Bond bill passes for nearly $1 billion

After failing to pass it June 26, the Senate unanimously passed the bond bill June 30. The bill then passed the House with 38 votes, two absent and one vacant.

The capital budget will provide $977 million for road and infrastructure improvements, school construction, state facilities improvements, state park improvements and other economic development initiatives across the state.

In addition to $212.6 million for transportation projects, another $240.3 million will go to state facilities to help pay for roof replacement and other deferred maintenance. 

School construction in Sussex Tech, Appoquinimink, Christina, Colonial, New Castle County Vo-Tech, Red Clay, and Smyrna school districts will benefit from $211.2 million in school facility funding, and University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College will each receive $30 million.

In economic development, $37.3 million will go toward continued investment in economic development projects through the Strategic Fund, Site Readiness Fund, Lab Space, the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund, Delaware Prosperity Partnership, and the Sports Tourism Capital Fund. 

Natural resource investments include:

• $16.2 million dedicated to statewide park improvements
• $13.1 million in Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, leveraging federal dollars to provide clean water for Delawareans
• $12.1 million dedicated to statewide drainage improvements and tax ditch maintenance
• $10 million to address beach and dredging needs throughout the state
• $6.4 million dedicated to cover crop investments to improve water quality and soil health throughout the state
• $3 million to address brownfield sites across the state. 

The bond bill also allocates about $60 million in additional community initiatives such as affordable housing, library construction and community reinvestment.