Delaware has received a triple-A credit rating from all three major rating agencies – the highest mark a government agency can achieve. Highlighting the state’s fiscally responsible approach, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services have recognized the state’s strong fiscal practices, as well as the strength of Delaware’s economy and labor market.

“These reports affirm our progress in strengthening Delaware’s economy, while budgeting responsibly,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Recognition of Delaware as one of the top rated states shows Delaware is well-positioned for continued success. However, our work is never finished. We must continue efforts to prepare our workers with the skills they need to compete for jobs, foster a nurturing environment for businesses to start and expand in the state, and ensure our budget is sustainable for years to come.”

The reports take into account expected workforce reductions in the first quarter of 2016 due to the DuPont merger with Dow Chemical, but cite positive trends and continued growth in other employment areas – including business services, financial activities, education, health, leisure and hospitality.

In its analysis, Standard and Poor’s pointed to Delaware’s “diverse economy,” “strong financial and budget management,” “consistently strong general fund reserves,” “moderate overall debt burden,” and “well-funded pension system.”

Delaware has now earned the top rating from all agencies for the past 16 years, including through the recent economic recession and ongoing recovery.

“Delaware has maintained its triple-A ratings through some challenging economic cycles – in large measure due to our disciplined adherence to responsible fiscal practices and focus on economic development,” said Secretary of Finance Thomas J. Cook. “Even through the Great Recession, this administration has maintained the highest possible credit ratings through strong financial management and fiscal discipline, while improving our business climate. The confirmation of our rating will translate to the lowest cost of capital, permitting greater investment in the essential infrastructure that is essential to attracting new business and spurring job creation.”

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Leslie A. Poland
Public Information Officer
Delaware Department of Finance
(302) 577-8522
leslie.poland@delaware.gov

Committee of Private Sector and Public Sector Leaders to Review State Spending and Identify Opportunities for Savings 

Wilmington, DE – Governor Jack Markell announced today the signing of Executive Order No. 52, creating the Delaware Expenditure Review Committee. Led by Fred Sears of the Delaware Community Foundation, the Committee will review state government for opportunities to create efficiencies and provide services in a more cost-effective manner. The Committee, comprised of private sector appointees from the Governor and all four caucuses of the General Assembly, brings together representatives of the business community, unions, government and the non-profit sector.

“Delaware’s revenue sources don’t grow with our economy, so even as our state’s economy has improved, we face tremendous budget challenges,” said Governor Markell. “We must do everything we can to deliver the most value to Delawareans at a reasonable cost and the committee I’m creating today builds on six years of work to make government more efficient in providing high quality services to our citizens. The results so far have produced the least amount of budget growth during any administration – Republican or Democrat – in modern history. We must remain open to evaluating new ideas and look forward to partnering with the private sector to continue this effort.”

When accounting for inflation and population growth, the state budget has shrunk by an average of 0.58 percent per year during the Markell Administration, representing significantly less growth in spending than any prior administration in the last 30 years. That success in containing costs during a time of high demand for government services is the result of a wide range of efforts since 2009, from the Government Performance Review that generated $35 million in savings opportunities that year to additional savings through energy efficiency gains, attrition in cabinet-level agencies, pension reform, and more.

The Committee established by E.O. 52 provides an additional opportunity at an important time to fully examine other ideas to increase efficiency. This initiative complements the work of the DEFAC Advisory Council on revenues, which put together options for the state to raise revenue in a way that better reflects Delaware’s economic progress.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring together private and public sector leaders to take a look at how the State may be able to find savings,” said Fred Sears, Chairperson of the Committee.  “This is not going to be easy, but I think the Governor and legislative leaders have appointed a good team that is prepared to go to work.”

“The JFC has made it a top priority to examine our budget for areas where we can save the taxpayers money while improving outcomes for everyone who relies on government services,” said Rep. Melanie Smith.  “The JFC welcomes the input, time and ideas of our friends and colleagues in the private sector, and looks forward to working together.”

“The Joint Finance Committee has one of the most difficult jobs in state government – making sure that we pass a balanced budget that reflects our values,” said Sen. Harris McDowell. “Every year, we come through on that, but it isn’t getting any easier. We face difficult decision to meet the needs of Delawareans and hopefully this group can help us with those.”

“This Committee is a worthwhile endeavor and the State Chamber looks forward to working with the Administration and legislature on the Committee’s recommendations,” said State Chamber of Commerce President A. Richard Heffron.

