State of the State still focused on pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic loomed large in Gov. John Carney’s State of the State address Jan. 20, but he remained optimistic that a budget supercharged with federal funds will continue to benefit the state.

“I’ve never seen a more challenging time,” Carney said to a socially distanced and masked audience in the House Chambers. “We will come through this crisis, and when we do, we’ll be ready as a state to move forward together.”

With federal support, Carney said $400 million will go into the state’s clean water infrastructure program, focusing on underserved communities. Another $30 million will be set aside for open space and farmland preservation.

But keeping those areas free of trash should also be a priority, he said. “Just look around. It’s a mess,” he said. ”I am determined to help clean up our highways and byways.”

Federal stimulus dollars will help upgrade and build new libraries, support mental health services, build public housing, expand broadband across the state, and help pay for the state’s largest infrastructure plan.

Delaware continues to operate under a state of emergency and public health emergency, although a recent change was made to give professional and college athletes a break from the mask mandate. Delaware high school students, however, must continue to mask up while playing indoor sports.

Carney touted two events coming to Wilmington that relate to the eased mask mandate for college and professional athletes. In March, he said, the Atlantic 10 Conference will hold its women’s basketball championship at the Chase Fieldhouse, and in August the PGA will hold its BMW Championship at the Wilmington Country Club.

Republican response

With $50 million in federal stimulus funds going to workforce training programs, Senate minority leader and small business owner Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, said state-run training programs do little to help his grocery store businesses.

“I’ll train my own. We just need people to apply,” he said.

It’s also time to move forward and away from the mask mandate, Hocker said. He estimates about 40 percent of his customers refuse to wear a face mask. “People lived through the mask mandate the first time,” he said.

Hocker also took issue with Senate Bill 1, which would give employees in the private sector up to 12 weeks of paid family leave supported by a $21.5 million state fund, which would receive ongoing financial support through payroll taxes.

Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, agreed that area businesses are already strained by fewer employees, and SB 1 will not improve the situation. “It’s going to be horrible for our businesses,” he said.

House Minority Leader Rep. Dan Short, R-Seaford, said tax breaks should be included in this year’s estimated $800,000 surplus. “It’s time we give some of those taxes back,” he said, adding legislators need to consider what will happen when the federal stimulus money runs out.