Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Throughout the latest legislative session, a number of bills received support from lawmakers and their constituents, but ultimately failed despite their support. Bills ranging from the establishment of an Inspector General’s office, to protecting renter’s rights were among those that did not pass during the 151st General Assembly. Of the legislation that was not successfully signed into effect, some bills were outright defeated, never received a hearing in committee, held for the next legislative session, and in one case, vetoed by Gov. […]
As clock struck midnight July 1, Delaware legislators worked on key bills
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen On the final day of the General Assembly’s session, the House of Representatives debated critical legislation regarding bail provisions, rent protections for manufactured-housing communities and renters’ rights into the early hours of July 1. A proposal that would expand rent protections and add requirements to existing rental agreements has taken two forms since its introduction April 28, and its unique path came to a successful end during the House’s final meeting last week. The bill’s original form, Senate Substitution 1 for Senate […]
What Delaware legislators are saying about McGuiness
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen “Auditor McGuiness has been given due process and enjoyed the presumption of innocence that all Americans are guaranteed. She has been found guilty of misconduct in office and should no longer remain in her position as a public official. It is time for Ms. McGuiness to do what’s right for the public and step down. There are no alternatives left for her and as a duly elected public official, I am calling for her immediate resignation,” — Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark “State […]
Delaware auditor receives near-unanimous condemnation from state legislators
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen The fate of State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’ political career has driven a wedge into Delaware’s House of Representatives. After being found guilty on misdemeanor charges of conflict of interest (violation of the state officials code of conduct), structuring (non-compliance with procurement law), and official misconduct, several lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly called for the immediate resignation of Ms. McGuiness. Following the verdict, Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark, and Senate Majority Whip […]
State lawmakers pass new rules for rent increases at manufactured homes parks
Delaware Public Media | by Paul Kiefer The only major tenant’s rights bill to pass during this year sets new rules for when and how landowners can increase rents for manufactured home owners. State Sen. John Walsh’s bill also expands the number of manufactured home owners eligible for state rental assistance and prohibits landowners from increasing rent if they do not fix outstanding health and safety problems. The bill had bipartisan support, but some House lawmakers see possible loopholes that could allow landowners to unfairly increase lot rents. They include […]
Of farewells, retirements, Title IX and dinosaurs in the Delaware General Assembly
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen During the final week of legislative session, lawmakers were busy with critical legislation regarding voting access, gun control, reproductive rights, and more. However, the final week of legislation was not strictly business, as lawmakers celebrated their departing colleagues and some important visitors in Legislative Hall, among other notable happenings in the state capitol. On Wednesday, the Senate welcomed a special guest for House Bill 390 — which makes Dryptosauridae the official dinosaur of the state. Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, introduced his son, […]
Education, wage theft, mental health bills pass in final day of Delaware Legislature
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen and Matt McDonald June 30th is notorious for being the busiest day of the legislative session, and Thursday night was no different. Both chambers of the General Assembly debated legislation until the sun went down at Legislative Hall, but not before legislators took an extended recess for party caucus, dinner and a visit from Mr. Softee. The House of Representatives session began with the acknowledgment of two departing legislators, Rep. Bud Freel, D-Wilmington, and Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark. House leadership praised both […]
Speak Up: Response to McGuiness on inspector general
Bay to Bay News | Point/Counterpoint Response to McGuiness on inspector general “As your State Auditor, my staff and I are steadfast supporters of any initiatives that would increase the transparency and accountability of our state. Delawareans have a right to good governance that is free of fraud, waste, or abuse, and I applaud this bipartisan effort. HB405 underlines a fundamental truth in our state; Delawareans deserve better.” This is a very interesting letter. While it makes mention of the state auditor conducting investigations of waste, fraud, abuse, and by […]
Delaware House continues to work on manufactured-housing regulations
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen The House of Representatives’ Administration Committee voted to increase rent protection and add requirements to existing rental agreements for residents of manufactured-housing communities on Wednesday. Senate Bill 317 was introduced after an earlier version, Senate Substitute 1 for SB 9, was tabled in the House Manufactured Housing Committee on June 2. The new bill would regulate rent increases, reduce the number of resident disputes, set clear limits on payment increases, strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards, and expand eligibility for […]
$1.4 billion bond bill approved by Delaware House
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Lawmakers in the House of Representatives unanimously voted to approve the $1.4 billion Fiscal Year 2023 Bond and Capital Improvements Act on Tuesday, overtaking last year’s total as the most expensive bond bill in state history. The bond bill for fiscal year 2023, or House Bill 475, invests in a variety of improvement projects including statewide facilities, school construction, community redevelopment, and transportation. The $1.4 billion allocation for these projects represents nearly an 8% increase in funding from last year’s bond bill. […]