scuse

Senate Republicans ask Carney to oust Ag Sec. Michael Scuse

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Six Delaware State Senate Republicans on Thursday asked Gov. John Carney to immediately remove Delaware Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse following an ethics report that said he violated state bidding processes. The Public Integrity Commission released a report saying Scuse improperly used $100,000 in taxpayer money to employees of the department to house seized farm animals without public notice or a public …

Hamas Israel

State rep’s comments about Israel draw attention, comment

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

As Delaware Republicans release statements of adamant support for Israel after the deadly Hamas attack there, one Democrat is drawing a lot of attention for her refusal to do so. State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, said in an email circulated among members of the Delaware General Assembly that she was shocked by what she saw when she visited the Delaware …

Delaware's 2023 state test scores were again disappointing to many.

School test scores dismal again despite new math, reading plans

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

There was little cheering news Tuesday when Delaware released its 2023 state assessment results. The numbers are still grim, with the majority of students across the board failing to reach proficiency in math and reading.  “I can’t imagine anyone looking at these test results and saying they are good enough,” said Julia Keleher, the new executive director of First State …

Senate Bill 170 aims to evaluate the potential of offshore wind energy.

Senate passes offshore wind energy collaboration bill

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Senate passed seven bills Thursday, but two of them – one about offshore wind energy and one about tenant protections – received some resistance. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, requires the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to work with the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection to look into the viability of generating offshore wind …

Some trade students are eligible for $9,000 in tuition help with the program.

Senator wants $9K tuition for trade students to continue

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A bill that would prolong a program giving financial help to students pursuing a trade was heard in the Senate Banking, Business, Insurance and Technology Committee Wednesday.  Senate Bill 154, sponsored by Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, repeals the sunset of the Focus on Alternative Skills Training Program. That program provides up to $9,000 in training for graduating high school students …

woman

Changing ‘woman’ to ‘person’ doesn’t stop maternity bill

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Republicans and Democrats went back and forth in arguing about the definition of woman in a maternity health bill, but all agreed on the need to raise awareness about human trafficking. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Gay, D-Elsmere, would replace the words “woman” and “women” with “person” and “people” in the Delaware code on …

benchmark

Panel: Keep state budget benchmark, make it part of code

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A state review panel will recommend that Delaware not only keep a budget benchmark appropriation that limits the growth of the state budget, but also put it into law. The Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council‘s Benchmark Evaluation and Review Panel also agreed to suggest that incoming legislators undergo training in how the state budget works. DEFAC chairman Michael Houghton …

A proposed bill would task schools with teaching financial literacy.

State Rep: We must teach financial literacy in school

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A Republican legislature has made it his mission to educate Delaware’s youth on finances.  Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Millsboro, has proposed a bill that would require public schools to teach financial literacy, which is essentially how to make smart decisions about money. “I’ve kind of taken this on as a badge of honor,” he said. Hilovsky said he has noticed his …

Delaware still expects $963.5 surplus for 2024 budget

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Delaware heads toward the final moves in creating its 2024 budget, which starts July 1, with a projected $963.5 surplus. It will be the third straight year in a row of extraordinary revenues that hit right at $1 billion, and a turbulent economy it’s expected to be the last for a while to reach that stratospheric height. Revenue estimates rose …

Delaware revenue growth is down in real estate transfer, corporate and personal income, among other things.

Revenues fall slightly as state noses into post-COVID economy

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Delaware may have passed the peak of a rise in post-covid revenues, the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council heard Monday. Financial experts call that peak an “inflection point,” akin to that moment when roller-coaster riders feel a brief lift in their tummies before the coaster takes a plunge. That doesn’t mean the state’s finances will plunge. Only that they …