Delaware

Newark is a Gov. Matt Meyer signature away from being able to levy a per-student tax on UD

Published

7 months ago

May 23, 2025

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Newark is a Gov. Matt Meyer signature away from being able to levy a per-student tax on UD

Delaware’s House Bill 34, allowing Newark to impose a per-student tax on the University of Delaware (UD), passed the state Senate unanimously.
The bill permits a tax up to $50 per student per semester, aiming to generate additional revenue for the city.
While the bill awaits Gov. Matt Meyer’s signature, Newark Mayor Travis McDermott assures a measured approach to implementing the tax if approved.

A per-student tax from Newark on his hometown college is closer to a reality than ever.

The state Senate passed House Bill 34, which would amend Newark’s city charter to allow it to levy a per-student tax on the University of Delaware. UD is the largest university in the state and the economic and cultural heartbeat of Delaware’s third most populated city. There weren’t any ‘no’ votes from any state representative of senator against the bill.

The bill allows the city to levy a tax of up to $50 per-student, per-semester. City officials have long been searching for an additional revenue stream to help with rising property taxes and utility costs. UD occupies nearly 40% of the city’s municipal borders, and it sits on untaxable land. But its students, faculty, staff and their families are the drivers of Newark’s economy.

Now the bill has to be signed by Gov. Matt Meyer. The governor’s office said the legislation is under review, but did not indicate anything further.

Newark Mayor Travis McDermott said this is a long time coming and thanked the bill’s sponsor, Democratic state representative for Newark Cyndie Romer, for her work to get it through.

“I think it’s a piece of the puzzle to achieving equitable funding for the City of Newark,” he said.

The bill has one amendment, deleting the cost of living adjustment made to the tax rate every year, keeping the limit at $50. If signed, it will be up to the city to put this into action.

McDermott said if the bill is signed into law, the city will not rush to levy a tax. After all, graduation is this weekend.

He said the council and city staff will look at what the best rate is and does not think the tax will start at the maximum allowed $50 rate. If signed, the city council will take a look at the rate while formulating next year’s city budget.

“I don’t want to just throw an arbitrary number out and say this is what the fee is going to be,” he said. “I think we need to do an analysis of what the services cost and what would be the appropriate fee to set. So, that’s going to take some work on city staff’s part to see where we want to put that number out.”

At its maximum rate, the city could pull in $2.4 million, which is about a 8% increase in revenue. Utility payments make up 75% of the city’s revenue. It has already hiked property taxes by 7.5% for the 2024-25 budget.

UD’s economic output is indelible. Blue Hens contribute more than $3 billion annually, according to a report in 2022. Despite its output for the city and state, the city only collects around $180,000 from the university annually from deals made in 1965 and 2002.

In an emailed statement to The News Journal on May 23, UD said it shares an interest in Newark’s improvements, financial viability and strength, and that the city’s issues with rising costs reflect its own problems. UD’s focus remains on access to its education.

“We prepare students, including thousands of Delawareans, for success in their professions, communities and beyond,” the university said in its statement. “Our goal is and remains centered on providing an accessible and affordable pathway to a UD education for our students – those who contribute social, cultural and economic value to the City of Newark.”

Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Delayed openings in Delaware: What schools are starting late?

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Delayed openings in Delaware: What schools are starting late?

Potentially icy road conditions have led every public school in Delaware to announce delayed openings for Dec. 15.

Every public school is operating on some sort of delay, most of which are two hours. The Delaware Department of Transportation already sent out a warning about treacherous driving conditions. Whatever has not dried from the Dec. 14 snowstorm will freeze over as temperatures plunge into the 20s and winds kick up over night.

The following school districts have announced delays.

