UPDATE: Lawmakers Criticize Gov. Meyer’s Legislative Hall Expansion Veto

UPDATE: Delaware state legislators are speaking out after Governor Matt Meyer vetoed a $35 million appropriation for an expansion of Legislative Hall on Tuesday.

In a joint statement released by Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, House Majority Whip Ed Osienski, and House Minority Leader Tim Dukes, lawmakers called the decision disappointing. Leaders also claimed the veto ignored the recommendations of local law enforcement to make security enhancements to Legislative Hall.

“We owe it to the tens of thousands of members of the public who visit us each year — as well as our staff and our fellow legislators — to ensure that the People’s House is a safe place for everyone,” the statement read. “To characterize Legislative Hall as simply a “government office” sells short the critical work of the legislature and its reliance on public participation as the bedrock of its success.”

Elected leaders say the decision to include the expansion appropriation in the FY 27 bond bill came after placing a temporary pause on the expansion plans that would have originally commenced this year. The multi-million dollar appropriation was created from guidance received from state and federal law enforcement, in addition to formal recommendations made by the Legislative Building Committee. The committee, established by a unanimous vote in 2021, is comprised of nonpartisan staff members from the Office of the Controller General and Division of Legislative Services, the Chief of Capitol Police, a designee from all four legislative caucuses, and other staff and members of the public.

“Following multiple years of public meetings, the Building Committee issued a report outlining the reasons to expand the footprint of our state capitol building, citing the many public safety considerations coming from Capitol Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a third-party security risk assessment firm that they had consulted,” the joint-statement continued.

Further, the legislators say the nixed plan paved way for creating more accessibility at the site. Proposed changes included creating more wheelchair-accessible entrances, as the only one currently available is located on the opposite side of the building from the security screening area. 

“The legislature believes that a disability should not limit your ability to participate fully in the governance of this state, and our infrastructure does not currently reflect that… We hope the Governor will take the time to acknowledge that this is not simply a matter of convenience, and work with us on improving accessibility and safety for all,” leaders concluded. 

Legislators say they are still evaluating next potential steps, and claim they were only made aware of the veto minutes before it happened.

DOVER, Del. – Governor Matt Meyer vetoed expansion plans for Legislative Hall on Tuesday, citing affordability concerns throughout the state and greater costs associated with the project.

On Jul. 7, Governor Meyer exercised a line-item veto of House Bill 500, also known as the Fiscal Year 2027 Bond and Capital Improvements Act. By doing so, he removed the $35 million appropriation for the proposed expansion, and subsequently returned the bond bill to the General Assembly with his objections.

In his veto statement, Meyer noted that the multi-million dollar appropriation represents only the initial funding for a project expected to cost at least $116 million. Further, he said that while improvements to Legislative Hall’s security, accessibility and public participation are important, those needs can be addressed at a lower cost while allowing the state to focus on higher priorities.

“Everywhere I go, Delawareans tell me the same thing: life costs too much,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “At a time when families are struggling to afford housing, healthcare, and energy bills, I can’t justify spending $116 million on a Legislative Hall expansion. Affordability demands accountability, and accountability demands that we put taxpayers first.”

The veto applies only to the $35 million appropriation for the Legislative Hall expansion project. The remainder of House Bill 500, which funds schools, affordable housing, transportation, clean water infrastructure, parks, libraries, agriculture and other statewide capital priorities, remains intact.

This article was originally published on Jul. 7 at 4:04 p.m.