Gov. Minner stresses tough budget choices, calls for reading specialists in first State of the State Address
Dover – Beginning her first State of the State Address by acknowledging a slowing economy, Governor Ruth Ann Minner laid out just one specific funding proposal for this year – adding reading specialists in every Delaware elementary school.
Stressing the state’s tough budget choices ahead, Governor Minner said, “Our revenue picture has changed significantly in the last year. The rate of growth in state revenues has slowed due to sizeable tax cuts, and a slowing economy… In this year, and in coming years as well, we will have to make tough choices between competing and equally deserving priorities. I am prepared to do that.”
“I believe, as do many experts, that reading is the most crucial aspect of education. Without a proper foundation in reading, it is not possible for a student to master math, history, literature or science,” Governor Minner said. “That’s why I will focus on the one reform that I believe will make the most difference in the educational lives of our children -- my promise to put a reading specialist in every elementary school.”
Governor Minner’s reading specialist program would have an estimated cost of $5 million annually to hire one reading specialist for every elementary school. Minner highlighted her support of reading specialists by inviting Mary Beth Evans, a fifth-grade teacher at Drew Pyle Elementary School, to attend the State of the State address.
Governor Minner also announced that in the coming months she will propose a state growth strategy that offers incentives for keeping development within designated growth areas.
“We need to pursue a smarter growth strategy that will keep sprawl in check, reduce traffic congestion, strengthen our towns and cities, and protect our huge investment in roads, schools and other infrastructure. I propose to call it ‘Livable Delaware,’” Governor Minner said.
Another highlight of the governor’s address included providing better access to state services through the Internet. The state’s e-government initiative is currently redesigning the State of Delaware homepage to make easier to use, and working with the Division of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies to bring more services, such as motor vehicle registration, onto the web. Earlier this week, Governor Minner established a set of technical and policy standards to help create a similar design for all state agency web sites.
Governor Minner also highlighted her strong concerns about Delaware’s air quality and its potential impact on future federal highway funding, and DUI sanctions that may cost the state up to $16 million in federal aid beginning in 2003 if the state does not lower the legal blood-alcohol limit from .10 to .08.
“I did not come here just to make the easy decisions,” Governor Minner concluded. “I came to help face the hard ones. I look forward to working with each of you to move our state ahead.”
A copy of the Governor Minner’s State of the State address is available at www.state.de.us/governor or by calling (302) 739-4101.
