DOVER, Del. –  Governor Carney on Thursday delivered his 2023 State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly, announcing plans to strengthen our economy and infrastructure, invest in public schools and child care, and maintain a sustainable financial plan.

“I can confidently say that because of the work we’ve done together, the state of our state is strong, and will only get stronger in the years ahead,” said Governor Carney. “If we continue working together – as we do in Delaware better than anyone else – we’ll build a future worthy of the next generation.”

Click here to read Governor Carney’s full State of the State address, as prepared for delivery.

 

The following are excerpts from Governor Carney’s remarks:

ECONOMY

“I believe that our success as a state must start with building a strong and growing economy. We know that a good job solves a lot of problems – and that’s not just political rhetoric.”

WORKFORCE

“The biggest challenge we have is filling the job openings that are out there. For my entire career in public service, we’ve been focused first on creating jobs. There have always been more people looking for work than jobs available. Today, it’s just the opposite. We have thousands more job openings than we have people looking for work. Let me say that again – in a different way. Employers have 37,000 job openings in the State of Delaware. And there are just 21,000 Delawareans looking for a job. I’ve never seen a situation like this before. Our state government sees those challenges every day. Across the executive branch agencies, we have 2,000 job openings and it’s harder than ever to find candidates. This is not a problem unique to Delaware. In fact, every state in the country is facing similar challenges. And so our ability to compete will depend on our success building and attracting a highly skilled workforce. Our colleges and universities have never been more important in this work.”

FEDERAL FUNDING

“Thanks to President Biden and our congressional delegation, we’ve also seen a significant influx of federal dollars that will help us build on this progress. With the support of the American Rescue Plan, we’re building a Clinical Lab at Delaware State University. An Allied Health Center at Delaware Tech in Wilmington. And a state-of-the-art laboratory on the site of the McKinly Lab at the University of Delaware. Over the course of the next year, ARPA funding will help rehabilitate blighted homes and properties on the east side of Wilmington.”

EDUCATION

“All children should be able to read at grade level by third grade. Be proficient in math by middle school. And graduate high school ready for college or a career. If we meet those targets, our students will be better off in the long run. And our state will be stronger. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: too many students are behind. That’s especially true among our most vulnerable students. And that’s just not acceptable. We need everyone to lean into this issue.”

CHILD CARE

“Supporting our youngest learners and their families has to be a top priority for all of us. That’s why my budget next week will increase state investments in early childhood education. We will propose an increase in purchase of care to help more low-income families access quality child care. We will also double funding for the Early Childhood Assistance Program – or ECAP. These programs serve many of the most vulnerable 3- and 4-year-olds in our state. And with the help of an $8 million federal grant, we will develop a plan for the future of child care and early education in Delaware. I know this is a priority for Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long, Senator Gay, and many others in this chamber.”

ENVIRONMENT

“In the Oath of Office, we all take as elected officials, we pledge to ‘respect the right of future generations to share the rich historic and natural heritage of Delaware.’ But, that natural heritage is under threat. We’re the lowest-lying state in the nation. And the effects of climate change and sea level rise on Delaware communities are real. We’re seeing them every day. That’s why we need to take action. With the help of federal infrastructure funding, we will accelerate efforts to build out Delaware’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. And we’ll restore investments in the Clean Water Trust – to protect our waterways and drinking water.”

CRIME

“Protecting our state also means making sure Delaware families feel safe in their homes and communities. We’re working with leaders in Wilmington and Dover to expand our Group Violence Intervention Program – to reduce gun violence. Our collective efforts have shown good results. Statewide, shootings are down 30 percent since last year. There’s a lot more work to do, for sure. Gun violence anywhere is unacceptable – and we need everyone to make this a priority.”

RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

“We can’t make any of these investments – in education, in our economy, in environmental protection and public safety – if we don’t have our fiscal house in order. Over the past six years, we have charted a responsible course, together. We’ve protected taxpayer dollars and directed investments where they can have the greatest impact. I’ve talked to a lot of taxpayers over the years – and that’s what they expect of us. When I took office six years ago, we were facing an almost $400 million deficit. Now, we have $400 million more in reserves for when the economy turns down again which we know will happen at some point. Despite a global pandemic that ravaged our economy – we have turned a significant deficit into a surplus. We have directed one-time revenue into one-time projects and built the largest infrastructure program in Delaware history – two years in a row now.”

Click here  for photos from the 2023 State of the State address.

Visit de.gov/sots for a replay of the 2023 State of the State address.

