Plan focuses on strengthening economy, expanding opportunity, supporting families and workforce
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney on Thursday presented his Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget virtually, sending the General Assembly a plan that will strengthen Delaware’s economy, expand opportunity, and supporting Delaware’s families and workforce.
“We made it through the worst of the pandemic without cutting services or raising taxes. Responsibly managing our state budget is more important than ever. This budget proposal will do just that,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware will come out stronger through this pandemic. That’s why we’re investing in economic development to prepare our state for the economy of the future. That’s why we’re continuing to invest in Delaware’s children, families and workforce. And that’s why we’re investing in protecting Delaware’s natural heritage. I want to thank members of the General Assembly for their partnership and for their consideration of this budget.”
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Highlights
General Fund Operating budget totals $4.9 billion, limiting growth to 4.6%
Sets aside over $15.2 million in reserves (after projected cash to bond bill and grant in aid)
Appropriates $215 million toward one-time items in a separate supplemental appropriation bill
Takes continued steps toward providing compensation and pay equity for state employees
Increases Opportunity Funding investments in our schools for low-income students and English language learners
Continues investments in clean water, economic development and fulfills our commitments to new school construction in all three counties
Continues to fund secure and modern spaces for Kent and Sussex County courthouses
Preparing for the Economy of the Future
Invests $60 million in economic development, including:
$30 million in strategic fund
$10 million in site readiness
$10 million in graduation lab space
$10 million in transportation infrastructure fund
Environmental Initiatives
Invests $404.7 million in environmental justice, including:
$30 million in aglands preservation and open space
$7.5 million in shoreline and waterway resiliency
$367.2 million in clean water, including $355 million in federal funding
Investing in Delaware’s Children
Invests $339.9 million in funding school projects, including $19.8 million for the Wilmington Learning Collaborative and Redding Consortium
Increases funding by $4.5 million for low-income students and English learner students towards achieving the goal of doubling opportunity funding by 2025
Invests $20.6 million to support mental health service units for elementary schools
Invests millions in Delaware’s higher education institutions including capital improvements, technology upgrades, scholarships, and investments into the Higher Education Economic Development Investment Fund
Supporting Delaware Families
$1.4 million to support extended post-partum Medicaid coverage
$1.5 million for the development of a therapeutic foster care program
Nearly $1 million to support the growth of Delaware Healthy Children Insurance Program (CHIP)
$3.7 million to support expungement programs
Supporting Delaware’s Workforce
Investing $88.7 million in compensation and pay equity to move toward a $15 minimum wage for state workers, increase to merit pay scales or 2% pay increase
Supporting Health Care Workers
$500,000 to increase funding for the Health Care provider State loan repayment program
$300,000 to permanently fund the mental health services loan forgiveness program
Supporting Child Care Providers & Workers
$11.5 million in increased support for child care providers and workers
Plan focuses on strengthening economy, expanding opportunity, supporting families and workforce
WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney on Thursday presented his Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget virtually, sending the General Assembly a plan that will strengthen Delaware’s economy, expand opportunity, and supporting Delaware’s families and workforce.
“We made it through the worst of the pandemic without cutting services or raising taxes. Responsibly managing our state budget is more important than ever. This budget proposal will do just that,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware will come out stronger through this pandemic. That’s why we’re investing in economic development to prepare our state for the economy of the future. That’s why we’re continuing to invest in Delaware’s children, families and workforce. And that’s why we’re investing in protecting Delaware’s natural heritage. I want to thank members of the General Assembly for their partnership and for their consideration of this budget.”
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Highlights
General Fund Operating budget totals $4.9 billion, limiting growth to 4.6%
Sets aside over $15.2 million in reserves (after projected cash to bond bill and grant in aid)
Appropriates $215 million toward one-time items in a separate supplemental appropriation bill
Takes continued steps toward providing compensation and pay equity for state employees
Increases Opportunity Funding investments in our schools for low-income students and English language learners
Continues investments in clean water, economic development and fulfills our commitments to new school construction in all three counties
Continues to fund secure and modern spaces for Kent and Sussex County courthouses
Preparing for the Economy of the Future
Invests $60 million in economic development, including:
$30 million in strategic fund
$10 million in site readiness
$10 million in graduation lab space
$10 million in transportation infrastructure fund
Environmental Initiatives
Invests $404.7 million in environmental justice, including:
$30 million in aglands preservation and open space
$7.5 million in shoreline and waterway resiliency
$367.2 million in clean water, including $355 million in federal funding
Investing in Delaware’s Children
Invests $339.9 million in funding school projects, including $19.8 million for the Wilmington Learning Collaborative and Redding Consortium
Increases funding by $4.5 million for low-income students and English learner students towards achieving the goal of doubling opportunity funding by 2025
Invests $20.6 million to support mental health service units for elementary schools
Invests millions in Delaware’s higher education institutions including capital improvements, technology upgrades, scholarships, and investments into the Higher Education Economic Development Investment Fund
Supporting Delaware Families
$1.4 million to support extended post-partum Medicaid coverage
$1.5 million for the development of a therapeutic foster care program
Nearly $1 million to support the growth of Delaware Healthy Children Insurance Program (CHIP)
$3.7 million to support expungement programs
Supporting Delaware’s Workforce
Investing $88.7 million in compensation and pay equity to move toward a $15 minimum wage for state workers, increase to merit pay scales or 2% pay increase
Supporting Health Care Workers
$500,000 to increase funding for the Health Care provider State loan repayment program
$300,000 to permanently fund the mental health services loan forgiveness program
Supporting Child Care Providers & Workers
$11.5 million in increased support for child care providers and workers