The Committee – a bipartisan group of government and private sector leaders – includes:

• Chairman Fred Sears – Delaware Community Foundation, appointed by the Speaker of the House and designated as Chairperson by the Co-Chairs of JFC
• Fred Cottrell – Richards, Layton & Finger, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader
• Rick Gessner – Capital One, representing the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
• Dennis Greenhouse – Former County Executive and State Auditor
• The Hon. Joshua Martin – Chairperson of DEFAC; Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP
• Robert McMurray – Christiana Care Health System, representing the Delaware Business Roundtable
• Mike Morton – Controller General
• Ed Ratledge – Chairperson of DEFAC’s Subcommittee on Expenditures; University of Delaware
• Jack Riddle – Community Bank, appointed by the House Minority Leader
• Jeff Taschner – DSEA, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore
• Ann Visalli – Director of the Office of Management and Budget
• Lincoln Willis – Former State Representative; Willis Chevrolet

The text of the Executive Order follows:

EXECUTIVE ORDER

NUMBER FIFTY-TWO

TO:      HEADS OF ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

RE:      DELAWARE EXPENDITURE REVIEW COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, the Delaware Economic & Financial Council (DEFAC) Advisory Council on Revenues has examined the State of Delaware’s revenue portfolio and determined that more than half of Delaware’s revenue sources do not grow in proportion to the overall economy;

WHEREAS, as a result of the lack of growth among major revenue categories, total state revenues in FY 2016 are estimated to be less than FY 2015;

WHEREAS, the General Assembly and the administration have managed the State’s budget responsibly, with budgets that are balanced every year and budget growth that is only 2.3% annually during the Markell administration and that is actually negative 0.58% if adjusted for inflation and population growth during that time;

WHEREAS, the Markell administration has eliminated more than 1,000 state positions between FY 2009 and FY 2016, reduced overall head count by more than 600 employees, reduced energy costs, enacted state employee health and pension reform, reduced fleet costs, and implemented savings programs in Medicaid, Long-Term Care, and many other programs;

WHEREAS, as a result of these efforts and other budget savings, the Delaware state budget has grown less during the Markell administration than any other administration in a generation or more;

WHEREAS, even with well-managed budgets, the absence of robust revenue growth that tracks Delaware’s economy and the State of Delaware’s expenses creates an anticipated budget deficit of more than $100 million in FY 2017, and that deficit has the potential to grow as expenses continue to climb and revenue sources do not keep up;

WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly and Joint Finance Committee are interested in identifying opportunities for savings in the state budget and have begun efforts to identify savings through reviews by the Pew Charitable Foundation and attempts to identify savings in programs like Medicaid;

WHEREAS, the Governor and the General Assembly are committed to responsible management and administration of the state’s budget, including identifying opportunities for achieving better savings for taxpayers;

WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of state spending can identify opportunities to achieve savings in a manner that allows for the continued provision of effective service to Delawareans, particularly those who depend on government services in times of need.

NOW, THEREFORE I, JACK A. MARKELL, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby DECLARE and ORDER that:

1. The Delaware Expenditure Review Committee is hereby created.
2. The Committee shall be comprised of twelve members.  The Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson of DEFAC, the Chairperson of DEFAC’s Subcommittee on Expenditures, the Controller General or his designee, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget or her designee, one person appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one person appointed by the Speaker of the House, one person appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one person appointed by the Minority Leader of the House, and four public members appointed by the Governor.  The Co-Chairpersons of the General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee shall designate a member from among those appointed to serve as chairperson of the Committee.
3. Members of the Committee shall receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for customary and usual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.  The Committee shall act by majority vote and may adopt public procedures and standards for the conduct of its affairs, consistent with this Order.  A quorum of the Committee shall consist of a majority of members.
4. The Committee is tasked with a review of state government services to evaluate whether there are opportunities to provide government services in a manner that is more efficient, more effective, or can be performed at less cost to taxpayers.  The Committee shall review any such proposals in a manner that gives consideration to both the overall cost savings that might be obtained and the positive and negative effects of those savings on the provision of services.
5. The Committee is authorized to call upon volunteer assistance from its membership or other interested parties, and may retain such advisors or consultants as appropriate to assist its work.  The compensation of any advisor or consultants shall be approved jointly by the Office of Management and Budget and Controller General.
6. On or before January 29, 2016, the Committee shall report to the Governor and the Joint Finance Committee of the General Assembly any findings and any recommendations for the State of Delaware’s operations or budget.
7. The Office of Management and Budget and Controller General’s Office shall provide staff support to assist the Committee in performing its duties and shall, upon request, provide the Committee with reports and data helpful to the Committee’s ability to perform its assigned duties.  All executive branch state agencies and departments shall cooperate with the Committee when requested.
8. The Delaware Expenditure Review Committee shall be terminated on June 30, 2016, if not reconstituted by further executive order.

