Delaware Republicans to introduce mechanism to control state budget-growth
DOVER — The hot topic in Legislative Hall last week was once again the proposed state board that would be tasked with reviewing and analyzing the annual budgets of Delaware hospitals.
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Delaware Republicans to introduce mechanism to control state budget-growth
By DOVER — The hot topic in Legislative Hall last week was once again the proposed state board that would be tasked with reviewing and analyzing the annual budgets of Delaware hospitals.
As the measure, House Substitute 2 for House Bill 350, is set for a hearing on the Senate floor later this month, and its companion, House Bill 395, also set for consideration by the full House of Representatives, Republican lawmakers are working on a related proposal of their own.
On Thursday, Rep. Danny Short, R-Seaford, announced that he would soon introduce legislation that mimics the core aspects of the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board but would apply to the state budget.
A member of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council — which is responsible for providing periodic estimates of state revenue — Rep. Short’s proposal focuses on the budget growth benchmark, which factors increases in personal income, population and inflation.
Under the State Spending Accountability Act, state spending growth benchmark would be added to the state constitution, while creating the Budget Accountability Review Commission to ensure the state budget does not exceed its growth threshold.
The impending introduction of Rep. Short’s bill follows more than a month of contentious debate surrounding the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board.
While Democrats in the General Assembly have touted the mechanism’s ability to control rising health care costs, Republicans have called the proposal hypocritical for the state’s inability to meet its own growth benchmarks.
“If we are intent on imposing state oversight to ensure that hospitals adhere to spending growth limits, how can any legislator supporting that proposal hesitate to hold themselves to the same standard?” Rep. Short said in a statement.
Probation legislation
The Senate was scheduled to consider two bills on Thursday, but following a lengthy party caucus, only one of those measures was heard.
Thursday’s agenda included Senate Bill 22, which relates to Delaware’s workforce housing program, and Senate Substitution 2 for Senate Bill 4, which aims to reduce recidivism by updating laws related to individuals on parole or probation.
The legislation is on its third version since being introduced by Sen. Marie Pinkney, D-Bear, in March 2023, but after a two-hour party caucus, it was not considered by lawmakers, further delaying its consideration on the Senate floor.
Presidential election
The Independent Party of Delaware has certified Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as its 2024 presidential candidate, the organization announced on Tuesday.
With the certification from the Department of Elections, Mr. Kennedy will now appear on Delaware ballot lines alongside Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election.
Mr. Kennedy is the son of former U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. A lifelong Democrat, the candidate officially left the party when he announced his presidential campaign as an independent in October 2023.
“Bipolar, special-interest-controlled politics as usual has failed the People and it’s high time for a constructive, independent problem-solving alternative,” said Wolf von Baumgart, secretary-general of the Independent Party of Delaware, in a press release.
Housing assistance
Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, D-Wilmington, announced the introduction of legislation that aims to expand housing options for low-income Delawareans.
Senate Bill 293, which is being led by Rep. Rae Moore, D-Middletown, in the House of Representatives, would ban landlords’ ability to discriminate against individuals who receive state or federal housing assistance.
According to current state law, Delaware landlords can reject tenants who participate in these programs despite their monthly payment guarantee.
Delaware’s Fair Housing Act and landlord-tenant code prohibit discrimination based on income, but explicitly state that the refusal of accepting program-funded rental assistance cannot be used to justify an administrative or judicial proceeding.
Under Senate Bill 293, these provisions would be removed from Delaware Code.
Following the legislation’s introduction Thursday, it was assigned to the Senate Housing and Land-Use Committee for consideration.
