Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006
Governor Minner Describes Successes, Future Vision for Schools, Economy, Health and the Environment in 2006 State of the State
Math Specialists, Continued Funding for Cancer Treatment and Prevention, Infant Mortality, Modernizing Bank Franchise Tax Among Initiatives Highlighted Thursday
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner delivered her State of the State address on Thursday, highlighting Delaware’s successes and bold steps forward in education, health care, the economy and the environment.
Initiatives announced in Gov. Minner’s address include the addition of more math specialists in middle schools; continued funding for cancer treatment and prevention; infant mortality; and legislation to modernize Delaware’s bank franchise tax to encourage large banking institutions to locate in Delaware.
“This time last year, I talked to you about sowing the seeds for our state’s future—doing things today so we will leave our children and their children a better Delaware,” Gov. Minner said. “This year, I will speak about the importance of nurturing those seeds—putting our time, effort and resources into ensuring that they grow and thrive to create a strong and healthy climate for our schools, our health, our environment and our economy.”
Education:
Gov. Minner has proposed that the state add an additional 10 math specialists to the 22 that were funded last year. Like the reading specialists the Governor made a priority in her first term, the math specialists assist those students who need extra help with their math skills to keep them from falling behind.
She also said her proposed budget will include funding for the second phase of a plan to fully implement full-day kindergarten by 2008. This phase will expand operations funding for districts with existing available classroom space and continue to fund building costs for those districts that passed referenda for full-day kindergarten last year.
“This additional funding will help solidify our students’ foundation for learning and prepare them for a lifetime of success,” Gov. Minner said.
Gov. Minner also noted that the Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) scholarship program she announced last year will take effect with students entering college in the fall. The program will be actively promoted in elementary, middle and high schools this spring.
Health:
Gov. Minner again recommended funding to continue the state’s cancer prevention and treatment efforts, a key priority of her administration. The state’s Cancer Treatment Program for the Uninsured, Screening for Life and tobacco-use prevention programs are already paying off.
“The cancer incidence rate has decreased four times as much as our nation’s rate and Delaware’s death rate has declined twice as much as the nation’s,” Gov. Minner said. “With the investments we’re making in cancer control, we can expect more good news to come.”
Gov. Minner thanked members of the General Assembly for passing legislation earlier this week to permanently establish the Healthy Mothers and Infants Consortium the Governor created to implement the recommendations of her Infant Mortality Task Force. She said her proposed Fiscal 2007 budget will add another $1 million to address the infant mortality issue, specifically to increase preconception care for women with a history of poor birth outcomes.
She also proposed an additional $100,000 in funding for the University of Delaware laboratories conducting avian flu research and testing, and has asked Lt. Governor John C. Carney, Jr., to kick off a “Know Your Numbers Campaign” among state employees. The new campaign will educate employees on the importance of knowing basic information about health risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar and will provide information on how to reduce those risk factors. State employees will also have the opportunity to participate in an on-line Health Risk Assessment to provide them with a comprehensive report about their wellness status.
Environment and Livable Delaware:
The Governor applauded the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for the recently signed agreement that will lead to the eventual closure of the Cherry Island landfill. The Delaware Solid Waste Authority has agreed to develop and submit to the state a comprehensive recycling plan to divert 40 percent of the solid waste from the landfill. Starting next year, yard waste also will be banned from the landfill and the DSWA will expand its curbside recycling program to Sussex County.
Gov. Minner also commended the General Assembly leadership for working with her administration to put funds in place to help needy families this winter. She also proposed that Delaware join the 27 other states that have enacted anti-gouging legislation to prevent businesses from capitalizing on a situation like Hurricane Katrina in the future.
She said the state must also work toward potential legislative solutions to the issues that will result from utility deregulation and potential energy cost hikes for Delawareans.
“Based on what we read and hear about this regulatory process, consumers are bracing for what could be significant increases in energy costs this spring that will not only affect household budgets, but could affect the competitiveness of our businesses,” Gov. Minner said. “I have directed a state Cabinet committee to review the data on the issue and report to me by March its recommendations for potential legislative solutions to this impending problem.”
Gov. Minner also called on the General Assembly to pass legislation to enact a transfer of development rights bill to preserve land, at no cost to taxpayers, in areas where state and local governments have agreed it should be preserved.
Economy:
Gov. Minner said the state will continue to address the high costs of workers compensation insurance through the work of the Secretary of Labor and the Workers Compensation Advisory Committee with the hope of having a proposal when the General Assembly returns in March.
She also addressed Bank of America’s acquisition of MBNA, calling it an opportunity, not a risk.
“In that spirit of opportunity, I propose that we enact legislation that will modernize Delaware’s bank franchise tax and thereby convince Bank of America to keep the existing bank charter in our state,” Gov. Minner said. “This change would encourage not only Bank of America, but other large banking institutions to locate in Delaware.”
Legislative and Budget Issues:
Gov. Minner outlined a short-term plan to address the shortfall in the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. One part of that plan is the Governor’s Executive Order No. 78, which implements key financial controls for transportation, and mandates regular reporting of transportation revenue and expenditures on an annual basis.
The Governor will also appoint a financial management oversight committee to review and monitor expenditures and track revenues. She has also directed her Administration to work with the Bond Bill Committee to identify projects that can be deferred or cut so the trust fund’s resources can be used where they are most needed.
“In the long term, we will obviously need new revenues for the Trust Fund to ensure the fund is solvent for the future,” she said. “But this year, we must start with a short-term strategy that will lay a foundation for the difficult choices in the years ahead.”
Gov. Minner is also proposing the addition of eight more state troopers, which would bring the total number to 655 sworn officers, more than at any time in the state’s history. She also noted the 18 percent pay increase for correctional officers since 2004, which was designed to better compensate officers and make the state’s Department of Correction more competitive in hiring.
Gov. Minner said the state will also work over the coming year to address the challenges of its juvenile justice system, working to build more effective ways to treat, educate and prepare kids for a productive role in society.
“Together, we can ensure that Delaware continues to be a state where people are proud to live, work and raise their children,” Gov. Minner said. “Together, we have achieved tremendous success and made remarkable accomplishments. I look forward to working with you as we all strive toward the goal of making our state the nation’s best.”
