William Penn 2025 Bond Bill

Bond bill: 5 school districts will share $160 million for projects

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The state will invest $160 million for school projects in six districts and $100 million in deferred maintenance and capital improvements in state buildings, according to the $1.1 billion capital budget introduced Monday. The $160 million for school construction projects is the largest amount of money designated and will go to Smyrna, Red Clay, Colonial, New Castle County Vo-Tech, Polytech …

Ballistic glass could be required for new school buildings if a new legislative bill becomes law.

New school entryways may be required to use ballistic resistant glass 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The state legislature is looking for more ways to increase the safety and security of school buildings. In Wednesday’s Senate Education Committee meeting, a look at the entryways of buildings and how schools – especially new ones or those making upgrades – could be safer was the heart of a new bill. Senate Bill 279, sponsored by Sen. Jack Walsh, …

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority has offered to expand its Newark recycling center to include yard waste. Courtesy of DSWA.

Changes afoot for Polly Drummond yard waste site

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

Changes are in the offing for the Polly Drummond community yard waste site, a popular site east of Newark for residents to drop off yard waste for free. Maybe it will close, with a nearby replacement. Maybe it will close, with a replacement further away. Maybe it will get dedicated funding. And for two out of those three alternatives, people …

DSU, UD and Del Tech asked for millions in state funding, with a large chunk for deferred maintenance.

Colleges, DOE ask for hundreds of millions for capital projects

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The big three institutions of higher education in the First State along with the Delaware Department of Education on Thursday asked for a combined $300 million from the state for capital improvement projects. As the state’s General Assembly prepares its budget for fiscal year 2025, which starts July 1, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Del Tech all …

delivery home alcohol

Home delivery of wine, beer, cocktails clears another hurdle

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

A Delaware Senate bill that will allow state residents to have home delivery of alcohol in the form of wine, beer and mixed cocktails from restaurants, brewpubs and taverns is one step closer to becoming a law, despite opposition from Delaware’s liquor stores. Senate Bill 166, sponsored by Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Wilmington, blew through the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce …

A bill headed to the governor would raise unemployment rates $50 a week.

Rise in unemployment pay heads to Carney’s desk

Shannon C. KeithGovernment, Headlines

A bill that would increase unemployment payments by $50 a week is headed to Gov. John Carney’s desk after essentially skating through the General Assembly. The Delaware Senate passed House Bill 49 Thursday.  It also will allow the state to use the Delaware Unemployment Trust Fund to pay employer shares of that raise, but only for 2023. The rise will …

Minimum Wage 1

Del. minimum wage to increase Jan. 1 and not everyone is happy about it

Charles MegginsonBusiness, Government, Headlines

Delaware’s minimum wage will increase to $10.50 per hour Saturday. (Getty Images/Darren415) With Delaware’s minimum wage set to increase from $9.25 per hour to $10.50 per hour beginning Jan. 1, some are still sounding the alarm bell for the impacts such a move will have on small businesses — and consumers, too.  The adjustment is the first of four gradual …