DOVER (July 18, 2019) – Nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism through Friday, Aug. 16. These awards recognize the important contributions made by Delaware’s volunteers to their communities. Award recipients will be honored Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center.

“Thousands of Delawareans give their time and effort each year, volunteering in their communities and working to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Gov. John Carney. “Their selfless work to help others also builds a better Delaware for all of us. And though they do this work without thought of reward or recognition, these annual awards are a chance for us to say thank you and to highlight their contributions.”

The awards honor Delawareans’ volunteerism in the areas of:

• Arts/culture
• Community service
• Economic opportunity
• Education/literacy
• Environment
• Health and special needs
• Healthy futures
• Human needs
• Public service
• Social justice/advocacy
• Veterans/military families

Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2018, although prior volunteer activity can also be highlighted to show long-term commitment. To be eligible, the nominated individuals and group members must be 18 or older.

“Volunteers across our state make a difference in the lives of people in need and in communities at risk,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “Their selfless acts empower so many other lives and contribute to a stronger and healthier Delaware for all of us. I encourage Delawareans to nominate outstanding volunteers in our state so we can honor that unwavering spirit of connection.”

In addition, the Paul Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to a nominee who has had a longtime commitment to volunteerism. Wilkinson was a member of the Delaware Governor’s Council on Volunteerism starting in 2000 until 2004, when legislation transformed the Council into a Commission, and continued serving until 2008. He passed away on Jan. 17, 2009. His legacy and dedication to serving others continues through the award named in his honor.

“The 2019 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards provides an excellent opportunity for Delawareans to nominate those extraordinary groups and individuals who lighten the burdens of others through their dedicated and ongoing service,” said Kanani Hines Munford, Senior Administrator for the State Office of Volunteerism and Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service. “Now is the time to nominate individuals and groups for their exemplary service.”

The nomination form is available online at https://volunteer.delaware.gov/. For more information, nominators may also request a nomination form by emailing dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov or calling 302-857-5006.

Nominations that are not submitted online must be delivered or mailed by Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, to the State Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, c/o April Willey, Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover, DE  19901 or emailed to dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov.

In 2018, 15,118 Delawareans volunteered through community partners with the State Office of Volunteerism, contributing 647,848 hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations.  In economic terms, those volunteers contributed almost $16 million in service to Delaware and its residents.

“We are, as always, grateful for the services provided by the countless volunteers that donate their time, efforts and talents to the very same communities served by the Division of State Service Centers and the Department of Health and Social Services,” said Renée P. Beaman, Director of the Division of State Service Centers. “Each day, our staff members work to protect vulnerable populations and it is often these very same populations served by the volunteers we are seeking to recognize and honor.”

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor and are coordinated by the State Office of Volunteerism and the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.

For more information about the awards or volunteer opportunities, go to volunteer.delaware.gov, or contact April Willey, Volunteer Service Administrator, at 302-857-5006 or via email at april.willey@delaware.gov.

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Induction ceremony set for Thursday, October 17 in Dover

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced today that six women were selected for induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame for 2019. The Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee received more than 60 applications. The committee chose six of the top nominees who made significant contributions in Delaware for induction into the 38th Hall of Fame of Delaware Women.

The inductees include Tania M. Culley, children’s rights activist and the first Child Advocate for the State of Delaware; Drewry N. Fennell, human rights advocate, leader in the fight for LGBTQ equality in Delaware, and former Chief of Staff to Governor Jack Markell; Superior Court Judge Jan R. Jurden, the first female President Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware; Maria Matos, a nonprofit leader for the Latino community, and President and CEO of the Latin American Community Center; the late Blanche Williams Stubbs, a teacher, suffragist, social worker, and civil rights leader; and Marie Swajeski, a pioneer in theatrical arts for children and founder of the Delaware Children’s Theatre.

In addition to honoring the inductees, this year’s ceremony will incorporate a Centennial of Women’s Suffrage theme. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

“It’s never a surprise the wealth of knowledge, leadership, and talent that is highlighted when we announce the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame inductees – and this year is no exception,” said Governor Carney. “These women played distinct and important roles in our state, and have touched the lives of so many Delawareans throughout their careers. Congratulations on your selection, and thank you to the Women’s Hall of Fame Committee for choosing another round of remarkable Delaware Women for induction into the Hall of Fame.”

“We reviewed an overwhelming number of nominations this year, and many of the candidates were worthy of consideration, so that made our deliberations extremely challenging,” said Kay Keenan, Chair of the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee. “These remarkable women made a lasting impact on the lives of Delawareans, and we are thrilled to honor their legacies.”