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Photos from the event

Governor highlights efforts to support job growth and strengthen schools as well as make improvements to Substance Use Treatment and Prevention efforts

Budget meets growing demands for services while maintaining fiscal responsibility

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell today unveiled a balanced budget proposal that promotes increased educational and job opportunities and strengthens the State’s resources for those battling substance use disorders. The budget maintains the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility by appropriating 98 percent of available revenues and sustaining a fully funded Rainy Day Fund.

“Our budget reflects our values,” said Markell. “We must ensure our children and grandchildren have the same kind of bright future that previous generations left behind for us, and that means concentrating our investments where they can have the most impact in creating economic opportunities for Delawareans.”

At today’s budget release, Markell highlighted the difficult economic times Delaware has faced even as the state has realized significant achievements in creating jobs, strengthening schools, and improving quality of life in the state during difficult budget times. When adjusted for inflation and population growth, the size of government has decreased since 2009.

Supporting Delawareans to Seize Opportunities for a Bright Future

Educating Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce The budget proposes a significant increase in public education funding, including: $15.3 million for 186 new teacher units to meet the demands of increased enrollment in public schools; $9.8 million for salary step increases for school employees; $1.9 million to annualize and continue progress on the pay plan for paraprofessionals.

In addition, Markell outlined $9.5 million in additional state funding based on feedback from teachers, principals, and other school leaders about the initiatives that are having the greatest impact in Delaware classrooms. These resources will support specific requests from the education community and will sustain efforts begun when Delaware won the federal Race to the Top grant at a fraction of the amount provided by the federal government over the last four years. Initiatives include:

• Student intervention and response, which allows educators to better target high-quality instruction to match needs of individual students who are not making sufficient progress
• Support for English Language Learners, including bilingual programming, transition education, and additional English learning support
• School safety enhancements consistent with recent school safety efforts supported by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Grants to high needs schools for initiatives that have proven to help students, like extending the school year, providing three meals a day, and offering after-school and summer programs.
• Recruitment, mentorship, and retention of great teachers and principals, which includes maintenance of the statewide online hiring portal used by nearly every district and charter school to recruit and hire earlier.
• Tracking student progress and identifying student needs by maintaining and upgrading the state’s student data system, giving teachers access to information that helps them examine which lessons are working and how others can be improved.
• Supporting teachers in developing lessons aligned with the Common Core standards for college and career readiness.
• College access efforts, including College Application Month, financial aid help, school-day SAT, and continued expansion of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses that provide opportunities to earn college credit.

“We should be incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in our schools,” said Markell. “Proficiency is up. More students are reaching their growth goals, and staying on track to graduate high school. The drop-out rate is at a 30-year low. And more students are earning college credit while in high school, and going on to attend and complete college. With the end of the Race to the Top grant, we have an opportunity to evaluate the investments we’ve made and use what we’ve learned about how to best support our students and educators going forward.”

Creating Opportunities for Delawareans with Substance Use Disorders

Like many states across the country, Delaware is facing an addiction epidemic that continues to grow each year.

Last year, 185 Delawareans died from a suspected drug overdose and nearly 10,000 adults sought public treatment for addiction.  Governor Markell’s budget makes significant investments in the area of substance use, including $4.5 million for the following improvements:

• Increase withdrawal management services statewide, both at the New Castle County facility and the new detox center in Harrington, which will open by June to serve the southern part of the state. As the first step to recovery for many individuals, this is a combination of medically monitored and clinically managed inpatient withdrawal services that provide individualized care to match each person’s needs.
• Double the number of sober living residential beds statewide from 60 to 120. These beds allow individuals who are in the early stages of recovery to live in safe and secure housing that is free from drugs and alcohol. When necessary, these beds accommodate needs for safe, secure, drug/alcohol free housing as the recovery process continues.
• Double from 16 to 32 the number of residential treatment beds available for young people age 18 to 25 who are beginning their recoveries. These facilities give young people a safe and structured place to live while in treatment.
• Add 17 residential treatment beds.
• Increase by 100 the capacity of Oxford Houses that provide a sober living environment where people in recovery start their lives anew. It brings the statewide total to 500.

