Realty transfer tax

GOP move to cut realty transfer tax tossed onto trash heap

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

  Another Republican attempt to lower the costs of buying a house by reducing taxes associated with it was shot down along party lines Wednesday. Rep. Lyndon Yearick’s House Bill 343 would have dropped the real estate transfer tax from 4% now to $3% in January 2018. That was the rate it was in 2016 before being raised in 2017 …

The proposed law would place penalties on pornography sites who fail to conduct a required age verification.

Committee wrestles with porn site content sent to minors

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The discussion in a House committee Tuesday got testy in response to a bill that would hold porn websites liable for showing graphic content to minors. “You’re getting a little snippy, and I’m trying to support your legislation, but I can stop…would you prefer that?” said Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, after asking a series of clarifying questions to Rep. Mike …

Madihan Wilson-Anton debates

Passionate House debates focus on Israel, Gaza conflict

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Dueling resolutions about the Hamas attacks in Israel and that nation’s invasion of Gaza drew intense — but civil — reaction on the first day of the 2024 session of the Delaware House of Representatives Tuesday. First up was House Concurrent Resolution No. 80, which noted that the attacks and invasion “resulted in catastrophic and heartbreaking losses of human life. …

Hamas Israel

State rep’s comments about Israel draw attention, comment

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

As Delaware Republicans release statements of adamant support for Israel after the deadly Hamas attack there, one Democrat is drawing a lot of attention for her refusal to do so. State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, said in an email circulated among members of the Delaware General Assembly that she was shocked by what she saw when she visited the Delaware …

A bill requiring property reassessments every 5 years is on its way to Gov. Carney.

5-year property reassessment bill on way to Carney

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

After decades of no regular property assessments, all three Delaware counties likely will be required to conduct them every five years, after the current reassessment forced by a court order ends in 2025. House Bill 62, sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, passed the Senate Tuesday. It would require counties to reassess real property values at least once every five …

House sends 5-year property reassessment bill to Senate

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Property value must be reassessed every five years, according to a bill passed by the Delaware House Thursday and sent along to the Senate. House Bill 62, sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, would require counties to reassess real property values at least once every five years, starting with the next reassessment. That hasn’t been done in New Castle County …

Polling place

What to know before Tuesday’s primary election

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Government

Just one statewide incumbent and eight sitting members of the Delaware General Assembly will have a primary opponent when the polls open Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Incumbent Auditor of Accounts Kathy McGuiness will face off against attorney and accountant Lydia York.  Eight incumbent members of the General Assembly have primary opponents, including Sen. …

House Administration Committee meeting

Bill to create Delaware inspector general moves forward

Ken MammarellaGovernment & Politics, Headlines

A bill to establish an “independent and nonpartisan” inspector general’s office moved forward Wednesday in a Delaware House committee. The House Administration Committee also moved along a bill to encourage filming in the state by offering tax credits. The committee started discussion to create a constitutional right of a clean environment, but, citing time, continued discussion to Thursday’s committee meeting, …

leg 4

The General Assembly will meet Monday to pass a redistricting bill. Here’s what to expect.

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

  The General Assembly will convene Monday, Nov. 1 to consider redistricting legislation that will define Delaware’s House and Senate districts for the next decade.  Both the House and Senate have released their final proposed maps ahead of the special session.  What is redistricting? Every 10 years, states must redraw their legislative districts based on the most recent federal Census …

a large brick building with Delaware Legislative Hall in the background

House ethics committee to meet Friday; will it include Brady hearing?

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The House Ethics Committee will meet Friday. Photo by Brian K. Leonard. September 2021   An ethics complaint against a Wilmington state representative likely will be the topic of discussion at a House Ethics Committee meeting Friday, and a watchdog group says the secretive government meeting should be public.  Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Wilmington, was discovered in July to have sent …