Del. Governor John Carney delivers final State of the State address

DELAWARE – Tuesday marked the final time that Delaware Governor John Carney (D) would get behind the podium to deliver the State of the State address.  “The state of our state is strong, and getting stronger every day,” he said.

Gov. Carney says the focus now is on ensuring that whoever is elected to serve as the next governor is set up for success. “I’m focusing on leaving the state in a better place than I found it,” he said.

Getting Spending Under Control

However, the governor said that in order to grow the state’s strength, work lies ahead on getting spending under control.

“Despite our efforts, we did not pass legislation to permanently control operational spending at sustainable levels… This year, I’m asking [lawmakers] to send me legislation that would make our spending benchmark permanent,” said Gov. Carney. “Delaware can’t compete in the future if we don’t have our budget in order.”

The governor also called health care cost inflation a “serious problem” facing Delawareans.

“This year, between Medicaid and our insurance plan for state employees and retirees, we’re spending nearly $2 billion on health care, alone,” Gov. Carney said. “If we don’t get serious, health care spending will crowd out all of the other investments; investments that we all support. Funding for our public schools, for affordable housing, and child care, and raises for state employees and state retirees.”

Investing in Education

Education also remains a top priority, according to the governor. Opportunity funding, which provides additional money for students from low-income households and English language learners, is growing. Gov. Carney’s budget includes funding for the program to the tune of $63 million.

Mental health services for students are also on the path for expansion, says Gov. Carney.

“The need became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Carney said. “I look forward to expanding these services into the high schools this year.”

Despite those advancements, less than 40% of third graders in the First State are reading proficiently. Gov. Carney says lawmakers are tackling that staggering statistic on two fronts: focusing on how reading skills are taught, and expanding access to early childhood education.

“That’s why my budget includes funding for a new team of literacy coaches. They will work with educators and district leaders to focus on the science of reading,” Gov. Carney said. “Children who have access to quality early childhood education have better outcomes. That includes higher graduation rates, and more financial stability into adulthood.”

Growing the Job Market

Once those students graduate, the hope is that they will enter the job market.

While Gov. Carney says 20,000 new jobs were created over the last two years, more improvement is needed, he says.

“Right now, there are 31,000 jobs available, but only 21,000 people looking for work,” Gov. Carney said. “That demands an intense focus on job training and the skills demanded by Delaware employers.”

Pushing For Public Safety

However, in order to ensure the success of Delaware’s economy moving forward, Gov. Carney says there needs to be more of an emphasis on public safety.

Group Violence Intervention is a practice that started in Wilmington, but is now being spread to places like Dover and Laurel. The program aims to bring members of law enforcement and offenders together, to put a stop to gun violence.

“It’s a very small number of people who are committing the vast majority of gun violence in these communities,” Gov. Carney said. “We’re demanding that they put down their guns, and if they do, we’ll offer job training and other services.”

Gov. Carney: Wind Energy a “Generational Opportunity”

Another future threat that is pressing Delaware now, says Gov. Carney, is climate change.

“It’s clear we’re already feeling the effects of sea rise. That’s why we’re spending more than $30 million to harden our coastal infrastructure,” Gov. Carney said. “The transition to clean energy won’t be easy. At times, it will be controversial; very controversial.”

The state’s collaboration with wind energy company, US Wind, would be a part of that transition.

“We’re pursuing legislation that will make Delaware more of an active player in offshore wind. It will allow us to directly purchase wind-generated renewable energy, and to explore partnerships to states in our region,” said Gov. Carney. “This is a generational opportunity to build a clean energy industry right here in Delaware.”

Looking Ahead, Reflecting Back

And while Gov. Carney spent much of his address looking towards Delaware’s future, he also took time to reflect.

“For me, the privilege to serve as governor has been and incredible gift,” Gov. Carney said. “The most important thing for an elected official is to earn the trust of the people you represent… Working together will leave the state better off for generations to come.”

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

UPDATE: Republican Response

Following the State of the State Address, Delaware Republicans held a press conference reacting to the Governor’s remarks.

Senate leaders expressing concerns over small business growth and affordable housing, two issues that they say should’ve been more of a focus in the Governor’s speech.

On a more positive, bipartisan note, Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn said he was glad Governor Carney expressed the need to reign in spending:

“Financial accountability, responsible spending, is something that we need to make sure that we’re doing as a state,” Sen. Pettyjohn said during the press conference. “We don’t want to get into a situation where we spend everything that we get in and then when the economy starts to dip, we are really dependent on the economy broadly.”