Delaware

Government transparency in Delaware is far from perfect. Here are three fixes

Published

9 months ago

March 7, 2024

Press Room

Government transparency in Delaware is far from perfect. Here are three fixes

3-minute read

Eric Morrison
| Special to the USA TODAY Network

Recently, I introduced three bills not just because they are important on their own but also because I believe strongly in good government and transparency. For a number of years, in multiple surveys and studies, Delaware’s grades for good government and transparency have consistently been a D or an F. Also, according to multiple polls, Americans’ faith in government and electoral politics is at an all-time low. We cannot just talk the talk. We must walk the walk and institute laws in these areas to work towards better government and electoral processes.

Once per year in non-election years and several times per year in election years, candidates for public office — including elected officials — submit campaign finance reports detailing contributions and expenditures. I’ve introduced House Bill 292 requires that all such reports be reviewed by the Department of Elections, or DOE, for any violations of campaign finance rules. Currently, a candidate submits a campaign finance report and it immediately appears on the DOE public website after undergoing only a few high-level system checks. Per HB 292, reports would appear on the website immediately but the would show in “Submitted But Not Reviewed” status.

Then, the report would be reviewed by DOE employees. If no violations or suspicious patterns of contributions or expenditures are found, the report status is updated to “Reviewed and Final.” If issues are found, the DOE works with the candidate to rectify the situation and submit an amended report. If violations are found that are not simply mistakes, the DOE refers the case to the Attorney General’s office. It is unfathomable to me that candidates’ reports currently undergo no “eyes-on” scrutiny.

I’ve also introduced HB 291 which does three things. First, it requires that candidates’ campaign finance reports include the names of donors’ employers and the donors’ job titles. This is already required in 38 other states and at the federal level. These two pieces of information will be retained by the DOE “behind the scenes.” The information will not appear on campaign finance reports or be subject to FOIA requests. Donors’ employers and job titles raise a flag for the DOE regarding possible campaign finance violations. (See the information below about the infamous Tigani case.)

Second, HB 291 requires that when a candidate unintentionally accepts more money from an individual or entity than they are allowed, they must return that surplus money to the donor. It prohibits such candidates from donating the surplus money to a charitable organization (which they may currently do) so they cannot make such those donations public and gain “political mileage” from them. Third, HB 291 requires the DOE to maintain a specific telephone number and area on their website through which individuals may report suspected campaign finance violations.

These three parts of HB 291 came from a 2013 report written by E. Normal Veasey. At the time, he was a Special Deputy Attorney General. Later, he served as the Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. Veasy served as Independent Council in a case in which the owner of NKS Distributors, Christopher J. Tigani, plead guilty to violating federal and state campaign finance and tax laws and was sentenced to two years in prison. Tigani had been giving money to his employees to donate to certain candidates for public office — known as “pass-through donations.”

In the 107-page report, Veasy included various recommendations on how to improve campaign finance laws in Delaware. Unfortunately, hardly any of those recommendations have been instituted since the report was issued eleven years ago. It is not just me — and other legislators including Republicans who have signed onto my bill — who know we need HB 291. It is also a former Special Deputy Attorney General and former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court who served as Independent Council for the most notorious case of campaign finance rules in Delaware history.

Finally, I’ve introduced HB 319 to address nepotism in state government, having worked with the Delaware Department of Human Resources, or DHR, on this effort. DHR recently instituted a much more restrictive nepotism policy than their previous one, but it does not apply to all state employees including the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches. HB 319 mandates that these branches of governments and other state agencies must draft and implement nepotism policies that are at least as restrictive as the new DHR policy. Otherwise, the DHR policy applies to those governmental branches and state agencies.

I hope that my colleagues in Dover will support all three of these important bills.

Eric Morrison is state representative for the 27th District which includes parts of Newark, Bear and Middletown.

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Delaware

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for Nov. 23, 2024

Published

4 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for Nov. 23, 2024

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

12-13-34-44-67, Powerball: 08, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 7-9-1

Night: 8-5-1

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 8-4-2-0

Night: 3-6-9-6

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

02-05-09-20-27-31

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

11-20-21-26-31, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

02-08-10-14-49, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 9-3-5-9-8

Night: 9-9-6-1-6

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.

