Governor Carney Signs 12-Week Paid Parental Leave Into Law

Policy to begin April 1, 2019

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Saturday signed House Bill 3 into law surrounded by members of the General Assembly, educators and advocates. This legislation offers state workers 12 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child under the age of six. With this legislation, Delaware becomes the sixth state in the nation to offer paid parental leave to public workers.

“Today I was proud to stand beside state workers, members of the General Assembly and advocates to make this a reality for Delaware families,” said Governor John Carney. “Our state employees deserve to spend time with their families when their children are born. It builds strong bonds, and has great health advantages. This benefit will help us maintain and strengthen our workforce, attracting new employees. Thank you to everyone who helped Delaware lead on leave.”

Paid Parental Leave bill signingFull-time state workers, including educators, would be eligible for 12 weeks of paid maternity or paternity leave after one year of employment. Paid parental leave will go into effect for Delaware workers on April 1, 2019.

“I have been committed to this issue for the past three years, and I am so excited to see this become a reality. Paid parental leave is going to be a game-changer for our state employees and our workforce,” said Representative Debra Heffernan. “The research continues to show that paid parental leave is an essential support system. It’s good for parents, good for kids and good for workplaces, promoting morale and job security. I firmly believe that the earliest early childhood education is when children are babies – and they learn from their parents – so I am so happy to see Governor Carney sign House Bill 3 into law.”

“This bill is a big, big deal,” said Senator Nicole Poore. “As a mom of three, I know how important it is to have time at home with a newborn child. Besides the mountain of scientific evidence pointing to the importance of those first few months, I know first-hand that the emotional and physical benefits of having time to recover and be with family are immeasurable. Delaware families deserve that time, and it makes me incredibly proud to be part of the team of lawmakers that delivered that to state employees today.”

“The addition of a new child is a very special time in an employee’s life, and our state recognizes the great benefits for the child and parents resulting from paid parental leave,” said Saundra Ross Johnson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “Paid parental leave also delivers a competitive edge for attracting, recruiting and retaining talented employees as they recognize that Delaware cares and values families.”

“We are thankful that the General Assembly passed House Bill 3 and that the Governor made it a priority and is signing it into law today,” said Mike Matthews, President, Delaware State Education Association. “This paid parental leave gives our educators and state workers the time at home needed to recover from child birth and to care for and bond with their newborns or newly adopted children. State employees will no longer need to choose between taking care of a new child and being able to put food on the table or paying the bills. And, while this legislation supports new parents it also helps in the recruitment and retention of educators and state workers.”

“House Bill 3 will give state employees the freedom to have families on their own schedule. It gives families the time to bond with their newest member without the worry of financial stress that often comes with not having enough sick or annual leave,” said Michael Begatto, Executive Director of Council 81 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. “House Bill 3 will help retain good employees and it is a win for the state and for state employees both.”

Click here for photos from the bill signing.

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Governor Carney Signs Executive Order on Budget Smoothing

Action will create benchmark budgeting mechanism and promote fiscal sustainability

DOVER, Del. Governor John Carney on Saturday signed Executive Order 21 to implement recommendations of the advisory panel to DEFAC to study potential fiscal controls and budget smoothing mechanisms. The Order will create a benchmark budgeting mechanism, and a Budget Stabilization Fund for budget planning, to help the State of Delaware take a more sustainable, long-term approach to annual budgeting.

Governor Carney and Michael Houghton, Chair of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council, issued the following statements on the Order following Saturday’s signing:

“Over the past several decades, we’ve seen Delaware’s budget go through good times and bad times,” said Governor Carney. “As every Delaware family knows, you’re supposed to save some of your money during the good times so you can make it through when money gets tight. This Executive Order holds state government to the same standard. It’ll even things out so when a bad economy comes along, we won’t see massive cuts in services or dramatic tax hikes. This is the responsible thing to do for taxpayers who rightly expect us to manage their money wisely.”

“I’m disappointed that we were not able to structurally improve the budget process like our committee recommended. It would have made life more predictable for nonprofits, fire companies and others relying on State funds and avoided the unhealthy ‘feast or famine’ fiscal cycle we are seeing,” said Michael Houghton, Chair of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council. “As Chair of the Advisory Panel that recommended the changes to the General Assembly, I want to thank Governor Carney for stepping up and initiating changes that more responsibly align State spending with revenues through his Executive Order.”