These efforts are complemented by a focus on education, prevention, and early intervention.

“We will create a more flexible treatment system that meets the needs of individuals challenged by addiction where they are, as opposed to relying on a “one size fits all” model,” said Governor Markell. “At the same time, we will put an increased emphasis on education, prevention, and early intervention.”

Spurring Economic Development and Improving Quality of Life

The Governor’s budget continues efforts to invest in economic development that creates jobs and improves the quality of life in Delaware’s communities. The recommended budget includes:

• $7 million to promote economic activity in designated Downtown Development Districts. Established last year, this program strengthens and enhances downtown areas by subsidizing rehabilitation and construction up to 20 percent of the total project cost. Three downtowns were recently designated to receive funding provided in last fiscal year’s budget, including Wilmington, Dover, and Seaford.
• $10 million for a container crane and infrastructure improvements at the Port of Wilmington.
• $1 million for the Federal Research and Development Matching Grants, continuing an effort started last year to encourage innovation.
• $2.7 million to train offenders with job skills so they are more likely to contribute to their communities and less likely to reoffend when they are released. The budget invests $1.2 million for renovations to the cafeteria at the James T. Vaughn Correctional facility in Smyrna to support the Matt Haley Culinary Arts Program and $1.5 million for the Automotive Skills Facility at James T. Vaughn Correctional Facility.
• $3 million to continue the Governor’s efforts to improve quality of life through statewide trails and pathways.
• $5 million for libraries in Delmar, Lewes, Route 9/13, and Harrington.

Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

As in previous years, the Governor’s budget reflects the challenges of limited revenues despite continued economic growth.

The Governor has proposed a combination of agency and program cuts and reduction to balance the budget while investing in education and economic opportunity in a fiscally responsible way. One of these proposals will reduce the growth of seniors’ property tax subsidy.  This subsidy has continued to grow as more Delawareans become eligible for it upon reaching the age of 65.  By 2025, the population of Delawareans over the age of 65 is expected to top 21 percent, at a cost to the State of more than $46 million, compared to $8.7 million at the time the program launched in 2001 when seniors accounted for about 13 percent of the state’s population.

The Governor proposes reducing by half the subsidy for those who qualify. Currently, property owners receive a subsidy of $500, or 50 percent of their school taxes if that amount would be less than $500. Under this proposal, property owners would receive a subsidy of $250, or 25 percent of their school taxes if that amount would be less than $250. This will save the State $12.6 million in the Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Operating Budget.

Final Budget Totals

The Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Operating Budget totals $3,900.0 million. The proposed Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Bond and Capital Improvements Act totals $385.8 million and includes $246.8 million in State agency capital projects and $139.0 million in Transportation projects. The Governor also set aside $45.4 million for Grants-in-Aid.

A power point of the proposal is available online: http://governor.delaware.gov/docs/FINAL_FY_2016_budget_presentation.pdf

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Ends legislative session marked by efforts to support businesses and workers, strengthen schools, and unleash the potential of every Delawarean

Dover, DE – Surrounded by lawmakers early this morning, Governor Jack Markell signed a balanced Fiscal Year 2015 budget to cap a legislative session focused on increasing economic opportunity for all Delawareans.

Despite a fiscal climate that has remained challenging even in a time of job growth, the funding appropriated in the Budget, Bond and Capital Improvements and Grants-in-Aid bills keeps the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. Overall, the accomplishments of this session:

• Support business creation and growth;
• Give citizens access to the education and training they need to succeed in today’s economy;
• Remove barriers to employment; and
• Encourage economic development in our cities.

The Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget contains 2.46% growth over Fiscal Year 2014 despite unanticipated increases in Medicaid expenses and the number of children attending Delaware schools. Average annual budget growth during the Markell administration (2009-2015) is 2.2%.

The state has continued to receive a AAA bond rating from all three rating agencies in large part due to appropriating just 98 percent of available revenues and maintaining a fully funded Rainy Day Fund. This year’s budget adheres to those principles.

“When we gathered at the beginning of this legislative session, I spoke about the goal of unleashing the potential of our people – about our shared belief that we all stand to gain when everyone gets a fair shot,” said Markell. “At the core of that mission is a responsibility to ensure economic opportunity is available for all Delawareans.

