July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus House Democrats waited until the wee hours of July 1 to override the governor's veto of a disputed bill limiting county governments' authority over marijuana businesses. Senate Bill 75, as amended, largely ties the hands of county officials to impact where marijuana businesses can set up shop and what hours and days they can be open. The bill passed the House and Senate last year without Republican support. A handful of Democratic

July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus On Tuesday night, the House of Representatives approved the first leg of a proposed constitutional amendment on marriage. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100 seeks to add marriage as a fundamental right in the state constitution, "that may not be denied or abridged on the basis of gender or any other legally protected criteria" (i.e., race, color, national origin, and sex). Constitutional amendments must win approval in two sep

July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate approved an amended version of a disputed bill that will require Delaware firearms dealers to be licensed by the state and to comply with new regulations established under the measure. Sponsors and critics of the bill alike describe the measure as an imperfect but meaningful compromise. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300 (as amended), sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem David Sokola (D-Newark

July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus IN PHOTO, FROM LEFT: State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky and State Rep. Rich Collins on the last night of this year's legislative session. Veterans will be getting a tax break on their pension income under a bill approved by the Delaware General Assembly. Sponsored by State Sen. Eric Buckson (R-Dover) and State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard), Senate Bill 219 (as amended) would gradually, over three years, increase the income ta

July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus Surrounded by legislators, budget officials, and other staff in his ceremonial Legislative Hall office on Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Matt Meyer signed into law a $6.996 billion General Fund operating budget (Senate Bill 335) for the new fiscal year that began yesterday. The new spending plan pays for the day-to-day operations of state government and is $416 million higher than the budget it replaces, an increase of 6.32%. The top cate

July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus While the state Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget was signed into law on Tuesday, two of the state's other major annual funding bills, which provide funding for public works projects and nonprofit groups, cleared the General Assembly early Wednesday morning. The $1.256 billion FY 2027 capital budget (House Bill 500) is the fourth-largest in state history, falling just below the FY 2022, 23 & 24 budgets. However, it's a nearly 29% i

July 2, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus A bipartisan bill that promises to improve public health and reduce healthcare costs in Delaware is heading to the governor's desk. Sponsored by retired medical professional State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard), House Bill 305 provides a framework for a three-year observational study to reduce the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. People with this condition do not respond properly to insulin, making it harder for glucose

July 1, 2026 Delaware Senate Republicans The 153rd General Assembly officially adjourned in the early morning hours of July 1 after one of the longest final legislative days in recent memory. By the time lawmakers gaveled out, it was nearly 6:00 a.m. Despite the marathon session, Senate and House Republicans remained focused on advancing practical legislation that supports Delaware families, strengthens our workforce, improves public safety, expands access to healthcare, and

June 27, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus The House of Representatives on Thursday evening approved an amended version of a closely contested bill regulating firearms dealers, with supporters and opponents alike describing the measure as an imperfect but meaningful compromise. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300 (as amended), sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem David Sokola (D-Newark), would require anyone engaging in the sale or transfer of guns, including pawnbrok

June 27, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus A violent assault and abduction of an elderly Seaford woman inspired legislation that now heads to the governor's desk after winning unanimous approval in both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly. State Sens. Bryant Richardson (R-Seaford) & Stephanie Hansen (D-Middletown) and State Rep. Danny Short (R-Seaford) were the prime sponsors of Senate Bill 292, also known as the Grace Peterson Act. Before the House approved the meas

June 27, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives approved a $6.996 billion General Fund operating budget (Senate Bill 335) for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. The new spending plan pays for the day-to-day operations of state government and is $416 million higher than the budget it replaces, an increase of 6.32%. The proposed budget Governor Matt Meyer presented to the General Assembly in January had proposed keeping spendi

June 27, 2026 By DE House - Republican Caucus The House of Representatives approved a $6.996 billion General Fund operating budget (Senate Bill 335) on Wednesday evening, but the decision to send the FY 2027 spending plan to the governor was not unanimous. As he has done for several years, State Rep. Bryan Shupe (Milford South, Ellendale), in photo, voted against the omnibus measure, citing the continued rise in spending. According to the Office of the Controller General, act

June 24, 2026 State Sen. Bryant Richardson Anyone planning to celebrate the 250th anniversary with fireworks on July 4 needs to be aware of a bill to further regulate their sale and use. Under a bill, the fines for violating the law regulating fireworks will be substantially increased. House Bill 63 passed in the House on March 17 with 38 yes votes and is on the Senate agenda for Tuesday, June 23. (This column was written on Monday, June 22. The bill was passed in the Senate

June 23, 2026 DOVER, DE – The Delaware Republican Party will host its inaugural Republican Leadership Day at Legislative Hall on Thursday, June 25, bringing together Republican candidates, campaign representatives, party leaders, and elected officials from across the First State. The event is designed to provide Republican candidates with an opportunity to engage directly with members of the Delaware General Assembly, strengthen relationships with party leadership, and gain a

June 22, 2026 State Representative Jeff Hilovsky Rep. Jeff Hilovsky accepts the congratulations of other House members following the unanimous passage of HB 305. A bipartisan bill that promises to improve public health and reduce healthcare costs in Delaware was recently approved by the House. Sponsored by retired medical professional State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard), House Bill 305 provides a framework for a three-year observational study to reduce the inc

June 19, 2026 Delaware Senate Republican Caucus DOVER, DE – Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212, legislation sponsored by Senator Dave Wilson (R – Lincoln) to advance a constitutional amendment recognizing the right to hunt, fish, and trap in Delaware, passed the Senate unanimously last week and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The measure is the first leg of a proposed amendment to the Delaware Constitution that would acknowledge hunting, fi

June 19, 2026 Delaware House Republican Caucus A measure that seeks to create a legislative check on a governor's unfettered authority to declare and maintain a State of Emergency has passed the House of Representatives unanimously. At present, a governor can declare a State of Emergency in response to an emergency or disaster, or when such an occurrence is imminent. A State of Emergency can be maintained for up to 30 days and then renewed for an additional 30 days, an unlimi

June 16, 2026 Delaware Business Times Rep. Hilvosky and Sen. Eric Buckson write that support is needed for a bill that would create a pilot program that would test artificial intelligence in schools. Picture a classroom. Twenty-five students, one teacher, a textbook that was printed before half these kids were born, and a test coming up on Friday. Now picture another classroom: same number of students, same teacher except each student has a learning tool that adapts to exactl

June 15, 2026 Gene Truono, Chairman, Delaware Republican Party Dear Delaware Patriots, As we stand in the heart of America’s 250th anniversary year, I am filled with renewed optimism and unbreakable resolve. Under President Trump’s leadership, our nation is experiencing a powerful resurgence one defined by strength, prosperity, and unapologetic American pride. Here in Delaware, the Republican Party is not just witnessing this momentum; we are driving it forward. This month br

June 14, 2026 Cape Gazette Wetlands provide flood and storm protection, as well as valuable wildlife habitat, in the Cape Region. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO The Senate unanimously passed a bill known as the Wetlands Stewardship Act June 10, aiming to protect nontidal wetlands. The bill had received similar bipartisan support when it advanced through committee in May, seeking to protect nontidal and tidal wetlands that are not fully covered by federal regulations. If passed, the legi