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DOVER, Del. – Surrounded by teachers, administrators, members of the General Assembly, and advocates, Governor Carney on Tuesday announced significant investments in public education across Delaware. Investments that will be included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget are:

• A 3 percent raise for all who work in public education.
• A total of a 9 percent raise for teachers.
• An increase of $15 million to Opportunity Funding, totaling $53 million.
• A $3 million investment in the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, totaling $10 million.

“I was raised by two educators. I know the difference a good teacher can make in the life of a student,” said Governor Carney. “That’s why teachers are central to all our efforts in education. And our goal with these investments is pretty straightforward. We want to retain and recruit the best teachers into Delaware schools. The competition for those teachers is intense, but I’m confident we can get this done.”

“We are excited by the Governor’s plans to increase funding and classroom-based support for Delaware public schools,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “Combined with other resources that have been directed to schools during this administration, including Opportunity Funding and the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, resources for our English learners and economically disadvantaged students have positioned our schools to better meet the needs of all students. The investment in our teachers, those who work directly with our students and families, additionally demonstrates our state’s commitment to strengthen education. Increased teacher compensation positively impacts our ability to better retain highly effective educators while simultaneously puts our districts, charters schools, human resources directors and school leaders in a much better position to recruit top-notch educators. The timing of this plan is critical in that it is ahead of students graduating teacher prep programs this spring. The plan also dovetails nicely with the work of Delaware’s Public Education Compensation Committee (PECC), which not only focuses on compensation but also promotes the importance of teacher leadership and career paths that differ from our currently existing system and instead focus on recruiting the best novice teachers who can then grow in careers that include coaching, leadership and increased student achievement. All of this work highlights the direction in which our state is headed, and we are grateful for this administration’s thoughtful and forward-thinking proposals.”

“No one becomes a teacher to make a lot of money. We become teachers to make a difference. That said, Delaware’s teachers deserve to be paid a competitive wage,” said Senator Laura Sturgeon, a former educator. “While I am honored to serve on the Public Education Compensation Committee, I recognize the urgency with which we must address the teacher shortage. That’s why I am so glad to see that Governor Carney is taking this momentous step to increase educator pay in this year’s budget.”

“Educating our children is one of the most important jobs one could ever hold and we should pay educators a salary showing that we believe it is the most important job,” said Representative Kimberly Williams. “I look forward to our continued work on the Public Education Compensation Committee.”

“On behalf of Delaware educators, I want to thank Governor Carney for taking the first meaningful step toward elevating educator pay to a respectful and professional level” said DSEA President Stephanie Ingram. “This is what we have be asking for, and it is the first of many steps that need to be taken in order to achieve respectful and professional salaries for all educational employees.  There is much work to be done, but I know that together we can make it happen.”

Video from today’s event can be found on Governor Carney’s website.

Photos from today’s event can be found on Governor Carney’s Flickr.

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The prestigious Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize artists in a variety of disciplines for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards.

 

Wilmington, Del. (January 17, 2023) – Seventeen Delaware artists are being recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts for the high quality of their artwork. The Division received work samples from 118 Delaware musicians; writers; and folk, media, and visual artists. The work samples were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals who considered the demonstrated creativity and skill in each artist’s respective art form. Seventeen artists were awarded fellowships in the following categories – two, Masters; seven, Established; and eight, Emerging. The seventeen selected fellows reside throughout Delaware including Bridgeville, Claymont, Felton, Harrington, Lewes, Newark, Smyrna, and Wilmington.

Awards are given in three categories: $12,000 for the Masters Award, $8,000 for the Established Professional Award, and $5,000 for the Emerging Professional Award. Fellows are required to offer at least one exhibit or performance during the upcoming year, providing an opportunity for the public to experience their work.

“Individual Artist Fellowship grants recognize Delaware artists for their outstanding work and commitment to artistic excellence,” said Jessica Ball, director of Delaware Division of the Arts. “The financial award allows them to pursue advanced training, purchase equipment and materials, or fulfill other needs to advance their careers. The last three years have proven difficult for many artists, and thanks in part to Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, the Division of the Arts is pleased to be able to allocate additional funds to increase the size of the grants for 2023.  In addition to these increased grants, the Division was able to award a second Masters Fellowship Award.”

The Masters Fellowship is open to different artistic disciplines each year. In 2023, Masters Fellowship applications were accepted in Visual Arts and Folk Arts from artists who had previously received an Established Professional Fellowship. In addition to exemplifying high artistic quality, Masters Fellowship applicants must demonstrate their involvement and commitment to the arts in Delaware and beyond.

