Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark.

legis.delaware.gov

Eugene Young

delaware.gov

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By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — Delaware’s General Assembly has begun its two-week Easter break following this week’s work, priming lawmakers for the final months of business in the 2024 legislative session.

This week, lawmakers advanced several policies out of committee, such as the recently introduced package of affordable housing bills and proposals to secure federal Medicaid funding, provide safeguards to banks ahead of the state’s legal marijuana market, and a controversial measure to establish state oversight of hospital spending.

Another initiative that received passage came on the Senate floor Thursday, as legislators approved a bill to expand Delaware’s medical marijuana program, sending it to Gov. John Carney’s desk for its final step in the legislative process.

Medical marijuana

Under House Bill 285, which was sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, in the House of Representatives and Sen. Kyra Hoffner, D-Smyrna, in the upper chamber, Delawareans would no longer need to have one of the several “debilitating medical conditions” under state law to be approved for medical marijuana.

The measure would allow doctors to certify and approve a patient’s eligibility, while also providing Delawareans aged 65 and older to self-certify their conditions to receive a registry identification card for medical marijuana.

“Following our successful passage of the Delaware Marijuana Control Act last year, we have actively engaged with and taken feedback from medical marijuana patients,” Rep. Osienski said in a statement following the bill’s Senate passage.

“Drawing from their insights, we identified numerous ways to improve our medical marijuana program. HB 285 recognizes the need to remove outdated restrictions and breaks down the barriers that hinder patients who could truly benefit from improved access to medical marijuana.”

U.S. House

Eugene Young, the former director of the Delaware State Housing Authority and a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, announced Wednesday that he received the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

The support marks the second endorsement announced by the Young campaign in recent weeks, as the candidate recently received backing from Gov. John Carney, who is a former Delaware congressman.

Mr. Young is one of two Democratic candidates in the race, alongside state Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, who has the support of several statewide elected officials, including Attorney General Kathy Jennings and state Treasurer Colleen Davis.

41st Representative District

Democrat Tom Brett, an Army veteran and business leader, has filed to run to represent Delaware’s 41st Representative District.

After officially filing with the Department of Elections on March 15, Mr. Brett released a policy platform that focuses on affordable child care and housing, improving Sussex County’s infrastructural needs and investing in renewable energy.

The district, which covers Millsboro and Selbyville, has been represented by Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, since 2014.

New Castle County Council

Two more Democratic candidates have emerged in the race to lead New Castle County Council in the coming years.

Val Gould, an educator and policy analyst, announced their candidacy for the seat on March 23, just days after Robert Williams, a former Wilmington City Council member and police officer, on March 21

Mx. Gould has outlined several components of their policy priorities, such as encouraging sustainable development, preserving open space and creating affordable housing opportunities for low- and middle-income residents.

Mr. Williams outlined his objectives as well, which focus on improving public safety in the state’s most populous county, as well as boosting county infrastructure.

Both candidates join a crowded Democratic primary field, which includes George Frankel and Monique Johns.