TALKING POINTS
DELAWARE GOP
From Delaware GOP Vice Chair, Jim Weldin
Jim Weldin presents
Delaware's open topic podcast where we discuss everything "In The First" State!
CAESAR RODNEY INSTITUTE
CAESAR RODNEY INSTITUTE
A Delaware non-profit committed to protecting individual liberties. Their mission is to educate and inform constituents, legislators, and stakeholders on important issues that impact their livelihood.
Should Teachers Be Allowed to Choose Their Evaluations?
SB 165 weakens teacher accountability just as Delaware students fall further behind
By Tanya Hettler, Ph.D.
Center for Education Policy
July 7, 2025
A bill sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, Senate Bill 165, titled "An Act to Amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code Relating to Student Improvement Component," has just passed in the Delaware General Assembly. The bill requires the Delaware Department of Education to pilot a new method of teacher evaluation that allows teachers to choose how they are evaluated and considers factors that may negatively affect student performance, such as student absences, noncompliance, or a lack of parental involvement. In practice, this could allow poor test scores to be excluded entirely from a teacher's evaluation-regardless of classroom instruction-raising concerns about accountability and transparency.
HB 145: A Privacy-Protecting Bill that Reinforces the Fourth Amendment in the Digital Age
Although Delaware's regular legislative session ended on June 30, House Bill 145 (HB 145), a privacy-protecting bill, remains active. This is a crucial time for Delawareans to speak up-lawmakers are continuing to review bills, meeting with constituents, and preparing for the next session.
By Charlie Copeland
Center for Economic & Fiscal Policy
July 22, 2025
Flawed Report Claims You Should Pay for Excess Solar Power
Why a recent state-backed study misses the mark on fairness, savings and real solar adoption
By David T. Stevenson
Director Center for Energy & Environmental Policy
June 5, 2025
The Nuclear Energy Revolution
By David T. Stevenson
Director Center for Energy & Environmental Policy
August 15, 2025
A quiet energy revolution is underway. Closed nuclear power plants are reopening, and new small modular reactors (SMRs)-using both traditional and advanced technologies-are under development, totaling more than three gigawatts of planned capacity. These plants are projected to begin generating electricity between 2027 and 2032, and national targets aim to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. Delaware has joined this growing national movement by adopting a resolution to form a Nuclear Energy Task Force. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, more than 200 nuclear-related bills have been introduced this year across roughly 40 states.
US Wind Faces Hard Day in Court
By David T. Stevenson
Director Center for Energy & Environmental Policy
August 8, 2025
Two legal cases filed against the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) alleging permit approval of the US Wind offshore wind Construction and Operations Plan (COP) was seriously flawed and should be revoked will be heard in a Federal District Court in Maryland on September 5. The Plaintiff in one of the cases agreed to move his court hearing date from August to the September 5 th date to save the court time. Last week the Secretary of Interior, Doug Burgum, ordered BOEM to review the plaintiff’s arguments and consider settling the case in the plaintiff’s favor, an action that would revoke the permit and stop development of the project. In BOEM’s court filing regarding delaying one case to September 5 they stated: “An extension in this case is necessary as Interior intends to reconsider its COP approval and move in the District of Maryland –the first filed case-for voluntary remand of the agency action (recognizing that administrative agencies have the authority to reconsider their decisions).” This suggests the US Wind permit could be revoked possibly ending the project development. Reference 1) WGMD, US Department of Interior “Civil Action No, 1:25-cv-00152-GBW”
Nuclear Energy Is Coming To Delaware!
Governor Matt Meyer's Office is now accepting resumes for eight open positions on the Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force. This group will explore the potential of deploying small modular reactors to diversify Delaware’s energy sources—reducing reliance on imports and enhancing reliability. Members of the task force will examine feasibility, economic impacts, regulations, and environmental considerations.
The Governor's office is seeking candidates with backgrounds in energy, sustainability, business, the trades, or nuclear engineering. Interested applicants should email a resume with the subject line: "Nuclear Feasibility Task Force" to gov_appointments@delaware.gov. Resumes will be accepted through August 31, 2025.
Email your resume, or email your support for Energy Expert Dave Stevenson to be included on this taskforce!