Dover — At an event in Dover today, Governor Markell announced 19 Delaware nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $355,000 in grant money from the state’s Financial Literacy Education Fund (FLEF). Through the FLEF grant program, these nonprofit organizations will improve the financial skills of Delawareans through education on how to budget, save, invest and plan for the future. A total of 24 organizations throughout Delaware applied for funding from the state’s Financial Literacy Education Fund. To make this announcement, Governor Markell was joined today by State Bank Commissioner Robert Glen.

The Financial Literacy Education Fund was established in 2009 when Governor Markell signed Senate Bill 108 requiring businesses that make short-term consumer loans (such as title loans and payday loans) to pay an annual high-cost loan license fee of $1,500 for each licensed office. These monies are deposited into the FLEF, which the law states must be used to fund grants to or contracts with schools or other organizations that provide financial and economic literacy skills to adults and youth in Delaware.

In 2011, the first grant year saw 13 organizations receive over $550,000 in grant awards. In 2012, the second grant year saw 22 organizations receive over $452,000 in grant awards.

“These organizations have done our state a great service by helping hundreds of Delawareans gain the tools to make sound financial judgments,” said Governor Markell. “Our greatest asset is our people and we all benefit from a stronger economy when more people in our state make smart decisions for their future and their families.”

The FLEF is administered by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner and the Secretary of State’s Office. Applications for the competitive grants were rated on how they would improve the financial literacy of Delawareans. Programs reaching populations or geographic regions within Delaware that have limited access to financial literacy programs, particularly reaching out to members of the military, seniors and minority communities, were encouraged. The Fund has one competitive grant cycle each calendar year.

All schools recognized by the Delaware Department of Education and nonprofit organizations within the State of Delaware that have a 501(c)(3) designation by the Internal Revenue Service were eligible to apply.

Grants were awarded in three categories: K-12 Financial Literacy Programs; Adult Financial Literacy Programs; and Targeted Campaigns focused on providing education to those facing decision on debt, with specific emphasis on reaching out to the military, seniors, and minority communities.

Contact:
Robert A. Glen
State Bank Commissioner
302-739-4235

Dover — The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today for the new $20 million Delaware City facility construction project. Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt and DMV Director Jennifer Cohan were joined by Governor Jack Markell, State Representative Valerie Longhurst, State Senator Nicole Poore, Delaware City Mayor Stan Green, contractors, other officials and employees in celebrating the groundbreaking for the LEED Certified complex.

Located just to the south of the existing DART First State maintenance facility and park & ride off Route 13, the Delaware City DMV will be located on a 24-acre parcel and feature a seven-bay inspection lane, four drive through teller windows, and 30 customer counter spots, all in a 42,000 square foot building. The new facility will replace the existing New Castle Site located at Churchmans and Airport Road. Opened in 1965, the New Castle facility has been expanded and modified in recent years to accommodate increasing customer volumes.

“It is one of my proudest moments to be able to officially get started with the new Delaware City DMV facility,” said DMV Director Cohan. “Our customers have had to deal with restricted operational space at New Castle for a number of years. As Delaware residents know, the DMV takes great pride in providing first class service to our customers. Once opened late next year this new site will feature room to grow and serve our customers efficiently and comfortably.”

The New Castle DMV staff of 60 employees currently serves an average of 38,800 customers per month in a variety of driver, vehicle, and transportation services. With the move to the Delaware City location and its proximity to the population centers of Middletown, Bear, and the Route 40 & 72 corridors the average number of customers is expected to rise.

“A new facility will mean convenient motor vehicle services for a growing population of Delaware drivers,” said Governor Markell. “The facility will save taxpayer money through its energy efficient design and bring services to where they are most in demand in Southern New Castle County.”

During the ceremony State Representative Valerie Longhurst officially announced that the facility would be called the “Delaware City DMV”. The Representative explained that the proximity to one of the state’s most historic towns is an important way to recognize the new location.

The Delaware City DMV facility is being designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven program that provides third-party verification of green buildings. Numerous environmentally friendly design practices and materials are being incorporated into the project. For example, the building envelope design contains a high level of insulation which improves the efficient performance of the mechanical systems, leading to increased occupant comfort.

Photos from the event can be viewed on Flickr.

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell today joined Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi and other federal, state and local officials to celebrate Delaware Homeownership Month and to announce a new program that will allow first-time homebuyers to claim a credit on their federal income taxes.  The Delaware First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit entitles first-time buyers who purchase a home in Delaware as their primary residence to take a federal income tax credit up to $2,000 each and every year as long as the homebuyer occupies the home and has the mortgage loan.  Because the Delaware First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit reduces federal income tax liabilities and increases net earnings, it can be of significant help in making homeownership more affordable.

Governor Jack Markell said, “To ensure Delaware can compete and win on the global stage we need our state to be as attractive and as affordable a place to live as possible. This tax credit will help more families obtain affordable housing, stabilize communities, and boost our state’s economy.”

