McGuiness2

DOJ investigator admits to misleading court in McGuiness case

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

State Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not have any charges dropped before her trial begins next week, a judge ruled Tuesday. McGuiness’ attorneys appeared before Judge William Carpenter of the Superior Court of Delaware to ask for a misdemeanor non-compliance with procurement law charge to be dismissed. RELATED: McGuiness pleads not guilty; bail set at $50,000 Defense attorney Steve Wood argued …

Delaware state budget tops $1.5 billion

Lawmakers OK state worker pay raises, $500 bonus

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The General Assembly’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday approved raises for state workers. Under the governor’s proposed budget, employees on the lower end of the pay scale would get the most significant boost in pay. The Joint Finance Committee approved the increases during its first day of “markup,” a period during which the committee takes the governor’s recommended budget and votes …

Carney Grass

Carney vetoes marijuana legalization

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware Gov. John Carney on Tuesday vetoed House Bill 371, legislation that would have made it legal for Delawareans 21 years of age or older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana. In a statement to the House of Representatives, Carney said while he continues to support medical marijuana, he does not believe promoting or expanding the use of …

Interrogation

Lawmakers aim to ban deceptive tactics in juvenile interrogations

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill set to be considered by the Delaware House of Representatives would make it illegal for police to lie to children during interrogations.  House Bill 419, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-Wilmington, would ban the use of deceptive tactics, such as making misleading statements about evidence or offering false promises of leniency to extract a confession or other incriminating …

Guns

House bill would raise minimum sentence for felony firearm charge

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill set to be considered by the Delaware House of Representatives would increase the minimum sentence for those who possess a firearm during the commission of a felony.  The crime was created by the 137th General Assembly in 1994 with the minimum required sentence set at three years, or five years for defendants with two prior felony convictions. It …

NoWeed

Marijuana legalization fails in Del. General Assembly — again

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday voted down a bill to legalize, tax and regulate the cultivation and sale of marijuana in the First State. The bill fell just one vote short. House Bill 372, sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, represents the second half of a two-pronged approach to marijuana legalization. The first half of the effort, HB …

Marijuana

House set to vote on weed farms, stores. Here’s what you need to know

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday will vote on the second of two bills aimed at legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana. House Bill 372 (Part B), sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, creates the legal framework for cannabis to be grown and sold in Delaware.  Another bill, HB 371 (Part A), already passed in the House and Senate and …

Eviction

Tenant right to counsel bill defeated in committee

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill to guarantee tenants the right to legal counsel in eviction proceedings failed in the House Appropriations Committee Thursday. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 101, which will not advance to the House floor, would have: Created a right to legal representation for renters facing eviction whose household income is lower than 200% of federal poverty guidelines; Placed coordination …

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Two lawmakers storm out of rushed committee hearing

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Two Republican lawmakers stormed out of a House committee hearing Wednesday after being asked to limit their questions and public comments were restricted to one minute each.  The committee met to discuss five bills with just an hour allotted for the meeting before lawmakers were due on the House floor for a short session.  Two of those bills – Senate …