CANCELLED – Constituent Coffee on April 15

Friends and neighbors,

I am writing to let you know the joint constituent coffee with Speaker of the House, Representative Valerie Longhurst, on Monday, April 15 has been cancelled.

While I will miss seeing you, please know you do not have to wait for a constituent coffee to connect with me.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov , on Facebook , or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

April 2024 Newsletter – Updates from Senator Nicole PooreApril 2024 Newsletter –

Friends and neighbors,

I am writing to let you know what I have been working on as your State Senator.

In Delaware, our regular legislative session runs each year from the second Tuesday in January through June 30. To watch Senate proceedings live or if you want to come back later to watch recordings of past proceedings, click here. To view daily Senate Agendas, click here. To view upcoming committee meetings, legislative session start times, and more, click here.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov , on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

My colleagues and I celebrated Women’s History Month this year by recognizing two “firsts” — the first woman Speaker of the House in Delaware, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, and the first woman Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania, Rep. Joanna McClinton, who joined us in Dover earlier this month.

Each year, members of the Delaware General Assembly participate in the annual Easterseals Volleyball Challenge. One of my favorite events of the year!

Legislative Updates

While ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynecological cancers, most cases go undetected until it is too late.

That is why I was proud to serve alongside House Speaker Valerie Longhurst as a prime sponsor of the “Faith Deanna Johnson Act,” legislation that requires all health insurance companies operating in Delaware to cover annual screenings for women at risk of developing ovarian cancer. I want to thank my colleagues in the Delaware General Assembly for voting unanimously last week to pass this life-saving bill, which was immediately signed into law by Governor John Carney.

Thank you so much to Dwain and Karen Johnson, Faith’s parents, who repurposed the pain of losing a daughter into a crusade for better health care. Because of their advocacy and powerful testimony, countless lives will be saved.

Working Behind the Scenes

Delaware’s student athletes deserve support from their schools, their coaches, and the governing body that makes interscholastic sports function across the First State.

Yet over the years, concerns for good policy and regulations surrounding the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association were reaching an all-time high.

I thank the News Journal for highlighting the important work of my DIAA Task Force, which was established under my legislation, Senate Concurrent Resolution 19. For the past several months, I have been working with fellow legislators, athletic directors, parents, coaches, and school administrators to recommend improvements to the DIAA.

You can read more here at Delaware Online.

Anyone who cares for a loved one with a developmental disability, an aging parent, or someone with memory loss understands just how hard it can be to find the right health and community supports for them.

That’s why I brought forward Senate Concurrent Resolution 78, which established the “Enhancing Lifelong Community Supports for the Aging, Individuals with Disabilities, and Their Family Caregivers Task Force.”

Made up of representatives from various government agencies, health care workers, business leaders and community advocates, this group of stakeholders is hard at work creating a slate of recommendations that will better the lives of Delawareans who rely on assistance with daily living — and the family members and caregivers who provide the assistance.

To learn more about the work of the task force, click here.

Community News & Resources

I am excited to host a joint constituent coffee with Speaker of the House, Representative Valerie Longhurst, on Monday, April 15 at Bob Evans (1301 Governors Pl, Bear, DE 19701) starting at 5:30 p.m.

We will be joined by a special guest from the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit, who will give an informative presentation on a variety of consumer protection topics, including how to avoid becoming the victim of a financial exploitation scam, how a scam is investigated, and more.

We also hope to share important legislative updates and learn about the issues that matter the most to you.

See you there!

I had the privilege of welcoming American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer to the Delaware State Senate earlier this spring, and celebrated his visit to the American Legion Stahl Post 30.

2024 is off to a busy start!

Friends and neighbors,

The new year is well underway, and the Delaware General Assembly is back in session.

