Why Should Delaware Care?
Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public. Below we highlight a few of those meetings happening this week.
Read below to learn how to participate in some of the most important or interesting public meetings happening in Delaware this week.
- State legislature votes
- New Castle County budget hearings
- Port of Wilmington board to vote on Edgemoor commitment
Legislature to consider ‘Homeless Bill of Rights’, and other bills
The Delaware House and Senate will meet this week for floor votes on Tuesday and Thursday, and committee hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Among the major votes to watch are House votes Tuesday on a four-bill package of reforms to Delaware’s corporate law practice, including fee hikes on some pieces. Meanwhile the Senate will vote Tuesday on a bill to repeal the requirement that health care systems obtain regulatory approval before acquiring major medical equipment in most scenarios.
One of the most-watched committee hearings this week will be the House hearing Tuesday on the so-called “Homeless Bill of Rights.” That hearing will start at 10 a.m. Tuesday and can be livestreamed here
A proposed tax hike on tobacco products will get its first committee hearing Wednesday. The bill proposes to move the tax on a pack of cigarettes from $2.10 to $3.60, as well as higher taxes on cigars, chewing tobacco and vaping products. That hearing will start at 3 p.m. Wednesday and can be livestreamed here.
A House hearing Wednesday will explore a two-bill package to reform campaign finance laws, including the requirement that political committees submit quarterly rather than annual reports and that the elections office work with the Department of Justice to investigate any suspected violations of campaign law monthly. The reforms come after a 2024 election season that was marked by questions around former Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s campaign. That hearing will start at 1 p.m. Wednesday and can be livestreamed here.
Another House hearing will discuss a bill to require health insurers to cover the immunizations that were recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before the Trump-era changes. That hearing will start at noon Tuesday and can be livestreamed here.
In the Senate on Wednesday, a committee will consider a bill to remove Delaware from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an 11-state, cap-and-invest market for carbon emissions. The bill is an initiative by statehouse Republicans who seek to lower energy bills for consumers, as the RGGI mandates can add a few dollars to every monthly bill to help invest in cleaner energy. That hearing will start at noon Wednesday and can be livestreamed here.
NCC Council to hear police, land use budgets
As the New Castle County Council weighs County Executive Marcus Henry’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal, one of the largest departments will be under scrutiny Thursday.
The Department of Public Safety, which includes the New Castle County Police Department and other emergency services, will present its budgets to council members, along with the Department of Land Use.
Henry’s budget adds a little over $5 million to public safety to maintain service levels and support filling vacancies, such as police officers, paramedics, and 911 operators.
He also supported NCCPD entering into a multi-year, $50 million tech package contract, which includes body cameras and drones, despite some questions from council on how the county would afford it.
📍 The New Castle County Council is scheduled to meet from 2 to 4 p.m.Thursday at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building, located at 800 N. French St. in Wilmington. For more details, including information about virtual attendance, click here.
Port board to commit to Edgemoor project
The board of the Diamond State Port Corporation, which oversees the state-owned Port of Wilmington, will meet Monday afternoon for the first time since securing a federal permit to build the future Edgemoor port.
The board is scheduled to vote on a resolution of “Commitment to DCT Project,” using its alternative name of the Delaware Container Terminal.
📍 The Diamond State Port Corporation board of directors is scheduled to meet from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Buena Vista Conference Center, located at 661 S. DuPont Highway in New Castle. For more details, including information about virtual attendance, click here.
