This Is The Delaware Way

Episode Notes Let’s talk data center ordinances! Well, just the one. There’s a big ordinance vote on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30pm. New Castle County Council is set to make a decision that will affect everyone in the entire state, as it will directly affect energy prices throughout Delaware. This episode covers a bit about the ordinance, and digs into the opposition to it as well as several proposed amendments that would weaken its protections in the future. Links List of NCCC meetings and locations (scroll for "County Council Meeting" on Tuesday Nov 18 at 6:30pm) County Council Meeting link for 11/18/2025 Toole's amendment striking Abandonment's clause Kilpatrick's amendment adding additional retroactivity protections Kilpatrick's amendment removing community protections November 5th Spotlight article: NCCC may relent on regulating Project Washington data center November 16th Spotlight article: NCCo Council set to vote Tuesday on amended data center rules Elon Musk's diesel generators poisoning communities in Memphis: "How Come I Can't Breathe?" - Politico; 'We Are The Last Of The Forgotten' - Time Highlands Bunker podcast episodes on reassessment: Reassessment Reassessed, The Dark Triad, A Better World Is Possible? Questions? Email: ask[at]thisisthedelawareway.com

Episode Notes Hear how some of the discussion went in Tuesday's special session. The bills that were passed were expected, but some amendments did make it in that were pleasant surprises. Most of this episode is spent wishing that our legislators spent more time using their power responsibly and less time demanding obedience. Links Spotlight article - State lawmakers ease residential property tax burden in testy special session Watch the recording of the House session Watch the recording of the Senate session Questions? Email: [email protected]

Episode Notes What's a special session, and why is it happening today? Which bills will be considered, and which won't, and what is the difference? We'll go over all of that and more for you today. Bonus content: data is beautiful and we can get more of it. Links Spotlight Delaware Special Session Live Blog -- the best way to catch up on what is happening or has happened in Aug 12th's special session State Constitution - Time and frequency of sessions State Constitution - Governance of revenue Spotlight article - After property tax outcry, leading lawmakers focus on three bills for special session Urban3 - Financial assessments for cities, towns, counties, and municipalities Land value tax links State Constitution - Land value tax ban Strong Towns article - Big Box Stores: Core Insights Strong Towns article - Big box stores are costing our cities far more than we ever imagined Video - Is a Land Value Tax the Best Option? - Chuck from Strong Towns

Episode Notes We cover a few news items, including a bill to protect medical providers in Delaware from being sued based on other states' laws. We dig a little deeper behind the company that wants to build a data center in New Castle County, as it would impact our electric bills but we wouldn't get any of benefit from the billions of dollars it may generate for its owners. We also look at the process of running for office and being a first-time legislator, and give some tips on how to look into running for office. Data Center Town Hall Thursday, July 24th, 5:30pm Delaware City Fire Hall Form to submit questions to Data Center Town Hall Links Campaign to replace Rep. Parker Selby heats up between two educators Proposed Delaware data center’s energy needs would dwarf all state households AI Tech CEOs are lying to you - listen to just the first 15 minutes to understand how bad data centers are for all of us Why the true water footprint of AI is so elusive Latest Delaware City Refinery emissions prompt investigation, ongoing questions AI data centers could make your electric bill go up by 70% Jack Kemp Foundation Leadership Awards Delaware Department of Elections Run For Something Network Delaware Change Agent Journey Delaware Working Families Party contact form to request training Day in the Life of a Legislator: State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton

Episode Notes Where are they now, legislative edition. What happened to the bills we've talked about this year? How are we feeling? There's some extra philosophizing in this episode, because that's the mood of the moment. But also some yelling. And the word "flabbergasted" is used. Links 2025 Session Legislative Report - DE WFP End of Session Live Blog - Spotlight Delaware