Delaware
RISE salutes Rep. Paul Baumbach for bills on Medicare privatization for Delaware retirees
3-minute read
A special heartfelt thank you to state Rep. Paul Baumbach from all retirees and RISE members for HB 281 and HB 282. Just look at all those sponsors he has gotten onboard and more have signed on since he prefiled:
As far back as mid-August in 2022, when Councilwoman Lisa Diller and I decided to found RISE Delaware, we realized that it would take a massive, organized effort on everyone’s part to stop the state of Delaware from imposing its Medicare Advantage plan on its current and future retirees. Joined by Connie Merlet we decided to formally create and incorporate the entity “Retirees Investing in Social Equity” known as RISE Delaware.
We agreed that retirees must organize and force a change in the Carney administration’s plan to privatize Medicare. The state plan being proposed at that time would impede the health care access for over 28,000 state pensioners including state of Delaware retirees and retired Delaware teachers, as well as college and university faculty covered through the state of Delaware’s health benefits — including police and firefighters and other first responders. Please refer to my guest post of Aug. 18, 2022 in the Delaware State News for more details.
RISE Delaware organized its first rally on Oct. 4, 2022 at the Lewis Redding Building in Wilmington and despite a driving rainstorm more than 50 people showed up to protest the proposal to take away their promised benefits. We scheduled another rally on Oct. 12, 2022 in Dover at Legislative Hall and more than 150 people attended to support and vocalize their opposition to the Medicare privatization plan that the administration was threatening them with. RISE hosted numerous other rallies and engagement sessions with legislators. On June 13, 2023, we held a rally in Dover at Legislative Hall with well more than 150 people in attendance. The Delaware State News did an excellent job of covering these rallies and an important point was raised. As a RISE cofounder and rally organizer I was obligated to remind those in attendance not to rely on ongoing litigation for their benefits to be honored, instead insisting that retirees reach out to their elected officials to take legislative action. This is what I said:
“The battle is not going to be won solely by the courts. It’s going to be by laws changing towards taking action. So, as much as we need to fight in the courts to preserve, at least temporarily, our rights, that is not where the war is going to be won.”
During 2023, RISE Delaware held several other rallies against Medicare Advantage throughout the state. The rallies and social media efforts have helped the organization develop a network of retirees who have generously supported the legal efforts of RISE.
Despite the success of the lawsuit granting our organization a temporary stay of the Medicare Advantage mandate, we. At RISE, had always been aware that a permanent solution to stopping this privatization effort would have to come via legislators passing laws that would guarantee fairness and health care access for all current retirees and spouses and for future retirees.
More perspective: Enough is enough: Delaware retirees deserve health benefits they were promised
Now I’d like to recognize and thank a special legislator, Baumbach, who, as the vice chair of the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee, also realized that a permanent solution would have to be made in law. Baumbach took legislation that state Rep. William Carson Jr. and I had worked on together and crafted into a more formidable and doable group of bills that would benefit all retirees current and future. These bills are HB 281 and HB 282. I cannot overestimate the debt of gratitude all of us retirees owe to Baumbach but be assured that now is the time for all RISE members, activists, and supporters to email, hard-mail and call their representatives and senators and tell them to support and vote for these two very important pieces of legislation.
John Kowalko is a retired state representative who represented the 25th district and is a cofounder of RISE.
Delaware
Delaware seeks applicants for new inspector general position
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine Hundred, created an independent inspector general office tasked with finding instances of fraud, waste and abuse within state government and the General Assembly. Once chosen, the appointee will hire a staff, which is required to be certified in investigation, auditing or evaluation within three years. The inspector general has subpoena power authority to compel document production and issue public reports exposing corruption and wrongdoing.
The selection panel includes Sturgeon, Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez and members of the Delaware Bar Association and Association of Chiefs of Police. It also includes members of the public and community activists. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings chairs the panel.
“I’m excited that we’re finally at this point where we’re taking in applications and I just can’t wait for Delaware to have an inspector general to create another layer of accountability, transparency and trust in our state government,” Sturgeon said.
Applicants should have a record of integrity and ethical leadership, and experience in government oversight, investigations or public accountability, according to the State Department website.
The list of criteria for evaluating candidates includes requiring applicants to have 10 years of expertise in areas such as law, financial analysis, accounting, ethics or auditing. The ideal candidate would have prior experience in an office of inspector general.
DELCOG board member Keith Steck is on the subcommittee that created a list of qualifications for the job description. Steck, who has worked in an inspector general’s office at the federal level, said he is looking for someone with certain skills.
“They have to set up the function of the office administratively and the IG has to be independent,” he said. “That’s going to be an important point, I think. And then clearly investigative experience.”
The pick for inspector general will serve a five-year term.
While the state Attorney General and Auditor do investigations, Steck and other advocates said an Office of the Inspector General will not replace or duplicate the work of those agencies, a concern of those opposed to its creation.
