AGP Executive Report

State Government & Infrastructure: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a bill officially renaming the North Millsboro Bypass the “Senator Richard S. Cordrey Bypass,” honoring the longtime Sussex lawmaker and former Secretary of Finance. Federal Policy & Delaware’s Voice: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) leads Senate Democrats seeking sanctions tied to Israel’s controversial E1 West Bank settlement expansion. Delaware Courts & Business: Delaware Chancery Court faces a Hycroft Mining dispute alleging its board let Canadian billionaire Eric Sprott gain control without a control premium. Corrections & Public Safety: Delaware DOC will require identity verification (ID front/back plus selfie) for online messaging and video visits starting Sept. 28. Local Governance: Wilmington City Councilwoman Christian Willauer filed a New Castle County complaint alleging unequal property reassessments in Hilltop, Tilton, and West City Center. Education & Labor: Delaware teachers can’t be required to join unions or pay dues under state law, and payroll deductions can be revoked. Consumer/Legal Watch: Delaware Superior Court is also seeing a negligence suit from Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry after a 2025 stage fall.

Lawsuit in Delaware Courts: Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Gabrielle Henry sued the Miss Universe Organization and related companies in Delaware Superior Court, alleging negligence and unsafe stage conditions after a 2025 fall caused traumatic brain injuries and derailed her medical residency. State Politics & Courts: A Delaware Supreme Court fight over whether corporations can vote in Beach-area municipal elections is back in the spotlight as justices weigh the issue. Federal/Delaware Legal Watch: A Delaware judge stayed a coverage dispute tied to Google’s defense costs in a social-media addiction case, directing the fight to California. Public Safety & Health: Delaware State Police charged a 74-year-old hunter in a fatal Ellendale shooting, saying he mistook a woman for a deer. Sports & Community: Caravel Academy debuted girls flag football, with a familiar coach leading the new program. International Coaching in Newark: Papua New Guinea weightlifting coach Konio Toua is in a University of Delaware program supported by Olympic Solidarity.

Delaware Courts & Voting: The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the state’s “permanent” absentee voting law, rejecting a challenge that argued it improperly expanded absentee eligibility. SNAP Fight: Delaware won a federal ruling blocking the Trump administration from counting certain SNAP payment errors against states under an unlawful deadline, though Delaware’s own SNAP payment error rate remains high. Gun Policy: A Delaware federal judge signaled support for lifting the state’s 3D-printed “ghost gun” ban, saying an untraceable 3D firearm can be an “arm” under the Second Amendment. Federal/Foreign Policy: Delaware Sen. Chris Coons and others pushed sanctions legislation targeting backers of Israel’s E1 settlement plan. Business & Delaware Connections: Richards, Layton & Finger President Paul Heath will keynote the Delaware State Chamber’s 190th dinner, underscoring the firm’s role in Delaware corporate law. Campus Surveillance: University of Delaware students are pushing back as the school expands license-plate reader technology, with “Flock” language removed from public plans.

Delaware GOP Agenda: Delaware Republicans unveiled a “Contract with Delaware Voters,” pitching priorities on affordability, taxes, local control, education, and public safety as lawmakers head into the next session. Offshore Wind Fight: Delaware is named in a growing multistate legal push against Trump administration buybacks of offshore wind leases, with states arguing the deals illegally redirect federal money toward fossil fuel projects. Voting Rights in Court: The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the state’s permanent absentee voting law, rejecting challenges from state Senate candidates. Sussex County Governance: Sussex County Council advanced plans including a new Boys & Girls Club facility in Georgetown, reappointed a county administrator to the Delaware Opioid Commission, and scheduled a DelDOT workshop on land use and transportation. Public Safety: Delaware Natural Resources Police are investigating a fatal Ellendale hunting incident, with gun shop staff stressing hunters must clearly identify targets before firing. Wilmington Housing Plan: Wilmington will use returned Incyte incentive funds to buy land in Quaker Hill for future housing and commercial development. Gun Safety Reminder: A separate report highlights how quickly hunting tragedies can happen when target identification goes wrong.