 

Learn more about the Executive Order on budget smoothing

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Related news:
Governor Carney Signs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget and Supplemental Appropriation
Governor Carney’s Statement on Joint Finance Committee Vote to Limit Spending
Governor Carney, JFC Co-Chairs Release Statements on DEFAC Estimates
Governor Carney’s Statement on Budget Smoothing Report
Governor Carney Presents Fiscal Year 2019 Recommended Budget


Governor Carney Signs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget and Supplemental Appropriation

Cements $4.2 billion state budget with $49 million supplemental appropriation for one-time bonuses

 

DOVER, Del. – On Thursday, Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 235 – the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriation Act. This budget, which received final passage by the General Assembly this week, provides a balanced $4.2 billion financial plan that makes investments in Delaware’s economy, workforce and public schools.

The supplemental budget, Senate Bill 236, passed today in the Delaware House, appropriates funds to provide a $500 one-time salary supplement to full-time and part-time employees, as well as supplements to pensioners and one-time funded priority projects.

“When we presented our budget proposal in January, we were focused on making responsible decisions, using one-time revenue for one-time investments, and helping keep our state competitive. The budget I signed today accomplishes those goals,” said Governor Carney. “This is a responsible budget that will invest in our highest-needs schools, and help us recruit and retain teachers where they’re needed most. We are making new investments to confront the opioid crisis, and giving state employees a well-deserved raise. I want to thank members of the Joint Finance Committee and the entire General Assembly for their efficient work on this budget, and for making responsible decisions that will help us continue to address our long-term, structural challenges.”

“This year’s budget process was unlike any other in my 42 years in government and should serve as an example for subsequent General Assemblies,” said Harris McDowell, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “The surplus has been headline news since late last year – and rightly so – but this year was also defined by a spirit of cooperation and an attention to detail that should make all Delawareans proud. Thanks to the diligent work of the Joint Finance Committee, we completed this budget in record time and passed a final version that faithfully mirrors the priorities and values of this state. It is responsible, sensible, and fair and I want to once again thank my colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee, co-chair Melanie George Smith, and all of our elected officials that worked so hard to get us across the finish line today.”

“My colleagues on the Joint Finance Committee worked hard in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that we used the taxpayers’ dollars in a fiscally responsible way,” said Representative Melanie George Smith, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “We have been able to meet our core obligations and provide vital services that Delawareans rely on, while restoring funding we were forced to cut in more difficult years and putting funds in reserve for future years. This spending plan is a testament to responsible budgeting.”

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Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget:

 

RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

  • Limits operating budget growth to 3.99%
  • Sets aside over $46 million by only appropriating 97% of available revenue
  • Funds long-term liabilities such as pensions and debt service
  • Funds “door openers” such as:
    • $20.9 million for school enrollment growth
    • $8.8 million for quality child care for more children
    • $3.0 million to ensure fair elections
  • Generates over $5 million in savings in areas such as energy, fleet services and restructuring of the Department of Education

BETTER SCHOOLS FOR ALL DELAWARE CHILDREN

Investing in Educators 

  •  $10.2 million for annual salary step, plus a 2% general salary increase for educators statewide

Investing in Early Education

  •  $3.8 million to fund growth in Delaware’s early learning centers through the STARS program

Investing in High-Needs Schools

  • $6.0 million to expand the Opportunity Grants program, with targeted investments into schools with high percentages of students at the poverty level and/or English Language Learners (ELL) students

Investing in the City of Wilmington

  • $1.5 million for the Christina School District schools located in the City of Wilmington

INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE

Investing in State Workers and Educators:

  • $1,000 annual raise for state workers
  • 2% raise for teachers statewide, on top of annual step increases
  • $500 one-time bonus for all state employees
  • $400 one-time supplement for all retirees

High Needs Area Public Safety:

  • Funding for second year of correctional officer raises to $43,000 starting salary
  • $3.6 million for implementation of correctional officer career ladder
  • $2.3 million to fund implementation of the Department of Correction Independent Review recommendations
  • Establishment of a dedicated Special Operations Response Team (SORT) unit in the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

High Needs Area – Children’s Services:

