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The Green - Friday, January 17, 2014

Embracing the spirit of its name (The Green in Dover and the New Castle Green), The Green will provide an open-air meeting place for Delawareans to discuss events, consider issues and share ideas. This radio and online magazine will present the highest quality Delaware news and information. Through informed reporting, nuanced storytelling and in-depth interviews, The Green reaches past stereotypes and knee-jerk reactions to encourage a fuller, more robust discovery of Delaware, today.


General Assembly 2014: Democratic priorities

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Delaware lawmakers were back at Legislative Hall in Dover this week – beginning the second half of the 147th General Assembly.

And they did not waste time – failing to revisit a bill restricting gun access for those deemed dangerously mentally ill in the State Senate and working on bills involving minimum wage and who has final say on the state portfolio.

What else can we expect to see this year?

WDDE Political Reporter James Dawson sought out views from both sides of the aisle - starting with the Democrats – who control both chambers of the legislature. He sat down with Senate Majorty Leader David McBride.


General Assembly 2014: Republican priorities

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While Democratic lawmakers are the majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, allowing them to control the agenda – Republicans are trying to make their voices heard this year at Legislative Hall.

WDDE Political Reporter James Dawson sat down with House Minority Leader Danny Short to discuss Republican priorities. Their conversation started with an issue already generating some heat – raising the minimum wage.


Gov. Markell's nominee for Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice

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Last week – Gov. Jack Markell tapped Delaware Court of Chancery Chancellor Leo Strine Jr. as his nominee for Chief Justice of Delaware's Supreme Court.

Strine has served as a judge on the Court of Chancery since 1998 and as Chancellor since 2011. Prior to joining the bench, Strine was legal counsel and policy coordinator to then Gov. Tom Carper.

All that remains is for the State Senate to confirm Strine. His confirmation hearing is scheduled for January 29th.

WDDE contributor Jeff Mordock of Delaware Law Weekly and Delaware Business Court Insider joins us this week to discuss the Strine nomination and what it means for the Supreme and Chancery Courts in Delaware. (More)


Suit challenges DNREC on new CO2 limits for power plants

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New efforts in Delaware to cut carbon emissions from power plants under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or RGGI face a court challenge from the conservative Caesar Rodney Institute, Republican State Rep Jack Peterman of Milford and others.

The suit claims DNREC illegally lowered its carbon dioxide emissions cap below a level agreed upon by RGGI states.

The plaintiffs also claim DNREC illegally established a higher price floor and a new method for trading CO2 allowances without legislative approval - a move they say increased state residents electricity costs by a combined 50 million dollars a year.

DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara says that the General Assembly gave his agency the authority to make changes to RGGI.

WDDE contributor Jon Hurdle reported on the lawsuit in-depth and joins us on The Green to offer his insights. (More)


Enlighten Me: The evolution of Delaware's libraries

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This week in our Enlighten Me segment – we head to the library where recently, the First State has seen some major changes.

Earlier this week – a renovated Wilmington library reopenedafter a nearly $11 million facelift. Last October, a new $9½ million library was unveiled in Claymont. And it’s only been about a year and a half since the new library in Dover opened its doors.

But it’s not only the library buildings that are changing. Their mission is also being updated.

The director of Delaware’s Division of Libraries Annie Norman visited our studio this week to discuss the evolving role of libraries in the First State. (More)

Offer your suggestions for Enlighten Me on our Facebook page for The Green, on Twitter - @TheGreenDE – or by emailing us at thegreen@delawarepublic.org