WHYY | by Zoë Read On Monday, Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced charges against three advisers to President Donald Trump’s campaign related to alleged coordination with the Russian government to sabotage Hillary Clinton’s campaign. A Delaware legislator now is urging the release of a bill that aims to keep tabs on bad actors looking to hide tainted money in LLCs. Former campaign chairman Paul Manafort pled not guilty to money laundering, tax fraud and foreign lobbying related to work in Ukraine. The indictment states that of the 23 LLCs Manafort […]

Delaware Business Now | by Doug Rainey The indictment against former Trump Presidential Campaign Director Paul Manafort and long-time associate Richard W. Gates lists several companies incorporated in Delaware. The two men pleaded not guilty a dozen charges in federal court in Washington, D.C. The indictment against the two men centers on not registering as foreign agents who received tens of millions of dollars from work in Ukraine that included representing a former president of the nation with ties to Russian President Vladamir Putin. The former leader, Victor Yanukovych, later […]

Delaware Public Media | by Tom Byrne The Public Service Commission heard public comments this week on Delmarva Power’s rate increase request. In August, the utility company asked to hike gas and electricity rates to raise about $25 million. But it amended that proposal earlier this month, asking for a larger increase. Delmarva is now seeking to recover about $43 million dollars with a nearly 6% rate increase in electricity and a nearly 9% hike in the natural gas rate. Among those fighting the increase is State Rep. John Kowalko […]

Delaware Public Media | by Sarah Mueller The Public Service Commission heard public comments this week on Delmarva Power’s rate increase request. In August, the utility company asked to hike gas and electricity rates to raise about $25 million. But it amended that proposal earlier this month, asking for a larger increase. Delmarva is now seeking to recover about $43 million dollars with a nearly 6% rate increase in electricity and a nearly 9% hike in the natural gas rate. If approved, the increases would add about $5.50 to the […]

Delaware Public Media | by Sarah Mueller Bloom Energy is returning more than 1.5 million dollars in incentives it received for a promise to create hundreds of jobs. But the fuel cell manufacturer’s sweet deal came at the expense of Delaware utility customers. Bloom Energy promised in 2011 it would hire 900 workers earning a combined $108 million a year at its Newark location. In return, lawmakers approved a package of subsidies that included a $12 million grant. And they added an electricity surcharge for the state’s ratepayers through 2033. […]

The News Journal | by Karl Baker Delmarva Power wants to raise rates for its Delaware electricity customers by more than $5 a month next year, and nearly $4 a month for natural gas. The Newark-based utility asked the state for permission in August to increase electricity rates to raise $31.2 million. If allowed, the average Delaware homeowner would pay $5.42 more for electricity, to about $123. Delmarva also wants to increase its monthly natural gas rates by nearly $4 more per month, for the average homeowner, raising $12.8 million […]

WDEL | by Mark Fowser Progress made in cleaning up the Delaware River, Delaware Bay and Christina River could be in jeopardy under the Trump administration’s proposal to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s Budget, according to a report from an advocacy organization. Environment America released its findings at a news conference along Wilmington’s Christina River. A deadline for Congress to approve a federal budget is approaching. “Over the last few years, Delaware has made a concerted effort to reduce pollution from industrial activities and clean up our waterways. This effort […]

Delaware State News | by Andrew West DOVER — The tumult and shouting over Delaware’s operating budget ended early Monday at Legislative Hall. Gov. John Carney signed the budget ­— totaling $4.1 billion — in the wee hours, and there was high-fiving and applause amongst the observing legislators. It took an unprecedented two-day overtime session. We certainly appreciate the tireless efforts our reporter, Matt Bittle, as all of the wrangling unfolded, mostly behind closed doors. Not everyone was happy, when the budget was presented. Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, was one […]

The News Journal | by Margie Fishman Greenwood kettle corn maker Dan Kramer appreciates life in the slow lane. Except when it comes to state government. All told, the septuagenarian has spent more than four years waiting for the Attorney General’s Office to rule on his public information requests, making him the longest-running petitioner in recent memory. “You’re just sitting here, wondering what in the world is taking so long for them to come to a conclusion,” drawls Kramer, who has filed six appeals with the state attorney general since 2011, four of […]

Forbes | by Ashlea Ebeling Despite facing a $400 million budget hole, Delaware is the latest state to repeal its estate tax—as of Jan. 1, 2018. Democratic Governor John Carney Jr. signed a stand-alone estate tax repeal bill today, just two days after signing the 2018 state budget, which includes tax hikes on real estate transfers, tobacco and alcohol. “The very wealthy don’t have to move down to Florida,” says Jocelyn Borowsky, an estate lawyer with Duane Morris in Wilmington, Del. The thinking is that if wealthy folks stay in […]