President Joe Biden’s frequent trips back to his home state have become routine to most Delawareans more than three years into his term, but the scores of trips have also become a drain on state coffers and the downtime of troopers. Last year, Biden returned to Delaware 30 times, or nearly three times the number of visits as those to …
After yet another long public hearing March 27 about the Homeless Bill of Rights legislation, the House Judiciary Committee recessed until April 17 with a lot of clarification to do before the bill can move forward. First-term Rep. Sophie Phillips (D-Bear) characterized the changes made in her House Substitute No. 2 to House Bill No. 55 as “minor” and that …
Delaware hospitals have agreed to fork over a 3.58% tax on patient revenues so the state can qualify for another $100 million more in federal Medicaid funding. The deal they agreed to will help expand Medicaid programs at a time when state officials have sounded alarms about the $2 billion — and rising — cost of healthcare to the state. …
A bill aimed at reducing the widespread problem of sexual assault on college campuses soared through the House Education Committee Wednesday. House Bill 308, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and committee chair, mandates that employees of institutions of higher education and students receive training in sexual assault prevention. Although the current law makes training available, it has not been …
A bill that would permit scholastic track and field competitions to include the javelin event passed the Senate Tuesday – although some coaches are not happy with the idea. Senate Bill 211, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, forces the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association adopt javelin as an approved event for all DIAA-sponsored track and field competitions. The bill passed …
After pushback about how Delaware will pay for it, a bill creating a rebate program to help residents buy electric vehicle charging equipment was approved unanimously in a House committee Tuesday. The lower the buyer’s income, the larger the rebate would be, according to House Bill 13, sponsored by Rep. Sophie Phillips, D-Christiana. The bill did not have a financial …
New Castle County’s biggest political firestorm in recent years erupted last fall when hundreds of concerned residents packed into government offices and local fire halls to denounce proposals for mega warehouses near Middletown, a multi-story office building in Alapocas, and hydrogen fuel facilities between Delaware City and New Castle. In response, County Executive Matt Meyer, who is running to be …
A law that would put Delaware in a class with seven other states offering a unique burial method passed the Senate Thursday. House Bill 162, sponsored by Rep. Sean Lynn, D-Dover, opens the doors for cemeteries to begin offering increasingly-popular natural organic reduction after death. Natural organic reduction is the gentle, respectful process that accelerates the decomposition of human remains …
Two bills moving through the General Assembly officially will ban the death penalty in Delaware. Both are sponsored by Sen. Sean Lynn, D-Dover. The state Supreme Court in 2016 ruled that Delaware’s death penalty was unconstitutional and effectively banned it but state laws are still on the books. House Bill 70 would eliminate the death penalty. Instead, it would establish …
State law now requires doctors to report people who have medical conditions that may cause them to lose consciousness to the Department of Motor Vehicles. They can lose their licenses as a result and end up in a months-long battle that drags the doctor in as they fight to get it back. House Bill 314, which unanimously cleared the House …
