WBOC | by Kristina DeRobertis State retirees are speaking out about the future of their healthcare benefits once again. Earlier last year the Carney Administration planned to switch state retiree healthcare to a Medicare Advantage plan. A group of retirees, known as “RISE Delaware,” protested the change for several weeks. The switch was originally going to take effect in January 2023, but the State Employment Benefits Committee (SEBC) decided to extend the current plan for one year. On Wednesday, the Senate looked to pass SB29, a bill that would provide […]

Delaware Live | by Charlie Megginson As calls mount for the creation of a statewide inspector general’s office in Delaware, one Newark lawmaker is drafting legislation to do just that. Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, will introduce legislation in early 2022 to set the framework for the establishment of the new office, which would be tasked with investigating instances of waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement within the state government. The office would also seek to root out inefficiencies within government and streamline processes and practices to save taxpayers money. The bill, […]

Bay to Bay News | by Craig Anderson The recent indictment of Delaware’s state auditor has spurred a new drive to create an Inspector General’s Office. That’s according to Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, who believes that an independent entity should monitor, investigate and evaluate state agencies receiving state funds. Since Kathy McGuiness was accused of corruption by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office in October — she pleaded not guilty to all charges — there’s been a more receptive response to the idea of an IG, the representative said. “Now, when […]

Delaware Public Media | by Larry Nagengast A settlement was announced Monday in the high-profile lawsuit filed by NAACP, ACLU and other education advocates seeking to overhaul Delaware’s school funding system to better assist disadvantaged students. Contributor Larry Nagengast has been covering this case and the issues associated for some time now – and this week examines the settlement itself and what it means. It’s a big deal, but it’s not a done deal, and it’s not the whole deal either. That’s the one-sentence summary of the settlement agreement announced […]

Delaware Public Media | by Larry Nagengast Much of what is in this week’s education funding lawsuit settlement, including the funding elements, require the Delaware General Assembly’s approval. Contributor Larry Nagengast talked with a number of legislators this week to gauge their support. The transition to a younger, more diverse composition of the General Assembly may well have contributed to Gov. John Carney’s willingness to reach a settlement in the school finance suit filed by Delawareans for Educational Opportunity and the NAACP Delaware State Conference. While lawmakers and others who […]

The American Prospect | by Amelia Pollard The tiny state has long been a hotbed for corporations. Can mounting public pressure push the state to change its centuries-old ways? This article appears in the September/October 2021 issue of The American Prospect magazine. Subscribe here. In early July, President Biden issued a groundbreaking executive order designed to promote competition in the U.S. economy. It was seen as the greatest challenge to the dominance of concentrated power in a generation. During the announcement in the White House’s ornate State Dining Room, Biden sought to inoculate himself from […]

Delaware State News The Climate Action Campaign and the Union of Concerned Scientists hosted a virtual press conference with advocates and experts on Thursday to highlight recent extreme weather in Delaware. They also recognized Sen. Tom Carper for his climate leadership and call on the rest of Congress to follow suit and pass the Build Back Better Act. Just days after the Eastern seaboard experienced heavy rain, severe flooding and other impacts from Hurricane Ida, the speakers discussed an alarming new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as […]

WHYY | by Mark Eichmann Lawmakers were nearly unanimous in their votes in favor of Delaware’s $1.35 billion capital improvement budget, but several expressed reservations about the idea of spending so much money. The spending bill is $400 million more than the FY 2021 capital budget approved last year. Gov. John Carney signed the capital budget along with the $4.77 billion operating budget Wednesday afternoon. He said both bills represent the state’s commitment to sound financial principles. “If you think about it, look at other states across the country, the […]