New Castle County

Red Clay- 2 hours
Christina- 2 hours
Brandywine- 2 hours
Colonial- 2 hours
Appoquinimink- 2 hours
New Castle County Vo-Tech- 2 hours

Kent County

Smyrna- 2 hours
Capital- 1 hour
Lake Forest- 2 hours
Polytech- 2 hours

Sussex County

Milford- 2 hours
Woodbridge- 2 hours
Cape Henlopen- 2 hours
Laurel- 2 hours
Seaford- 2 hours
Delmar- 90 minutes
Indian River- 2 hours
Sussex Tech- 2 hours

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)

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Delaware

How much snow fell on Sunday? Totals for Philadelphia area

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

How much snow fell on Sunday? Totals for Philadelphia area

PHILADELPHIA – Snow stacked up quickly across the Philadelphia region Sunday, with new reports showing nearly 9 inches in some suburbs and several inches on the ground in much of the city.

December Snow in Willow Grove, PA (Photo: Tyler Thrasher/FOX)

The latest Public Information Statement from the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, issued at 10:36 a.m. Sunday, shows significantly higher snowfall totals than the early-morning reports. Many communities that were sitting at 1 to 3 inches before sunrise are now in the 5 to 8 inch range, especially north and west of Philadelphia.

5,500+ PECO homes, businesses without power Sunday as winter storm impacts region

In the city, an observation from Center City lists 3.6 inches of snow, while neighborhoods in the Northeast like Fox Chase, Bustleton and Somerton are reporting between 4 and 5 inches. An official reading at Philadelphia International Airport shows 1.3 inches, underscoring the sharp gradient from the airport to the rest of the city.

The heaviest bands have focused on parts of Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Lehigh, Carbon and Northampton counties, where multiple towns are now reporting 7 to 8 inches. South Jersey and northern Delaware have also seen a solid plowable snow, with widespread 4 to 7 inch totals in some communities.

These totals are based on reports collected through about 10:30 a.m. Sunday and may continue to rise where snow is still falling.

Snow totals in the Philadelphia area

Philadelphia

Fox Chase: 5.0″
Bustleton: 4.9″
Rockledge (city border): 4.9″
Somerton (1 SW): 4.3″
Center City/Philadelphia (observer): 3.6″
Philadelphia International Airport: 1.3″

December Snow in Willow Grove, PA (Photo: Tyler Thrasher/FOX)

Southeastern Pennsylvania

Chester County

East Nantmeal Twp: 8.8″
East Nottingham Twp: 8.5″
Malvern: 8.0″
Berwyn: 8.0″
Exton area: 7.9″
Atglen / West Sadsbury Twp: 7.8″
West Caln Twp: 7.5″
West Chester (2.4 SSE): 6.5″

Montgomery County

Blue Bell (2.3 NW): 8.7″
Near Worcester Twp: 8.5″
Skippack area: 8.0″
Harleysville / Salford Twp: 7.5″
Pennsburg area: 7.0″
New Hanover Twp: 7.0″
Pottstown area (including Stowe and NE Pottstown): 6.6″–7.3″
Norristown: 7.2″
Willow Grove / Jenkintown corridor: 6.0″–6.4″

Bucks County

Doylestown (3.4 SW): 8.0″
Hilltown Twp: 7.8″
Tinicum Twp area: 7.5″
Perkasie / Souderton / Trumbauersville: around 7.0″
Fricks: 7.0″
Newtown / Langhorne area: around 6.0″
Levittown: 5.0″
Croydon: 5.2″

Delaware County

Bethel Twp: 6.5″
Springfield: 6.0″
Upper Chichester: 5.5″
Aston: 4.8″
Morton: 4.9″
Lansdowne: 4.0″

Berks, Lehigh, Carbon and Northampton counties

East Nantmeal / Alburtis / Earl Twp / Lake Harmony / Lehigh Twp (Carbon): around 7.0″–8.0″
Coopersburg (Lehigh): 8.0″
Center Valley: 7.0″
Macungie (1 NW): 6.5″
Allentown: 5.6″
Bethlehem area: around 6.0″
Pen Argyl: 7.0″

New Jersey

Burlington County

Moorestown: 7.0″
Mount Laurel / Burlington: 5.8″
Medford Lakes: 4.8″
Mount Holly (NWS office): 3.6″

