Polling place

What to know before Tuesday’s primary election

Charles Megginson Headlines, Government

Just one statewide incumbent and eight sitting members of the Delaware General Assembly will have a primary opponent when the polls open Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Incumbent Auditor of Accounts Kathy McGuiness will face off against attorney and accountant Lydia York.Ā  Eight incumbent members of the General Assembly have primary opponents, including Sen. …

Claymont Electric Arc Park (Coastal Resilience Design Studio for the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp.)

Claymont eyed for new park with marina, amphitheater

Ken Mammarella Culture, Headlines

  A marina, an amphitheater and 4.4 miles of trails are among the features suggested in a proposal for a large new park in Claymont. ā€œWe have a team ready … to make it a first-rate amenity,ā€ said Brett Saddler, executive director of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp., referring to a group of Delawareans with expertise in the environment, recreation …

Philadelphia Pike road diet

What would a road diet look like? What would it do?

Ken Mammarella Government, Headlines

The thoroughfare had problems with accidents, so Delaware Department of Transportation officials wanted to reduce the number of through lanes and make other changes — a concept called a road diet. That’s the situation for Foulk Road today, and it was also the situation for the Philadelphia Pike more than a decade ago. The Pike was put on a road …

Leg Hall

Lawmakers praise formal application process for state grants

Charles Megginson Headlines, Government

A change to the way non-profits apply for state community development funds has lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the aisle applauding what they consider a victory for transparency in government. When the General Assembly passed the largest Bond Bill in state history this June, it authorized $90 million in grants for projects aimed at improving the economic, cultural, …

Leg Hall

General Assembly passes largest bond bill in history

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted to pass the largest bond bill in state history, weighing in at a whopping $1.4 billion.Ā  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. ā€œFor the second …

Nicole Poore State Senator et al. posing for the camera

Paid family and medical leave ā€˜the law of the land’ in Delaware

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Rep. Debra Heffernan, the bill’s House sponsor, holds SS1 for SB 1 after it was signed by Gov. John Carney Tuesday. (Charlie Megginson/Delaware LIVE News) Delaware has become the 11th state to offer a paid family and medical leave program to new parents, caregivers, and those with serious illnesses. Flanked by lawmakers and activists, Gov. John Carney on Tuesday signed …

Substitute Teacher

Full-time substitute teacher bill could add 208 permanent subs

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

Delaware schools are one step closer to being able to hire permanent substitute teachers.Ā  House Bill 315, which would provide funding for schools to hire substitute teachers as full-time employees, has been released with bipartisan support by the House Education Committee.Ā  Dozens of subs are needed each day across the state.Ā  The issue became critical in December and January when …

Leg Hall Lights 1

State grants for non-profits now require formal application

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

The General Assembly’s budget-writing committee has launched a formal application process for non-profit community groups seeking capital grants through the Community Reinvestment Fund.Ā  The lack of a formal application process last year ignited debate amongst legislators, some of whom said the process lacked transparency, resulting in gentlemen’s agreements and pork-barrel spending. The Community Reinvestment Fund is a capital grant program …