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 point out high costs, chance of fire in EV debate
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 …
Rescue dog on its way to be named official state animal
The Delaware General Assembly did not go to the dogs Wednesday. The dogs came to them. Four lucky pooches who were up for adoption or had been adopted from shelters sat through part of a Senate hearing and then part of a Senate Session as Senate Bill 37, which would make the rescue dog the official state animal, passed in …
Resolution declares gun violence a public health emergency
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 …
Kent, Sussex child care centers may get higher Del. payments
A bill that would force the state to pay Kent and Sussex County child care programs the same fees that it pays New Castle ones seems headed to the Senate floor. No one spoke against Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, when it came up Wednesday in the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. Gay said …
Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney
Delaware’s Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …
Same-day voter registration bill heads to Carney
The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted along party lines for a same-day voter registration bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 25, sponsored by Rep. Sherry Dorsey-Walker, D-Wilmington, will allow residents to register at the polls on election day and immediately vote. The bill already passed the House and now goes to Gov. John Carney for his signature. When he …
Mail-in, same-day registry election bills go to Senate floor
Election bills that would allow mail-in voting and registering at the polls both passed out of committee to the Senate floor Wednesday. Both would take effect as soon as the governor signs them, meaning they would be in effect for the 2022 primaries and general election. The two bills, House Substitute for 1 for House Bill 25 on same-day …
Permitless concealed carry bill fails in committee
A bill to allow Delawareans to carry concealed firearms without a permit failed to be released from the five-member Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. The lengthy committee meeting drew dozens of public comments on either side of the issue, with some members of the public taking offense to Wilmington Sen. Sarah McBride’s characterization of permitless concealed carry as a “justice system …