“Delaware’s economy continues to outperform the country where it matters most, with job growth outpacing the national average every month since the start of 2013, and during the past six months we have kept moving forward. The achievements of this session will help more people realize their potential and make the most of their abilities in our great state.”

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Encouraging Economic Development and Job Creation

“We supported our job creators by bringing down the cost of doing business while taking steps to spur the research and development that leads to innovation and job growth,” said Markell.

• Established Downtown Development District program (SB 191) to revitalize urban areas and spur economic activity by attracting increased private funding through development and other incentives in selected areas. It is funded at the full $7 million requested to allow for the selection of 1-3 districts in the first year.
• Reformed workers’ compensation system (HB 373) to reduce high costs to businesses through recommendations of a task force created by the Governor and General Assembly.
• Supported small business innovation (HB 318) and growth by doubling the R&D Tax Credit for them. HB 318 targets the credit toward startups and small companies with less than $20 million in receipts by making them eligible for a tax credit of up to 100% of the federal credit, while large companies continue to qualify for up to 50%.
• Encouraged and supported innovation through the Delaware Cyber Initiative to spur innovation in a key industry that has hundreds of unfilled jobs in the state ($3M in Bond Bill) and through funding for a Federal Research and Development Matching Grant Program ($2M in Bond Bill).
• Spurred Fort DuPont Redevelopment (HB 310), recognizing Fort DuPont’s enormous potential as a sustainable, mixed-use community that preserves the historical and environmental interests of the complex and surrounding areas. The bill authorizes the creation of the Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation, an entity that will spearhead the renovation, redevelopment, and preservation of the complex.
• Extended the Bank Franchise Tax Creditto support financial industry job creation by changing the sunset of the tax credit from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2032, and providing for a rolling base year for measuring employment growth.
• Helped Veterans transition to civilian workforce (HB 296) by having professional licensing boards recognize military education, training, and experience when reviewing credentials and issuing licenses.
• Prioritized energy efficiency (SB 150), which reduces energy bills and creates local construction jobs, by driving investments in energy efficiency that displace more expensive energy supply purchases.
• Funded the Division of Special Investigations focused on gun safety to make our communities safer through in-depth investigations into firearm transactions and gun trafficking and by developing a statewide enforcement and oversight strategy. ($265K)
  

Creating Opportunities to Work

“We have no higher priority than ensuring employers have access to a skilled workforce in Delaware because that’s what businesses say is most important to them, and because gaining the right skills is critical for workers to succeed in today’s economy,” said Markell.

• Funded Accelerated Career Path opportunity for high school students to gain professional certificates in manufacturing by the time they graduate, while receiving exposure to Delaware Tech and the workplace. To further promote and support experiential learning as a workforce development tool, the budget funds a competitive grant program for public-private partnerships between employers and schools. ($900K)
• Increased Access to College

o   Funded college access initiatives, including dual enrollment options, and efforts that have been part of the “Getting to Zero” program. ($1.5 million)  This work has produced results:

• All college-ready seniors in this year’s graduating class applied and have taken steps to enroll (in previous years about 1 in 5 did not); and
• More students are taking AP courses and passing AP tests.
  

Supporting Opportunities to Learn

“Any successful economy and society needs great schools,” said Markell. “We have made unprecedented strides in efforts to attract and retain great teachers while giving school leaders the chance to use state funding in ways that work best for their students.”

• Invested in Delaware schools

o   $19.0 million to maintain classroom size and fully fund unit count (220 units).

o   $10.2 million for step increases for school employees and the enhanced paraprofessional pay plan.

o   $2.9 million for pupil transportation associated with enrollment growth.

• Initiated effort to improve the educator compensation system (SB 254) to make starting salaries competitive, reward educators who take leadership roles, and better support those who work with the most at-risk students. These are critical steps to help Delaware attract, develop, and retain high-quality educators, who are the most important school-related factor in students’ academic success.
• Established a path forward for school district funding flexibility after more than six decades operating with the current funding system. The rigid state funding model has prevented school leaders from developing innovative ways to best serve their students. (Budget Epilogue)
• Transitioned to assessments aligned with Common Core (HB 334). This move will align state assessments tocollege and career ready standards.
  

Building Opportunities for Those in Need

“We cannot meet the potential of our state unless we give all of our people a fair chance to meet their potential,” said Markell. “We have taken steps to reform our criminal justice system to give ex-offenders the opportunity to contribute when they have repaid their debt to society, and we have removed barriers to employment for them and other groups that have faced obstacles.”

