Leaders of private christian schools clashed with legislators Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee over a bill that would require licenses and certifications for religious early education centers. Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Sen. David Wilson, R-Lincoln, would exempt sectarian or religious institutions from the Delaware Child Care Act. In 2021, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 169, to update …
Trade group: Giving union members tax credit for dues unfair
The president of a state contractors group says a proposed bill that would allow union members to claim a tax credit for their union dues is unfair. Senate Bill 72, introduced by Sen. Nicole Poore, D-Delaware City, would let people in unions claim up to a $500 tax credit for union dues. Edward Capodanno, president of the Associated Builders and …
Committee OKs bill requiring insurance companies to pay for abortions
A bill that would require Medicaid and other health insurance plans to cover abortion services passed the House Health & Human Development Committee with all Democrats and one Republican voting for it. House Bill 110, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-Newcastle, would make sure that Medicaid and state insurers don’t require deductibles, coinsurances, copayments or any other cost-sharing requirement for …
Senator questions whether state health crisis board meets
A bill that would add legislators to the state commission that oversees public health emergencies left one senator confused in the Senate Health and Social Services Committee meeting Wednesday. Senate Bill 66, sponsored by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, adds the Senate minority leader and the House minority leader as members of the Public Health Emergency Planning Commission. It works with …
Senate OKs casinos offsetting license cost with investment
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 …
Stopped cars would be added to move-over list under bill
The first bill in Gov. John Carney’s Roadway Safety Initiative has made its way through the House Public Safety & Homeland Security committee. House Bill 92, sponsored by Rep. Bill Carson, D-Smyrna, would add stopped cars with their hazard lights to the list of vehicles for which drivers would need to either change lanes and slow down or just slow …
SEBC subcommittee continues to dissect Medicare plans
The SEBC subcommittee continued Monday to dive into the minutiae of Medicare plans for state retirees. The subcommittee gave a lot of time to the costs to the average retiree for the state’s special group health insurance plan Medicfill versus Medigap K, G and N supplement plans and two Medicare Advantage plus prescription drug plans. They focused on costs for …
Proposed bill demands Medicaid, insurance cover abortions
A bill filed Friday in the Delaware House would require Medicaid and other health insurers to cover abortion services without requiring deductibles, coinsurance, copayment or any other cost-sharing requirements. House Bill 110, sponsored by House Majority Whip Melissa Minor-Brown, would also have an exemption for religious employers who ask for an exclusion based on their “bona fide religious beliefs and …
St. Georges Bridge to close, starting Tuesday, for 18 months
The St. Georges Bridge, which carries U.S. 13 over the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, will close starting Tuesday, April 4, for approximately 18 months for major repairs. A $45.8 million contract, awarded to J.D. Eckman, Inc., involves demolishing and replacing the bridge decking, median barrier and drainage features; replacing bridge approaches and roadways; and repairing other bridge structural features. Work …
Richardson urges Carney to veto marijuana bills
Sen. Bryant Richardson has asked Gov. John Carney to veto bills dealing with the legalization of marijuana. “The dangers associated with legalization of recreational marijuana were ignored by those who voted for the bills,” the Laurel lawmaker said in an open letter he released Friday. “But the dangers are real.” House Bill 1 and House Bill 2 would legalize recreational …