WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney has ordered Delaware flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state facilities through sunset on Saturday, March 9, 2024, to honor lifelong public servant, Korean War veteran and former Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Voshell on the day of his interment.

Voshell began his public service in high school when he was selected to be a member of the Boys State in 1950 and 1951. He spent his career at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, retiring as director after 40 years of state government service. He donated his time and talents to a number of community groups, including Bayhealth, People’s Place, Carlisle and Houston Fire Companies, American Legion Post 3 and Delaware Safety Council. He was an active member of Avenue United Methodist Church.

“Bob was a true public servant who loved his family and his community,” said Governor Carney. “He always put the needs of his constituents and the community first. He was a real gentleman and a strong leader who was a pleasure to work with. Tracey and I were saddened to learn of his passing. We will keep his family and friends in our prayers.” 

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Delaware Senate’s confirmation of Eliza Hirst to serve as Family Court Judge in New Castle County, Jessica Markowski-Kelly to serve as Family Court Commissioner in New Castle County and Richard Monkman to serve a term as commissioner for the Thoroughbred Racing Commission.

“With their knowledge and experience, Eliza and Jessica will be assets to the children and families served by our Family Court System,” said Governor Carney. “The state also will benefit with Rick’s perspective on the Thoroughbred Racing Commission. The First State cannot operate effectively without having individuals willing to serve the public, and I appreciate these three stepping up for their neighbors. I want to thank the members of the Delaware Senate for their votes to confirm all of our nominees.”

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday delivered his 2024 State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly, announcing plans to strengthen our economy, invest in education, protect the environment, and responsibly manage taxpayer dollars. 

“It’s hard to believe – but this is my last State of the State Address as Governor. I think it’s worth a little reflection on what we’ve accomplished together and on our unfinished business,” Governor Carney said, noting the following achievements:

• We’ve helped create more than 30,000 new jobs since 2017. 
• For the first time in Delaware history, we’ve provided funding dedicated for low-income students and English learners in our public schools.
• We’ve given teachers a big raise.
• For three years running, we’ve implemented the largest infrastructure plan in state history. That means good jobs — building new schools, safer roads and bridges, and connecting Delawareans to the internet, up and down the state. 
• We’ve kept our fiscal house in order. We turned a $400 million budget deficit in 2017 to $400 million in reserves.

• We’re supporting an economic resurgence in downtown Wilmington.
• We’ve provided paid leave for Delaware families – and raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 
• We’re building more affordable housing units – so Delaware families have a safe place to call home.
• We’ve reduced crime, and our prison population is down nearly 24 percent.

Read Governor Carney’s full State of the State address, as prepared for delivery.

The following are excerpts from Governor Carney’s address:

Education

“No issue is more important to our state’s future than the quality of Delaware’s public schools. I’ve spent a lot of time the last seven years focused on strengthening our schools. Especially for children who need our help the most.  I know Senator Sokola and many others have been leaders on this issue over the years. Together, we created Opportunity Funding. A program that provides additional funding for low-income students and English learners. Our budget increases funding for this program to $63 million. I can assure you that it’s making a real difference.”

Economy

“My budget continues our investments in job creation. In the Strategic Fund, Site Readiness, in Graduation Lab Space, and our Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund. We will not lose the competition with other states for good jobs. We also have our eye on the future of Delaware’s economy. My budget again includes additional funding for the federal research projects, NIIMBL and SABRE, at the STAR campus at the University of Delaware. Both projects will build on Delaware’s strong foundation in science and technology. They will attract more high-quality workers to Delaware and spur innovation and business development.”

Crime

“If we want to keep good jobs and workers in Delaware, we need to make sure families feel safe in their communities. I know fighting gun violence has been a shared priority. Over the past seven years, we’ve banned assault weapons, bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. We’ve passed red flag laws and prevented straw purchases. This year, we’ll take another big step forward and pass the permit to purchase law.”

Group Violence Intervention

“Inside the administration, we’ve spent a lot of time on what we call Group Violence Intervention – or GVI. We started GVI in Wilmington and have expanded the program to Dover. Here’s the truth: it’s a very small number of people who are committing the vast majority of gun violence in these communities. They are part of groups that fight with one another. Through GVI, we are directly engaging with those individuals and the gangs and groups they’re part of. We’re demanding that they put down their guns. If they do, we will offer job training and other social services. For those who choose the path of violence, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Environment

“In December, we began negotiations with offshore wind developer US Wind to bring significant benefits to our state. And to take an active leadership role in offshore wind development. Under terms of the agreement, US Wind would bring wind energy into Delaware. We expect the agreement to bring more than $100 million in benefits to our state without raising rates. Those benefits include funding for workforce development. For dredging projects and for projects to mitigate the effects of climate change in our State Parks. Over the next several months, I hope you’ll join me in taking another big step forward. We are pursuing legislation that will make Delaware more of an active player in offshore wind. It will allow us to directly purchase wind-generated renewable energy. And to explore partnerships with states in our region.”

