Delaware Chamber Of Commerce

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Biden still in touch with his Claymont roots
Aug 27, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Biden attended Holy Rosary School, which recently merged with St. Helena's School near Penny Hill, before enrolling as a high school freshman at Archmere Academy in 1957. I probably know him more than any politician.
Jill Biden is an educator and much more
Aug 24, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
The News Journal Jill Biden has never been shy about saying that politics aren't her life or her love. Ruth Ann Minner called Jill a warm, wonderful and friendly person. "I don't know that she loves to campaign, but she and Michelle [Obama] both will be very active," she said. After several friends were diagnosed with breast cancer, she founded the Biden Breast Health Initiative, designed to teach high school girls about breast self-exams and breast health.
Obama, Biden close, not identical, on issues
Aug 24, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is rated more conservative than Obama on foreign-policy issues. Biden voted to ban a late-term abortion procedure that opponents call "partial-birth" abortion. Energy: In 2005, Biden voted against an energy plan endorsed by President Bush emphasizing oil and gas production.
Education key for Del. Latinos
Aug 22, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
SUMMER HARLOW More than half of Delaware's Latino residents speak little or no English, according to a new needs assessment of the state's Hispanic population. With 46 percent of Hispanics citing discrimination as a major problem, it was viewed as the second most important issue facing Delaware's Latinos. The bulk of the state's Latinos, about 66 percent, live in New Castle County, followed by Sussex County with 26 percent and Kent County with about 8 percent.
Education, crime are hot debate topics
Aug 22, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Charlie Copeland and Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn, faced off for the first time. John Carney and Treasurer Jack Markell and Independent Mike Protack were the three gubernatorial candidates on hand. Republican Copeland and Democrat Denn disagreed on the issue of eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted of drug offenses -- one of Copeland's banner issues.
Gordon, Coons go 'toe to toe' on finances
Aug 22, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Coons, 44, a former attorney at W.L. Gore & Associates, was council president during Gordon's last term in office and is seeking a second term. The biggest chasm between Gordon and Coons is their view over county finances, with each accusing the other about not being truthful on the numbers. Coons repeated the same message he's said before: While Gordon left the county millions in surplus cash, he began funding programs using unstable sources of revenue.
Carney outlines child health plan
Aug 21, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Carney also vowed to expand the state-federal health insurance program for the poor. State Treasurer Jack Markell, Carney's opponent in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary, said Carney, the chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission, should've expanded SCHIP years ago. The pediatric health care provider Nemours Health and Prevention has found that 36 percent of children in Delaware are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
Candidates favor wider recycling
Aug 20, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Democratic hopeful John Carney Jr. and Republican Mike Protack believe a statewide effort would succeed. Carney faces Markell in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary. Windmills, not platforms Markell said he would rather see the state pursue more wind power, solar power, and geothermal power.
State reduces workers' comp rates
Aug 20, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
ERIC RUTH For the second time in nine months, the state has ordered insurance companies to cut their rates on workers' compensation premiums in Delaware, this time by 11.5 percent. The lower rates in the current round of cuts can be achieved through a fee schedule that limits what doctors can charge for certain procedures, Denn said. Total workers' compensation premiums paid by Delaware employers last year were estimated at $122 million.
Lawmakers back Westside, health care
Aug 14, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Mike Castle, R-Del., are longtime backers of the federally supported community health centers, which treat patients who might otherwise go without medical care. Joe Biden, D-Del., was among 74 Senate co-sponsors of the Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008. Increased funding is important for Westside, one of four federally funded health centers in Delaware, said Lolita Lopez, its president and chief executive officer.
Carney lays out plan for higher education
Aug 13, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
John Carney Jr.'s priorities for strengthening Delaware's higher education efforts. Carney wants to expand SEED to Delaware State University. Carney called for state officials to better utilize Delaware Tech's resources.
Denn, Copeland accuse each other of distorting facts
Aug 8, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Charlie Copeland for saying the issue should remain on the table with other energy options. Copeland said some bloggers asserted that Sen. Harris McDowell, who chaired the committee, was trying to undermine the agreement. "I think that [Denn] reads too many blogs," Copeland said.
Legislators question power given to finance director
Aug 8, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Ruth Ann Minner suggested creating the OMB through the merger of several offices in 2005, an attempt at government consolidation to streamline state procedures, increase efficiency and save money. It created a director who wields power with no additional oversight. Bonini said a part of the problem is that the Legislature has abdicated some of its power to Davis' office, giving up oversight of purchasing and spending.
