This Week in Dover

By Tyler Micik

​The 153rd General Assembly gaveled into session on Tuesday, signaling the start of a new legislative year. This week was mostly ceremonial – legislators were sworn into office, and they took care of some housekeeping items. In the Delaware House of Representatives, six freshman legislators were sworn into office: 

• Claire Snyder-Hall (D) – Representative District 14
• Frank Burns (D) – Representative District 21
• Josue Ortega (D) – Representative District 3
• Kamela Smith (D) - Representative District 15
• Mara Gorman (D) – Representative District 23
• Melanie Ross Levin (D) – Representative District 10

Additionally, the House confirmed new leadership. Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown was sworn in as Speaker of the House, making her Delaware’s first Black Speaker. Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris and Rep. Ed Osienski moved up in their roles as Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. Rep. Tim Dukes stepped into the Minority Leader role and Rep. Jeff Spiegelman became Minority Whip. 

Business should return to normal next week. The General Assembly will be in session through January 30, at which point they’ll go on Joint Finance Committee (JFC) break and return on March 11. This year, we expect to see some bills reintroduced that did not make it through the legislative process last year, like paid sick and safety leave, in addition to newer ones like a potential increase in the minimum wage, among others.

Governor-elect Matt Meyer will be sworn into office next week on Tuesday, January 21. Please note the location for his swearing in ceremony has been moved from Legislative Mall to the William B. DeLauder Education and Humanities Theatre at Delaware State University due to the frigid weather forecast. You can find out more and register here.