Plan includes important investments in education, economy, and environment, while building new reserves

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday presented his Fiscal Year 2021 Recommended Budget, sending the General Assembly a financial plan that will make important investments to strengthen our economy, improve public schools for all Delaware children, and protect our environment – while setting aside additional reserves.

“We presented a responsible budget plan today that makes investments to improve our economy, strengthen our public schools, and protect Delaware’s unique quality of life,” said Governor Carney. “This plan makes significant new investments to clean up Delaware’s drinking water and waterways. We are also investing in new school construction, and in classrooms throughout the state – not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because the future of our state depends on the success of our children. And we’re continuing to make capital investments to modernize our roads, bridges, and public transit. But we are also we continuing our responsible budget plan, which sets aside $161.5 million in savings to help prepare for years when our revenue trends downward. This is a balanced, responsible plan that I look forward to discussing with members of the General Assembly.”

Download the budget presentation and follow along.

Key proposals in Governor Carney’s financial plan:

Historic Priority Investments

Clean Water: $50 million to establish a Clean Water Trust account to clean up Delaware’s drinking water and waterways. Includes increased funding for low-income and underserved communities. The recommendation includes the following:

• $22.5 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
• $22.5 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• $5 million for Resource, Conservation and Development

Wilmington Schools Initiative: $50 million to support children in the City of Wilmington who need help the most. This funding will build upon previous year’s appropriations and will be directed toward the following:

• Building a new state-of-the-art school on the East Side of Wilmington
• Extensive renovations at Stubbs Elementary and Bayard Middle Schools
• Establishing a dual-generation center at Stubbs Elementary school to serve students and families
• Establishing a workforce training center for the Gulftainer/ILA partnership at Palmer Elementary

Strong and Growing Economy: $50 million to ensure Delaware remains competitive through modernizing infrastructure, focusing on small businesses and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Recommended funding includes:

• $20 million for the Delaware Strategic Fund to further economic development and small business EDGE Grants
• $10 million to expand Graduation Laboratory Space to drive bio-tech innovation and entrepreneurship
• $10 million for Site Readiness so businesses have options to locate and expand in Delaware
• $10 million for the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund to improve public infrastructure to support job-creating economic development projects
• Capital Transportation Plan: $4.5 billion through 2026 to modernize Delaware’s transportation system

Improving Our Schools for All Delaware Children

Opportunity Funding: Second year of a three-year commitment dedicating $75 million for English learners and low-income students, and mental health supports

Increasing Access to Pre-K:

• $2 million to provide 155 new quality child care seats
• $3 million for Early Childhood Assistance Program capacity building
• Goal: increase access by 50% in three years

Investing in Educators: $29 million – 2% pay increase and steps for public school educators

Investing in Schools:

• $183.7 million – School construction and renovations in districts across the state
• $36.5 million – Current year growth and projected school year 2020–2021 enrollment growth
• $4.6 million – School Technology infrastructure

Partnering with Higher Education:

$20 million – Funding for the Higher Education Economic Development Investment Fund to supplement investments that Delaware’s institutes of higher education are making to improve job growth and economic development in the State

Protecting Our Quality of Life

Open Space and Farmland Preservation: $20 million to continue investments to preserve open space and farmland across Delaware
Affordable Housing and Strong Neighborhoods: $14 million toto clean up and restore abandoned properties, attack blight, and provide options for all Delawareans to live safely in communities
Downtown Development Districts: $5.6 million to continue to encourage private investment in our towns and cities
Public Safety Communications: $8.3 million to enhance communication systems
Security in DOC Facilities: $4 million for security cameras
Municipal Street Aid: $4 million to improve local roads

Long-Term Financial Sustainability

Based on Executive Order 21, the amount available for the operating budget is calculated based on an index relative to the overall economy to help reduce budget volatility. Any revenue above the index will be directed to one-time investments and savings. Governor Carney has recommended setting aside $161.5 million over and above constitutional limits on appropriations, and limiting operating budget growth to 3.99 percent. This is less than the appropriation benchmark calculated by the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council.

Investing in our Workforce

Investing in State Employees: 2% pay increase for State employees
Continued support of Paid Parental Leave: Over 200 employees have taken advantage of the benefit to spend time with their newborn babies and young adopted children

Investing in our Workplaces:

• $17.5 million for Kent & Sussex Family Court facilities
• $7.5 million for deferred maintenance for state buildings
• $2.8 million for Carvel State Office Building improvements and renovations

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Dover, Delaware – Watch the Governor’s budget presentation delivered today 1/30/2020.

With recent cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) reported in several countries including the U.S., health officials across the nation are increasing monitoring efforts to identify potential cases. The Division of Public Health (DPH) has posted information on its website https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph and we are sharing information about 2019-nCoV and our activities related to the outbreak.

