Wake up, Delaware; time to smell the coffee! As I write my check for my state dog licensing fee - one of a thousand ways to bring in revenue - I'm forced to swallow the bitter pill we all must swallow. Apparently, Delaware casinos' revenue to the state has been eclipsed by that of our neighbor to the west, that would be Maryland. It's alive!
Delaware school districts now scramble to fill huge budget gaps as per Carney, Delaware can no longer carry its schools. Who knew, and why not realistically phase in the cuts! We wouldn't be the first state to operate in deficit while we put our fiscal house in order. Better this than guv and legislators cutting school districts off at the knees. What, no warning?
Talk to educators statewide, folks. Don't be surprised if they exclaim, "it's a bloodbath out here," and district by district! Schools are apparently panicking by firing support staff workers or nixing sports programs, and what's next?
Hey, whatever happened to thinking outside the box, and never mind phasing in cuts so the citizenry, district by district, could be given a fighting chance at regaining its footing? As one neighbor put it, "It's rule by 'taketh away' and if this isn't tyranny, what is?" Another fellow shared, "Carney's lost his marbles or here comes a much needed excuse to realign the padding of pockets - pockets of local officials right on up to the statehouse!" And mind you, this from someone in authority! Pretty riled up, I'd say. Surely he can't mean it?
A thousand and one ways to increase revenue, but it takes guts and leadership to consider bumping up property taxes and/or transfer taxes; suspending seniors' forgiveness taxes; increasing payroll taxes and, yes, quite possibly initiating a sales tax - at least until Delaware isn't down on its keister as the governor and legislators have proclaimed. Again, we wouldn't be the first state to operate in deficit as we all pull together getting our state back in the black. Still, you are cutting school districts off at the knees, you powers that be? Can you say quality education? Can we all say steady as she goes?
Just a heads up, everybody!
Jeff Dailey
Milton
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