January 12, 2024

Initiatives Seek to Give Citizens a Voice in One-Sided Rulemaking Process

Regulations adopted by state agencies and gubernatorial emergency orders carry the weight of law, but Delawareans forced to comply with these mandates lack any real ability to influence the outcome. Three bills that will come before the General Assembly this year seek to change this by providing safeguards on the unrestrained rulemaking authority of the executive branch.

“Nothing better illustrates the need for regulatory reform better than the EV sales mandate,” Sen. Pettyjohn said. “The regulation was finalized despite overwhelming opposition to it. Citizens’ concerns were ignored in favor of the pursuit of a political agenda. When elected leaders display such a high level of disregard for the people they are supposed to be serving, it’s clear the system is dysfunctional and in dire need of reform.”

Click here to read the entire release.

House and Senate Republicans Support a Lawsuit to Protect Delawareans’ Right to Worship Freely

Delaware’s Republican state representatives and senators are lending their support to a lawsuit defending citizens’ right to worship freely.

All 21 of the General Assembly’s Republican lawmakers signed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in a case filed against Gov. John Carney that contends he violated federal and state constitutional guarantees* for citizens to worship freely.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

This week, the General Assembly passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 104 which established January 9, 2024, as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Delaware.

Senator Pettyjohn stated, "I am proud to sponsor this annual resolution recognizing January 9th as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Delaware."

Prior to the roll call vote, the Senate held a moment of silence in memory of Todd Mumford, who tragically passed away in November 2023. Todd was an integral member of Delaware's law enforcement community, and his presence in Legislative Hall and the community will be missed.

The Second Floor - Good Governance

Representatives Mike Ramone and Lyndon Yearick are the Republican Leader and Whip of the Republican Caucus in the House of Representatives. They and Senator Gerald Hocker join The Second Floor to discuss the caucuses' joint Good Governance legislative package.

Check it out on Spotify, Apple, and (nearly) everywhere podcasts are available!

Bill to Increase Exemptions for

Military Pensions Introduced

On Thursday, January 4, 2024, Senator Eric Buckson (R-Dover) introduced Senate Bill 201 (SB 201) with bipartisan sponsorship. The legislation would increase the state income tax pension exclusion for military pensioners over a three year period.

If passed and signed into law, the exemption for military pensions from state income tax for military pensioners of all ages would be $25,000 in taxable years on or after January 1, 2026.

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