Delaware Governor Vetoes Marijuana & Wage Bills
DOVER, Del. — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer returned two bills to the General Assembly without his signature: Senate Bill 63 (with SA 1) and Senate Bill 75 (with SA 1 & 2). In separate veto statements, the Governor outlined his concerns and a path forward that protects workers and communities while building durable, effective policy.
Senate Bill 63 — Wage Enforcement in Construction
In vetoing SB 63, Meyer justified the move by saying every Delawarean should be paid what they are owed and he wants to hold bad actors accountable for wage theft. He expressed concern that SB 63 could produce unintended consequences for small, new, and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits, without addressing the root cause of wage theft. He also directed the Delaware Department of Labor to work with stakeholders and bring forward recommendations to strengthen enforcement under existing law.
“Every Delawarean deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. I support strong enforcement against wage theft, and we have tools under current law to do it,” said Governor Meyer.“SB 63 risks making good actors responsible for the wrongs of others and could raise costs and reduce opportunity for small and minority-owned contractors and nonprofits that build affordable homes in our state. We’ll take a better path: strengthen enforcement, resource the Department of Labor, and bring workers, employers, and advocates together to deliver real, lasting results. I’ve asked DOL to bring me recommendations by December 31.”
Senate Bill 75 — Local Zoning and Retail Cannabis
In vetoing SB 75, Governor Meyer affirmed his support for a safe, equitable, and accessible adult-use cannabis market while emphasizing that durable policy requires partnership with counties and respect for local land-use authority. He raised concerns that SB 75 broadly preempts local decision-making on where and how cannabis retail locations may operate near schools, childcare facilities, parks, libraries, and other sensitive areas. He also emphasized that revenue sharing with local governments is an important avenue to making retail cannabis a reality throughout the state.
“I support building a well-regulated, adult-use cannabis market that works statewide. The way to do that is to work with our counties as partners, not by stripping communities of their voice in where these stores belong,” said Governor Meyer. “SB 75 would override local judgment on the location and operation of cannabis establishments. Let’s move forward together—respecting local zoning and exploring revenue-sharing to offset local costs—so this market succeeds and earns public trust in all three counties.”
Read the Governor’s veto messages to the General Assembly:
• SB 63 Veto Message (returned without signature; reasons and DOL directive).
• SB 75 Veto Message (returned without signature; local-control concerns and partnership path).