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Delaware

Delaware County Sheriff's Office investigating murder-suicide involving mother and two children

Published

12 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Delaware County Sheriff's Office investigating murder-suicide involving mother and two children

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office reported they found an abandoned vehicle with a deceased woman and two children inside on the morning of Nov 23.

The Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle was found near Highway 85 and East 340 Road.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office

They said a preliminary investigation identified the woman as Alisia Pena of Tulsa and two children belonging to her. Both children are under the age of ten.

The Sheriff’s Office said it believes the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide on the part of the mother, but the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.

2 News is working to learn more and will update this story as we learn more.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —

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Delaware

Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region

Published

21 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region

From walks to drive-thrus, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a holiday light show this season.

Various shows and events are taking place throughout Delaware and across the Philadelphia region this year.

Here are nine holiday light shows to check out:

Longwood Gardens

Spectators of the holiday light show at Longwood Gardens are in for a special treat this year as “A Longwood Christmas” kicks off amid the opening of “Longwood Reimagined.”

The expansion features new spaces like the West Conservatory, which will offer new areas to deck out for the holidays.

Longwood Gardens, located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, launched its holiday light display on Friday, Nov. 22, and it will run daily through Jan. 12. To make a reservation, visit the sprawling garden’s website.

Address: 1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Website: longwoodgardens.org

Yuletide at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library

Holidays at the Winterthur Museum on Route 52 features twinkling lights adorning the woodlands, a large-scale gingerbread house and an 18-room dollhouse, according to the museum’s website.

The holiday display will be open to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 5.

You can purchase tickets online or by calling the museum at 800-448-3883.

Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware

Website: winterthur.org/

Holidays at Hagley

Get a glimpse of Hagley Museum and Library around the holidays with a holiday home and garden tour.

The site features a gingerbread house contest, Santa day, holiday night tours and more.

The holiday experience at Hagley runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Purchase tickets online to schedule your holiday tour.

Address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville, Delaware

Website: hagley.org/

Drone show at the Riverfront

The Wilmington Riverfront during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 6, will host a drone holiday light show.

The free holiday light show will take place on the Riverwalk. For more information about the event, visit the Riverfront’s website.

Address: Michael S Purzycki Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware

Website: riverfrontwilm.com/event/drone-light-show

Shady Brook Farm

If you are willing to take a drive for a holiday light display, look no further than Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Shady Brook Farm.

You can drive through the holiday show yourself or take a wagon ride through. The holiday festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 23 and run through Jan. 5, 2025. Ticket prices are per vehicle and vary depending on the day of your visit.

The farm also features Santa’s Village with gifts, treats, firepits and a Candy Cane Lane walk-through.

Address: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania

Website: shadybrookfarm.com

Gift of Lights Dover

The Dover Motor Speedway will once again host its drive-thru holiday light show this year.

Tickets are priced per carload at $35 per car and $60 per bus or limo.

Address: 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover, Delaware

Website: giftoflights.ticketspice.com/gift-of-lights-dover

The Brandywine Railroad

Since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad has displayed model trains, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys as part of its annual holiday display.

The display also features interactive options like “push buttons and foot pedals” so visitors can engage with the train setup.

The holiday display began on Saturday, Nov. 16, and runs through Jan. 5. For more information visit the Brandywine Museum of Arts’ website.

Address: 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Website: brandywine.org/museum

Holiday Lights Express

Take a festive ride on 100-year-old heated coaches through the Red Clay Valley to see homes decorated for the holidays.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad hosts one-hour evening train rides during the month of December. To purchase train tickets, visit the venue’s website.

For a visit from Santa Claus, be sure to reserve train tickets for the Santa Claus Express.

Address: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner, Delaware

Website: wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights

NOËL at Nemours Estate

Experience the holidays at the Nemours Estate by touring the 77-room mansion, chauffer’s garage and gardens adorned in twinkling lights.

The estate also will feature live music performances throughout the season.

The festivities at the Nemours Estate began Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will extend through Sunday, Dec. 29. Purchase tickets on the estate’s website and reserve your visit.

Address: 1600 Rockland Road, Rockland, Delaware

Website: nemoursestate.org

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

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