In Delaware, our regular legislative session runs each year from the second Tuesday in January through June 30. To watch Senate proceedings live or if you want to come back later to watch recordings of past proceedings, click here. To view daily Senate Agendas, click here. To view upcoming committee meetings, legislative session start times, and more, click here.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov , on Facebook , or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Legislative Updates

Every January 11, we take time to observe National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

My colleagues and I also unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 77, designating January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

As a legislative body, we have done so much over the last few years to prevent human trafficking — including the creation of the Department of Justice Human Trafficking Unit, the establishment of the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council, and the permanent addition of two positions under the Criminal Justice Council. These changes have solidified our efforts to provide funding and infrastructure to the Council and to our state’s efforts to combat human trafficking.

House Concurrent Resolution 82

House Concurrent Resolution 82, sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown and me, recognizes January 21 – 27 as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Week in the State of Delaware.

CRNAs have a wide scope of practice, and can be found in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered – from traditional hospital surgical suites to Public Health Services.

Thank you so much to CRNA’s and all of our healthcare workers for putting our health and welfare first!

Community News & Resources

January is also National Blood Donor Month! This is a great opportunity for you to give back to your community and help save a life.

Over the weekend, I joined volunteers from Charity Crossing for a blood drive at the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

You can make an appointment here: delmarvablood.org.

Access to funding is something that most startup and early-stage small businesses say is one of the most critical needs they have.

The Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) is helping many overcome this hurdle through its Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Program.

To be eligible to apply for the EDGE competition, your small business must have been in operation for less than seven years and have 10 or fewer full-time employees (calculations exist for part-time employees). As you get started, you are encouraged to connect with a Regional Business Manager in your county for guidance and feedback on your application.

DSB will being accepting EDGE applications for the first round of 2024 on February 1. To learn more, visit de.gov/EDGE.

The Delaware Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy is now accepting nominees for this year’s class of Delaware’s Women’s Hall of Fame and the She’s On Her Way Award!

The Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to recognize the achievements of outstanding Delaware women and their contributions to communities across the state. Members represent a variety of backgrounds and fields including artists, athletes, community advocates, public servants, military personnel, and scientists. There is no minimum age requirement, but nominees must have made an important and lasting impact on the lives of Delawareans, and must have resided in Delaware for at least 10 years during their lifetime. A complete list of inductees is available at http://tinyurl.com/muybd643.

The She’s On her Way Award celebrates the achievements and contributions of talented young women leaders making a difference in Delaware. All nominees must be between the ages of 18 and 40 by June 30, 2024. Nominees must also be native-born Delawareans or have resided in Delaware for at least five years. Nominees must show that they have made a positive impact upon the lives of Delawareans and have exhibited characteristics of good character, promise and hope; as well as have information and or examples that illustrate the nominee’s positive reputation and or leadership among her peers, and or her community.

You can help celebrate and recognize the achievements of Delaware women by submitting nominations. Nomination forms are available online at de.gov/women. The deadline for nominations is midnight on March 28, 2024.

Health & Safety Announcements

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind Delawareans that home fires occur more in the winter months than any other season throughout the year. In fact, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, & February. Nationwide, heating equipment is involved in 1 out of every 6 home fires and 1 in every 5 fire deaths. Please follow these winter fire safety tips to keep you and your family safe this winter season.

Heating

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.
  • Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (ex. space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
  • Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container. Keep it outside at least 10 ft from your home and any nearby buildings.
  • Never use your oven to heat your home.

Carbon Monoxide

  • Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely.
  • In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.
  • CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
  • Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
  • Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for.
  • Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel declare that it is safe to re-enter the home.
  • Only use gas or charcoal grills outside, as they can produce CO.

Portable Generators

  • It’s important to know that portable generators emit carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous, deadly gas.
  • Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 20 ft from all doors, windows, and vent openings.
  • Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
  • Place generators so that exhaust fumes are directed away from the building.
  • Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling.
  • Never refuel a generator while it is hot.

Other Reminders

  • Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
  • During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
  • If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.

State and local law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving and people who refuse to wear their seatbelts.

Distracted driving remains one of the primary causes of crashes in the United States, and puts the safety of pedestrians, passengers, and drivers at risk.

