John Carney wearing a suit and tie

Carney to sign gun bills today

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Democratic Gov. John Carney will sign multiple gun control bills Thursday. The gun bills will ban the sale of assault weapons, raise the age from 18 to 21 to purchase most firearms, return background checks to state control, ban high-capacity magazines, open up the potential for lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers for gun violence, and ban the use of devices …

text, letter

General Assembly passes permanent mail-in voting

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Government

Delaware voters will be able to cast their ballots through the mail in all future elections thanks to a bill passed by the House of Representatives late Wednesday evening. All but one Democrat voted for Senate Bill 320, which many Republicans and their attorneys say violates the Constitution. Rep. Bill Bush, D-Cheswold, abstained from the vote after a debate that …

Seaford loses fetal tissue case

DOJ wins challenge to Seaford ‘fetal tissue’ law

Staff WriterGovernment, Headlines

  A Delaware court has overturned a Seaford law that would have required anyone who had an abortion or miscarriage to pay to bury or cremate the fetal tissue. Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster of the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled Wednesday morning that Seaford, as a junior sovereign, cannot enact a law that conflicts directly with law established by …

Leg Hall

General Assembly passes largest bond bill in history

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted to pass the largest bond bill in state history, weighing in at a whopping $1.4 billion.  The House of Representatives passed the spending package unanimously Tuesday afternoon. The bill allocates $1.4 billion toward roadway enhancements, school construction, courthouse expansion, state building renovations, library upgrades, state park improvements and clean water investments. “For the second …

STATE AUDITOR KATHLEEN MCGUINESS (LEFT) AND HER ATTORNEY, STEVE WOOD, ENTER THE KENT COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN DOVER ON JUNE 24, 2022. (CHARLIE MEGGINSON/DELAWARE LIVE)

McGuiness defense rests, closing arguments Thursday

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Testimony concluded Wednesday afternoon in the criminal corruption trial of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness.  Now that both sides have rested, the jury will hear closing statements and the judge’s instructions Thursday, then begin deliberations. McGuiness is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors alleging conflict of interest, theft, non-compliance with procurement law, official misconduct and witness intimidation. She’s accused of arranging …

Senate bills and votes

Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …

2023-24 budgets signed by Carney

Delaware’s 2023 budget signed, starts July 1

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

  On the wings of another staggering surplus, Gov. John Carney on Tuesday signed the $5.1 billion 2023 operating budget for Delaware. It takes effect Friday, July 1. The operating budget, Senate Bill 250, is the largest in Delaware’s history, reflecting a rise in spending of 6.9% in spending over the previous year. It also will increase Delaware’s Rainy Day …

McGuiness

Prosecution rests in auditor trial, defense to wrap up soon

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The State of Delaware rested its case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness Tuesday after eight and a half days of testimony. McGuiness’ defense team began presenting its case and hopes to wrap it up by Wednesday afternoon.  Defense attorney Steve Wood asked Superior Court Judge William Carpenter to issue a judgment of acquittal on each of the five charges against …

Plastic bags from DNREC facebook page

Attention shoppers: No more plastic bags as of July 1

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

“Bags, wallet, keys and phone” are some new lyrics suggested for the old children’s exercise song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” as Delaware moves to a plastic bags ban. The new words come from some creative folks at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to promote a broader and deeper ban on plastic bags that starts Friday, …

McGuiness 6.24 1

McGuiness Trial: DOJ investigator says he got ‘twisted up’

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness’ defense attorney on Monday grilled a Department of Justice investigator who admitted to making multiple false statements under oath.  Franklin Robinson, chief investigator of the Justice Department’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust, said he got “twisted up” when he admitted during an April suppression hearing that a search warrant for McGuiness’ office included false …