While the available information suggests a low immediate health risk for the general public, we consider any new infectious disease a serious concern and are working with health care providers to promptly identify and evaluate any suspected cases. It is important to recognize that the current investigation and response are dynamic, and frequently changing, and new information about the disease may impact our approach to this disease.

This is what you and the public need to know about the novel coronavirus:

Currently the risk to the general public is considered low. At this time, there are a small number of individual cases in the U.S., and no confirmed cases in Delaware. The Division of Public Health is investigating one potential case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a Delaware resident. The individual is a Kent County resident. After review of the patient’s travel history and symptoms with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was determined that testing should be performed. Test results are pending from the CDC, and are expected in the coming days. The individual is currently hospitalized in isolation out of an abundance of caution. There is no widespread risk to hospital staff, patients, or visitors, as all appropriate protective precautions are being taken at all hospitals statewide.

To protect personal health information, no additional details will be provided about the individual at this time.

Update: Delaware Resident Tests Negative for 2019 Novel Coronavirus 

Risk is based on exposure. Those individuals with recent travel to any area of China, or contact with someone who has recent travel and is ill, have an increased risk for becoming ill. DPH is not recommending exclusion from work/school of asymptomatic persons arriving from China.

For persons without an associated travel risk, it should not be assumed that most respiratory illnesses are the 2019 novel coronavirus. As you know we are in the heart of flu and respiratory disease season, and with over two thousand cases statewide, most of the population is at greater risk of contracting seasonal influenza than coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus are most similar to lower respiratory infections with patients having fever, cough, and shortness of breath. There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV infection. While in some cases illnesses can be severe and require hospitalization, many individuals infected with 2019-nCoV recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids and taking pain, and fever-reducing medications.

DPH has asked Delaware health care providers to alert us if a person with recent travel to China, becomes sick with respiratory symptoms. When cases are reported, laboratory samples are collected and submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. This testing can take several days. Delaware currently has one patient under investigation for coronavirus, a Kent County resident who is hospitalized out of an abundance of caution. There is no ongoing risk to staff, patients or visitors at any Delaware hospital. All have appropriate infection prevention protocols in the event they have a patient with suspected 2019-nCoV.

We have had a handful of calls from providers and have followed up. If at any point testing confirms a case of novel Coronavirus in a Delaware resident, the available details and protective recommendations would be shared with both the affected parties and the public as quickly as possible.

Additionally, we have issued guidance to Emergency Medical Services responders regarding what to do if they are called to transport someone suspected to be infected with 2019-nCoV. DPH is holding frequent internal calls to ensure a constant flow of communication, and we are developing materials such as the attached flyer to help the public understand what this virus is, and what they can do to protect themselves. Feel free to share the flyer widely.

When a new disease is circulating, it’s natural for people to ask what they can do to protect themselves and their families. The best guidance at this point is to take the same precautions recommended for avoiding colds and flu:

• Stay home when they are sick and avoid well people as much as possible,
• cover their coughs and sneezes; and
• practice good hand hygiene – frequently wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

The CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to China at this time. If you are considering a trip to China, keep an eye on the news and be aware of this evolving situation. If you have recently returned from a trip to China and are feeling sick, call your health care provider and let them know of your travel and symptoms.

This is a time for vigilance, not panic and together we can prevent the spread of germs and make Delaware a healthier state overall.

Youth waterfowl hunting day and additional snow goose hunting opportunities opening

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is promoting additional hunting opportunities in February with a second special youth waterfowl hunting day on Feb. 8, the one-day reopening of the regular snow goose hunting season Feb. 8, and the opening of the Snow Goose Conservation Order season Feb. 1.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day: The one-day, special youth waterfowl hunting day Saturday, Feb. 8 is open for hunters ages 10 through 15. Normal daily waterfowl bag limits and hunting regulations apply during the special youth waterfowl hunting day, to include a limit of 25 snow geese and one Canada goose.

Youth hunters must be of sufficient physical size and strength to safely handle a firearm, and must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter age 21 or older who cannot possess a firearm during the youth hunt. Youth hunters age 13 through 15 must have completed a hunter education course, obtained a hunter education certification card, and purchased a Delaware junior hunting license. Youth hunters age 10 through 12 must possess a license exempt number (LEN) and may have taken a hunter education course. All youth waterfowl hunters need a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. No state or federal waterfowl stamps are required for youth hunters.

Youth waterfowl hunting is available on those state wildlife areas with a lottery drawing for a waterfowl blind. The morning lottery is held 1.5 hours before legal shooting time at Augustine, Cedar Swamp, Woodland Beach, and Assawoman, and two hours before legal shooting time at Little Creek and Ted Harvey. Those state wildlife areas that allow waterfowl hunting and do not have lotteries are also open on the youth waterfowl day. Wildlife area rules and regulations are available at Wildlife Area Maps.

