WDEL | by Amy Cherry Chanting “enough is enough,” dozens of state workers rallied Tuesday in Dover against what they labeled Governor John Carney’s so-called “shared sacrifice” budget proposal, which seeks to close a $385 million budget gap through both tax hikes and program cuts. Keisha Daniels has worked as a state social worker for more than a decade; she has a Master’s degree, but makes $33,000 a year and can’t pay her bills. “The 1 percent pay raise that they did give us, at the same time, they increased […]

Delaware United | by Dustyn Thompson Let’s be straightforward about something in Delaware today. The middle and working class, and indeed even people living in absolute poverty, are getting ready to be taken advantage of once again, and it’s important to understand how and why. It’s a relatively simple matter. The powers that be know that the middle and lower classes are so busy trying to survive that we probably will not become politically involved enough to stop an agenda against our interests. Our Governor is proposing a budget that […]

Delaware State News | by Matt Bittle DOVER — What’s the difference between yearly earnings of $60,001 and $1 million? Yes, it’s nearly $940,000, but in Delaware, there’s no distinction between the two figures for tax purposes. All income above $60,000 is considered in the state’s top tax bracket. That means someone who makes $60,001 pays the same rate of 6.6 percent as a tycoon of industry pulling in millions of dollars each year. Republicans say higher taxes stifle economic growth; Democrats have mixed views. The Delaware General Assembly is […]

The News Journal | by Matthew Albright State leaders say they have little choice but to raise taxes in 2017. The debate now is over who bears the greater burden. Gov. John Carney and most members of the General Assembly are unwilling to erase the state’s $386 million budget gap solely by slashing spending. Carney has called for raising income taxes, corporate franchise taxes and tobacco taxes to fill half that gap. The remainder could come from budget cuts. Carney’s idea is to spread the income tax pain by raising every […]

Newsworks | by Zoë Read The Wilmington area has some of the highest levels of smog pollution in the country, according to a report released Thursday. Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Our Health at Risk report ranks the area 2nd in the northeast and 5th in the nation for its amount of particulate matter. “Even one day with unhealthy air is too many. Burning dirty fuels, like coal, oil and gas threatens our health,” said Lindsey Mendelson, climate associate for Environment America. “It’s time to switch to clean renewable […]

The News Journal | by Molly Murray The Wilmington-Philadelphia area ranks second in the Northeast for days with elevated ozone pollution and soot from smokestacks, and vehicle tailpipes are a problem more than half of the time, according to a new study released Thursday by Environment America Research & Policy Center. The study used 2015 data collected by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. States submit air quality monitoring data to the federal agency and the EPA compiles the state results into a nationwide database of outdoor air quality. Wilmington is […]

Environment America | Press Release Wilmington, DE – Despite decades of progress under the Clean Air Act, people across Delaware continue to breathe unhealthy air, leading to increased risk of premature death, asthma attacks and other adverse health impacts. According to a new report from Environment America Research & Policy Center, the Wilmington metropolitan area experienced the worst air pollution in Delaware, experiencing 97 days of elevated smog pollution and 212 days with unhealthy levels of soot. “Even one day with unhealthy levels of air pollution is unacceptable,” said Lindsey Mendelson, Environment […]

Delaware State News | by Matt Bittle DOVER — The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill ordering independent redistricting of the state’s legislative districts. The proposal received 12 votes in support and seven against, with one member not voting and one absent.The measure now goes to the House. Senate Bill 27 would create an independent nine-member commission to redraw legislative district lines every 10 years. The process is currently overseen by the General Assembly, which critics say can lead to gerrymandering. The commission would give at least three political parties […]

Bloomberg BNA | by Leslie A. Pappas Statement by Rep. John Kowalko My bill to raise the maximum corporate franchise tax, HB 102, would generate approximately $108 million or more. Basically multiplying the number of corporations that currently avail themselves of the cap times $60,000. The exact number of corporations that currently use the max cap can be attained from Delaware’s Department of State. I have already conceded that I would be willing to support the Administration’s legislation if it was filed, released from committee, and put on the floor for […]

Delaware Public Media | by James Dawson State lawmakers will soon have a handful of plans to choose from if they decide to make over Delaware’s personal income tax brackets. Gov. John Carney’s (D) plan to fill in a projected $386 million budget shortfall partially relies on boosting each of the state’s personal income tax brackets while cutting out itemized deductions. The increases range from 0.2 to 0.4 percent. Such a move would raise nearly $65 million if it were implemented in January as planned, with even more cash coming […]