Issues Discussed in this Update:
- 1. The Federal Government Shutdown
- 2. Property Reassessment
- 3. SEPTA Service Restored
- 4. DRAFT 2025 Climate Action Plan
Save the Date:
NCC Chamber Policy Makers Breakfast, featuring U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Date & Time: Monday, October 27, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Location: Eastside Charter School, 3000 N Claymont St, Wilmington, DE 19802 [Registration]
1. Federal Government Shutdown
As of Monday, October 6, we are in the sixth day of the current federal government shutdown. Following below is information including the latest developments (as of Sunday evening), a brief synopsis of what led to the shutdown, and some links to informational resources from the members of the Delaware Congressional Delegation and the White House. (At this stage, we are not sure how long the shutdown will last.) A more thorough summary and background is available by clicking the following link.
On Friday, October 3rd, a continuing resolution designed to end the current government shutdown and fund federal government operations until November 21st failed to reach the votes needed for passage in the United States Senate (cloture). As of this writing (Saturday, October 4th), the shutdown, which commenced at midnight on September 30th - October 1st, continues.
On Monday, October 6th, House Democrats plan to hold a virtual meeting at 6:00 p.m. The House is currently in recess, with indications from the Speaker’s Office that members will be given 48 hours’ notice in advance of a vote to allow for travel back to Washington, D.C.
Guidance from Congressional Delegation & White House
For more information on the government shutdown and on what resources are available to aid in navigating it, you can visit the respective webpages posted by members of the Delaware Congressional Delegation:
The Trump Administration has also posted information and guidance on the White House site:
In accordance with Circular A-11, agency contingency plans for a lapse in appropriations are hosted solely on each agency’s website.
Background on the Most Recent Legislative Actions
On September 16th, As the September 30th end of the federal fiscal year approached, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (H.R. 5371) with the intent of extending funding of federal government operations, at current levels, through November 21st. The measure passed by a party-line vote of 217-212.
On Friday, October 3rd (two days into the shutdown), the measure failed to gain passage by a roll call vote of 55-45 (60 votes needed for cloture and passage). One Democrat, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and one Independent, Senator Angus King (I-ME) voted with the majority (Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate).
Key Disagreements & Other Contributing Factors
Among other points of contention, Democrats are intent on preventing a some of the large cuts to Medicaid and other federal programs and agencies to which they are strongly opposed. They are also seeking to prevent the expiration of subsidies and tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which on or around the end of the month.
In the current political climate, it is proving particularly challenging to reach bipartisan consensus on major issues – both foreign and domestic. At the end of President Biden’s term, Congress did not pass an FY 2025 budget via the regular appropriations process before the end of FY 2024 (last September 30th).
A series of continuing resolutions, accompanied by ongoing negotiations and brinksmanship, funded federal government operations, with certain additional funding authorized, until the passage and enactment (signature by President Trump) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1 -119th Congress) which was signed on July 4th. Rather than being developed and passed using the regular appropriations process, the bill was drafted and passed via a process known as “reconciliation, ”an expedited two-phase process that requires a simple majority in both houses, as opposed to the regular process which would require a simple majority in the House in the final phase and a two-thirds (60-vote) majority to pass the Senate (60 votes being required to reach cloture in the upper chamber.)
With both sides dug in and political pressures on members of both parties making compromise more difficult than at any time in recent memory, passage of an FY 2026 budget package via the regular budget process (summarized at the end of this update) has been seemingly impossible; a perception that is supported by the inability of Congress to reach agreement on a stopgap measure (a continuing resolution) to fund the government through November 21st – which has resulted in a shutdown. Presumably, the intent of leadership and appropriators was to work to reach agreement on an FY 2026 budget whether via reconciliation or the regular process. As things stand, it appears that they must reach agreement on a continuing resolution to reopen the government before an actual budget can be passed.
The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce will continue to closely follow developments and seek opportunities to assist our members and the broader community during the shutdown.
2. Property Reassessment
Following the special session on August 12th where the House and Senate met to address issues relating to the recent property reassessment that was conducted in all three counties, a group of plaintiffs including rental property owners, manufactured housing park owners, and representatives of the lodging industry, filed suit in Delaware Chancery Court. The case will be heard before Vice Chancellor Lori Will. Vice Chancellor Will indicated in her scheduling order that there will be a one-day trial on October 20th, with a ruling expected on or around the end of the month.
In the current political climate, it is proving particularly challenging to reach bipartisan consensus on major issues – both foreign and domestic. At the end of President Biden’s term, Congress did not pass an FY 2025 budget via the regular appropriations process before the end of FY 2024 (last September 30th).
A series of continuing resolutions, accompanied by ongoing negotiations and brinksmanship, funded federal government operations, with certain additional funding authorized, until the passage and enactment (signature by President Trump) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1 -119th Congress) which was signed on July 4th. Rather than being developed and passed using the regular appropriations process, the bill was drafted and passed via a process known as “reconciliation, ”an expedited two-phase process that requires a simple majority in both houses, as opposed to the regular process which would require a simple majority in the House in the final phase and a two-thirds (60-vote) majority to pass the Senate (60 votes being required to reach cloture in the upper chamber.)
With both sides dug in and political pressures on members of both parties making compromise more difficult than at any time in recent memory, passage of an FY 2026 budget package via the regular budget process (summarized at the end of this update) has been seemingly impossible; a perception that is supported by the inability of Congress to reach agreement on a stopgap measure (a continuing resolution) to fund the government through November 21st – which has resulted in a shutdown. Presumably, the intent of leadership and appropriators was to work to reach agreement on an FY 2026 budget whether via reconciliation or the regular process. As things stand, it appears that they must reach agreement on a continuing resolution to reopen the government before an actual budget can be passed.
The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce will continue to closely follow developments and seek opportunities to assist our members and the broader community during the shutdown.
2. Property Reassessment
Following the special session on August 12th where the House and Senate met to address issues relating to the recent property reassessment that was conducted in all three counties, a group of plaintiffs including rental property owners, manufactured housing park owners, and representatives of the lodging industry, filed suit in Delaware Chancery Court. The case will be heard before Vice Chancellor Lori Will. Vice Chancellor Will indicated in her scheduling order that there will be a one-day trial on October 20th, with a ruling expected on or around the end of the month.
As part of an ongoing effort to study the issues and seek improvements, the Delaware House and Senate formed special committees that are working jointly on the issue. A joint hearing was held on Tuesday, September 30th [Link to archived video of hearing]. The next joint committee hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 at 9:30 a.m. [Hearing notice with livestream and virtual testimony registration links].]
3. SEPTA Service Restored
As of September 14, all train, bus, and rail was restored. According to an article The service restoration also came with a systemwide fare increase. Bus and Metro rides rose from $2.50 to $2.90.
While a short-term solution has been found, which made possible complete restoration of regional service (including Delaware), long-term structural issues with funding remain. According to a press announcement from Governor Shapiro’s Office, dated September 8, Governor Shapiro has directed PennDOT to make available up to $394 million in capital assistance for daily operations over the next two years.
4. DRAFT 2025 Climate Action Plan
The Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) has issued the DRAFT Strategies and Actions for Public Review. The document can be accessed via the following link: https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/energy/Climate-Plan/Public-Engagement/CAP-Strategies-for-Public-Review.pdf
Comments are due to the Department by October 10th. The NCC Chamber has been gathering member input via our working group process with the aim of submitting comprehensive comments on October 10th.
Questions, comments, and concerns can be sent via email to FitzgeraldJ@ncccc.com.
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