Gun Debate

House committee OKs semi-automatic, under 21 purchase ban

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Bills to ban semi-automatic firearms and restrict the purchase of guns by Delawareans 21 and older were released from a House committee Wednesday and will advance to the House floor for a vote. The hearing attracted a crowd of well over 100 concerned citizens on both sides of the issue, many of whom filled lawmakers’ seats in the House chamber. …

a man and a woman sitting at a table

Contentious right-to-know school bill likely to fail in committee

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

  A bill that would require schools to publish information about what’s being taught and what materials are being used sparked a lively debate in committee. Photo by Unsplash.   For a hot second, it looked like a bill that would require schools to tell the public exactly what materials are being used for teaching, among other things, was going …

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House Republicans push $100 rebate; Dems may have own plan

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

  State House Republicans plan to circulate a bill to require Delaware to issue a one-time $100 million tax rebate that would give each resident $100. Under the plan, a family of four would get $400 from the state’s expected surplus revenue of nearly $1 billion. The rebate would help residents deal with the rise in the cost of gasoline …

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Pre-filed bills offer glimpse into legislature’s plans

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The General Assembly will meet in person for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 13. (Getty Images) A list of pre-filed House bills released Thursday offers a glimpse into some of the issues the General Assembly plans to tackle when it reconvenes next week. Proposals included on the list range from a measure to make gun ownership legal for medical …

a small clock tower in front of a house

Mail-in ballots, paid leave, police reform top 2022 legislative agenda

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

State legislators will be back in session in a little more than a month. Photo by Aimintang/Getty Images Signature In five weeks, Delaware’s 151st General Assembly will kick off its 2022 legislative session with many Democratic legislators looking to advance progressive causes that have previously struggled to gain traction.  Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly by wide margins.  …

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Darius Brown off another committee after incident at press event

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

State Sen. Darius Brown, D-Edgemoor State Sen. Darius Brown has been booted from yet another Senate committee following a heated altercation with a state representative. The Wilmington Democrat is alleged to have verbally abused Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, during a Nov. 8 press event where lawmakers gathered to witness Gov. John Carney’s signing of multiple criminal justice-related bills. “He …

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Senate cancels session, asks former judge for advice on ousting McGuiness

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Democratic Party legislators have asked former Superior Court Judge Randy Holland, right, to help it determine how to handle the case of state Auditor Kathleen McGuiness. The State Senate has canceled today’s special session.  The session would have brought senators to Legislative Hall to consider a resolution asking the Delaware Supreme Court to provide guidance on the General Assembly’s authority …

a large brick building with Delaware Legislative Hall in the background

Senate to meet Tuesday to seek advice on removing McGuiness

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

    UPDATE: The Senate canceled its session and will seek advice. The State Senate will convene Tuesday to consider a resolution requesting the Delaware Supreme Court issue an advisory opinion on the General Assembly’s authority to remove beleaguered State Auditor Kathy McGuiness.  They will convene at 4 p.m. and the proceedings will be live-streamed on the General Assembly website.  …

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State Reps ask Carney to remove auditor, but it seems unlikely

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Legislative efforts to remove Kathleen McGuiness from office seem likely to fail, based on state rules With embattled Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness refusing to step down in the wake of her criminal indictment some legislators are pursuing other means to remove her from office.  Reps. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, and Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, have introduced a resolution asking Gov. …

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Facing criminal charges, Darius Brown to lead expungement workshops

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

  A state senator awaiting trial on charges of offensive touching and disorderly conduct will lead a series of town halls designed to help those with criminal records have them expunged. Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, will host workshops in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties starting Thursday, Oct. 28. The sessions are in line with Brown’s duties as the newly-appointed …