Delaware
In Stock Today Cabinets LLC Expands Fabuwood Wholesale Distribution to Meet Delaware’s Growing Construction Demand
835 Pulaski Hwy, Bear, DE – November 26, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
In Stock Today Cabinets LLC has expanded its wholesale distribution operations in Delaware to serve the state’s robust construction and remodeling market, valued at $1.5 billion annually. The company’s Delaware facility now provides contractors, builders, and dealers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with direct access to Fabuwood wholesale kitchen cabinets, addressing critical supply chain challenges that have plagued the industry with 8-12 week lead times.
Delaware’s construction employment has reached 24,700 workers as of July 2025, representing a 6 percent increase from February 2020 levels, according to AGC Construction Employment Data. This growth, combined with the state’s median household income and strong housing market dynamics, has created substantial demand for reliable cabinet suppliers who can support accelerated project timelines.
The expansion positions In Stock Today Cabinets as an authorized Fabuwood distributor serving all three Delaware counties—New Castle, Sussex, and Kent—while extending coverage to Maryland, Virginia, and surrounding Mid-Atlantic states. The company offers the complete Fabuwood Allure product portfolio, including Galaxy Frost White, Galaxy Horizon Gray, Galaxy Nickel, Galaxy Cloud White, Luna shaker styles, and the Designer Collection featuring Cabernet Red, Forest Green, Macadamia Beige, Mint Green, Orchid Purple, and Galaxy Mocha finishes.
“Delaware’s remodeling market represents a significant opportunity for contractors and builders who need in-stock Kitchen Cabinets without the traditional waiting periods,” said Emin Halac, spokesperson for In Stock Today Cabinets LLC. “By maintaining extensive inventory and offering same-day pickup for select models, we enable construction professionals to meet their project deadlines while accessing wholesale pricing that helps offset material cost increases affecting the industry.”
The IBISWorld Delaware Remodeling Market report indicates that kitchen and bathroom remodeling represents a major segment of the state’s construction activity, with homeowners investing a median of $60,000 for major kitchen remodels and $20,000 for minor updates. Kitchen remodels offer a 96 percent return on investment for midrange projects, making cabinet quality critical for maintaining property values.
In Stock Today Cabinets provides wholesale kitchen cabinets that meet rigorous quality standards, including KCMA certification, Q12 quality protocols, solid wood construction, dovetail drawers, and Blum soft-close hardware. All Fabuwood products carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty, providing contractors and their clients with long-term assurance.
The company’s Delaware operation offers comprehensive support for construction professionals, including wholesale pricing structures, regional territory protection for dealers, marketing and sales support, technical training programs, and access to Fabuwood’s recently expanded production capacity. This infrastructure ensures consistent inventory availability for contractors managing multiple projects across the region.
In Stock Today Cabinets LLC operates as a multi-state distributor specializing in premium all-plywood kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. The company maintains locations in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Texas, offering both ready-to-assemble and fully assembled cabinet options. As an authorized distributor of Fabuwood and FIBO products, the company provides design consultations, delivery services, and multiple selection of cabinet styles to meet diverse project requirements.
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For more information about In Stock Today Cabinets LLC, contact the company here:
IST Cabinets Delaware
Emin Halac
(302) 321-1771
delaware@istcabinets.com
835 Pulaski Hwy, Bear, DE 19701, United States
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Delaware
DSBF Final: Odds On Put Option prevails in Ramona Hubbard – State of Delaware News
Odds On Put Option, driven by Tim Tetrick, won in 1:54.1 at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday
DOVER — Odds On Put Option parlayed a pocket trip into a lifetime-best 1:54.1 victory in the $110,000 Ramona Hubbard Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund championship for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Bally’s Dover.
Tim Tetrick sent Odds On Put Option to the lead from post 6 right at the opening bell, clearing even-money favorite Just Applause (driven by Jason Bartlett) through a :27.4 first quarter before yielding control to Warrens Charm (Art Stafford Jr.), who brushed from third, with a circuit to go. After stalking unabatedly from the pocket through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:25.4, Odds On Put Option was boxed on the final turn by Just Applause, who re-emerged to mount a first-over rally and engage Warrens Charm.
Just before the top of the stretch, Just Applause broke stride, enabling Odds On Put Option to angle off the pegs at the eighth pole and overtake Warrens Charm to win by a widening 1-1/2 lengths. Meemaw’s Column (Russell Foster) finished third, another 6-1/4 lengths in arrears.
Scott DiDomenico trains Odds On Put Option, now a four-time winner with $107,075 in earnings from seven starts, for Odds On Racing. As the 2-1 third choice, the He’s Watching-Odds On Hollywood filly returned $6 to win.
The DSBF series for 3-year-olds begin Monday, Dec. 1, with a single $20,000 first-round preliminary event for sophomore trotting fillies kicking off a 15-race card. First post is 4:30 p.m.
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