House Republicans: ‘DelDOT crossed a line’

An online dispute over $1.8 million in state funds for a Royal Farms in Milton has the Delaware Department of Transportation, a state representative and now the House Republican Caucus weighing in.

Leadership with the House Republican Caucus issued a statement Sept. 24 raising concerns that someone at DelDOT went too far with inappropriate allegations posted online.

“While it is not unusual for legislators and state agencies to be at odds with each other, with these disagreements sometimes becoming heated, we believe that the comments made by DelDOT in this instance have crossed a line by including allegations we consider unwarranted and inappropriate,” House Republican leadership said. “We have raised these concerns directly with Transportation Secretary Shanté Hastings, who acknowledged the unique nature of this situation and assured us that DelDOT does not intend to engage in similar social media exchanges in the future.”

The issue stems from a recommendation by the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund Council to give the Royal Farms at Route 16 and Union Street Ext. a $1.8 million state grant for road improvements at its intersection.

In a Facebook post, Rep. Bryan Shupe, R-Milford, questioned the grant for a convenience store that will employ about 24 people in part-time positions, when the intent of the fund was to “create a significant number of direct, permanent, quality full-time jobs.”

Someone using DelDOT’s Facebook account then responded that Shupe voted in 2019 to create a TIIF Council and that Shupe’s criticism of the $1.8 million grant for Royal Farms “require a response to hold him accountable as well.”

DelDOT then explained that the fund is not an extension of DelDOT. 

“It is a stand-alone economic development program, established in Delaware law, and overseen by a nine-member independent council that evaluates all proposals in a public forum and makes recommendations on which proposals merit an award. DelDOT's role is limited to administering the program transparently, as directed by the General Assembly. “Since the program's inception, 28 businesses have been awarded more than $50 million which has supported the creation of more than 11,700 new jobs in our state,” the post reads.

The appointed council is composed of nine members, including Rep. Bill Bush, D-Wyoming, Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Stanton, Cornelia Johnson, Bill Strickland and Martin Nunlee.

House Republican leaders, including Minority Leader Rep. Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, and Minority Whip Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton, wrote that the legislative and executive branches serve as checks on each other’s power, and it is natural for there to be differing priorities and viewpoints. 

“However, such discourse must be grounded in facts and conducted with civility. Agencies are entitled to justify their positions, but that defense should be presented with professionalism, without resorting to unsupported claims,” the statement reads.

DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod did not respond for comment before the Cape Gazette’s deadline.