  • $4.2 million to add 30 new casework staff and contractual support in the Division of Family Services to bolster child welfare, abuse and neglect hotline investigations
  • $2.0 million to add 29 new staff members in the Division of Youth Rehabilitative services to meet staffing needs in six secure facilities, and reduce mandatory overtime

A HEALTHIER DELAWARE

Investments toward improving Delawareans’ health:

  • $1.4 million to expand substance abuse treatment
  • $3 million to implement recommendations of the Behavioral Health Consortium Report
  • $4.6 million for contractual increases for provider partners providing services to those with disabilities
  • $285,000 to expand resources for substance-exposed infants
  • $2.0 million in prescription assistance for Delaware seniors and $850,000 to support Senior Nutrition Services

 


Statements from Governor Carney and Secretary of State Bullock on the Completed Federal Review of Wilmington Port Agreement

WILMINGTON, Del.Governor John Carney and Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock on Thursday issued the following statements on completion of the federal review of a deal to expand the Port of Wilmington, done by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a panel comprised of military, homeland security, and federal law enforcement officials, among others. The CFIUS review found that the port agreement is “not a covered transaction,” reflecting the consensus of front-line agencies charged with ensuring the protection and security of the United States. No further review is required.

“This is a significant step forward in finalizing our agreement with Gulftainer, which will protect and create good-paying, blue collar jobs at one of Delaware’s most important employment centers,” said Governor John Carney. “This expansion will result in significant new investment at the Port of Wilmington, and help stabilize families and communities that rely on those jobs. I want to thank members of the General Assembly again for their support of this agreement, and their partnership in our efforts to strengthen Delaware’s economy.”

“The more than a dozen federal agencies that make up CFIUS have completed their review of our plans to grant Gulftainer a concession to operate the Port of Wilmington and greatly expand its capacity and capabilities over the coming years,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock, Chairman of the Diamond State Port Corporation. “As a result, the specifics of the concession agreement are ‘not a covered transaction’ under section 721 of the Defense Production Act and there is no need for further review. This is the best response we could have received and clears the way for us to finalize our contract with Gulftainer over the summer.”

In March, Governor Carney announced the agreement with Gulftainer to lease the Port of Wilmington from the State, construct a new container shipping facility on the Delaware River, and significantly expand jobs at the Port over the next decade. Under terms of the agreement, Gulftainer’s subsidiary GT USA would make annual royalty payments to the State of Delaware reaching an estimated $13 million over the next decade. The company also would agree to invest more than $580 million in the Port over the next nine years, including approximately $410 million for a new container facility at DuPont’s former Edgemoor site, which was acquired by the Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC) in 2016. Final terms of the agreement are currently under review by the DSPC Board of Directors.

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Related news:
Governor Carney’s Statement on General Assembly Approval of Port of Wilmington Expansion
Governor Carney’s Statement on Bond Bill Committee Approval of Port of Wilmington Transaction
Governor Carney’s Statement on Diamond State Port Corporation Board Approval of Gulftainer Agreement
Governor Carney Announces Preliminary Agreement with Gulftainer to Expand the Port of Wilmington


Governor Carney’s Statement on General Assembly Passage of House Bill 346 – Student Loan Relief for Educators in High-Needs Areas

DOVER, Del.Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the General Assembly’s passage of the High Needs Educator Student Loan Payment Program, which offers student loan relief for educators in high-needs schools and subject areas:

“All Delaware children deserve a high-quality education. To deliver on that promise, we need to support educators who are in the front of the classroom every day preparing Delaware’s children for the future. This legislation will help us recruit and retain educators in high-needs schools and subject areas. These are the Delawareans who serve many of our most vulnerable students. Thank you to Representative Bentz, Senator Townsend, the Delaware State Education Association, and members of the General Assembly of both parties for their partnership on this important issue.”

Governor Carney called for passage of this legislation in his 2018 State of the State Address. The following is an excerpt from the address:

“Teachers do our state’s most important job — working on the front lines to prepare Delaware children for the future. That’s why, working with Representative Bentz and Senator Townsend and DSEA, we will create a student loan forgiveness program for educators. This program will help us retain educators in our highest need schools and in the highest demand subject areas.”

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Related news:

Legislation Offers Student Loan Relief for Educators in High-Needs Areas