Delaware Public Media | by James Dawson After forging a new tax deal late Sunday night while operating under an unprecedented continuing budget resolution, Delaware lawmakers balanced their $4.1 billion spending plan through boosts to real estate, alcohol and tobacco taxes. Democrats and Republicans agreed to hike the realty transfer tax levied on each home sale by one percent, raising about $45 million this fiscal year. House and Senate lawmakers signed off on the bill with little debate. Higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco products are also part of the […]

Delaware State News | by Craig Anderson DOVER — Teen mothers arrived cradling their babies who were months, if not weeks or days old. Some senior citizens needed assistance walking to the rally point, others moved slowly on their own. Approximately 200 Delawareans of all generations gathered at Legislative Hall to voice concerns about the looming elimination of nearly $46 million in nonprofit funding provided through the state budget. Loud chants of “Save Our Services” punctuated the 25-minute show of support on Thursday for a grant-in-aid bill imperiled by legislative […]

WHYY | by Zoë Read Legislation that aims to revamp the Coastal Zone Act and make way for the repurposing of abandoned industrial sites in an attempt to make Delaware more business-friendly has moved forward in the General Assembly. The legislation, sponsored by State Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, and State Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, passed with a 34-7 vote in the House Tuesday. “It sends a clear message. My colleagues understand the importance of the environment here in Delaware, but still, I think they realized we addressed the environmental concerns […]

Delaware Public Media | by James Dawson Nonprofits led the charge Wednesday against efforts to change Delaware’s income tax structure. One proposal would eliminate itemized deductions – meaning charitable donations could no longer be written off – while also increasing rates for all earners. “Nonprofits face the grim reality that fundraising might take a hit,” said Alex Eldrith, policy director for Autism Delaware. State grants to organizations such as his could potentially face cuts already, Eldrith said, and dropping itemized deductions could lead to fewer spots in programs. Others, from […]

Delaware Public Media | by James Dawson House lawmakers signed off on a bill Tuesday to loosen up the Coastal Zone Act. Those opposing the measure tried in vain to convince their fellow lawmakers that opening up the Coastal Zone Act wouldn’t make the 14 polluted sites targeted in the bill any cleaner. Under the proposal, any business applying for a permit to set up shop in those sites next to the coast – nearly all of them in New Castle County – would have to show how it would […]

Delaware State News | by Matt Bittle DOVER — Saying they want to further discussions about raising revenue, top Democratic lawmakers are circulating a bill that would raise income taxes on Delawareans and create a new top bracket of greater than $150,000. The not-yet-filed bill would increase taxes between .15 and .4 percent for existing brackets and levy a 6.95 percent tax on the state’s top earners. Currently, all income above $60,000 is taxed at 6.6 percent. Supporters say the proposal would help close a budget shortfall and create greater equity […]

Delaware Public Media | by James Dawson Delaware’s top earners could shell out a little bit more tax money come next year should state Democrats have their way. Leaders on the left in both the House and Senate are largely embracing Gov. John Carney’s (D) plan to hike the personal income tax across the board. There’s one caveat, though. They want to tack on a new bracket for those earning more than $150,000 a year. In all, the measure would raise about $68 million next year and more than $210 […]

The News Journal | by Matthew Albright Democratic leaders in the General Assembly have released a blueprint for raising Delawareans’ personal income taxes, including a new, higher top tax bracket that would charge the wealthiest residents more. They say raising the income tax is key to fixing the state’s $400 million budget deficit because that tax will grow with the economy, so legislators won’t have to keep “kicking the can down the road.” “PIT (personal income tax) is the one that’s going to be structural, that we’re not going to […]

The News Journal | by Scott Goss Newark City Council has joined a growing list of groups calling on the General Assembly to table a bill that seeks to attract new heavy industrial to the state by undoing part of Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act. While no formal vote was taken, four of Newark’s six council members on Monday directed the city’s top lobbyist to communicate their opposition to House Bill 190 – legislation that would amend the state’s landmark environmental protection law for the first time in 46 years. “We have real […]

Bloomberg BNA | by Jerry Gianakis Delaware has become the latest state to try putting its estate tax on the chopping block. On May 18, the state’s House of Representatives passed H.B. 16, a bill that would repeal the tax effective Dec. 31, 2017. This measure looks to be in line with the increasing progression of states rescinding their estate taxes, as previously detailed by Bloomberg BNA’s Chreasea Dickerson. By the start of 2018, only 13 states and the District of Columbia will impose such a tax. However, for Delaware […]