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

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


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  • 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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.”

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



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Delaware

Local police departments earn state accreditation

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Local police departments earn state accreditation


The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recently announced that the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department have both earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission.

As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive, on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members. 

“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware. The initial state accreditation of these police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security secretary and DPAC chair.



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DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc

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DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc


Dover, Del. – Three farms, one from each of Delaware’s counties, were inducted into the Century Farm Program by the state Department of Agriculture on Thursday at the Delaware Agricultural Museum.

Each of the family farms has been owned and operated for at least a century. Each received a sign for their farms, an engraved plate and legislative tributes.

In addition to Secretary of Agriculture, Don Clifton, and Deputy Secretary Jimmy Kroon, state Senators David Wilson (R – District 18) and Kyra Hoffner (D – District 14) were also in attendance.

Wright Family Farms are located in Harrington in Kent County. In 1919, the farm was purchased by William Wright. Over a century later, William’s grandson, Ronald, is the owner and his great-grandson, Greg, said he hopes to continue the family legacy by buying the farm from his father. 

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Although the event celebrated each family for their hard work and resilience, it also highlighted the challenges farmers have to surmount to stay in business today, let alone for a hundred years.

“The price of equipment, the price of fertilizer, the price of seed, everything is just gone up,” Greg said. “So, you know, everything’s going up that we gotta purchase just to stay in business.”

Clifton, Kroon and Wilson also echoed difficulties in balancing the need to preserve agricultural land with the need to develop housing and sustainable energy projects like solar power.

“I know housing is very important, and we want people to always have good housing, but at some point, I think you’re going to saturate the area with more houses than you have food to feed these people,” Wilson said.

Kroon also said there are difficulties in keeping future generations motivated to stay in farming.

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“When you think about it in the context of multi-generational farm families, there’s a real long-term challenge where a new generation may think twice about whether they want to keep farming if it’s always a struggle,” he said.

Clifton said farming has always been a challenging way of life, but it has been so since time immemorial.

“These families, their experience shows that they have an appreciation for the way of life and perseverance and that’s to be honored and emulated to the greatest extent possible,” he said.

Greg said he hopes to pass down the way of life so that his family legacy can live on for another hundred years, as well as for other families.

“A hundred years as the same family tilling the land, that’s, you know, that’s an honor right there,” Greg said. “And I hope that more farmers who are close to 100 years old will be doing the same thing. You know, keep it in the family.”

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Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River

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Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River


An investigation is underway after police said a man’s body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.

According to police, around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, emergency responders pulled an unidentified man from the Delaware River, near the Navy Yard. Medic’s pronounced the man dead at 9:11 a.m.

Léelo en español aquí.

SkyForce10 flew above as police and other first responders were on the scene.

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Police are working to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify the man.

This is a developing story; check back here for updates.



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