“HUD is committed to shaping a housing market that is stronger and more affordable,” said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent.  “We applaud Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware State Housing Authority for creating the first-time homebuyer tax credit. It is an excellent tool to help restore the dream of homeownership and create strong communities across the First State.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi added, “While DSHA has been hard at work to create innovative financial products to help repeat buyers, we still remain committed to first-time homebuyers who oftentimes just need a little help to bridge the gap to homeownership. We expect that this tax credit will not only give them the means to realize their dreams, it will also have the added benefit of giving a boost to that segment of the housing market. Strengthening our economy is good for everyone and keeps Delaware moving forward.”

First-time homebuyer Dean Hagans, Jr., remarked, “Not only do these programs help get you into a home; but the education process – which is so important – also prepares you so that you can sustain it.  Homeownership, to me, means stability and the opportunity to establish yourself and be a part of a community.”

To qualify for the programs, applicants must meet area income requirements, and may not have owned a home within the past three years (non-active qualified veterans exempted).  Family gross income limits for the program vary by county location and family size.  The household income for a family of three or more may not exceed $91,080 in New Castle County or $84,065 in Kent and Sussex Counties.  The maximum purchase price for a home in New Castle County is $387,692.  The maximum is $347,307 in Kent County, and $346,153 in Sussex County.

Homebuyers must apply for the Delaware First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit through a participating lender.  DSHA offers qualified Delawareans reduced mortgage rates through its Homeownership Loan Program as well as closing cost and downpayment assistance. For more information on all of DSHA’s homeownership programs and a list of participating lenders visit: www.destatehousing.com/HomeOwnership/HomeOwnership.php.

Repeat offenders will have to post significantly higher bail for violent felony arrests

Reform efforts led by Attorney General, Rep. Keeley, Senator Henry

DOVER – Offenders who commit new crimes while already out on bail will face tougher bail conditions under legislation signed into law today by the Governor.  House Substitute 1 for House Bill 39 was sponsored by Rep. Helene M. Keeley, D-Wilmington, and Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington with the support of the Attorney General’s Office.  As part of continual efforts to improve our criminal justice system, the Governor believes criminal justice resources should be focused most heavily on offenders who are at risk of reoffending or fleeing from justice.

“This bill is a positive step forward in our ongoing efforts to reform Delaware’s bail system,” said Governor Markell.  “It builds upon the Justice Reinvestment Act, which mandated the use by our courts of risk assessments in setting the terms and conditions of pre-trial release.  This bill adds the safety of the victim and community to those risk assessments and provides law enforcement and our courts with tools they need to keep repeat, violent offenders off our streets.”

“This new law strengthens our bail system by focusing on repeat, violent offenders who wreak havoc in our neighborhoods and damage our communities,” Attorney General Biden said. “We are sharpening the teeth of Delaware’s bail laws.”

Last year, there were 157 individuals arrested for committing violent felonies while out on bail awaiting trial on a previous violent felony charge.

Rep. Keeley, D-Wilmington South, said Wilmington residents have been dealing for years with criminals repeatedly getting arrested and making bail.  Keeping repeat offenders off the streets by toughening the bail statute will help cut down on some of the more serious crime.

“We understand that people make mistakes and have a constitutional right to bail,” Rep. Keeley said. “But when someone is repeatedly cycling through the justice system and not taking advantage of opportunities to rehabilitate themselves, then we need to look at closing this revolving door. Our residents look to our justice system to not only be fair to the accused, but to protect the innocent from those who might hurt them. By passing and signing this bill into law, we are taking an important step in protecting our residents.”

“This is a badly needed change,” said Sen. Henry, who guided the bill through the Senate. “The problem of habitual criminals getting out on bail and committing new crimes is an issue up and down the state. It’s our hope that this new law will give our criminal justice community the latitude it needs to keep these people off the street.”

House Substitute 1 for House Bill 39 unanimously passed the House on March 28 and won unanimous approval in the Senate on May 8.  The bill has been publicly supported by the Wilmington Mayor’s Office, the Wilmington City Council, Wilmington PD, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Delaware Police Chiefs Council.

Under the new law, any person who is released on bail and then is arrested for a violent felony would have their bail for the first offense revoked if a judge finds it likely (using the legal standard of “proof positive and presumption great”) that the defendant committed the second crime. After the bail is revoked, the judge would hold a new bail hearing to re-set bail. The amount of the new bail must be at least twice the previous amount.

Army Warrant Officer Sean Mullen from Dover

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell today ordered United States and Delaware flags in the state lowered to half-staff in honor of U.S. Army Special Forces Warrant Officer Sean Mullen, who died in Afghanistan Sunday from wounds suffered in action.  Mullen had attended high school and college in Dover, where members of his family still reside. He was serving in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Campbell, KY. Markell directed that Flags remain lowered through Friday.

“Warrant Officer Mullen epitomizes the patriotism, selflessness and courage displayed by Delawareans throughout history who have sacrificed to protect the freedoms that we so often take for granted,” said Markell. “Our hearts break for his family and, on behalf of our state, we offer them our deepest gratitude and sympathy. While we grieve for this terrible loss, we also pledge to keep Warrant Officer Mullen’s memory alive, allowing his heroism to continue to inspire us for generations to come.”