WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday issued the following statement on the Joint Finance Committee’s vote to appropriate only 97 percent of available revenue this year and conserve surplus revenue:

“Delaware has a tradition of fiscal responsibility, and I want to thank members of the Joint Finance Committee for their vote today, which shows restraint, and a commitment to making responsible, long-term decisions about our finances. On our current pace and without action, our spending needs will outgrow our ability to pay for them. That’s why we’ve been focused since taking office on addressing our long-term challenges, on responsibly investing one-time revenue, and on making sure we don’t spend beyond our means. This will require a long-term commitment. Today’s vote is a major step toward that commitment and I look forward to working with the entire General Assembly through this session to ensure this additional surplus revenue is set aside. Thank you to members of the Joint Finance Committee for their partnership in this effort.”

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WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney will spend several days highlighting proposed investments in teachers, high-needs schools, and early learning. Governor Carney will make several stops at schools across Delaware. The Governor also will host a Facebook Live Town Hall with Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education, and take questions on the state’s work to ensure that all Delaware children have access to a high-quality education.

MEDIA: Please RSVP to Jessica Borcky (Jessica.Borcky@delaware.gov) if you plan to attend. The Governor will have media availability at each stop.

Tuesday, February 27

HIGHLIGHTING OPPORTUNITY GRANTS

WHAT: Visit Mount Pleasant Elementary School to highlight the school’s Opportunity Grant program, and the proposed expansion of non-competitive Opportunity Grants for all qualifying schools.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Mark Holodick, Superintendent, Brandywine School District
Matthew Auerbach, Principal, Mount Pleasant Elementary School

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2018
9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Mount Pleasant Elementary School
500 Duncan Road
Wilmington, DE 19809

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INVESTING IN EDUCATORS

WHAT: Listening session with Alfred G. Waters Middle School sixth grade teachers during their professional learning community (“PLC”) as they discuss curriculum, student data, successes, and challenges. Governor Carney’s proposed budget includes $10.2 million to fully fund annual steps for educators, and a 2 percent salary increase for educators statewide.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Matt Burrows, Superintendent, Appoquinimink School District
Tom Poehlmann, Principal, Alfred G. Waters Middle School
Sixth grade teachers

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2018
10:20 a.m.

WHERE: Alfred G. Waters Middle School
1235 Cedar Lane Road
Middletown, DE 19709

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FACEBOOK LIVE TOWN HALL – “BETTER SCHOOLS FOR ALL DELAWARE CHILDREN”

WHAT: Facebook Live Town Hall with Governor Carney and Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education, to discuss proposed investments in teachers, high-needs schools, and early learning. Governor Carney and Secretary Bunting will also take questions on the state’s work to ensure that all Delaware children have access to a high-quality education.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary, Delaware Department of Education

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2018
7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Facebook.com/JohnCarneyDE
Delawareans can ask questions in advance by posting in this Facebook event.

Wednesday, February 28

HIGHLIGHTING OPPORTUNITY GRANTS

WHAT: Visit Phillis Wheatley Elementary School to highlight the school’s Opportunity Grant program and Governor Carney’s proposed expansion of non-competitive Opportunity Grants for all qualifying schools. Phillis Wheatley Elementary School also has a Basic Needs Closet that provides increased access to free products designed to meet students’ needs so they can effectively participate in class.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Michele Marinucci, Director of Student Services, Woodbridge School District

WHEN: Wednesday, February 28, 2018
11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Phillis Wheatley Elementary School
48 Church Street
Bridgeville, DE 19933

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HIGHLIGHTING MATH COACHES

WHAT: Meeting with Superintendent Dan Shelton, Principal Green and math coach Annette Roskom, and visit a math classroom. Governor Carney’s proposed budget includes a $1 million investment for math coaches.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Dan Shelton, Superintendent, Capital School District
Shan Green, Principal, Central Middle School
Annette Roskom, Math Coach
Students

WHEN: Wednesday, February 28, 2018
1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Central Middle School
211 Delaware Ave
Dover, DE 19901

