76168d52 78fc 4a5c 8c31 2f06dc40f8e2 101420 Mail In Ballot jh0004

Bill to bypass Constitution, create vote-by-mail system passes committee

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill to bypass the need to amend Delaware’s Constitution and cement no-excuse absentee ballots in future elections was released from a House Committee Wednesday despite objections from Republicans.  Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Ardens, has already passed in the Senate.  If passed, the bill creates an opt-in vote-by-mail system wherein voters will have to request …

Realty transfer tax

Bill to lower realty transfer tax sails through House committee

Charles MegginsonBusiness, Headlines

A bill to decrease Delaware’s realty transfer tax from 4% to 3% was released from the House Administration Committee Wednesday. Introduced by Rep. Bill Bush, D-Dover, House Bill 358 would make law of something Rep. Mike Ramone, R-Pike Creek South, has been preaching for years: reducing the cost of Delaware’s real estate transfer tax after it was increased during financially …

6 gun bills expected to earn Delaware Gov. John Carney's signature.

What’s going on with Delaware’s gun bills?

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly has taken swift action to impose gun control measures in the wake of mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y. and Uvalde, Texas.  The bills aim to amend the state’s background check system, ban semi-automatic firearms, Glock switches and large-capacity magazines, prevent individuals under the age of 21 from accessing guns, and allow lawsuits against firearm industry members …

Leg Hall

Senate OKs mail-in voting despite claims it violates Constitution

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Thursday passed a controversial bill to cement mail-in voting as an option for voters in all future elections. Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Ardens, passed 13 to 8 just before midnight with a last-minute amendment from Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover. “While vote by mail is particularly helpful for those who may find …

Sleepy Cat

Bill to outlaw cat declawing advances to Senate

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

It could soon be illegal to declaw cats in Delaware under a bill passed by the House of Representatives Thursday. House Bill 333, sponsored by Rep. Andria Bennett, D-Dover, would impose a fine of up to $1,000 for those who have the procedure performed for non-therapeutic purposes. The bill also specifies that a veterinarian who is found to have declawed …

High-capacity magazine

High-capacity magazine ban heads to Carney

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill aimed at restricting the capacity of firearm magazines passed in the House of Representatives Thursday by a vote of 23 to 18. The bill now heads to Gov. John Carney, who is expected to sign it into law. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Larry Mitchell, D-Elsmere, bans the possession, sale, purchase, receipt or …

School Safety Lawmakers

GOP lawmakers: Invest in school safety, not gun control

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Government

When a wave of mass shootings prompted Democrats in Delaware’s state legislature to introduce a package of sweeping gun restrictions, Republicans responded with a proposal of their own: invest more in school safety. House Bill 388, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Hensley, R-Odessa, would allow school districts, vocational-technical schools and charter schools to use money from the Delaware School Safety and …

Emissions

Carbon emissions goals released from Senate committee

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A controversial bill setting Delaware’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was released from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee Wednesday and will advance to the Senate floor for a vote.  Senate Bill 305, the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act, would require Delaware to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% before 2030 and by 90% before 2050.  Opponents said the …

HC Magazine

Del. Senate again votes to ban high-capacity magazines

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A bill aimed at restricting the capacity of firearm magazines passed in the state Senate Tuesday by a vote of 13 to 7.  Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 6 bans the possession, sale, purchase, receipt or transfer of magazines that hold more than 17 rounds of ammunition.  That’s higher than the 10 round-maximum in Maryland, New Jersey and New …

LegHallEvening

House bill aims to expand abortion protections

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Democratic lawmakers filed legislation Thursday they say will improve the availability of abortions and protect patients and providers from facing legal action under other states’ abortion laws.  Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, and Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Talleyville, announced the legislation in the wake of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the United States Supreme Court may …