New post at DNREC raises questions
Aug 7, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
There are planners in DNREC currently." Now the job is up for grabs again -- and Walling again appears to be the leading candidate -- after winning an exception to Minner's hiring freeze. Empty jobs remain frozen across Delaware's 17,000-employee work force, and about one in seven DNREC jobs is vacant. DNREC, with about 860 positions now authorized for all programs, will have about 150 vacant positions even after the first series of hirings.
Candidate vows more college aid
Aug 5, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Markell wants to create and fund a $1 million 21st Century Delaware Campaign to market higher education opportunities in the state. Both of Markell's higher education announcements included proposed efforts to increase research funding and high-level research projects in Delaware. Markell previously announced that he wants the state to create a program to offer matching grants for federal research funding obtained by Delaware colleges and universities.
Take a vacation, get that cheaper surgery
Aug 4, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
In a few cases, procedures overseas can cost one-10th as much, Keckley said. Most of their physicians are U.S.-trained and know all the latest techniques, according to Keckley and Michael Taylor, a global health consultant at Towers Perrin. Still, health insurers are looking to cut costs, and some patients may view overseas trips as a vacation, said Tom Garvey of TMG Consultants Inc., which does health care consulting work.
DNREC caps ash operation
Aug 3, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
One regional incinerator pays VFL $45 a ton to have ash hauled to Wilmington. Bunting-Howarth said the order, already accepted by VFL, goes far beyond powers normally granted to DNREC. Oversight is divided between two different DNREC divisions.
Votes in Congress
Aug 3, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Voting yes: Castle, Gilchrest, LoBiondo, Sestak Voting no: Pitts Not voting: None REP. Voting yes: Carper, Biden, Cardin, Mikulski, Menendez, Lautenberg, Specter, Casey Jr. Voting yes: Carper, Biden, Cardin, Mikulski, Menendez, Lautenberg, Specter, Casey Jr.
Carney details economic goals
Aug 2, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
ESTEBAN PARRA Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Carney on Friday outlined initiatives he believes will help increase opportunities for women and minorities who own businesses. The percentage improves slightly, to about 2 percent, if the $28.6 million that went to women-owned businesses is included, Carney said. He presented his plan at Wilmington's Holley Enterprises, a minority-owned masonry and demolition company that has nearly given up on doing business with the state.
Bradenton, Fla., bank closes
Aug 1, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Today, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation closed First Priority of Bradenton, the FDIC said. The FDIC was then named receiver of the bank, and entered into an agreement with Atlanta-based SunTrust Bank to assume its insured deposits. The six branches of First Priority Bank will reopen on Monday as SunTrust branches.
State agencies OK wind farm deal
Aug 1, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
The wind farm is expected to have roughly 66 turbines dedicated to Delmarva's customers. Bluewater is working to find other customers to expand the farm and Maryland Gov. The vote followed a deal between Bluewater and Delmarva, brokered by Senate Majority Leader Anthony DeLuca, that was announced June 23.
House OKs bill that would keep students insured on medical leave
Jul 31, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
NICOLE GAUDIANO WASHINGTON -- The House passed legislation Wednesday to expand options for sick college students facing what lawmakers say is a difficult choice between their health insurance and their health. Some insurance plans allow college students to remain covered as dependents only if they attend school full time. While Castle was optimistic, the bill's lead sponsor, Rep.
Power plans on the agenda for Thursday
Jul 29, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
The staff, whose counsel the PSC usually follows, also recommended giving final approval to the compromise between Bluewater Wind and Delmarva for a wind farm project off Rehoboth Beach. The recommendation was signed by James Geddes, PSC staff counsel. This came after major price increases to Delmarva customers.
Now he wants his old job back
Jul 27, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
That evidence, prosecutors contended, would have painted the picture of how Gordon and Freebery created "an atmosphere of fear and intimidation" in county government. Ultimately, Gordon pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of failing to provide accurate tax information to the IRS for two county employees. All of that gets fuzzier with the passage of time.
Middletown's 2009 budget up 10%
Jul 25, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
By AL KEMP The News Journal MIDDLETOWN -- The fiscal 2009 operating budget Town Council adopted this month increases spending related to growth but holds the line on taxes and utility rates. The capital budget is about $8.9 million, a 37 percent increase from last year's plan. Krenzer attributed the decrease to slowdown in the housing market in 2007 and 2008.

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