Inductees will be recognized at the 38th Annual Hall of Fame of Delaware Women Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 17, at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The event begins with a dinner reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards program.

“Our office is proud to promote the equality and equity of women, and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame is one of the ways we recognize the achievements of outstanding women and their contributions to communities across Delaware,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy. “We encourage the public to attend this special event as we highlight the enduring value of the inductees’ accomplishments.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at de.gov/women.

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U.S. Climate Alliance members issue “Nation’s Clean Car Promise” to address vehicle pollution, climate change

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and 23 other Governors of the U.S. Climate Alliance on Tuesday issued a joint statement announcing the “Nation’s Clean Car Promise” to protect citizens from vehicle pollution and to fight climate change. The following are excerpts from their statement:

“We, the undersigned 24 governors– a bipartisan coalition representing 52 percent of the U.S. population and 57 percent of the economy – stand together in calling for one strong, national clean car standard and support preserving state authority to protect our residents from vehicle pollution. Strong vehicle standards protect our communities from unnecessary air pollution and fuel costs, and they address the largest source of carbon pollution in the United States.

“We commit to continue working together to support a strong national standard and issue the ‘Nation’s Clean Car Promise.’

“We call for a common-sense approach that protects the role of states at the negotiating table and establishes a strong, national standard that:

• Achieves continuous, meaningful annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants while saving consumers money.
• Provides regulatory certainty and enhances the ability to invest and innovate by avoiding extended periods of litigation and instability.
• Preserves good jobs in the auto sector and keeps new vehicles affordable for more Americans.

“Implementing one strong, national standard as outlined in the Nation’s Clean Car Promise is in the best interest of states, automakers and consumers. It also shows the world that America is a leader on transportation and environmental protection. We will not compromise on our responsibility to protect the health of our communities, our climate, and the savings consumers stand to gain at the pump. We will continue to pursue additional concrete actions to fulfill this duty and defend against any threats.”

Click here to read the full statement from the members of the U.S. Climate Alliance.

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Governor Carney: No Drilling off Delaware’s Coast

Governor Carney Urges EPA to Reconsider Proposal to Freeze Vehicle Emission Standards

Governor Carney Urges U.S. EPA to Reconsider Rollback of Vehicle Emission Standards

DelDOT Adds First Electric Vehicles to Fleet

Governor Carney: EPA can’t let other states pollute Delaware’s air

Delaware Joins U.S. Climate Alliance to Uphold Goals of Paris Agreement

Strine previously served as Chancellor of Court of Chancery, and legal counsel to then-Governor Carper

WILMINGTON, Del. – Delaware Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. delivered a letter to Governor John Carney on Monday, announcing his plan to retire from the Delaware Supreme Court after more than two decades of service on the Delaware bench.   

“I’ve known Chief Justice Strine since we worked together in the office of then-Governor Tom Carper, and I’ve known him to be one of Delaware’s top legal minds, and a real public servant on behalf of the people of our state,” said Governor Carney. “Since our time in Governor Carper’s office, he has served as Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor on Delaware’s Court of Chancery and as Chief Justice, leading our world-class judiciary, helping to protect Delaware’s reputation as the premier venue for business litigation, and working to make our criminal justice system more fair for all Delawareans.”

In his resignation letter, Chief Justice Strine thanked the people of Delaware for allowing him to serve the state since 1992.

“I am also grateful, Governor, that I can say to you with confidence that the Judiciary of this state is strong, that we are addressing our challenging and diverse caseloads with diligence, skill and dispatch, and that we are continually looking for new ways to serve the people of Delaware even more effectively,” said Strine. “In particular, the entire Judiciary is deeply invested in improving access to justice for all Delawareans, and doing what we can to improve the fairness of our criminal justice system. As Carrie and I move on to a new phase of our lives, I just hope that during my nearly 27 years of service to Delaware, I have contributed in some modest way to making our state stronger and more equitable.”

Chief Justice Strine was appointed to his current position in February 2014 by Governor Jack Markell and confirmed by the Delaware Senate, succeeding Chief Justice Myron T. Steele, who had served in the position from 2004-2013. He is the eighth Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court since the modern court was created in 1951. Previously, he served as Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery from 2011-2014, and Vice Chancellor from 1998-2011.

Prior to joining the bench, he served as legal counsel to then-Governor Tom Carper, and he previously served as a corporate litigator at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Chief Justice Strine graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and received his Bachelor’s Degree summa cum laude from the University of Delaware.

Chief Justice Strine intends to retire this fall. Governor Carney will nominate a replacement for consideration by the Delaware Senate.

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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