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Gov. Ruth Ann Minner delivered her State of the State address Thursday, Jan. 19, highlighting Delaware’s successes and bold steps forward in education, health care, the economy and the environment.
Initiatives announced in Minner’s address include the addition of more math specialists in middle schools, continued funding for cancer treatment and prevention, infant mortality and legislation to modernize Delaware’s bank franchise tax to encourage large banking institutions to locate in Delaware.
“This time last year, I talked to you about sowing the seeds for our state’s future - doing things today so we will leave our children and their children a better Delaware,” Minner said. “This year, I will speak about the importance of nurturing those seeds - putting our time, effort and resources into ensuring that they grow and thrive to create a strong and healthy climate for our schools, our health, our environment and our economy.”
Education
Minner proposed that the state add an additional 10 math specialists to the 22 that were funded last year. She also said her proposed budget will include funding for the second phase of a plan to fully implement full-day kindergarten by 2008. This phase will expand operations funding for districts with existing available classroom space and continue to fund building costs for those districts that passed referenda for full-day kindergarten last year.
She also noted that the Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) scholarship program she announced last year will take effect with students entering college in the fall. The program will be actively promoted in elementary, middle and high schools this spring.
Health
Minner again recommended funding to continue the state’s cancer prevention and treatment efforts, a key priority of her administration. Minner thanked members of the General Assembly for passing the legislation that permanently establishes the Healthy Mothers and Infants Consortium to implement the recommendations of her Infant Mortality Task Force. She said her proposed fiscal 2007 budget will add another $1 million to address the infant mortality issue.
She also proposed an additional $100,000 in funding for the University of Delaware laboratories conducting avian flu research and testing. State employees will also have the opportunity to participate in an online Health Risk Assessment to provide them with a comprehensive report about their wellness status.
Environment
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) has agreed to develop and submit to the state a comprehensive recycling plan to divert 40 percent of the solid waste from the landfill. Starting next year, yard waste also will be banned from the landfill and the DSWA will expand its curbside recycling program to Sussex County.
Minner commended the General Assembly leadership for working with her administration to put funds in place to help needy families this winter. She also proposed that Delaware join the 27 other states that have enacted antigouging legislation to prevent businesses from capitalizing on a situation like Hurricane Katrina in the future.
She said the state must also work toward potential legislative solutions to the issues that will result from utility deregulation and potential energy cost hikes for Delawareans.
Minner also called on the General Assembly to pass legislation to enact a transfer of development rights bill to preserve land, at no cost to taxpayers, in areas where state and local governments have agreed it should be preserved.
Economy
Minner said the state will continue to address the high costs of workers compensation insurance.
She also addressed Bank of America’s acquisition of MBNA, calling it an opportunity, not a risk. “In that spirit of opportunity, I propose that we enact legislation that will modernize Delaware’s bank franchise tax and thereby convince Bank of America to keep the existing bank charter in our state,” said Minner.
Legislature, budget
Minner outlined a short-term plan to address the shortfall in the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. One part of that plan is the governor’s executive order No. 78, which implements key financial controls for transportation, and mandates regular reporting of transportation revenue and expenditures on an annual basis.
The governor will also appoint a financial management oversight committee to review and monitor expenditures and track revenues. She has also directed her administration to work with the bond bill committee to identify projects that can be deferred or cut so the trust fund’s resources can be used where they are most needed.
Minner is also proposing the addition of eight more state troopers, which would bring the total number to 655 sworn officers, more than at any time in the state’s history. She also noted the 18 percent pay increase for correctional officers since 2004, which was designed to better compensate officers and make the state’s Department of Correction more competitive in hiring.
Gov. Minner said the state will also work over the coming year to address the challenges of its juvenile justice system, working to build more effective ways to treat, educate and prepare kids for a productive role in society.
"Together, we can ensure that Delaware continues to be a state where people are proud to live, work and raise their children,” said Minner. “Together, we have achieved tremendous success and made remarkable accomplishments. I look forward to working with you as we all strive toward the goal of making our state the nation’s best.”
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