and the final measure approved by the General Assembly also repeals the ability of a parent or guardian to purchase tobacco products or tobacco…

Read More

UPDATED: Gov Carney Signs FY 2020 Budget

de-state-senate

UPDATED – 6pm – Approved by the Delaware State Senate hours earlier, Governor John Carney has signed the $4.4-billion FY 2020 operating budget (HB 225).  As of 6:20pm HB 226 – the supplemental spending bill that appropriates an additional $62 million for one-time expenditures, was still waiting to be signed. Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Highlights:…

Read More

UPDATED: General Assembly Approves Boost in Fines in Handicap Parking Areas

State lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 28 – which will increase the penalties for parking in an area designated for a vehicle being used by an individual with a disability. For a first offense the monetary penalty will increase from $100 to $200. For a subsequent offense, this the monetary penalty would increase from $200…

Read More

DE General Assembly Passes Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban

Delaware lawmakers have approved House Bill 130 which deals with single use plastic bags.  Governor John Carney applauds the legislation and says he will sign the bill.  The measure expands existing at-store recycling programs, but stores that are subject to this program now will be limited from providing single use bags and encourage a shift…

Read More