Newark Post | by Josh Shannon This fall is shaping up to be a busy election season, with a number of local races as well as statewide races for senate, representative in congress, attorney general, state treasurer and auditor. Delaware’s primary election is set for Sept. 6, and the general election will be held Nov. 6. Though the filing deadline passed last week, political parties have until Sept. 4 to nominate candidates for races in which no member of that party has filed. Here’s a look at where local and […]

Delaware State News | by Matt Bittle DOVER — Home to upward of 1 million business entities, including more than 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies, Delaware is an internationally recognized leader in corporate law and incorporation. Some lawmakers believe the time is ripe for the First State to become a pioneer in “sustainability,” potentially attracting more businesses and even making the world a better place to live. A broad concept, sustainability can be defined in many ways, but at its core, one influential legislator says, it’s about making a […]

WDEL | by Kevin Hayes The end of the legislative session in Dover was more of a chore than previously predicted. A recess well into Sunday morning when the session should have cut off by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday left both sides of the aisle in arms. “I would say that the minimum wage hike was long overdue,” said State Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark). “I don’t think it should have even been held as a bargaining chip. Kowalko cited the Republican reaction to the hiked minimum wage as a call […]

WHYY | by Cris Barrish Delaware lawmakers spent the night in Dover in an unanticipated battle over raising the minimum wage. The all-night fight produced an eventual raise to $9.25 that will be phased in over the next two years. At 4 a.m. Sunday, the House voted mostly along party lines to approve the wage increase, which was backed by Democrats. The move irritated Republicans, who forced a delay in approving a $816 million bond bill. After hours of closed-door meetings, a compromise was reached, and a new provision was […]

Delaware State News | by Matt Bittle DOVER — The governor on Saturday signed an executive order focused on limiting budget growth, although the directive does not bind legislators. Based off recommendations issued last month by an advisory panel on budgeting, the order instructs the council that sets the state’s revenue forecast to develop a benchmark aimed at slowing the growth of the budget by setting aside revenue that, if expended, would cause the spending plan to pass a certain point. The decree comes after a constitutional amendment that would […]

WDEL | by Mark Fowser Governor John Carney Saturday signed an Executive Order to carry out a series of recommendations known as “budget smoothing.” The action came after the General Assembly tabled legislation that would have created the process through a Constitutional Amendment. The recommendations include establishing a benchmark budgeting mechanism and creating a budget stabilization fund. “They came up with a recommendation—very well thought out—that we believe would address the needs of our budget and the needs of state agencies and non-profit agencies in our state by smoothing out, […]

First State Update | by Staff Writer Staff of the Delaware Public Service Commission and the Division of the Public Advocate executed a settlement Wednesday that will result in a rate reduction of almost $7 million for Delmarva Power customers. This action will save the typical Delmarva electric customer approximately $80 a year. According to the settlement, instead of an initial proposed $65 per year (4.7%) increase, the customer will see a more than $15 annual decrease in their electric costs (-1.4%.). The settlement resolves the pending rate increase request […]

ABC 47 | by Camila Fernandez DELMARVA – The staff of the Delaware Public Service Commission and the Division of the Public Advocate are in the final phase of getting a rate reduction of 6.85 million dollars for Delmarva Power customers. According to the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate, the settlement resolves a pending rate increase request from Delmarva that initially included 31 million dollars in costs to be passed on to customers. The petition has been supported by 38 Delaware state legislators led by representatives John Kowalko and […]

The News Journal | by Jeff Neiburg Delmarva Power customers won’t be subject to a rate increase for their electricity after all. In fact, they’ll be paying a little less. The Delaware Public Service Commission and the Division of the Public Advocate executed a settlement Wednesday that will result in a rate reduction of $6.85 million for Delmarva Power customers, Instead of an initial $65, or 4.7 percent, hike proposed for typical Delmarva electric customers, they will see a more than $15 annual decrease in their electric costs, a drop […]

The News Journal | by Scott Gross A proposal to change how the Delaware General Assembly allocates tax dollars has died without a single vote being cast – marking another defeat for Gov. John Carney at the hands of his fellow Democrats. A Constitutional amendment that would force lawmakers to limit spending in good years and save that extra revenue for tight years will not be called up for a vote before the end of the legislative session on Saturday, despite being co-sponsored by half of the state’s lawmakers. “That’s […]