This story was originally published in November 2022. Republicans did not fare well in Delawareâs Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move …
2022 Rewind: Kowalko says House Speaker killed IG bill
This story was originally published in July 2022. An outgoing Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives says House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf blocked his bill to create an office of the inspector general. Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, said the move was typical of Schwartzkopfâs leadership style. That leadership style can be characterized by âcoercion, intimidation, incentivizing and reward,â Kowalko …
Senate Dems pick up committee seats with larger majority
Leaders in the Delaware Senate have revealed the body’s committee assignments for the 152nd General Assembly which begins in January. Senate President Pro Tempore-Elect Dave Sokola announced the assignments Monday. âLegislative committees are an essential part of the legislative process where senators gather public input and determine which bills should move forward,â Sokola said in a news release. âThe assignments …
A womanâs place? For Ruth Briggs King, itâs the legislature
Itâs not uncommon for state Rep. Ruth Briggs King to be the only woman in a room full of men. The Georgetown lawmaker is the only female legislator in Delawareâs General Assembly who belongs to the Republican Party. She doesnât let that get in the way of representing her constituents.  In fact, she sees it as an opportunity. âThere have …
Delaware lawmaker to revive wine-by-mail bill
A Republican lawmaker hopes 2023 will be the year Delaware legalizes the direct shipment of wine. Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, authored a bill in the last General Assembly to allow Delawareans to have wine shipped directly to their homes. The House Economic Development Committee released the bill but it was not allowed to the House floor for a vote. …
Melissa Minor-Brown: âI stand on the shoulders of giantsâ
When state Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown won election to the General Assembly in 2018, she knew right away that she wanted to be in leadership. The Democrat from New Castle got her wish this November when the House Democratic Caucus elected her majority whip, making her the first person of color in Delaware history elected to a leadership position in the …
Lawmakers take oaths Jan. 10 but already working
Even though Delawareâs state senators and representatives wonât be formally sworn in until Jan. 10, their work begins the day after election day — and so do their paychecks. Delaware is one of just four states where lawmakers assume office the day after an election. Three other states’ lawmakers assume office on election day, while eight others assume office sometime …
ICYMI: Delaware GOP needs to change, leaders say
Republicans did not fare well in Delawareâs Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move in a more productive direction — one that …
Delaware GOP leaders: Party needs change to win
Republicans did not fare well in Delawareâs Nov. 8 election. Democrats widened their majority in the state Senate, maintained the balance of power in the House, and won every election for statewide elected offices. In the wake of the Republican wallop, some party leaders are hoping the party will begin to move in a more productive direction — one that …
Del. House Republicans pick new minority leader, whip
Delaware House Republicans will be led by a new pair of officers when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, and they’re both promising to move the caucus in a less divisive and more welcoming direction. The caucus on Tuesday elected Rep. Mike Ramone of Hockessin as minority leader and Rep. Lyndon Yearick of Camden as minority whip. “This is an …