Finance committee approves state worker raises

The Joint Finance Committee approved raises for state workers May 23, as the state budget approaches its final stages.

Under the plan, full-time state workers would receive raises ranging from 3% to 9% depending on their pay grade, with the lowest grades receiving higher-percentage raises. The average state employee annual salary is $52,033, and they would receive a 6% increase.

Collective bargaining units would receive raises according to whatever they have negotiated.

Education employees would receive a 3% raise and applicable step increases, while teachers would receive an additional 6%.

The Joint Finance Committee will continue reviewing and voting on funding priorities for the fiscal year 2024 operating budget this week. Once completed, legislative budget staff will write the final budget bill, which must be approved by the entire General Assembly.

Handgun permit bill moving along

A bill that would require a permit to purchase a handgun awaits action in one last committee before heading for a full House vote.

A substitute bill for Senate Bill 2 moved out of the House Judiciary Committee May 17 and now awaits action in the House Appropriations Committee, since it would cost the state $2.8 million in 2024 and exceed $7.7 million in following years.

Under the bill that already passed the Senate by a 15-6 vote, most Delawareans could obtain a permit to purchase a handgun if they have completed an approved firearm training course in the last five years. Qualified active and retired law enforcement officers and anyone permitted to carry a concealed deadly weapon by the State of Delaware would be exempt from that requirement because they already would have been required to complete a firearm training course.

Landlord eviction bill passes Senate

A bill that would prevent municipalities from requiring that landlords evict tenants based on their involvement in the justice system passed the Senate 15-4 with two absent May 17. 

Senate Bill 99 specifically prohibits municipalities from requiring a “crime-free” lease agreement as a condition of tenancy, and also mandating eviction after a tenant – or another resident or guest – is arrested, convicted or even merely accused of certain crimes.

Officials said there are six municipalities in Delaware with crime-free or nuisance ordinances on the books that can result in mandatory evictions: Townsend, Smyrna, Dover, Harrington, Greenwood and Blades.

Senate Bill 99 now heads to the House for consideration. 

Election bills pass the House

Three election-related bills passed the House May 18, and one now awaits signature into law by Gov. John Carney.

Senate Bill 57 would ensure that popular votes cast in presidential elections would be honored when the Electoral College meets to decide presidential election outcomes. 

The bill passed the Senate in April and passed the House 31-8 with two absent.

Other election bills await action in Senate committee. House Bill 148 passed the House 32-7 with two absent. The bill would require an election judge team comprising no more than half registered to any one party, allowing for independent or smaller parties to participate. The bill would also allow for electronic ballot scanning, and would permit ballots to be opened and processed 30 days prior to an election, instead of the Friday before an election.

House Bill 153, sponsored by Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, and Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokloa, D-Newark, would formalize reporting of campaign expenditures for donations to religious, charitable, educational or scientific organizations. Political campaigns already can use campaign funds for donations to various organizations, such as buying tickets for a fundraiser or gala, but they must enter those expenditures manually, which can lead to discrepancies in how they’re reported. 

“It’s not uncommon for political campaigns to make these types of contributions to different charities, whether in the form of tickets or a donation, but there’s no simple, uniform way to report those expenditures,” said Schwartzkopf in a prepared statement. “This bill will streamline the reporting so it’s crystal clear where the funds are going, making reports more consistent.”