Inside state politics: Tense budget hearings, more unemployment benefits and baby formula

Welcome to The Press Room, a weekly roundup of the major stories and happenings of the 2023 Delaware legislative year.

For this issue, we focus on the tense moments in last week’s Joint Finance Committee hearings, how the state messed up a rollout of a new insurance plan and the lieutenant governor’s busy week.

As always, send story tips, feedback, ideas or good gossip to me at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow me on Twitter at @MereNewman.

JFC hearing highlights: Delaware State University shows up

Without question, Delaware State University had the most anticipated Joint Finance Committee hearing of last week.

It comes after students protested how the university handled recent cases of sexual assault. Just before President Tony Allen addressed the committee, Rep. Bill Carson, the chair, reminded lawmakers to focus on fiscal issues and the state budget – not “social." (Reader, it’s very common for lawmakers to ask questions that do not relate to the budget.)

Allen came prepared. He began his remarks by addressing the recent campus unrest and the immediate changes the university plans to take. People in the gallery loudly said “lie" and "Are they protected" while he spoke.

Students and parents were also ready. Two underclassmen spoke of the concerns about safety and the lack of trained counselors and resources available to students. They also noted struggles with water and building security. One mother gave emotional testimony about her daughter being sexually assaulted on campus.

BACKGROUND:Delaware State students aren’t fighting for campus safety. So what's next?

Sen. Dave Lawson, R-Marydel, asked Allen if he expects applications or donations to be affected by the recent challenges.

"I am hoping not," Allen said. "But my real intention is to lean in on this issue."

JFC hearing highlights: Del Tech salaries, union efforts

Moments also became tense during Delaware Technical Community College’s presentation.

Lawson pressed President Mark Brainard on the salaries of leadership compared to that of faculty and staff. He commented that the “top seems awfully heavy.” It’s worth noting that Lawson asked all of the college presidents' what their respective salaries were – with Brainard being the only one to actually publicly state his.

The senator then informed the president of complaints he had received from employees who were “run out” after discussions of unionizing. Brainard said he was not aware of any discussions of unionizing. He called it a “fantasy.”

“This whole idea of unionizing is interesting because unions have had a tremendous role in this country, and they typically have thrived in workplaces that are intolerable,” he said moments later. “I'm sorry, Del Tech is a great place to work.”

“Are you really going to sit there and say that you don’t know,” Lawson responded shortly after.

“Senator,” Brainard said forcefully, “If I knew about a union effort, I would tell you. Who's starting a union?"

“Well, they’re gone now,” Lawson replied.

One thing to keep an eye: The governor has recommended funding for a joint engineering program between DSU and UD. In five years, students could earn a bachelor’s degree from the HBCU and then a master’s at UD.

Delaware's 'utterly disastrous' rollout of a new Medicaid insurer

Last week, I wrote about how 40,000 Delawareans on Medicaid began an insurance plan called Delaware First Health – and some were completely unaware.

State officials said all of these residents are still enrolled in Medicaid and no one should face any disruptions in care. But I spoke with Medicaid recipients who say their providers denied them services due to their new insurance. It’s made them wait days, or even weeks, to see their doctors or get a necessary prescription.

“This rollout was completely and utterly disastrous,” said John McNeal, director of the State Council for Persons with Disabilities. Read the full story here.

FULL STORY:How Delaware's rollout of new Medicaid insurer left residents in need without care

The First State is a dangerous place for pedestrians. Can this grant help?

The city of Wilmington has been awarded a $200,000 federal grant to improve its sidewalks and crosswalks, as traffic fatalities continue to reach historic levels.

To put this in perspective: 2022 was the most dangerous year for traffic fatalities, with 165 deaths. It hasn’t been that high since 1988.

DANGEROUS ROADS:Delaware’s 2022 traffic fatalities reported 165 deaths, tying a record set in 1988

The money comes from the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill. Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said in a news release that the city plans to use this money on pedestrian signage, particularly in school zones.

A busy week for Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long

Delaware’s lieutenant governor announced last week that 44,000 cans of baby formula will be available to families with a baby younger than 12 months old.

The state had one of the worst shortages in the country earlier this year. Families can pick up one 28.2 oz canister through the Food Bank of Delaware, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and several other community organizations.

Hall-Long also last week announced a report by the Delaware Office of Early Learning Advisory Committee, which she chairs. It outlined 12 action items that, if the state takes, will lead to “the strong footing required to continue strengthening Delaware in measures of child well-being and education,” according to the report.

This line in the report did stop me in my tracks: “Half of three- and four-year-old children are not in a preschool experience.”

It will be interesting to see where this goes. Many of the action items are broad or vaguely worded, but early education has been cited as a major priority for both the governor and the General Assembly.

All this to say, keep an eye on what Hall-Long is doing in the coming months. Many Delaware politicos whisper she’s one of the likely Democratic gubernatorial candidates.

Update on unemployment benefits

Gov. John Carney signed legislation last week that will increase the maximum unemployment weekly benefits from $400 to $450. The state, previously, has the lowest unemployment benefits in the region.

What to look for this week:

Joint Finance Committee hearings continue. This week includes the departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Corrections. Here’s where to watch.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware politics: Tense budget hearings, more unemployment benefits