DE House of Rep. Newsletter – #643 Through 10/28/2025
Date Posted: Wednesday, October 29th, 2025These are the latest articles from the DE House of Representatives:
- NEWS: House and Senate Republican Leaders Ask for Cooperative Effort to Protect Food-Insecure Delawareans
- NEWS: House Republicans Issue Statement on Troubling State Revenue Estimates
- NEWS VIDEO: New Marker Commemorates Two Brothers Who Helped Escaped Slaves Reach Freedom
- NEWS: Years in the Making, Ground Broken on New Attraction at Trap Pond State Park
- NEWS: Controversial Permit to Purchase Law to be Implemented in Less Than a Month
- NEWS: More than 8,000 Vehicle Owners Incorrectly Assessed New Fee
- OPINION: Safeguarding Our Roads: A Plea for Delaware’s Families Amid Rising DUI Dangers
NEWS:
House and Senate Republican Leaders sent the following request to Gov. Matt Meyer today, asking for a cooperative approach for protecting food-insecure Delawareans who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families…
The Honorable Matt Meyer
Governor of the State of Delaware
Tatnall Building
150 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. South
Dover, DE 19901
Dear Governor Meyer,
As the federal government shutdown drags on with no end in sight, thousands of Delaware families are on the verge of losing critical food assistance. If the shutdown continues, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Delaware will not receive their benefits beginning November 1 because there are no federal funds available for distribution to the states.
This situation is not abstract as it affects real people in our communities. It means military veterans who have served our country could struggle to afford groceries. It means single mothers working multiple jobs may not be able to feed their children. It means seniors on fixed incomes could face empty pantries and impossible choices. Delaware has the power to prevent that outcome, and we urge your administration to act swiftly.
We respectfully request that your administration and Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Christen Linke Young identify and redirect any available funding resources to support the SNAP program.
If none are available, we call for a special session of the General Assembly to authorize an alternative path to ensure uninterrupted SNAP benefits for Delawareans in need. Two viable options include:
1. Redirecting a portion of General Fund dollars currently designated for the proposed Legislative Hall parking garage project; or
2. Utilizing a portion of the nearly $50 million set aside for the ERP Cloud Migration. These funds have not yet been encumbered and are easily accessible.
In any scenario, the redirected funds should be fully backfilled once federal operations resume, where legally permissible.
Delaware has both the resources and the responsibility to ensure no family in our state goes hungry because of a political stalemate in Washington. We urge you to act decisively and compassionately to protect those who need help the most.
Sincerely,
Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus
Delaware State House of Representatives Republican Caucus
- House Republicans Issue Statement on Troubling State Revenue Estimates
The Delaware Economic & Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) met earlier this week to update revenue and spending projections for the current and future fiscal years.
The revenue estimates, made periodically throughout the year, dropped significantly in the October report compared with the last estimate made in June.
The forecasts are key to crafting the state’s annual operating budget because officials are mandated to spend no more than 98% of expected incoming funds.
The following is a statement issued by the House Republican Caucus in reaction to the DEFAC report:
Delaware’s revenue projections may be down, but our spending continues to be way up. And, that’s the real problem Delaware faces!
Compared to the June projections, DEFAC reports that state revenues are projected to drop by $150 million for this year and next, largely due to lower corporate income tax collections tied to federal tax changes.
Under these new federal changes, corporations can retroactively adjust past tax filings, going back as far as Tax Year 2022. That means many large companies can now file amended returns and claim refunds from the state on taxes they already paid. This is good for Delaware’s economy because it allows companies to reinvest in their facilities and workforce, encouraging job growth and retention.
Here’s the bigger problem, though: Over the past three years, Delaware’s state budget has grown by $1.48 billion — a 29% increase. Compared to ten years ago, it’s up $2.67 billion — about 68%!
It’s time to have an honest conversation about Delaware’s fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
New Marker Commemorates Two Brothers Who Helped Escaped Slaves Reach Freedom
Community members, elected leaders, historians, and members of the local Black community gathered in Camden recently for the unveiling of a historical marker commemorating two noteworthy residents and the area’s link to the Underground Railroad.
Two brothers, William and Nathaniel Hinkley, worked with famed Underground Railroad Conductor Harriet Tubman to smuggle slaves from the South to freedom in the North. The network of routes, clandestine shelters, and guides was most active during the Antebellum period.
The site of the marker, on the grounds of Caesar Rodney High School, is the former location of Brinkley Hill, a free black community that served as an Underground Railroad stop.
State Rep. Lyndon Yearick (R-Camden, Wyoming, Woodside) said the new marker was a community-driven effort that involved a local social studies teacher, his son, descendants of the Brinkley brothers, and the Delaware Public Archives.
The $2,575 cost of the marker was financed by Rep. Yearick through his Community Transportation Fund allotment.
