Republicans and Democrats went back and forth in arguing about the definition of woman in a maternity health bill, but all agreed on the need to raise awareness about human trafficking. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Gay, D-Elsmere, would replace the words “woman” and “women” with “person” and “people” in the Delaware code on …
Republicans led a charge Thursday to derail a bill that requires new homes and multi-family dwellings to be wired for electric vehicles, a move that Democrats say will help ensure the sale of more cars and help the environment. They failed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 103, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, would require all new single family …
A subcommittee exploring state retiree health plans on Monday voted to recommend that the General Assembly codify putting 1% of the state budget into a fund that pays retiree benefits to lower the billions of dollars of deficit. The State Employee Benefits retiree subcommittee asked Cheiron, a consulting firm, to look into additional ways for the state to lower the …
The Senate voted along party lines 15 to 5 to pass a bill that would amend the Delaware constitution to allow absentee voting for any reason. Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, ultimately would allow absentee voting for any reason. However, it would require voters to sign an oath or affirmation saying they are free from improper …
The Senate on Thursday passed the bill banning the use of single-use foam take containers and plastic items in restaurants, but it will allow customers to request a straw. Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, would ban the use of beverage, cocktail picks and sandwich picks made of plastic, but exempts straws attached to an item such …
A joint resolution to declare gun violence a public health emergency passed along party lines in the Delaware House and Senate Tuesday. In a House voice vote for Senate Concurrent Resolution 12, there was an audible opposition from the Republican side of the aisle. In the Senate it passed 14 to six,.. Introduced by Sen. Marie Pinkney, D-Bear, today, March …
Despite vehement opposition from a state retirees’ group, a bill that would add retirees to committees that help determine health care options overwhelmingly passed the Senate Wednesday, just moments after it had cleared a committee hearing. Voting against it were three Republican senators. Senate Bill 29, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, would give retirees a voice by …
Educators who earn their certification in an alternative pathway are less likely to stay in the field after five years, according to data in a report from a University of Delaware researcher. Those teachers are also less likely to stay at charter schools than public schools, the report found. Lauren Bailes, an assistant professor in the University of Delaware’s School …
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 …
Riding fears that COVID-19 drove teachers from classrooms and worries over Maryland saying it will pay starting teachers $60,000 by 2026, a bill designed to change teacher pay in Delaware sailed through the state Senate Thursday. It will go to the House Education Committee next. Sponsored by Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, SB 100 would create a 15-member Public Education …
