Friends and neighbors,
Just dropping in to provide you with some updates from Legislative Hall and around the community before we head into the weekend.
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 News
May is always a busy month in Legislative Hall — and this year is no exception! I have already introduced several pieces of legislation, dealing with a range of issues. For example, I am the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 70, which addresses the link between animal abuse and domestic violence. This bill, in partnership with Sen. Hansen’s Senate Bill 71, help the Division of Families Services to report animal abuse as a precursor to domestic violence, and allow family pets to be covered under PFAs (protection from abuse orders.)
I’m also glad to report that my bill, Senate Bill 98, passed the Senate this week!
In 2021, we passed House Bill 48 that established a health care provider loan repayment program for primary care providers. Under this program, the Health Care Commission was granted authority to award education loan repayment grants of up to $50,000 a year for new primary care providers.
Under my legislation, Senate Bill 98, this program will be expanded to include behavioral health and dental professionals. This bill also extends eligibility for applicants to apply up to two years after graduation — whereas the program requires current graduates to apply within six months.
Community Updates
As Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, I was deeply honored to join U.S. Senator Chris Coons, General Frank Vavala and distinguished leaders from the Delaware Military Academy for this year’s Change of Command ceremony earlier this week.
So many bright young Delawareans have chosen to pursue a career in one of our five branches of the military — and we could not be more proud of their dedication.
Congratulations to the following students who will each attend one of them service academies next year:
- Giada MacNamara, USNA
- Maria Puka, USNA
- Danny Williams, USCGA
- Jackson Dorsey, USCGA
- Robert Pistoria, USCGA
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — and this year, we passed a resolution designating May 5, 2023 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day in Delaware.
DelDOT Notice
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has announced some overnight closures of the I-95 SB to Rt 896 NB ramp each night from Sunday, May 14th through Thursday, May 18th to perform drainage work.
Additionally, daily lane closures will be implemented on I-95 southbound (night) and I-95 northbound (day) during the following times:
Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18:
- SB I-95 right lane closure (8PM to 6AM)
- SB Rt 896 left lane closure between I-95 overpass and Old Baltimore Pike (8PM to 6AM)
- Overnight Ramp Closure each night, SB I-95 to NB Rt 896 (10PM to 6AM). Detour will be posted and can be seen below.
Sunday, May 14 through Tuesday, May 16:
- Overnight lane shift/shoulder closure on ramp from southbound Rt 896 to SB I-95 (8PM to 6AM). Ramp remains open.
Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19:
- Daytime single left lane closure on I-95 NB (9AM to 8PM).