Delaware Voting Rights: The Delaware Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state’s permanent absentee voting law, clearing the way for ballots to go out for eligible voters in the midterms after Sen. Gerald Hocker and an independent candidate challenged the statute. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Delaware joined a multi-state coalition suing the Trump administration to block buybacks of offshore wind leases, arguing the deals misuse taxpayer money and sabotage states’ ability to meet rising energy demand. Healthcare Access: After ChristianaCare closed Union Hospital’s birthing center in Cecil County, a perinatal task force is being formed to address the growing maternal care “desert.” Local Housing & Growth: Dagsboro officials debated annexation for a large housing development west of Route 113, with a town council vote expected in October. State Watch: Delaware reported $743 million in individual income tax collections in Q1 2026, according to Census Bureau data. Courts & Public Safety: A federal judge sided with Eastern Shore landowners in a rail-to-trail dispute, rejecting the government’s position that the conversion doesn’t require compensation.

Delaware Elections & Governance: Eight proposed amendments to the Delaware Constitution are awaiting the next General Assembly, including four that could reshape voting and election procedures—most notably a proposal for 10 days of early in-person voting and a constitutional right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse. Courts & Public Safety: A federal judge struck down parts of Delaware’s ghost gun restrictions as unconstitutional, blocking bans on possessing certain unserialized guns and unfinished frames/receivers while leaving other limits intact. Small Business & Regulation: Gov. Matt Meyer says progress is underway on Executive Order 21, with a new Office of Small Business Access (OSBA) pushing to cut red tape, run listening tours, and review cottage food and food truck rules. Housing Politics: In Sussex County, Senate Bill 23 over affordable housing is still driving election-year friction, with officials pausing hearings while municipalities figure out compliance. Labor Market: Delaware’s unemployment rate fell to 4.7% for the fifth straight month, even as the labor force shrank. Business/Legal: A Delaware Chancery Court lawsuit alleges Carl Icahn-linked hedge funds coordinated appraisal arbitrage in the Endeavor buyout fight. Public Health/Compliance: FDA reports show one Delaware biologics company received an inspection in August, accounting for half of the state’s FDA inspections that month. Local Watch: Dagsboro officials debate annexing 134 acres west of Route 113 for a housing development, with a council vote expected later this fall.

Delaware Elections: Delaware’s Department of Elections has certified the Tuesday primary results, setting up the November general election and early voting starting Oct. 22 (with specific site lists across Sussex and Kent counties). Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested New Castle man Nolan Lewis after a traffic stop turned violent—two troopers were injured during his resistance to arrest; police say a concealed knife was found in the car. Courts & Governance: A Delaware judge ordered Fox to turn over hundreds of documents in a shareholder dispute involving Rupert Murdoch and the company’s past scandals. Federal Policy With Local Ripples: President Trump revoked the 2009 Chesapeake Bay restoration order, shifting federal funding toward projects tied to measurable water-quality reductions—prompting concern from Maryland officials and environmental groups. Energy/Environment: EPA moves to repeal major greenhouse gas rules for power plants, drawing pushback over public health and pollution impacts. Civic Life: Delawareans can also start planning for election staffing as poll-worker recruitment continues nationwide.

Delaware Elections: Delaware Department of Elections certified Tuesday’s Primary results, setting the stage for the Nov. General and early voting starting Oct. 22 (with no early voting Oct. 25). Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested Bridgeville man John Baker after an armed confrontation in Felton, alleging he threatened two victims with a handgun. Delaware Courts/Politics: Wilmington City Councilman Spadola is set to keep his seat after a Delaware Court of Chancery ruling found the council “misused” authority in an attempt to oust him. Statehouse/Policy: Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) says she’s running for House Democratic leadership as co-chair of the Policy and Communications Committee. National/Legal: A Delaware judge ordered Fox to turn over hundreds of documents in the shareholders’ case tied to major media scandals. Delaware Crime: State Police charged Walter Moorhead after a deer-hunting shooting in Ellendale killed a 39-year-old woman. Community/Health: Delaware’s primary election security and procedures were discussed by the county elections director at a League of Women Voters seminar.

Arts & Culture Fight: Thousands rallied outside the shuttered Kennedy Center, chanting “Hands off!” as supporters push back on Trump-linked changes and threats to “rip down” the building if his name isn’t added. Delaware Politics: Rep. Sarah McBride says she’s running for House Democratic leadership, seeking co-chair of the caucus’s messaging committee. GOP Civil Standards: Delaware GOP candidates Joe Arminio and Mike Katz are roiled after Arminio was removed from a forum for repeatedly misgendering McBride; Katz apologized and urged Arminio to drop out. Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested 74-year-old Walter Moorhead after a hunting incident in Ellendale left a 39-year-old woman dead; he faces manslaughter and related charges. Health Policy: A Delaware-Morrow mental health board levy heads to the Nov. 3 ballot, with supporters arguing local funding is crucial for access to counseling and addiction recovery. Local Governance: Lewes and other coastal communities keep weighing housing and development pressures as state rules and local review processes collide.

