Leg Hall

$69.4 million grant-in-aid bill signed by Carney

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate passed a $69.4 million grant-in-aid bill about 6 p.m. Thursday, just hours before it was set to end the annual session of the Delaware General Assembly. Two hours later, the House passed it, too, making the bill’s next stop the desk of Gov. John Carney, where he signed it June 30. Senate Bill 252, sponsored by Sen. …

Democrats and Republicans plan to attack voting changes differently

Same-day voter registration bill heads to Carney

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted along party lines for a same-day voter registration bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 25, sponsored by Rep. Sherry Dorsey-Walker, D-Wilmington, will allow residents to register at the polls on election day and immediately vote. The bill already passed the House and now goes to Gov. John Carney for his signature. When he …

Senate budget bills

Senate passes budget bills topping $5 billion

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Tuesday passed 2023 budget bills including the largest state operating budget in Delaware’s history at $5.1 billion, reflecting a rise in spending of 6.9% in spending over the previous year. It also will increase Delaware’s Rainy Day Fund from $280 million to $316 million and the Budget Stabilization Fund from $287 million to $402 million. Both …

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Mail-in, same-day registry election bills go to Senate floor

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

  Election bills that would allow mail-in voting and  registering at the polls both passed out of committee to the Senate floor Wednesday. Both would take effect as soon as the governor signs them, meaning they would be in effect for the 2022 primaries and general election. The two bills, House Substitute for 1 for House Bill 25 on same-day …

Syrofoam

Senate votes to ban styrofoam to-go boxes, cups

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Thursday passed a bill to effectively ban restaurants from offering single-use plastic straws and styrofoam food and beverage containers.  Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 134, sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, also prohibits food establishments from providing customers with plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks and sandwich picks. Under the bill, food establishments would only be …

IMG 0360

Cannabis supporters rally to override Carney’s veto

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Lawmakers, activists and citizens gathered in front of Legislative Hall Tuesday to encourage the General Assembly to override Gov. John Carney’s veto of House Bill 371, the bill to legalize marijuana possession. Carney vetoed the bill in May citing questions about the long-term health and economic impacts of recreational marijuana use. “I respect the Legislative Branch’s role in this process, …

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 …

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 …