July 1, 2019 

Dover, DE—Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (Highmark BCBS) has submitted its required annual rate filing to the Delaware Department of Insurance. After years of substantial increases, Delaware’s Marketplace has stabilized and premiums have decreased. Highmark BCBS, the only insurer continuing to offer insurance coverage in Delaware’s individual market, has proposed a 5.8% decrease for 2020. The proposed 2020 rate decrease will affect over 20,000 Delawareans.

The decrease comes after last year’s 3% rate increase and the Department’s decision to silver load. By applying the rate increase to silver level plans only, a practice known as ‘silver-loading,’ Delaware’s Marketplace received more federal subsidies, helping to assist in stabilizing the market and lowering premiums.

Commissioner Trinidad Navarro stated, “The silver loading strategy is something my staff and I gave careful consideration to last year, in anticipation that it would result in rate stabilization or possibly a decrease.  While I am happy that we will see a decrease in the proposed rate, health insurance remains unaffordable for many Delawareans who do not qualify for premium subsidies. We are committed to reviewing the proposed rate decrease with the same careful analysis that we would give any rate proposal, whether it be an increase or decrease.  I expect to announce the approved rate later this summer.”

It is important to note, that the proposed rate decrease is unrelated to Delaware’s intended submission of a 1332 Waiver to establish a reinsurance program. If the application process is successful, the actuarial consultant’s projections are correct, and the State of Delaware secures adequate funding, the waiver program may decrease rates by an additional 20%.

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The Delaware Department of Insurance protects Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.

Contact:

Vince Ryan

Sr. Advisor to the Commissioner

Vince.ryan@delaware.gov

Office: 302-674-7303

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and Notification system on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.  The sirens will sound at around 7:30 p.m.

The 37 sirens located within ten miles of the Salem/Hope Creek (New Jersey) plants will be activated for three to five minutes.  The siren tests will be followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

Sirens that will be tested are the same sirens used to alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at either the Salem or Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.  In such an emergency, the public would be alerted by the sirens to tune radios to one of the local EAS stations for important emergency instructions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist & Public Information Officer

Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov

302-744-2743

DUI Initiative Running From July 3rd Through July 7th

DOVER, De. (July 1, 2019) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is pleased to announce that it is reactivating its SoberLift program, in partnership with Lyft^®, for the second consecutive year over the Fourth of July holiday to Delaware’s beach resort community.

The program will begin on Wednesday, July 3, at 4 p.m. and run through Sunday, July 7, at 2 a.m., and will provide free Lyft^® vouchers* (maximum value of $15) for individuals who want a safe ride during that time period. To participate in the program, individuals need to text “SoberLift” to 99000 to redeem the discount code. It will be available in Delaware beach towns: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, South Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island.

“Delaware continues to see far too many tragedies caused by impaired driving especially at the beaches during the July 4^th holiday weekend, “Richard Klepner, Impaired Driving Program Manager, Office of Highway Safety. “It is critical for people to understand the negative consequences of driving under the influence, and we’re thankful to our partners for providing funding to allow Delawareans to plan ahead for a safe ride home.”

Throughout the state from 2014 to 2018, 4^th of July weekend saw 53 DUI-related crashes and five DUI-related fatalities. Reports indicate that DUI crashes occur between 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Delaware beaches. This region – east of DE-1 between Dewey Beach, northern limits and Old Mill Pond Bridge – also lead the state with 46 DUI-related crashes in 2018.

Street teams will be present ahead of the holiday weekend, handing out vouchers for SoberLift codes, as well as promoting the program at local bars, restaurants, and other local businesses. Campaign sponsors include: Breakthru Beverage DE, Allstate, Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen, First State Brew Bus, Kelly’s Logan House, Washington Street Ale House/Oyster House, Wilmington Blue Rocks, Delaware Department of Insurance, Dewey Business Partnership, Bluecoast Seafood and Grill Rehoboth, The Starboard, Grain, Liquid Alchemy Brewing, Aloysius Butler & Clark (AB&C) and Deardorff.

Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist and Public Information Officer for OHS adds, “We’ve said it before and we will say it again, just one impaired driver can negatively impact the lives of so many people. So while we encourage all Delawareans to have fun, make sure you make safe choices. Utilize our ridesharing program SoberLift, and Arrive Alive this holiday weekend.”

In addition, OHS is partnering with the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement for the national summer holiday campaign for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over from July 4 – July 7, 2019, to put an end to drunk driving. In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired.

*The number of daily codes, available between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m., will be limited.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.

Campaign Launches Before July 4th Holiday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist & Public Information Officer

Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov

302-744-2743

DOVER, De. (July 1, 2019) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is partnering with the Delaware State Police and local law enforcement statewide for the national summer holiday campaign for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over from July 4 – July 7, 2019, to put an end to drunk driving. In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired.

“We want to be very clear about the consequences of driving while intoxicated,” said Christopher Klein, Acting Director Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “Intoxicated driving is illegal and potentially deadly, and a risk we don’t want to see people take. Make no mistake: If you are caught driving while intoxicated, you will be arrested.”