Camden and Gloucester counties

Haddon Township: 5.7″
Pennsauken: 5.7″
Pitman: 5.6″
Washington Twp (Gloucester): 5.5″
Monroe Twp (Gloucester): around 4.0″
Winslow Twp: 3.1″

Atlantic, Salem and Cumberland counties

Hammonton: 4.0″
Woodstown: 4.5″
Salem: 3.8″
Pennsville: 3.5″
Ventnor City: 2.5″
Atlantic City International Airport: 0.6″

Delaware

New Castle County

Bear: 6.8″
Hockessin: 6.0″
Wilmington (north): 5.4″
Newark area: 3.9″–4.6″
Middletown area: 3.8″
New Castle County Airport: 3.3″

Kent County

Smyrna / Clayton / Cheswold area: around 2.0″
Magnolia area: 1.4″

Winter Light Spectacular at Lehigh Valley Zoo canceled Sunday due to snow, cold temperatures

By the numbers:

Highest total so far: 8.8″ in East Nantmeal Township (Chester County)
Other standout totals: 8.7″ in Blue Bell (Montgomery County), 8.5″ in East Nottingham Township (Chester County), 8.0″ in Doylestown area, Coopersburg and parts of Carbon County
City of Philadelphia: generally 3″–5″ away from the airport, with around 3.6″ in Center City and up to 5.0″ in Fox Chase
Many suburbs: now in the 5″–8″ range, especially north and west of the city

What’s next:

Snow continues to impact travel across the region Sunday, with many neighborhood and secondary roads still snow-covered or slushy. Drivers should plan for reduced visibility, slick spots, and extended travel times, especially in areas that picked up more than 5 inches of snow.

The Source: This article is based on observed snowfall totals from the National Weather Service Mount Holly Public Information Statement.

WeatherPhiladelphia

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Delaware

How much snow will we get? Delaware under winter weather advisory

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

How much snow will we get? Delaware under winter weather advisory

Delaware is under a winter weather advisory for the weekend, with snow and bitterly cold conditions expected.
Snowfall of 1 to 5 inches is possible across the region, with higher amounts of up to 6 inches in New Castle County.
The snow is expected to begin Saturday night and continue through mid-morning on Sunday.
Bitterly cold temperatures and low windchills will follow the snow, lasting through early next week.

Gas the snowblowers and get those shovels out because snowfall is headed for Delaware.

Snow is forecast for this weekend with bitterly cold conditions then settling in through early next week.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, placed all of Delaware under a winter weather advisory and the Delaware Bay under a gale warning.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia and areas surrounding the city are under a winter storm warning.

Here’s a look at what to expect with the Delaware weather forecast for Saturday, Dec. 13, through Sunday, Dec. 14.

Delaware weather radar

When will it snow?

A period of snow is expected the night of Dec. 13 through mid-morning Dec. 14, according to the National Weather Service.

This may start as some light rain or a rain/snow mix south and east of I-95 before quickly changing to all snow. Snowfall intensity may increase for a time early in the morning on Dec. 14.

About 1 to 5 inches of snow across the region is possible. While the location of where a zone of higher amounts can occur is less certain, the greatest chances for this is mostly across the I-95 corridor, the weather service said.

The snow will begin falling around 11 p.m. in Wilmington while snowfall will begin in the central portion of New Castle County by midnight and the southern part of the county by 1 a.m., according to the NWS.

The northern part of Kent County can expect snow to start falling around 2 a.m. and areas around Dover by 3 a.m.

Snow will begin in the southern part of Kent County and northern portion of Sussex County around 4 a.m.

Most of Sussex County can expect snow at 5 a.m. while the southern part of the county will see snowfall by 6 a.m. Areas around Rehoboth Beach can expect snow by 7 a.m.

How much will it snow?

That will depend where you are in Delaware.

