With some state expenses, such as Medicaid, higher than expected for 2024, legislators who want to create a state office of inspector general plan to wait until next year to introduce a bill to do that. “[I]t does come with a fiscal note, to create a new agency does cost some money,” said Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin. “It’s not astronomical. …
Committee OKs bill requiring insurance companies to pay for abortions
A bill that would require Medicaid and other health insurance plans to cover abortion services passed the House Health & Human Development Committee with all Democrats and one Republican voting for it. House Bill 110, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-Newcastle, would make sure that Medicaid and state insurers don’t require deductibles, coinsurances, copayments or any other cost-sharing requirement for …
60 attend GOP’s Bellefonte town hall about electric vehicles
NOTE: This has been edited to correct information in speakers’ presentations. Most of the 60 people who showed up at the Thursday Delaware GOP town hall about a state electric vehicle mandate were clearly and adamantly opposed to it. A few, apparently members of the Sierra Club, which encouraged people to attend, spoke out in favor. One agitated woman who …
Teacher’s union gets 1 wish: Pay committee moves meetingÂ
Delaware’s state teachers union got one of its wishes Monday when the state committee charged with adjusting the salaries of public school workers announced it will push its monthly meeting back an hour. Mark Holodick, education secretary and chair of the Public Education Compensation Committee said at the start of Monday’s regular meeting that starting next month, the committee will …
Saint Mark’s honors Veterans Day with 20k challenge
Veterans, students, community members — and even Miss Global USA — jogged 20 kilometers around the Saint Mark’s High School gymnasium Friday to honor Veterans Day. Danielle Alura, Miss Global USA 2023, kicked off the marathon with a performance of “Amazing Grace.” “I’m here because, number one, I’m American,” Alura said. “I have plenty of family members who have served …
Charter moratorium bill released after heavy debate
After a contentious hearing, a bill that would put a moratorium on both the creation and expansion of charter schools in New Castle County was released by the House Education Committee Wednesday. The final vote on House Bill 353 was nine in favor and seven against. All nine who voted in favor are Democrats, all seven against are Republicans. In …
Cannabis legalization may return for a vote in 2022, sponsor says
Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark. It may not be the end of the line for recreational marijuana legalization in Delaware. While Rep. Ed Osienski’s House Bill 305 was defeated in the House of Representatives after a stunning series of events Thursday, the Newark Democrat said he’s still hopeful that cannabis prohibition could come to an end in 2022. “I hope there’s …
Rep. Mike Smith to run 48 miles in 48 hours for veterans
Rep. Mike Smith A Delaware state representative will run 48 miles in 48 hours to raise awareness and money for veterans. Starting at noon Friday, Rep. Mike Smith, a Republican from Pike Creek, will run four miles every four hours for two days alongside his friend Dave Henninger. The challenge will end Sunday at noon. They’ll do it all on …
State Reps ask Carney to remove auditor, but it seems unlikely
Legislative efforts to remove Kathleen McGuiness from office seem likely to fail, based on state rules With embattled Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness refusing to step down in the wake of her criminal indictment some legislators are pursuing other means to remove her from office. Reps. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, and Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, have introduced a resolution asking Gov. …
Resolution asks state to plan, fund livestreaming, archiving of General Assembly meetings
HCR 10 asks three state agencies to create a plan by Jan. 2022 so funding can be approved for it to begin in 2023.