Years in the Making, Ground Broken on New Attraction at Trap Pond State Park
— New Amenity Championed by State Rep. Tim Dukes —
State Reps. Tim Dukes (R-Laurel) and Danny Short (R-Seaford) joined officials with the Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Control earlier this week to break ground for a new feature at Trap Pond State Park.
The new Cypress Splash Zone is expected to debut by the middle of next summer. Located near the Bald Cypress Nature Center, the 5,000-square-foot water feature will consist of four separate zones, each designed for specific age groups, and one intended for inclusive play for all children and their families.
The site will also include an entry station, restrooms, and a first aid station.
“Today is a really great day for the citizens of Laurel and the state!” said Rep. Dukes. “I have been working for the last three years to make sure this labor of love came to fruition…I am proud to have secured the state funding for this project. It will not only enhance the park’s already top-notch amenities, but it’s expected to draw significantly more visitors to our beautiful area during the summer months.”
The splash zone will be easily accessible from the nature center parking lot. Its design and engineering were funded through an Economic Development Administration grant awarded in 2022, State of Delaware Bond Bill appropriations, and a $1.5 million contribution from Sussex County government.
“For many, this will provide an amenity that’s a little closer to home, and maybe it will spur some further tourism and economic development into our inland locations,” said County Council President Douglas B. Hudson. “I know this is something the community has wanted for a long time, and it will be a great addition.”
About two-thirds of the funding for Delaware State Parks is generated by the park system through permit sales, cabin and campsite revenue, entrance fees, and user fees for special amenities.
Controversial Permit to Purchase Law to be Implemented in Less Than a Month
A contested law restricting gun access in Delaware will be implemented in less than a month.
Enacted in May 2024, the “Permit to Purchase Law” requires anyone wanting to acquire a handgun in The First State to obtain a handgun purchaser permit, a process that includes fingerprinting, undergoing a criminal background check, and completing a firearms training course.
The mandated training and coursework contains 11 specific components, including firearms handling, live shooting exercises, suicide prevention, and methods for avoiding a criminal attack and managing violent confrontations. Applicants are responsible for covering the cost of training.
Concealed carry permit holders, law-enforcement officers, and retired officers are exempt from the mandate.
The Delaware State Police (DSP) announced the Permit to Purchase Program will soon be open for registration. Under Delaware law, which takes effect on November 16th, a state permit, issued by the DSP’s Bureau of Identification, will be required to buy or transfer a handgun.
The permit to purchase law is currently being challenged in court. The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association and the Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club filed a lawsuit to overturn the statute, arguing that it violates provisions of both the state and federal constitutions.
Article I, Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution recognizes that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms for defense, hunting, and recreational use. The plaintiffs contend the law flouts the fundamental civil rights of Delawareans by requiring a permit to exercise one of their fundamental constitutional freedoms.
The bill cleared the General Assembly along partisan lines and was passed solely on votes cast by House and Senate Democrats.
Proponents of the legislation maintain that it will help reduce gun violence. “This bill is being done for one reason and one reason only—to save lives,” said Delaware Attorney General Kathleen Jennings when the bill was being debated in 2024.
However, data gathered by the state and federal governments seemingly casts doubt on whether the law can significantly impact gun-related crimes.
According to one U.S. Department of Justice study that surveyed state and federal inmates who committed crimes with a gun, more than half (56%) had either stolen it, found it at the scene of a crime, or obtained it from the illegal underground market.
Another study, conducted by Delaware’s Criminal Justice Council Statistical Analysis Center, showed that more than three-quarters of suspects investigated in connection with shooting incidents in 2020 had at least one arrest for a violent felony, and more than half had at least three such arrests.
Delaware law already requires background checks on all gun purchases, specifies that adults must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun, and bars sales to felons and to anyone objectively identified as posing a threat to themselves or others (a.k.a. red flag law).
More than a dozen states have enacted permit-to-purchase laws, with about half requiring a permit to purchase any firearm and the balance applying only to handguns.
For more information on the impending law, visit the Permit to Purchase website at: https://dsp.delaware.gov/
NEWS:
More than 8,000 Vehicle Owners Incorrectly Assessed New Fee
Thousands of owners of certain hybrid vehicles were incorrectly informed that a new “Alternative Fuel Vehicle” (AFV) fee, implemented on October 1st, applied to them.
The new levy resulted from the enactment of a contested piece of legislation requested by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) that raised many existing vehicle fees and created new ones.
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle fee was intended to capture the owners of vehicles not solely powered by gasoline or diesel. For decades, the state and federal governments have imposed taxes on these commodities, the revenue from which is a major source of funding for road maintenance and construction. The people using vehicles not powered by traditional fuels have avoided paying this support.
However, in an email sent to lawmakers this week, Transportation Secretary Shante Hastings said a mistake was made when the owners of “mild hybrid” vehicles were told they owed the fee.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, mild hybrids—also called micro hybrids—use a battery and electric motor in a system that allows the engine to shut off when the vehicle stops (such as at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic), improving fuel economy. Mild hybrid systems cannot power the vehicle using electricity alone.