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HIGHLIGHTING EARLY EDUCATION AND STARS PROGRAM

WHAT: Visit classrooms at The Goddard School and read to students in honor of “I Love to Read Month” – highlighting early childhood education and Governor Carney’s proposed $3.8 million investment to fund Delaware’s early learning centers through the STARS program.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Stacey Stickel, Owner, The Goddard School
Students

WHEN: Wednesday, February 28, 2018
3:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Goddard School
50 Polly Drummond Hill Road
Newark, DE 19711

“Responsible Investment” plan advances priorities outlined in State of the State including public education, state workforce

DOVER, Del. – Governor Carney on Thursday presented his Fiscal Year 2019 Recommended Budget, sending the General Assembly a balanced $4.2 billion financial plan that will make important investments in Delaware’s economy, workforce, and public schools – while ensuring budget sustainability.

Governor Carney’s “Responsible Investment” proposal limits budget growth to 3.49 percent and allocates $100 million of surplus, one-time revenue into one-time investments in the capital budget.

“We are proposing responsible investments while keeping an eye on Delaware’s future,” said Governor Carney. “These proposals will help make our economy more competitive, prepare all Delaware children to succeed, bolster our workforce, and strengthen communities across our state. Importantly, this plan will limit operating budget growth, and ensure that we invest responsibly, in ways that can be sustained. I look forward to discussing this plan, and how it will move our state forward, with members of the General Assembly and with Delawareans across our state.”

“This budget allows us to continue working toward long-term financial sustainability for our state, limiting operating budget growth to 3.49 percent,” said Mike Jackson, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. “It makes fundamental investments in areas of need by allocating $100 million in surplus revenues into one-time investments in the Bond Bill. This is a responsible budget that will keep Delaware on the right track.”

Key portions of Governor Carney’s financial plan:

Financial Sustainability
Limits operating budget growth to 3.49 percent

Savings in areas such as energy, fleet services and restructuring of the Department of Education

Restores $20 million of earmarked revenue for farmland preservation and open space

Funds long-term liabilities such as pensions and debt service

Funds “door openers” such as:
• $20.9 million for school enrollment growth
• $8.8 million for quality child care for more children
• $7.1 million for school transportation
• $3.0 million for fair and efficient elections open to all qualified voters

Continues a commitment to identify efficiencies and long-term cost savings through the Government Efficiency & Accountability Review (GEAR) Board

Better Schools for All Delaware Students

$10.2 million for annual salary steps for educators

2 percent salary increase for educators statewide

$3.8 million to fund growth in Delaware’s early learning centers through the STARS program

$6.0 million for Opportunity Grants – non-competitive funding for Delaware public schools with large populations of low-income students and English language learners

$1.5 million for five Christina School District schools located in the City of Wilmington for school-based wellness centers and professional development for educators

$15 million in capital investments to modernize Wilmington schools in the Christina School District to enhance the learning environment and educational experience in these facilities

Investing in Our People

$1,000 raise for state workers

$7.8 million for one-time investments to fund capital improvements in state offices including $2.8 million for Carvel office upgrades

Support for 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all state workers

Department of Correction:

• Funding for second year of correctional officer raises to $43,000 starting salary
• $3.6 million for implementation of correctional officer career ladder
• Over $4 million to fund implementation of Independent Review recommendations

Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families:

• $2.6 million to add 30 new casework staff in the Division of Family Services to bolster child welfare, abuse and neglect hotline investigations
• $2 million to add 29 new staff members in the Division of Youth Rehabilitative services to meet staffing needs in six secure facilities, and reduce mandatory overtime

A Healthier Delaware
$1.4 million for additional resources toward substance abuse treatment

$285,000 of resources for substance-exposed infants

$2 million in prescription assistance for Delaware seniors

Delaware Reinvest
Turning surplus revenues into one-time investments in the Bond Bill in a package called Delaware Reinvest:

• Economic Development: Funding for the Delaware Strategic Fund, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, research collaboration, new funding for capital upgrades at Delaware Tech, Delaware State University, and the University of Delaware, and funding for roadway infrastructure upgrades statewide
• Environment: Funding for open space and farmland preservation, clean water/drinking water investments and shoreline and waterway management
• Strong Communities: Funding for affordable housing subsidies, Downtown Development District investments, library upgrades, and school construction

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