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 …
General Assembly passes permanent mail-in voting
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 …
DOJ wins challenge to Seaford ‘fetal tissue’ law
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 …
General Assembly passes largest bond bill in history
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. âFor the second …
McGuiness defense rests, closing arguments Thursday
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 judgeâs 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. Sheâs accused of arranging …
Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney
Delawareâs 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 …
Delaware’s 2023 budget signed, starts July 1
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 Delawareâs history, reflecting a rise in spending of 6.9% in spending over the previous year. It also will increase Delawareâs Rainy Day …
Prosecution rests in auditor trial, defense to wrap up soon
The State of Delaware rested its case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness Tuesday after eight and a half days of testimony. McGuinessâ 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 …
Attention shoppers: No more plastic bags as of July 1
âBags, wallet, keys and phoneâ are some new lyrics suggested for the old childrenâs exercise song âHead, Shoulders, Knees and Toesâ 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 Trial: DOJ investigator says he got ‘twisted up’
State Auditor Kathleen McGuinessâ 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 Departmentâs Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust, said he got âtwisted upâ when he admitted during an April suppression hearing that a search warrant for McGuinessâ office included false …