View photos from the 2024 State of the State Address.

Watch the Governor’s 2024 State of the State Address.

Twelve students to compete to advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC

Wilmington, Del. (February 27, 2024) – Delaware’s Poetry Out Loud State Finals returns to the Smyrna Opera House on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 6:00pm. Twelve student finalists will compete for the opportunity to represent Delaware and advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC from April 30-May 3, 2024, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed. The event is FREE to the public and seating is limited.

At their school, students selected and recited works from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems. Their teachers or facilitators ran their school’s local Poetry Out Loud competition that then selected a winner to be moved on to the state finals.

 “Congratulations to the twelve talented and creative high school students who have been selected as finalists in the 2024 Delaware Poetry Out Loud competition,” says Division Director Jessica Ball. “Your hard work and passion for the arts is truly inspiring. The arts play a critical role in creating well-rounded individuals, fostering imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills that are essential to success in all aspects of life. Keep up the great work and we can’t wait to see where your passion for the arts takes you in the future.”

The twelve finalists are:

2024 Delaware State Semi-Finalists

Jono McGarvey, Delaware Valley Classical School

Grace Sullivan, MOT Charter High School

Olivia Stevens, Mount Sophia Academy 

Maiss Hussein, Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School

Hunter Brown, Red Lion Christian Academy

Abigail Ehemann, Saint Mark’s High School

Perrin Brown, Sanford School

Joelle Caternor, Smyrna High School

Harrison Dabbs, Sussex Academy of Arts & Sciences

Nife Anawo, Sussex Central High School

Caliana Velasquez, Sussex Technical High School

Jamie Feldman, Wilmington Friends School

Those wishing to watch the event from the comfort of their own home can do so via the link below.

Poetry Out Loud—presented in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and Poetry Foundation—is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.1 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud.

At their school, students recite works selected from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems. Judges will evaluate student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy. The National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation have created free, standards-based curriculum materials to support Poetry Out Loud including a teacher’s guide, lesson plans, an online anthology, posters, and video and audio on the art of recitation. These resources are available for free at PoetryOutLoud.org.

The Delaware state champion will receive $200 and will advance to the national finals next spring where $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends will be distributed. The representing school or organization of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for their school or organization. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.

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Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced he intends to nominate Cynthia Karnai to serve as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

Karnai’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware State Senate. 

“Cynthia understands the housing situation in Delaware, and she’ll continue the hard work we are doing to create affordable housing options, strengthen neighborhoods, and help Delawareans become homeowners,” said Governor Carney. “I am confident her years of experience within the Delaware State Housing Authority will make her a strong leader for the Department. I want to thank Cynthia for her willingness to step into this role, and I look forward to the Delaware State Senate considering her nomination.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Karnai would replace Director Eugene Young. Young will step down from his position next month after leading Delaware’s housing and community development agency since 2021. Karnai is currently the Deputy Director for the Delaware State Housing Authority and will serve as Acting Director of the agency following Young’s departure.

“Over the past three years, DSHA has advanced housing solutions through innovative and impactful initiatives driven by a committed, community-minded team,” said Director Young. “I am grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary period in the agency’s history. I will carry the values and lessons learned from these efforts into the next phase of my career. Cynthia is an asset for housing in our state, and if confirmed, she will be an exceptional leader for our team.”

Prior to being named Deputy Director in 2022, Karnai served 16-plus years in the roles of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the agency’s operations, and Director of Housing Finance, guiding homeownership and foreclosure prevention.

Since joining DSHA in 2005, her work has focused on promoting homeownership, from managing programs during the height of the housing boom with annual funding of over $420 million to challenging economic times. She launched innovative resources to revitalize Delaware’s housing market, including emergency foreclosure assistance for senior citizens, low-rate mortgage rates for new construction and veterans, and launched the first-time homebuyer federal tax credit in Delaware. As a special initiative for the agency, Cynthia developed and launched, in 90 days, the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, the State’s mortgage assistance program for those impacted by COVID-19.

Under Karnai’s leadership, DSHA has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association National Accounting and Financial Reporting Award, received national recognition by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, and received the National Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. She received her Master of Business Administration, concentrating in Financial Management, from Goldey-Beacom College.

Related news: Governor Carney Releases Statement on Delaware State Housing Authority Director Young’s resignation