During the 2014 to 2018 Fourth of July holiday period in Delaware, there were 53 DUI-related crashes. Five people were killed in those crashes which involved at l

east one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. That’s five families who will forever remember Independence Day with a heavy heart and nightmarish memories.

Celebrate with a Plan

This Fourth of July, drivers are urged to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving.

Remember these tips for a safe night on the roads:

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app, available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple’s iTunes Store for iOS devices.
  • SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend and identifies the user’s location so he or she can be picked up.
• If you’re at the Delaware beaches over the holiday weekend, use SoberLift to get a safe ride home. In partnership with Lyft®, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety is offering the sober ride program which will begin on Wednesday, July 3, at 4 p.m. and run through Sunday, July 7, at 2 a.m., and will provide free SoberLift vouchers* (maximum value of $15) for individuals who want a safe ride during that time period.
  • Text “SoberLift” to 99000 to redeem the discount code which will be available in the beach towns of Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, South Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island.
  • *The number of daily codes, available between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m., will be limited.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.

Opportunity Funding, raising tobacco age, plastic bag ban, early voting among highlights of six-month session

DOVER, Del. — Governor John Carney on Monday signed the largest infrastructure package in Delaware history, capping a 2019 legislative session that included action to invest in Delaware’s highest-needs schools, fix roads and bridges, raise the age to buy cigarettes, ban single-use plastic bags, and make it easier for all Delawareans to vote in elections.

Highlights of 2019 Legislative Session:

• Opportunity Funding: $75 million/three years for English learners, low-income students, and new mental health supports in schools
• Infrastructure: Record $863 million capital budget will invest in clean water, new roads and bridges, affordable housing, colleges and universities, and economic development projects
• Plastic Bag Ban: Ban on single-use plastic bags will help protect Delaware’s environment, wildlife and communities
• Tobacco 21: Raising the age to buy cigarettes to 21 will prevent younger Delawareans from smoking, improve the health of young Delawareans, and reduce health care costs
• Early voting: New law allowing in-person voting up to 10 days prior to an election seeks to increase voter participation
• Medicaid Waiver: New reinsurance program seeks to lower costs for Delaware families who get health insurance on the exchange
• Safe storage: New law requires safe storage of firearms around children

The $863 million Fiscal Year 2020 capital budget signed by the Governor on Monday will fund new school construction, preserve open space and farmland statewide, invest in new drinking water infrastructure, and provide new funding for Delaware’s colleges and universities. Delaware’s capital budget also includes $425.3 million for the Transportation Trust Fund – part of a six-year, $3.2 billion plan to fix roads and bridges statewide through 2025.

“We are investing in the future of our state – improving schools for all Delaware children, fixing roads and bridges in every Delaware community, and responsibly managing taxpayer dollars so we’re prepared to keep investing where it matters most,” said Governor John Carney. “Our work with members of the General Assembly is paying off. Graduation rates are up, unemployment is down, and our state is on sound financial footing, just two years after climbing out of $400 million budget deficit. But we have plenty of work ahead to make sure that all Delaware families have an opportunity to participate in Delaware’s success. That’s why we’re investing in high-needs schools, in clean drinking water, affordable housing, open-space, and rural broadband infrastructure – to give more Delaware families a real shot to succeed in the Delaware of the future.”

Also on Monday, Governor Carney signed a $55.1 million grant-in-aid bill that supports volunteer fire companies, and nonprofit service providers statewide.

On June 25, Governor Carney signed a $4.4 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2020. The plan provides more than $100 million over three years to support students and teachers in Delaware’s highest-needs schools, and sets aside $125 million in savings to guard against future state or federal budget cuts.

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Highlights from the Fiscal Year 2020 capital budget:

• Bond bill totals:  $862.9 million
  • $437.6 million for state agency projects:
    • General Obligation Bonds:  $230.5 million
    • General Fund Cash:  $184.3 million
    • Other (Bond Premium):  $22.8 million
  • $425.3 million for Transportation Trust Fund    

Economic Development:  

• Higher Education Economic Development Investment Fund:  $20 million
• Research Collaborations:  $9.5 million
• Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund: $10.0 million (combined GF and TTF)

Education

• New construction/renovation in the Cape Henlopen, Capital, Appoquinimink, Brandywine, and Indian River districts:  $122.2 million
• Renovations to Christina schools in the City of Wilmington:  $12.1 million
• School Safety and Security Fund:  $5.0 million

Higher Education:  

• $33.5 million to support UD, DSU and DTCC:
• Delaware State University campus improvements, technology upgrades and new Land Grant facility:  $13 million
• University of Delaware deferred maintenance and combine purchase:  $10.4 million
• Delaware Technical and Community College critical capital needs and deferred maintenance: $10 million

Clean Water:

• Drinking Water, Clean Water, Conservation: $25 million

Affordable Housing/Communities:

• Downtown Development Districts: $8.5 million
• Housing Development Fund and Strong Neighborhoods Program:  $9 million
• Libraries (Southern Regional, North Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach, Seaford):  $6.3 million
• Volunteer Fire Service Revolving Loan Fund:  $2.0 million