Is it good to be mediocre?

Delaware has often called itself the First State since it was the first to ratify the federal Constitution after the 13 colonies declared their independence.

Several years ago, Gov. Ruth Ann Minner declared a new marketing slogan for Delaware: It’s Good To Be First. That slogan imparts a sense of excellence, which, unfortunately, no longer is ringing true.

Do we really want to change our slogan to: It’s Good To Be Mediocre?

During this legislative session, little has been done to address our state’s growing transportation issues. Our waterways' infrastructure needs help, and aspects of our educational system - in particular the facilities of Delaware Tech - also need attention.

This is the final week of this year’s General Assembly session. The budget will be finalized, the bond bill for capital projects will be wrapped up, and then the legislators will go home for several months. It is not too late to make a few bold moves that show a renewed commitment to excellence over mediocrity.

First, as suggested by Republican lawmakers earlier this session, Gov. Jack Markell should order all state agencies to cut their budgets for the new year by 2 or 3 percentage points. That will signal a real willingness to look carefully at all programs and eliminate some that are ineffective. Department heads know best where to cut. With legislative salaries and expenses in the millions, cuts should apply there as well.

Then, with rebuilding in mind, legislators should immediately implement a modest gas tax to bring renewed vigor to our highway system. We should also inch away with a modest clean water tax. We have to be better stewards.

Finally, Del Tech has a reasonable request on the table for a property tax that would cost less than $10 per year for the average Delaware family but would leverage millions through bonding ability to bring its tightly targeted facilities up to snuff. Del Tech needs help to continue providing quality and affordable jobs-oriented education for thousands of Delawareans.

Let’s use the last few days of the session to do something for future generations and break our skid toward mediocrity.