Delaware Politics & Elections: Delaware’s Department of Elections certified the results of the 2026 primary, including a closely watched GOP House District 33 race that was confirmed after a recount (Morgan Hudson over Matt Bucher by 7 votes), setting up the November matchup with Democrat Joshua Pennington. U.S. House Leadership: Rep. Sarah McBride announced she’s seeking a leadership role in the House Democratic Caucus, aiming to become co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Public Safety & Courts: Delaware State Police charged a 74-year-old Maryland man, Walter Moorhead, with manslaughter after he allegedly shot and killed a 39-year-old woman in Ellendale while hunting deer. State Fiscal Watch: Delaware reported combined tax revenues up 27.6% in Q1 2026 versus the prior quarter, totaling $1.9 billion, led by income taxes and corporate general license collections. Health Policy: A federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration from penalizing states over SNAP eligibility rules for lawful permanent residents, a move Delaware and other states will watch closely. Community & Civic Life: A Mount Gilead mayor urged voters to support a Nov. 3 levy for the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, arguing local behavioral health funding is personal and family-centered.

Public Health: Delaware parents are watching a growing measles outbreak in Pennsylvania, with some in the region accelerating vaccinations and adjusting routines to avoid Lancaster County. Elections & Parties: Delaware’s GOP faces fresh internal fallout after U.S. House candidate Joe Arminio was ejected from a forum for repeatedly misgendering Rep. Sarah McBride, while GOP Senate candidate Mike Katz called for Arminio to drop out. Courts & Governance: Gov. Matt Meyer nominated Mark H. Hudson for Sussex County Family Court, and also tapped Richards Layton attorney Kyle Lachmund for a Delaware Court of Chancery vice chancellor seat. State Policy: Delaware is accepting public comment on updated rules for direct shipment of wine, tied to a new licensing path for producers. Civic Remembrance: Newark held a National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony honoring missing service members, with Delaware National Guard leadership and Project Recover highlighted. Health Policy: A Senate health-care roundup notes committee confirmation hearings for Trump administration HHS nominees and House movement on Medicare Advantage transparency and other health bills. Workplace & Tech: Delaware SHRM is convening an Oct. 7-8 conference on how AI is reshaping hiring, layoffs, and the human side of work.

AG Data Privacy Fight: Delaware AG Nick Brown and 23 AGs won a preliminary injunction blocking federal agencies from demanding sensitive driver data from 17 million commercial drivers and from cutting over $10M in funding tied to AAMVA. Federal Health Policy: Trump signed an order to issue $500 Obamacare refunds to nearly 1 million people in federal-exchange states, including Delaware, tied to alleged overcharges from Biden-era user fees. Chesapeake Bay Overhaul: Trump revoked a 2009 Chesapeake Bay restoration framework, prompting pushback from Maryland officials and shifting federal priorities toward direct pollution-reduction projects. Local Courtroom Win: Wilmington City Councilman James Spadola keeps his at-large seat after a Chancery Court ruling that council can’t remove him over a party switch. Delaware Politics & Elections: Delaware’s GOP House District 33 primary recount confirmed Morgan Hudson’s 1017–1010 win; she faces Democrat Joshua Pennington in November. Public Safety & Courts: A Delaware bankruptcy judge is set to approve Simply Interior’s Chapter 11 liquidation plan, using litigation proceeds to pay creditors. Housing Pressure: State plans to boost housing production are colliding with strained Sussex County roads, with officials pointing to new state leverage and funding. Consumer Protection: AG Schwalb announced Delaware’s participation in a $694M multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance over auto-loan practices that allegedly set buyers up to fail. Health Watch: CDC reported 3,471 measles cases nationwide as of Sept. 17, with Delaware among jurisdictions reporting cases. Gov Appointment: Gov. Matt Meyer nominated Mark H. Hudson to the Sussex County Family Court, pending Senate confirmation.

