Melissa Steele

Delaware

Reporter at Cape Gazette

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Articles

Inspector general bill unanimously passes Senate

3 days ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

A bill to create an independent Office of the Inspector General unanimously passed the Senate May 22. Sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine, who sponsored similar legislation last session that did not advance, the bill would create an independent Office of the Inspector General. The bill is supported by Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; and Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach.
Chancery Court gives greenlight to lawsuit against hospital budget oversight board

4 days ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

The one and only count a Chancery Court judge has allowed to continue in ChristianaCare’s lawsuit against a newly created state board to oversee hospital budgets questions the simple majority used when the General Assembly passed the bill. In an opinion released May 30, Vice Chancellor Lori Will ruled that only one of the eight counts brought by ChristianaCare against state proponents of the law can move forward in court.
Revenues tick up as final state budget deadline looms

5 days ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

As the General Assembly moves into its final weeks of session, revenue numbers are up a bit for next year’s budget. Revenues posted May 19 by the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council show a nearly $17 million increase in fiscal year 2026 revenues posted from March – a total of $6.77 billion in net receipts. Revenue from personal income tax, realty transfer tax, gross receipts tax and fees from limited partnerships and LLCs were all up from March numbers.
Bills would change probation and parole system

5 days ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

A pair of Senate bills would change Delaware’s probation and parole system. Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Sen. Marie Pinkney, D-Bear, with support from Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, would preserve public safety while modernizing the way the courts and Department of Correction administer community supervision, according to a press release on the bills.
Bill would end electric vehicle mandate

6 days ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

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Report prompts affordable housing bills

1 week ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

In answer to an April report by the Affordable Housing Production Task Force, a number of bills have been introduced to encourage construction of more affordable units. Sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, Senate Bill 149 would exempt properties that receive low-income housing tax credits from county and municipality property taxes.
State tax on beach rentals now in effect

1 week ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

As the 2025 beach season approaches, a new state tax awaits those looking to book an Airbnb, Vrbo or other types of short-term rentals. Signed into law by former Gov. John Carney in 2024, the law places a 4.5% state tax on short-term rentals. The bill defines a short-term rental as a house, duplex, multiplex, apartment, condominium, houseboat, trailer or other residential dwelling unit where a tourist or transient guest rents sleeping or living accommodations for no more than 31 consecutive nights.
Food is Medicine Committee formed to improve health

3 weeks ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

In an effort to improve health and lower healthcare costs, Gov. Matt Meyer announced May 6 the establishment of the Delaware Food is Medicine Committee, bringing the power of nutrition through local food systems. “Delaware’s Food is Medicine Committee will connect residents with high-quality meals and produce to improve clinical care, lower healthcare costs and advance health equity,” Meyer said in a press release.
Cape Region man convicted in prostitution, boosting ring

3 weeks ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

A Cape Region man who made hundreds of thousands of dollars running a prostitution ring in the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach area was convicted May 13 in federal court of sex trafficking, forced labor and interstate prostitution. Clifton H.
Task force to study small-scale nuclear power moves through Senate

3 weeks ago | capegazette.com | Melissa Steele

An effort to look into bringing small-scale nuclear power to Delaware is moving through the Legislature. Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, sponsored by Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford, with support by Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Long Neck; Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; and Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, R-Georgetown, passed the Senate 19-2 March 26, and now awaits action in a House committee.