Better roads, more open space require funding

Legislators are spending more time in Dover now as a new session has started. Bills are being filed and the all-important budget for the next fiscal year is being weighed, debated, massaged and tweaked. Proposed by the governor and ultimately sent to the General Assembly for final passage, the budget provides the blueprint for how state government will function for the 12 months beginning July 1.

Delaware’s residents may well be some of the least taxed in the country, but with our transportation infrastructure suffering due to lack of funding and our open space acquisition program losing out on federal dollars because we can’t even find the necessary matching funds to leverage those dollars, low taxes don’t necessarily equate with being smart.

Delaware could raise its taxes in a reasonable fashion this year and its residents would still be among the lowest taxed in the country. This is an off-election year, which from a political psychology point of view offers the best time to at least have a civilized discussion about the benefits that could accrue to all of the state’s residents from modest increases.

We in Delaware’s Cape Region see, with all too much clarity, congestion problems arising from development unaccompanied by a progressive road system. A properly funded, prudently managed Transportation Department will absolutely result in a better road system.

In the realm of open space, Delaware has long exhibited true enlightenment in its understanding of the benefits to all of the people from preserving beautiful natural areas accessible to all.

No one with any good sense would argue the importance of approximately 25 miles - the lion’s share - of the state’s ocean coast in public ownership. The beaches drive our tourist economy, provide affordable outdoor recreation for all, and enhance property values across Sussex. Our interior preserves, parks and public forests do the same.

This should be the year when we reaffirm our commitment to thinking forward and being smart.

Increase state revenues to raise funding to improve our transportation system and acquire more open space which benefits all the state’s citizens.