“Unfortunately, these vehicles were initially categorized as non–plug-in electric vehicles by our vendor within our database,” Sec. Hastings wrote. “We have since corrected the classification and will notify affected vehicle owners that their vehicles are excluded from the Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) fee.”
“Roughly, 8,459 registered vehicles across the state fall into the mild hybrid classification,” said Aimee Voshell String, DelDOT’s Chief of Legislative Relations.
Alternative fuel vehicle owners who have questions or require further assistance can contact the DMV via email DMVCustomerService@delaware.
OPINION:
Safeguarding Our Roads: A Plea for Delaware’s Families Amid Rising DUI Dangers
By State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky
Imagine a sudden phone call in the dead of night: a loved one, gone in an instant, stolen by a driver who chose to get behind the wheel impaired. This isn’t just a nightmare—it’s a heartbreaking reality for too many Delaware families.
Nationally, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2023, accounting for 30% of all traffic fatalities–one life tragically ended every 42 minutes. Delaware had similarly dire statistics. In 2024, there were 1,132 alcohol-related crashes claiming 33 lives.
Our highways have become battlegrounds where alcohol and drugs claim innocent lives, leaving behind shattered dreams and empty chairs at family tables. As a Delawarean who has witnessed the toll of these tragedies through friends and community stories, I can’t help but feel a deep, urgent sorrow. We must confront this crisis head-on, especially now, as our state grapples with multiple repeat DUI offenders and the consequences of marijuana legalization.
After multiple meetings and conversations with concerned constituents, I authored House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4). Passed earlier this year, this measure established the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Prevention Task Force to unravel the roots of our persistent DUI problem.
Nationally, one-third of those arrested for drunk driving have prior convictions, and drivers in fatal crashes with high blood alcohol concentrations are six times more likely to have previous DUI convictions. In Delaware, while repeat offender data is limited, the state had more than 2,700 DUI arrests in each of the last two years. Thirty-nine percent of fatal crashes from 2020-2024 involved alcohol or drugs.
Citizens are alarmed and have questions. Why do we have so many chronic DUI offenders? Is lax prosecution to blame? Are we failing to effectively deal with alcohol addiction, leaving individuals trapped in cycles of despair and dependency without access to adequate support and treatment? Is Delaware’s DUI framework fractured, outdated, and falling short of protecting the public?
My intent in forming this task force was for it to actively seek solutions to curtail the deaths, injuries, and personal trauma resulting from impaired driving.
Adding to the urgency of the task force’s mission is a new, looming threat—one of our own making.
In 2023, Delaware legalized recreational marijuana sales. While we are one of 24 states to take this step, which was widely applauded by many, it carries consequences.
When the legalization bill was being considered, the Medical Society of Delaware offered detailed testimony about the dangers of enacting it. As a retired medical professional, I voted against the measure because of its potential for harm to users, including the fact that current marijuana strains have vastly increased THC potency (a higher potential for intoxication).
I was also extremely concerned that, unlike alcohol, there is no cannabis Breathalyzer equivalent to provide police with clear evidence of marijuana impairment during a vehicle stop. Officers must rely solely on field sobriety tests—such as walking a straight line or standing on one foot—that are entirely subjective and of limited evidentiary value in prosecuting DUI cases.
Nationally, more than half (56%) of people injured or killed in crashes tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs between 2019-2021, with 25% positive for cannabis. In Delaware, cannabis was found in 22.7% of DUI drug cases in FY 2024, and cases of cannabis-impaired driving have risen over the past five years. This was before recreational legalization!
Delaware State Police say they plan to increase training and will rely on sobriety testing. Still, without technology to determine intoxication levels, they are at a significant disadvantage and in a game where lives are at stake.
The emotional weight of these issues is profound. I’ve spoken with survivors who describe the void left by a DUI crash—not just the physical scars, but the endless “what ifs” that haunt them. One mother shared how her son’s death from a repeat offender’s recklessness robbed her of grandchildren she’ll never hold. Another family worries about marijuana’s normalization, fearing it sends youths the message that “it’s legal, so it must be safe.”
While I know marijuana advocates will take issue with my stance, I believe the facts I have presented are unassailable. Safety isn’t guaranteed without accountability.
We stand at a crossroads. I hope that the DUI Prevention Task Force will recommend reforms like enhanced addiction treatment, effective prosecution of chronic offenders, and testing and adoption of innovative technologies for marijuana impairment detection.
Lawmakers, law enforcement, and communities must unite, not in blame, but in shared purpose: protecting every Delawarean who uses our roads. Let’s turn our collective empathy for those who have suffered tremendous loss into actionable solutions. We must ensure our streets are places of safe passage, for the sake of our families and our future.
NOTE: The Driving Under the Influence Prevention Task Force held its first meeting yesterday (10/16). For more information, click here.
