Treasurer Davis Named to Advisory Council

Thanks to the ongoing progress towards implementation of the Delaware Expanding Access for Retirement and Necessary Savings (EARNS) program, State Treasurer Colleen Davis has been named to the newly formed State Advisory Council of the Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives (CRI) at the McCourt School of Public Policy. The bi-partisan council will provide guidance to the CRI’s mission, goals, and objectives in implementing state-facilitated retirement savings programs like EARNS around the country.

Signed into law in 2022 after receiving overwhelming bi-partisan support from the General Assembly, EARNS will provide a convenient way for all workers to save for retirement, particularly middle and low-income workers who lack access to employer-sponsored plans, and allows small businesses previously unable to provide such a benefit to do so at no cost.

“The CRI has been an indispensable resource not just for our office and EARNS, but for state programs across the country,” said Treasurer Davis. “They serve as a clearinghouse for all policy issues surrounding state auto-IRAs and I’m honored to be part of the council that will help them continue that invaluable work.”

The initial meeting of the council focused on the upcoming annual state network conference to be held January where leaders of state-sponsored retirement programs will gather to share ideas and experiences.

“Treasurer Davis’s leadership establishing the Delaware EARNS program has been an example for other states seeking to implement such programs,” said Angela Antonelli, the CRI’s Executive Director. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with Treasurer Davis and other state leaders and to benefit from their strategic guidance in support of these important retirement savings programs.”

“I am honored to have a role in supporting the Georgetown Center for Retirement Initiatives in the critical work of sharing best practices for addressing the retirement savings crisis,” said Dave Young, Colorado State Treasurer and Chair of the council. “As state programs evolve, Colorado is fortunate to have partners like Treasurer Davis and the Delaware EARNS Program help us chart a new course towards a sustainable and dignified retirement for all savers.”

Delaware EARNS is expected to go live January 1, 2025.

“As I have said repeatedly, my main priorities remain bolstering retirement security, creating pathways to economic empowerment, and providing a culture of financial excellence,” Treasurer Davis said. “My role on this council will enable me to help share Delaware’s success with the rest of the country.”


Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council to meet Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Dover

DOVER – The Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council (WIAC) will meet Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room 220, Kent County Administrative Complex, 555 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901. More information about the WIAC meeting, including the agenda, can be found on the Statewide Meeting Calendar at https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Meeting/61416. For more information about Delaware’s Water Infrastructure Advisory Council, please visit the DNREC website.

Vol. 49, No. 23

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Delaware Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish to meet Oct. 30 in Dover

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The Council will discuss recent Atlantic Flyway Council recommendations regarding future Delaware waterfowl seasons, expanded waterfowl hunting opportunities at Ted Harvey Conservation Area, an update on statewide impoundment upgrades, and the proposed use of cast jaw traps for upland trapping in Delaware. For more information, including the meeting agenda, visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

For more information on Delaware wildlife, please call DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. For more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Vol. 48, No. 291

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Delaware’s Council on Farm and Food Policy to advise Secretary of Agriculture

DOVER, Del. — After a year-long community planning process led by the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), the newly formed Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy will facilitate access to resources that will allow all Delawareans to circumvent challenges associated with securing nutritious and local food options, minimizing deficiency and vulnerability within communities, and achieving healthy lifestyles. The Council will advise Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture on policy, project development, resource priorities, and implementation strategies to achieve its goal.

“In a state our size, there is an opportunity to draw real connections between the unique and varied opportunities within each of Delaware’s three counties,” said Nikko Brady, DDA Deputy Principal Assistant. “The value of a council like this is its capacity to pioneer a model for influencing statewide community prosperity by capitalizing on our cornerstone industry – agriculture.”

Created from a combination of on-the-ground learning and government resources and planning, the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy sets the tone for statewide collaboration, evidence-based project development, and connecting Delaware grown products within our communities. This diverse group of field experts will provide insight and recommendations, drive new opportunities for program and policy development, and examine opportunities that may already be well underway and need additional collective support.

“We have learned a lot this past year through our strategic conversations

including growers, producers, community members, businesses, non-profit leaders, public health advocates and so many individuals committed to advancing Delaware’s top priorities surrounding food and farming,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “I am excited to work with the Council, under the leadership of David Edgell, to witness the changes in policy that will positively impact Delawareans by ensuring they have access to healthy, affordable food produced by the very best family farms in this country.”

Together, the Council and the Department will explore policy barriers, replicate program successes, and discover pressing challenges and opportunities that will support economic prosperity for the farming community and ensure healthy, affordable food for residents. Agriculture is Delaware’s top industry, providing 20,000 jobs and $8 billion of economic activity, including $1.2 billion in direct sales from 2,500 family farms. Delaware farmers produce a variety of agricultural products on 500,000 acres of farmland, including fruits and vegetables, poultry, corn, wheat, and soybeans.

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For more information on the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, contact Ms. Nikko Brady, DDA Deputy Principal Assistant, 302-698-4503, DDA_FarmandFoodPolicy@delaware.gov


Delaware Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish to meet Tuesday, July 31 in Dover to discuss deer seasons and Sunday deer hunting opportunities on public lands (Updated)

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will convene for a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The council will discuss deer season changes associated with recently-passed legislation allowing additional Sunday deer hunting, and will be seeking public input on proposed Sunday deer hunting opportunities on both state wildlife areas and state forest lands. More information about state wildlife areas where Sunday deer hunting is proposed is posted on the Division of Fish & Wildlife website.

For more information about the advisory council’s special July 31 meeting, including the meeting agenda, please visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

For more information on Delaware wildlife, please call DNREC’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. For more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.