One of the three property reassessment reform bills passed in Delaware’s legislature this year will become law without the governor’s signature. 

Backed by Rep. Kim Williams, the bill in question extends New Castle County’s ability to tax residential and nonresidential properties at separate rates, indefinitely. 

The bill builds on the work also championed by the Stanton Democrat in special session last August, which allowed any New Castle County school district to reset and split tax rates for the 2025-26 tax year alone. 

Williams previously told lawmakers this latest bill “strikes a thoughtful balance” between administrative competence, local-level flexibility and taxpayer protection. Under the new bill, nonresidential rates cannot be more than 1.85 times higher than residential, according to the bill. 

More: Some businesses in New Castle County getting a tax double-check

This gives businesses and commercial properties slightly more flexibility than last year, which clocked in at two times the residential rate. 

The bill was one of several measures included in a property reassessment reform package introduced near the end of the legislative session. Other bills in the package would allow school districts to reset their tax rates for the 2026-27 school year and require municipalities in all three counties to share permit data monthly.

Three out of the five bills in that package cleared both chambers by the time the session gaveled out on July 1. Both the building permitting data and tax reset bills were later signed by Gov. Matt Meyer.  

While he said the bill does contain the measures districts need to reset rates ahead of the fast-approaching school year, the Democrat said he cannot back legislation that continues treating apartment buildings and other residential rental structures as commercial properties.  

“Across Delaware, apartments are home to our families, friends, and neighbors,” Meyer said in a statement issued Aug. 7. “But under this law, a building that houses teachers, nurses, seniors, first responders, and thousands of working families can be taxed at substantially higher rates than the single-family home next door – simply because those families rent instead of own.” 

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WSYX) — One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash Thursday night on State Route 315 in Liberty Township.

Investigators said a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Jared Freeman of Columbus was traveling southbound on State Route 315 when Freeman failed to curve.

The car went off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree, according to the preliminary investigation. Freeman died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

A Delaware dance teacher was arrested and charged with sexually abusing two teenagers who attended classes at the studio where she worked, authorities said Thursday.

Investigators believe Emily Pryor Albino, 23, may have abused additional students at X-Treme Dance Studio in Laurel.

According to police, Albino exchanged explicit messages with two of the victims.

Delaware state investigators suspect there are other victims who have not yet come forward.

Albino is charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, along with felony sexual solicitation of a child via an electronic device.

Following her arraignment, she was jailed on a $110,000 bond.

Representatives from X-Treme Dance Studio and Delaware state investigators were not immediately available for comment.

Detectives are urging anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact Detective R. Mitchell at 302-752-3794.

Tips can also be submitted via private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.