What Republican leaders hope to see from Delaware’s next Governor
DOVER, Del. – With the new year comes a new Governor in Delaware with Democrat Matt Meyer set to be sworn in next month. But, where do Republicans stand with his election, and what do they hope to see from a Meyer Administration?
WMDT’s Rob Petree sat down with GOP leadership in both the House and the Senate who ultimately say they’re hopeful for change and excited to see someone new leading the state.
“Governor-elect Meyer comes in, and he’s not a political insider-per say, and so it’s going to be really exciting to work with him, to get his ideas,” explained State Rep. Tim Dukes, who serves as the House Minority Leader. “I look forward next week to sitting down face-to-face and really hearing from him.”
Excited and hopeful to create meaningful change – that was the reaction from House Minority Leader Tim Dukes as the First State prepares to swear in Matt Meyer to serve as Delaware’s 75th Governor.
On the Senate side, Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn tells us who Governor-elect Meyer chooses to serve in his cabinet will be very telling.
“In terms of what to expect in dealing with Governor-elect Meyer once he becomes Governor – a lot of that is going to depend on really who he chooses to be his closest advisors, his cabinet,” Sen. Pettyjohn said. “That will tell us a lot about what his priorities are going to be as a Governor.”
It will of course be the Senate’s job to confirm whoever Meyer chooses to lead the various state agencies that comprise his cabinet. Ahead of that process, Sen. Pettyjohn says there’s a lot that needs to be considered.
“To really get to know how they think will really give us an idea as to the direction that the incoming administration is going to have when some of these policies get promoted by the Governor,” Sen. Pettyjohn explained. “Whether it’s environmental, whether it’s agriculture, whether it’s how we’re going to deal with business, how we’re going to deal with education in Delaware.”
When it comes to concerns regarding policy, at the top of the list for many lawmakers in Dover is how an incoming Meyer Administration plans to handle education.
“We spend one-third of our budget is education, the other one-third is health care.” Rep. Dukes emphasized. “Those two things, when you look at roughly 65-percent of a 6.5 billion budget, we have to address those issues, and making sure that we’re doing things of substance and really make a difference.”
Sen. Pettyjohn echoed those same concerns and stressed the importance of an increased focus on education in the First State.
“Improve education,” Sen. Pettyjohn stated. “Make sure that we’re doing the right things for the kids that are in the school.”
Another top concern headed into 2025 is the economy. GOP leadership from both chambers hope to see a focus from Meyer on ways to boost business and spur economic opportunity across Delaware.
“We have to look with a bipartisan support to do things that helps stimulate the economy,” Rep. Dukes stressed. “That encourages small business to want to grow.”
Sen. Pettyjohn agreed, emphasizing the importance of taking a long, hard look at ways to make it easier for businesses and industries to thrive in Delaware.
“If there’s a company that wants to come in and put a plant in to build something, make something here in Delaware, there shouldn’t be spending years of going through a regulatory process in order to do that, where they go to other states and literally have months,” Sen. Pettyjohn said. “They can have all of their permitting done in less than six months whereas in Delaware it may be years before they’re able to get those permits.”
State lawmakers in both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly are eagerly anticipating Governor-elect Meyer’s picks for his cabinet. Meyer will be sworn in on January 21, 2025.
