Meyer says State of the State is solid

Gov. Matt Meyer started his second State of the State address Jan. 22, by thanking law enforcement officials for their work in the state, and throughout his speech thanked individual Republican and Democratic legislators for their work, appealing to both sides of the aisles to work cooperatively for the best of the state.

Meyer did, however, accuse congressional Republicans of “unconscionable cutting of Affordable Care Act subsidies.”

In honor of Cpl. Ty Snook, who was murdered before Christmas while he took up an overtime shift at the New Castle Division of Motor Vehicles, Meyer presented his widow, Lauren, with the Order of the First State, the state’s highest honor.

Meyer also awarded Delaware State Police Trooper First Class Scott Smith with the Governor’s Award for Heroism for his brave work on the tragic day.

Meyer did not mention Immigration and Customs Enforcement in his speech, or address the potential loss of federal funding Feb. 1 in connection with Delaware’s recent designation as a sanctuary state by the U.S. Department of Justice. Instead, he said, the state is in good shape.

“Over the past year, we have faced challenges, tragedy and unprecedented uncertainty, but I am here to report to you that despite this, the state of our state is strong,” he said.

On healthcare, Meyer asked for reform of the certificate of need process, which requires a permit issued by the state for a healthcare provider to build a new facility or expand services. For years, critics have said the process has kept out competition in Delaware, causing higher costs for consumers.

“We must reform certificate of need to increase both access and competition,” he said.

Addressing the increasing costs of energy for residents, Meyer told Delmarva Power to stop overcharging customers, and called on the Public Service Commission to stop approving rate hikes.

“They cannot repeatedly pass along egregious price increases to Delaware families,” he said to a standing ovation. “Our energy bills are spiking. A couple in Bear just told me how they are trying to understand their bill jumping from $150 a month two years ago to $600 a month today. That is unacceptable.”

Meyer said Delaware needs more homegrown energy, touting offshore wind and nuclear energy as solutions.

Meyer also made a push for a film tax credit to encourage the industry to come to Delaware and bring all the economic benefits that would follow it.

“The new Superman movie is literally set in Delaware. They should be shooting here,” he said, before calling out Delaware native, now Hollywood actress Aubrey Plaza to bring “White Lotus” to Rehoboth. “But seriously, we’re just going to let so many other neighboring states soak up all of that Hollywood money? I may look more like Clark Kent than Superman, but not on my watch.”