Delaware Privacy Overhaul: Gov. Matt Meyer signed HB 380, amending Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act with lower thresholds, new duties for “reports,” tighter rules on profiling job applicants and workers, and added contract obligations for third parties—effective Jan. 1, 2027. Local Housing Friction: Millsboro officials pushed back on SB 23’s limits on adding subdivision conditions and bans on public hearings for “by-right” projects, raising fears of moratoriums and compliance headaches. Health Care Expansion: ChristianaCare’s $65.1M Georgetown campus is moving through town and state land-use review, with a public hearing before Delaware regulators and a possible 2029 opening. Consumer Protection: Delaware is among states in a Trump plan to refund $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans tied to federal Obamacare exchange “user fees.” Elections & Civics: Delaware’s primary recount confirmed Hudson’s GOP win in House District 33 by 7 votes, and a forum incident saw Rep. Sarah McBride’s opponent removed after misgendering. Environment: Trump repealed an Obama-era Chesapeake Bay restoration order, citing “rain tax” confusion and economic harm.

Delaware Primary Politics: Delaware’s closed primaries are back in the spotlight as advocates and a state lawmaker argue for open primaries, while unaffiliated voters say they’re effectively locked out until November. Delaware Elections: Delaware voters cast ballots in the Sept. 15 primary; a Kent County recount confirmed Morgan Hudson’s GOP win for House District 33 by seven votes. Delaware Courts/Corporate: Delaware Chancery tossed a challenge to Alteryx’s $4.4B sale after an overwhelming stockholder vote “cleansed” fiduciary-duty claims. Public Safety: Former Ridgely police officer William Paskey was indicted on seven counts of second-degree rape, with prosecutors alleging assaults between 2014 and 2025. Federal/State Policy: The U.S. Senate advanced a bipartisan college sports bill after a 77-22 procedural vote, with Delaware Sen. Chris Coons listed as a cosponsor. Government Transparency: A new look at local livestreaming and recording shows Delaware’s neighbors vary widely on open-meeting access. AI & Energy/Legal: Delaware-linked data-center scrutiny continues nationally, including a Texas AG investigation into whether a proposed AI data center violates long-ago parkland deed restrictions.

Delaware Farm to Community: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 53 into law, making the Farm to Community Program a permanent state initiative after USDA funding ended in 2025, aiming to keep farmers selling locally while food pantries, senior centers, and nonprofits buy Delaware-grown produce with state support. Marijuana enforcement update: Meyer also signed a bill renaming the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement as the Division of Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana Enforcement to reflect its role in policing Delaware’s legal cannabis market. Road naming: The Millsboro Bypass was renamed for longtime Sen. Richard S. Cordrey, honoring his decades of service and leadership in Delaware’s fiscal policy. Election law fight: Delaware Supreme Court arguments continue over whether the state’s permanent absentee voting statute is constitutional, with absentee ballots due soon for the November general election. Chesapeake Bay policy shift: President Trump revoked a 2009 Chesapeake Bay mandate, directing federal support toward projects tied to runoff reduction—Delaware is among the watershed jurisdictions affected. National politics & governance: The U.S. House advanced a data-center electricity cost bill amid midterm backlash, while the SEC moved to scrap a shareholder proposal rule that has shaped corporate governance for decades.

Delaware Primary Aftermath: U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride cruised to reelection after running unopposed in the Democratic primary, setting up a November matchup with GOP nominee Joseph “Dr. Joe” Arminio. Delaware GOP Picks: Republicans selected Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate and Arminio for the lone U.S. House seat, both with nontraditional backgrounds aimed at widening the party’s appeal. Attorney General Race: Incumbent Kathy Jennings won the Democratic AG primary, clearing the way for a general-election fight against GOP Dave Graham. AI & Governance: Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester and Sen. John Curtis are pushing for swift, public Senate Commerce hearings with AI executives to shape a regulatory framework. Consumer/Health Policy: The White House announced $500 Obamacare refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Delaware, tied to federal exchange “user fee” overcharges. Business/Legal Watch: Delaware Chancery ruled security firm Xonar properly removed a board member, finding later stockholder consent could be combined with earlier votes to meet the required majority. Data Centers Debate: A new push in Congress targets whether data centers should pay more of their own electricity costs, a theme that’s also driving state-level proposals like Delaware’s SB 353 moratorium effort.