Legislative Update, Week of January 20, 2025

The New Year Brings Transition at All Levels of Government

Federal

On Monday, January 20^th, Donald J. Trump (R) took the oath of office to serve as the 47^th President of the United States.  He commenced his administration by issuing a number of executive orders with indications that nearly 100 more will follow. He has forwarded 22 nominations for his cabinet and other senior posts to the Senate for consideration.  Hearings and deliberations on a number of the nominations have been underway.   More information on the inauguration and actions, both current and pending, can be found on the White House website.

State 

The Inauguration of Matthew S. Meyer (D) as 76th Governor of Delaware and Kyle Evans Gay (D) as 27th Lieutenant Governor took place on Tuesday, January 21^st in Dover.  Governor Meyer has forwarded nominations for his cabinet to the Delaware State Senate. Confirmation hearings are in progress.  He has also named his senior staff, with Vanessa Phillips as chief of staff, Wilson Davis as chief legal counsel, among others.  The Chamber extends our congratulations to Governor Meyer, Lieutenant Governor Gay, and his cabinet nominees and senior staff. We look forward to working with the new administration for the benefit of our state.  More information on appointments to date can be found at the following link to a WHYY article.

County

Marcus Henry (D) was sworn in as New Castle County Executive on Tuesday, January 7^th.  He succeeds Governor Matt Meyer as County Executive. He is in the process of completing hiring for his new administration. Mona Parikh will serve as chief administrative officer. Information on other executive office appointments can be found in a press release on the County’s website.  He succeeds Governor Matt Meyer as New Castle County Executive and is the first person of color to serve as New Castle County Executive.  The Chamber looks forward to working with the Henry Administration on behalf of the businesses and residents of New Castle County.

City of Wilmington

Also on Tuesday, January 7^th John C. Carney, Jr. (D) was sworn in as Mayor of Wilmington. Resigning as Governor of Delaware two weeks early to take the oath of office as mayor, he was succeeded in the interim by Bethany Hall Long (D), who served for two weeks as the 75^th Governor of Delaware. His inaugural address can be found on the City News page of the City’s website.  He succeeds Mike Purzycki (D) as mayor. 
 
Legislative Leadership and Committee Assignments in Place for the 153^rd General Assembly 

The 153^rd General Assembly convened on Tuesday, January 14.  It was a day marked by the swearing in of members and the historic installation of Melissa “Mimi” Minor-Brown (D-17th RD) as the first person of color and first African American to serve as speaker. The Chamber congratulates Speaker Minor-Brown on her election as speaker and looks forward to working with her for the benefit of the people and businesses of Delaware.
Legislative Leadership in both houses is as follows:

House Leadership:
Speaker:  Melissa Minor-Brown (D-17^th RD)
Majority Leader: Kerri Evelyn Harris (D-32^nd RD)
Majority Whip: Edward Osienski (D-27th RD)
Minority Leader: Tim Dukes (R-40^th RD)
Minority Whip: Jeff Spiegelman (R-11th RD)

Senate Leadership
President Pro Tem: David Sokola (D-8^th SD) 
Majority Leader: Bryan Townsend (D-11^th SD)
Majority Whip:  S. Elizabeth Lockman (D-3^rd SD)
Minority Leader: Gerald Hocker (R-20^th SD)
Minority Whip: Brian Pettyjohn (R-19^th SD)