Snow goose one-day hunting season: The regular snow goose hunting season reopens for one day Saturday, Feb. 8, when adult hunters can also hunt snow geese subject to regular snow goose season bag limits and hunting regulations.

Snow Goose Conservation Order season: The Snow Goose Conservation Order season is open Saturday, Feb. 1 through Friday, Feb. 7, closing for the youth waterfowl hunting day and one-day reopening of the regular snow goose season on Saturday, Feb. 8, and reopening Monday, Feb. 10 through Friday, April 10. The Snow Goose Conservation Order is a separate season open only for snow geese that occurs when Delaware’s regular waterfowl hunting seasons are closed. The Snow Goose Conservation Order is not open on Sundays.

During the Snow Goose Conservation Order, liberal harvest methods are allowed to help reduce the large snow goose population that is damaging the species’ Arctic nesting grounds and local wetlands and agricultural lands in the Mid-Atlantic region where the birds overwinter. Legal shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset, and there are no daily bag and possession limits. Unplugged shotguns and electronic calls are allowed. All other federal and state hunting regulations apply. If hunting on a state wildlife area where the Conservation Order is open, hunters should refer to Wildlife Area Maps for specific rules and regulations.

Hunters participating in the Snow Goose Conservation Order must obtain a free snow goose conservation order permit number, which must be in their possession while hunting. Hunters also are required to report their Conservation Order hunting activity and harvest success to the Division of Fish & Wildlife by Friday, May 1. Conservation Order permit numbers can be obtained and harvest reports can be submitted online at Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration; hunters may also call 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday.

Conservation Order participants are also required to have a valid Delaware hunting license or license-exempt number (LEN) or a Maryland resident hunting license (unless exempt in Maryland), a 2019/2020 Delaware waterfowl stamp (unless exempt), and a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. A federal waterfowl stamp is not required.

Hunters are reminded of the following:
• Information on hunting license and Delaware waterfowl stamp requirements is available at Delaware Licenses.
• Waterfowl and other migratory game bird (except crow) hunters need a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. HIP (and LEN) numbers can be obtained at Delaware Hunter and Trapper Registration or by calling toll free 1-855-335-4868.
• Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have a basic hunter education safety course card/number.
• A federal migratory bird stamp is required for hunters age 16 and older to hunt waterfowl (except during the Snow Goose Conservation Order season).
• Registered motor vehicles used to access designated wildlife areas owned or managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife are required to display a Conservation Access Pass (CAP), with one free annual CAP available with the purchase of any Delaware hunting license.

Delaware hunting licenses, Delaware waterfowl stamps, and Conservation Access Passes can be purchased online at Delaware Licenses, at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and from hunting license agents statewide. Federal migratory bird stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices, Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges, and online at Federal duck stamps.

For more information on hunting, click 2019-2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide and Wildlife Area Maps. Hard copies of the guide and hunting maps are also available at the license desk in DNREC’s Dover office. More information on hunting licenses, season details, and the Conservation Access Pass is also available by calling the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912.

For more information, please call 302-739-9912 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

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Consumers won nearly 90% of arbitration cases in 2019

The Delaware Department of Insurance announced that its arbitration services program earned residents $839,466 in awards during 2019. Considering overlap from the previous year, 354 settlements occurred, and 144 cases were heard. Residents prevailed in about 90% of all cases. In total, the Department opened 502 cases last year.

“Arbitration is one of the many pro-consumer tools our office provides to the public,” said Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “We want residents to know that when an insurance company isn’t working with them on an issue, they can come to us for help instead of using their hard-earned money to hire a lawyer and spend too much valuable time on the problem.”

The arbitration services offered by the department allow all residents to pursue solutions to auto, home, and health insurance-related issues without requiring the consumer to have the ability to obtain and afford an attorney. These services can assist with insurance disputes when companies will not pay or are offering an unacceptable amount for things like medical costs, lost wages, and car and home damage. Arbitration involves filing a formal complaint against a company to be reviewed and decided by independent experts. While department arbitrators do not provide legal advice, they do guide members of the public through the informal process. The process takes about 90 days, which is much quicker than court cases.

“Imagine driving off a car lot in a newly purchased vehicle, only to have that joy and excitement is shattered by a car accident just days later. Your insurance company offers you only a small portion of the car’s worth and is unwilling to work with you on the claim. You may be awarded a claim by your insurance company – but you don’t have to accept it. By reaching out to the Department of Insurance, the arbitration team can engage the insurance company on your behalf to help you get a more acceptable payment,” said Commissioner Navarro.

The department recommends contacting the Consumer Services Division for assistance interacting with the insurance company, as this service is available to residents who have previously attempted to solve the matter with an insurance company multiple times. Arbitration request forms and more information can be found at insurance.delaware.gov/services/arbitration.

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