News Article Raises Transparency Concerns

WHYY published a story earlier today (April 8) by reporter Cris Barrish examining the troubling overlap between nonprofit organizations receiving state funding and legislators employed by those same groups.

In the report, John Flaherty, a board member of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, criticized the practice, saying it creates a “severe appearance of impropriety.” State Rep. Bryan Shupe, who is also quoted in the piece, shared that concern.

In 2024, Rep. Shupe introduced House Bill 341, a modest reform aimed at preventing nonprofit organizations that employ members of the two major legislative budget-writing committees from receiving public funds appropriated by those groups. The bill was held in the House Administration Committee without a hearing, in violation of House Rules.

Read the full WHYY story here.