Dozens of of DART routes are being changed starting May 19, affecting prominent destinations like Delaware Park, Christiana Hospital, Christiana Mall, Amazon’s Middletown facility and the Rehoboth outlets. The following are recommended approved changes to be implemented. Modifications to original proposal are designated in italicized bold. IN THE NEWS: Amtrak to invest millions in controversial Wilmington site The new route …
Despite financial concerns, bill giving free meals to all students moves on
A proposed law in Delaware would provide free breakfast and lunch to all students – with a price tag of $120 million over the next three years – moves on after debate. House Bill 125, sponsored by Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, sparked a healthy discussion in the House Education Committee meeting Wednesday. The bill points out that during the pandemic, …
Committee releases bills to combat trafficking, ammo theft
Prostitution and gun ammo were the odd couple of topics to be handled in Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing. House Bill 264, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, makes the crime of “patronizing a prostitute” a class E felony rather than a misdemeanor when the person from whom prostitution is sought is a minor. Williams’ second bill, House Bill 270, …
2 senators battle over dueling school safety resolutions
On the day Gov. John Carney preached the impact of working together in his State of the State address, the Senate watched a tense interaction divided by party lines that one legislator called “childish behavior.” The interaction between Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, and Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark/Glasgow, and their similar education task force resolutions were enough to cause comment from …
Bill capping car dealership processing fees head to House
Whether it be buying tickets to a favorite artist or sports team, paying a parking ticket, or even gifting a car to a family member, the public is hit with pesky processing fees that inflate their purchase costs. Delaware has no cap on motor vehicle dealer processing fees, which permits dealers to arbitrarily charge whatever amounts they wish leading to …
Task force redefining ‘firearm’ moves closer to decision
A task force charged with updating the state’s definition of “firearm” plans to take one more look next week at the new proposed language. If approved, a bill would be introduced this year proposing the change. One reason for a new definition is because Delaware has a uniquely general and large definition of a “firearm,” in which any device that …
New bill could penalize those lying about service animal
A proposed law in Delaware would punish residents who lie about their animal being a service or assistance animal. Sponsored by Sen. Dave Lawson, R- Marydel, and Rep. Danny Short, R-Seaford, Senate Bill 219 would create penalties for misrepresentation of a service animal under the Delaware Equal Accommodations Law and misrepresentation of an assistance animal under the Delaware Fair Housing …
New bill would give flag to service member’s next of kin
A new bill headed to the General Assembly would immediately provide next of kin of Delaware National Guard, fire or police department members with an American or state flag. Senate Bill 221 would give the flag to the first immediate living family member or partner of a service individual who dies after serving in the Delaware National Guard, a police …
Mayor: No vote on homeless village, but it won’t be downtown
A decision has not been made on whether to allow a homeless village and will not be made until there is a solid operational plan that does not include taxpayer dollars, Milford’s mayor said this week. Operating money, and creating a task force to look at the issue, was one of several comments about a proposed village of tiny houses …
City to get $63,000 rebate on energy efficiency contract
Money was a frequent topic at this week’s Milford City Council meeting. The council heard that the city will get a $60,000-plus return on a three-year contract it paid Efficiency Smart, and that the city’s customer service department brought in $51 million during the last fiscal year. Power news The council voted to renew the city’s contract with Efficiency Smart …