Relief 1

State Representative calls $300 relief check a bribe

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The bipartisan proposal to give every adult Delawarean $300 in direct relief was formalized Friday after lawmakers filed the bill, which they dubbed the 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program.  House Bill 360 will result in the issuance of a one-time payment to every Delaware resident taxpayer who filed personal income tax returns for tax year 2020, and adult residents who …

a person sitting at a table using a laptop computer

House to hold committee hearings in hybrid format indefinitely

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives will conduct committee hearings in hybrid format indefinitely, Democratic leaders announced Thursday.  The hybrid format allows members of the public to attend hearings and offer comments in-person, or from the comfort of their homes.  During the pandemic, the General Assembly conducted the majority of its committee meetings and floor sessions virtually.  The House and Senate …

Cupola 1

Lawmakers work to ensure low-income, disabled get relief checks

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

When Bridgeville resident Debra Dawson learned that Delaware lawmakers had announced a plan to give every Delawarean $300 in direct financial relief, she was elated.  Dawson, 61, relies entirely on Social Security Disability Insurance to live. She worked since she was 16 and paid into the system for decades. In 2012, a series of debilitating health events forced Dawson into …

Inspector General 1

Smith, Kowalko both draft bills to create inspector general

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Two bills set to be filed in the General Assembly would create an inspector general’s office in Delaware to investigate claims of waste, fraud, abuse and corruption within state government.  Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, said while Delaware already has a state auditor and attorney general, the inspector general’s office would “fill a gap in their coverage.”   “The inspector general …

Cash 1

General Assembly votes to remove earnings cap on police, fire disability pay

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Police & Fire

The State Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday to remove the cap on the amount of money a police officer or firefighter can earn when out of work on disability. All 21 senators signed on as co-sponsors.  Under current law, when an officer or firefighter is out on disability, any earnings greater than that which they collected at the time …

Cash

Lawmakers announce plan to give every Delaware taxpayer $300

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Thursday announced a plan to give every Delaware taxpayer $300 in direct economic relief. The relief plan, which would send direct payments to every Delawarean who filed a 2020 tax return, has the backing of Gov. John Carney.  Legislation is currently being drafted to enable relief payments. A bill is expected to be introduced during …

a truck driving down a road next to a body of water

Chiefs oppose new version of police bill of rights

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Police officers are not on board with a revised bill to amend Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights. The bill would open police misconduct records for the public to view and create two tiers of community review boards, each with the power to examine law enforcement agencies’ handling of officer misconduct cases and make recommendations for improvements. Police misconduct …

a sign on the side of a building

Bill to remove double registration requirement passes Senate

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill to require Delaware cities and towns to use the state’s voter registration system for local elections passed in the State Senate Tuesday.  Under Senate Bill 233, voters who live within town limits would be able to vote in municipal elections without having to register separately with both the state and the town.  The bill, sponsored by Sen. Tizzy …

map

House to consider changes to redistricted maps

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The House of Representatives will consider a bill Thursday to make changes to the district boundaries agreed upon during the redistricting process last year. Redistricting occurs after the national census every ten years and redraws House and Senate districts to reflect population changes.  The General Assembly finalized new district maps in late October, just days before a self-imposed deadline of …

Election Center 3

Six months from election, most candidates have yet to file

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

With just six months to go before the first votes are cast in the 2022 General Assembly elections, most incumbent state representatives and senators have yet to file for re-election. The current legislative session comes to an end in November, meaning all 21 Senate seats and 41 House seats will be up for grabs. Candidates must file by July 12 …