To avoid distracted driving, drivers can put their phones on “Do Not Disturb,” keep their phones in a place where they won’t be tempted to look at it, and pull over if they do need to use their phone.

Upcoming Colonial School District Referendum

Friends and neighbors,

I’m writing to provide you with some information about the upcoming referendum for Colonial School District, which will be held on Thursday, February 29.

In the State of Delaware, whenever a public school system requires new facilities or a significant addition to an existing building, the matter must first be approved by a popular vote of the residents in the district.

The following criteria will help you determine if you are eligible to participate in the referendum election:

  • Do you reside in the Colonial School District?
  • Are you at least 18 years old?
  • Are you are a U.S. citizen?
  • Can you show proof of your identity and address by bringing your driver’s license, state I.D. card or passport?

You do not need to be a registered voter and you do not need to own property to vote in a referendum. If you are unable to go to the polls to vote, you can request an absentee ballot. To learn more, visit elections.delaware.gov/school/referendum.shtml.

On January 9, the Colonial School District held its first public forum at William Penn High School for the upcoming referendum. Despite the weather, hundreds of families participated either in-person or online.

You can watch the recording of the livestreamed meeting at youtu.be/RboT_vEy5W8, and you can view the presentation at colonialschooldistrict.org/referendum-2024-resources/.

To learn more about the capital and operating referendums on February 29, please visit colonialschooldistrict.org/referendum-2024-ask-a-question/.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Crosswalk Construction on Lorewood Grove Road

Friends and neighbors,

I’m excited to tell you that work is finally underway on a long-awaited pedestrian safety project on Lorewood Grove Road just south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

Work officially began this week on a new pathway that will run across Lorewood Grove Road to connect the communities of Canal View at Crosslands and Crossland at the Canal.

Slated for completion by the end of January, this project will include a crosswalk and the construction of a median island with a flashing beacon that will alert motorists of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road.

Depending on weather conditions, crews will be working weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weeknights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to get this project finished. Motorists should use caution and expect minor delays in the area.

For more information, tune to WTMC 1380 AM, visit deldot.gov or download the DelDOT app.

Thank you for your patience during the construction and please drive safely!

As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

November 2023 Newsletter – Updates from Senator Nicole Poore

Friends and neighbors, I hope that you and yours are enjoying the fall season. I’m writing to provide you with some community updates about things happening in our area.

Please note that I am co-hosting a Community Meeting with Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown on Monday, November 6, at 6 p.m. We will meet in the New Castle Elementary Auditorium. You can find more information below.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov , on Facebook , or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Infrastructure Updates

Last week, I co-hosted a town hall with Senator Stephanie Hansen to discuss several local road and bridge projects in Southern New Castle County.

One of the largest projects in our area is the repair of the St. George’s Bridge. Below, you can view some of the slides and photos that were presented by DelDOT and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers about this project.

We discussed several other projects, including Boyds Corner Road (between Cedar Lane Road and Route 13), Hyetts Corner, and the Route 896/Route 40 flyover.

You can find more information about each of these projects using the DelDOT Project Portal — deldot.gov/projects/

You can also watch a recording of the meeting here.

Around the 12th District

Congratulations to the ONCOR coalition for their efforts to improve the park in Old New Castle. I was honored to attend your ribbon cutting ceremony!

It is always a pleasure to spend time with the Colonial family and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the culinary students at William Penn!

Community News & Resources

The current Medicare Open Enrollment period is now open and ends on December 7. Visit the Department of Insurance or call 302-674-7364 for more information.

Delawareans will have the opportunity to learn about the State Energy Plan, offer input for it, and become better informed about existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs at a series of public input sessions planned in November by the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council (GEAC).

The GEAC is tasked with providing recommendations to the State Energy Office within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on the latest update to the Energy Plan. Since June, GEAC workgroups have been focused on learning about where Delaware currently stands, where the state needs to go, and how best to get there in working to reduce carbon emissions.

The New Castle County session is scheduled for Monday, November 6 at the Route 9 Library from 5 – 7 p.m.