A total of 1 to 5 inches of snow across the whole area. There could be a zone of 5-plus inches near I-95 into southern New Jersey and northern Delmarva, where snowfall rates near 1 inch per hour are also possible, according to the NWS.

Snowfall intensity may increase for a time early Sunday morning, forecasters said.

Most parts of New Castle County can expect up to 4 to 6 inches, while Kent County could see up to 1 to 2 inches in some areas. Sussex County should expect at least an inch, the NWS said.

Delaware snow forecast

Here’s an AccuWeather town-by-town snow forecast for this weekend in Delaware:

New Castle County

Middletown: 3 to 6 inches
New Castle: 4 to 6 inches
Newark: 4 to 6 inches
Pike Creek: 4 to 6 inches
Wilmington: 3 to 6 inches

Kent County

Dover: 2 to 4 inches
Felton: 2 to 4 inches
Harrington: 2 to 4 inches
Milford (In Kent and Sussex counties): 2 to 4 inches

Sussex County

Georgetown: 1 to 3 inches
Millsboro: 1 to 3 inches
Rehoboth Beach: 1 to 3 inches
Seaford: 1 to 3 inches

Snow impacts

Here are some of the likely impacts of the weekend weather, according to the NWS:

Snow-covered roads and slippery conditions possible the night of Dec. 13 and the morning of Dec. 14.
Rain to snow could reduce the snow totals some. In addition, any pre-treating of surfaces would get initially washed away on the night of Dec. 13.
Hypothermia or frostbite could occur with prolonged exposure and lack of proper clothing. Some impacts to infrastructure are possible the night of Dec. 14 through Dec. 16.

Windchills reach single digits, gale warning

When you’re outside shoveling, make sure to bundle up because it’s going to be bitterly cold Dec. 14 into Dec. 16.

Bitterly cold conditions will arrive Dec. 14 and continuing through early next week with the coldest time frame the night of Dec. 14 through the night of Dec. 15. Air temperatures on Dec. 16 stay below freezing across the region.

By Sunday night, the windchill will make it feel like 6 degrees in Wilmington, 4 degrees in Dover, and 5 degrees in Rehoboth Beach.

Many areas will not get above freezing from Sunday through Tuesday until a warming trend begins Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Peak gusts of 25 to 40 mph will be present Sunday into Sunday night which will result in very low windchill values.

Areas of blowing snow are possible, which may result in roads becoming snow-covered again and reduced visibility at times, according to the NWS.

Wind gusts between 35 to 40 knots are probable on the Delaware Bay and the New Jersey and Delaware Atlantic coastal waters along with hazardous seas. Areas of freezing spray are possible the night of Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.

How do I stay safe in the snow?

It is strongly recommended that you stay at home when it snows.

But if you absolutely need to drive, make sure you bear in mind the following safety tips:

Drive slowly. Snow and ice can decrease traction on the road, so be sure to reduce your speed.
Avoid using cruise control.
Increase following distances from the usual two seconds to roughly five to six seconds, as it’ll take longer for you to come to a stop on snowy roadways.
Make sure you have at least a half a tank of gas in your car.
Make sure you have an emergency driving kit in your vehicle. Items should include blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, first-aid supplies, drinking water and shelf-stable food items like protein or energy bars and trail mix.

If there’s a chance you’ll have to shovel your driveway or walkway this weekend, make sure you pay attention to the latest weather forecast, wear appropriate clothing and boots, and drink lots of water.

Make sure you also pace yourself as you’re shoveling. Check if you feel any pain or soreness and have your phone close by in case of an emergency.

What should I do to keep warm?

With winter fast approaching, residents are recommended to take the necessary steps to stay safe as the weather turns cold.

This includes making sure your homes “can be safely heated” and you always have crucial items on hand in case of an emergency, including nonperishable and pet foods, water and medicine.

Delawareans are also encouraged to have a driving kit in their car this winter.

Items should include blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, first-aid supplies, drinking water and shelf-stable food items like protein or energy bars and trail mix.

Olivia Montes contributed to this story.

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