• Raised minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.25 per hour. (SB 6) Upon signing the bill, Governor Markell emphasized that “raising the minimum wage represents one of the fastest ways we can act to give a boost to many struggling working families.”
• Addressed employment discrimination against ex-offenders by banning the box for public employers (HB 167) and permitting the Department of Correction to offer employment for up to 6 months to ex-offenders who have demonstrated exceptional job skills. (HB 264)
• Ended driver’s license revocation for drug offenders whose crimes don’t involve a motor vehicle, removing an obstacle for them to get a job and contribute to their communities. (SB 217)
• Addressed rising prison costs and made the approach to sentencing and penalties more appropriate. Initiatives included:

o   Sentencing reform that ends Delaware’s status as the only state to not allow concurrent sentences (HB 312); and

o   A pre-trial supervision program to will keep some non-violent individuals out of prison. ($250K)

• Funded community-based advocates for young people transitioning out of juvenile facilities to help them keep their lives on track when they return to their communities. ($250K)
• Established a Youth Re-Entry Education Task Forceonensuring the appropriate services are available for youth leaving juvenile secure care facilities.
• Transformed the way the state handles addiction through better treatment, community care management and other related services. The State will increase detoxification services, assertive community treatment team services and sober living occupancy rates, while also establishing a comprehensive system to meet the needs of people in correctional facilities who have substance abuse disorders. ($1 million)
• Supported public services for people in greatest need

o   $3.8 million in the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services to support additional community placements.

o   $3.6 million for community-based services for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

o   $1.8 million to the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services to support an estimated 175 additional special school graduates.

o   $1.3 million to help kids get off to the right startby expanding the proven Nurse-Family Partnership program that assists first-time mothers.

Making Government Work Effectively and Efficiently

”While ensuring economic opportunity for all must be our ultimate goal, that can only happen if we also fulfill our obligation to give Delawareans faith in their elected officials and to make government as effective and efficient as possible,” said Markell.

• Reformed the Office of Medical Examiner to restructure it as a free-standing division of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The bill addresses issues that contributed to the problems reported earlier this year by providing for oversight and accountability of the division and its new director. (SB 241)
• Enacted further campaign finance reform legislation to build on earlier efforts during the Governor’s Administration to increase transparency and effectiveness of the campaign finance system, while also improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of how the state administers elections.

o   HS 1 to HB 302 consolidates the three County Elections Boards, grants a new State Board of Elections authority over campaign finance-related disputes, and allows for anonymous reporting of election law violations.

o   SB 186 requires that entities disclose name and address of one “responsible party” – someone who shares or exercises direction or control over entity’s activities.

o   HB 301 provides for clearer attribution of contributions from joint accounts by requiring that contributions from joint accounts (including but not limited to bank accounts) be attributed to the person signing the check or authorizing payment.

o   HB 300 addresses whistleblower protections for employees who report and/or refuse to participate in violations of campaign finance laws, and who participate in an investigation, hearing, trial or inquiry of a campaign finance violation.

o   SB 187 provides a safe alternative for the return of prohibited campaign and suspected prohibited campaign contributions.

 

The essence of the American dream is that while we are not guaranteed equal outcomes, we are guaranteed equal opportunities to achieve our potential. We can make those opportunities a reality for all of us by building a budget that reflects our values.

The budget my administration presented this week adheres to the value of fiscal responsibility, continuing an approach that has earned our triple-A credit rating by using only 98 percent of available revenues and sustaining our rainy day fund. At the same time we must invest in areas we know are critical to creating economic opportunity now and for generations to come. The budget funds innovative education and job training to strengthen our workforce; research that spurs innovation and economic development; stronger transportation and water infrastructure that’s necessary for our businesses’ success and a high quality of life for all of our people; and programs to give our most vulnerable citizens a better chance. Making those necessary investments requires hard choices, including a mix of cuts and new revenues to support our priorities. I hope you will take the opportunity to review these proposals on my website.

If we’re going to have a lasting impact in creating opportunities for our fellow citizens, we must take the same challenge President Kennedy issued in Delaware just over 50 years ago when he dedicated the new highway running from Wilmington to Baltimore. He recognized that the highway was created because of a commitment made years earlier. And he called on Americans to “begin things which will make this country a better place to live in for the rest of this century.” By strengthening our infrastructure, spurring innovation, and supporting a quality workforce, we’ll build on the things that make our state a better place and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.