The General Assembly is working hard to support Delaware’s working families, including the passage of a Paid Family and Medical Leave program that in 2025 will begin providing eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid time off to welcome a child or provide care for a loved one.

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence is hosting a panel on Tuesday, November 7, about the new paid leave law that will include discussions about key implementation deadlines, who this impacts, and the overall benefits for both employers and employees. To register, visit bit.ly/PFMLevent.

Public Health Announcements

As the temperature drops outside, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has marked the start of 2023-2024 influenza (flu) season.

Each year, everyone who is 6 months of age or older should receive a flu vaccination. It is strongly recommended that children under the age of five, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with chronic underlying medical conditions get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible.

In addition to getting your flu vaccine, the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna DPH are now available. The RSV vaccine is available for people 60 years of age and older, and can be combined with flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

To find where to get your next flu vaccine, visit: https://rb.gy/wydmp. You can also stay up to date on the latest flu and covid data by using DPH’s My Healthy Community Portal: https://rb.gy/7rldn

During this flu season, remember these tips and tricks to keep you and your family as healthy as possible:

Get vaccinated for COVID, flu, and RSV if eligible,
Stay home if you’re sick to keep others safe,
Seek treatment if you test positive for any of the illnesses, and
Consider wearing a mask if you or someone close to you is at higher risk of illness.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is currently working to ensure Delawareans have the accurate information needed to feel comfortable in deciding whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Although the public health emergency is no longer in place, we ask that you consider reviewing the information DPH has available, because inaccurate statements are often made on this topic.

It’s our responsibility to make decisions that will benefit not only our health but also the health of our families, friends, and neighbors — while we continue to work through the uncertainty around COVID-19. If you are still unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, or if you know someone who is, DPH encourages you to visit de.gov/covidvaccine to find answers to any questions you may have.

Learn more emergency preparedness during a railroad incident

Friends and neighbors,

I’m writing to make sure that you know about an upcoming community meeting that I am co-hosting with Representative Melissa Minor-Brown.This community meeting is being held in cooperation of the Mayor and Council of the City of New Castle.

We invite you to join us on Monday, November 6 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the New Castle Elementary auditorium (903 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720) to learn more about emergency preparedness in case of a railroad incident.

During the meeting there will be a presentation from New Castle County’s Emergency Planner, Chris Hodgden and Lydia McPherson-Shambarger from Norfolk Southern.

We will also be joined by Chief of Police Richard McCabe, Chief of Goodwill Fire Company David Majewski, DNREC Emergency Response Chief Matt Higgins — as well as representatives from Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Division of Public Health.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Glasgow & Southern NCC Traffic Projects Virtual Town Hall

Friends and neighbors,

I’m writing to make sure that you know about an upcoming town hall that I am co-hosting with Sen. Stephanie Hansen.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, October 26 at 6 p.m. for a virtual town hall about various traffic projects across the Glasgow and Southern New Castle County area.

We will be joined by Sen. Townsend, Rep. Hensley, Councilmembers Bell, Carter, George, and Tackett — as well as representatives from DelDOT and the Army Corp of Engineers.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

REGISTER FOR THE TOWN HALL HERE

REGISTER FOR THE TOWN HALL HERE

12th Senate District Road Update

Friends and neighbors,

I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying the end of this beautiful summer!

I’m writing to let you know about a road repair in the 12th Senate District.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, community concerns, or just to say hi. I can be reached by email at nicole.poore@delaware.gov, on Facebook, or by calling my Senate office at (302) 744-4164.

Sincerely,

Nicole Poore
Senator, District 12

Lorewood Grove Road Re-Opens

Lorewood Grove Road, between Jamison Corner Road and Ratledge Road, is now officially re-opened. The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) closed this portion of Lorewood Grove Road on July 6 to complete crucial road improvements. The road was scheduled to be re-opened on August 7, but due to inclement weather there were some delays.

While Lorewood Grove Road is re-opened, there will still be contractors wrapping up road repairs within the Whitehall subdivision. Thank you for your patience during this time and drive safely!