The DDOA 2023 Master Fellow in the field of Visual Arts Photography is B. Proud.  B. Proud is a commercial and fine art photographer and has exhibited her work in solo and group shows around the globe. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and faculty at the International Center of Photography (ICP), New York. B. Proud’s recent work is a series of socially conscious documentary projects focused on the LGBTQ+ community. “First Comes Love” is a traveling exhibition of portraits, stories, and videos of couples in long-term relationships. The project’s hardbound book received two publishing gold medals. “Transcending Love,” focuses on transgender and gender non-conforming couples across the country in an attempt to further acceptance of a community deserving of understanding and fundamental human rights. Proud has received grants from the B.W. Bastian Foundation, the Puffin Foundation, The University of the Arts, and the Delaware State Arts Council. Her work is included in the Weeks Gallery, Jamestown, NY, Center for Photography at Woodstock, the Delaware Art Museum, Eastman Kodak, Haverford College, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and private collections. Learn more at https://www.bproudphoto.com/

The DDOA 2023 Master Fellow in the field of Folk Art: Oral Literature is TAHIRA.  TAHIRA, is a nationally recognized storyteller and performing artist, who boldly blurs the lines between storyteller, singer/songwriter and musician. Whether performing her original works or her vast repertoire of stories from the African oral tradition, she brings to her audience messages of courage, hope, and spiritual strength. Blending, song, poetry and story in a high-energy performance, TAHIRA captivates and enthralls audiences in schools, libraries, festivals and social services organizations nationally and internationally. TAHIRA says she has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her childhood passion for words has led to her mission to use storytelling and music to empower young people to think critically, choose wisely, and believe fervently in their ability to succeed. She spells her name with all capital letters as a reminder of the enormous responsibility she has to use her gifts to be of service to her community. Learn more at https://www.tahiraproductions.com/

Listed below are the Delaware Division of the Arts 2023 Individual Artist Fellows:

 

2023 Master Fellows

B. Proud, Visual Arts: Photography, Wilmington

TAHIRA, Folk Art: Oral Literature, Claymont

 

2023 Established Fellows

Joyce Barbagallo, Literature: Fiction, Wilmington

Ron Meick, Visual Arts: Sculpture, Wilmington

Michael Miller, Folk Art: Music, Felton

Mary Pauer, Literature: Creative Nonfiction, Bridgeville

Christopher Penna, Literature: Poetry, Newark

Lauren E. Peters, Visual Arts: Painting, Wilmington

IVA (Emily Tepe), Music: Contemporary Performance

 

2023 Emerging Fellows

Jill Althouse-Wood, Visual Arts: Painting, Wilmington

Bryant (Tee) Bell, Visual Arts: Painting, Dover

Liz DeJesus, Literature: Creative Nonfiction, Wilmington

Constanza (Cony) Madariaga, Visual Arts: Painting, Wilmington

James Morgan, Media Arts: Video/Film, Harrington

Charlese Phillips, Visual Arts: Interdisciplinary, Smyrna

Kim Hoey Stevenson, Literature: Fiction, Lewes

Anne Yarbrough, Literature: Poetry, New Castle

 

To contact an individual artist, please email or call: Roxanne Stanulis, Program Officer, Artist Programs and Services, Roxanne.Stanulis@delaware.gov or 302-577-8283.

The next deadline for Individual Artist Fellowship applications will be Monday, August 1, 2023 by 11:59 p.m.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. 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. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

 

Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, Andrew.Truscott@delaware.gov

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney on Friday formally extended the Public Health Emergency order another 30 days.

“For the past two years, we have seen COVID-19 cases peak in early January after the holidays. It’s important we keep doing what we know that works to protect our community,” said Governor Carney. “If you are feeling sick or have symptoms, please stay home. If you haven’t already, talk to your health care provider about getting your flu shot and staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.”

Under Delaware law, Public Health Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days.

Visit Governor Carney’s website to view the Public Health Emergency extension.

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Governor Carney has ordered the Delaware flag to be lowered on Thursday, December 29, 2022, to honor the many years of public service of former Elsmere Town Manager, Elsmere Chief of Police, and past president of Elsmere Fire Company, John S. Giles, Jr, who passed away on December 18, 2022. He served his community as a member of the Elsmere Fire Company, where he held leadership positions including Captain, Assistant Chief, Director, and President, and also served in the Elsmere Bureau of Police where he became the Chief of Police. Mr. Giles also served as Deputy Director of the Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement for the State of Delaware and later became the Town of Elsmere’s Town Manager. 

Funeral services for Mr. Giles will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022. Accordingly, the Delaware flag is to be lowered the morning of Thursday, December 29, 2022 and returned to full staff at the close of business that evening.