Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008
Gov. Minner’s Budget Highlights Include Funding for Full-Day Kindergarten, Fighting Cancer, Preserving Open Space, Additional Troopers and New Economy Initiative
Gov. Minner Unveils Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year That Starts July 1
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner today released her recommended Fiscal Year 2009 operating and capital budgets, which hold spending growth to less than 4 percent and continue funding for initiatives such as full-day kindergarten, SEED scholarships, fighting cancer, preserving open space and a program to preserve the supply of low-income housing for needy Delaware families.
“We are facing many challenges this year such as rising energy costs, a tightening credit environment, the weakening national housing and job markets and continued increases in the demand for state services,” Governor Minner said. “I am pleased that the budget I am presenting today will allow us to ensure the financial stability of our state while continuing to provide needed programs and services to the people of Delaware.”
The operating budget totals $3.41 billion and constrains agency growth to just 3.81 percent while targeting additional funding to areas of critical core government services. Gov. Minner’s proposed capital budget of $473.3 million will fund ongoing improvements and capital projects throughout Delaware, including school and transportation projects.
The proposed capital budget, or bond bill, recommends $239.6 million for public education and agency projects and $233.7 million for the capital program of the Department of Transportation.
The following list details some of the funding highlights of Governor Minner’s recommended budgets:
Education:
• $132.7 million for ongoing public school construction projects in the Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Cape Henlopen, Capital, Caesar Rodney, Colonial, Lake Forest, Milford, Smyrna and Sussex Technical school districts, as well as the Sterck School for the Deaf.
• $2.8 million in support of the Department of Education and Vision 2015 initiatives.
• $2.6 million to support the full-day kindergarten initiative in 11 school districts, nine charter schools and pilot classrooms in two additional school districts.
• $689,000 in Student Excellence Equals Degree, or SEED, scholarships which enable every Delaware student to attend college for free if they keep their grades up and stay out of trouble.
Health:
• $16.2 million to continue funding for a comprehensive list of cancer treatment initiatives as recommended by the Cancer Consortium.
• $1.6 million for the Self Directed Services program to provide in-home rehabilitative services for persons with developmental disabilities.
• $1.3 million to reduce the incidence of infant mortality according to the recommendations of the Infant Mortality Task Force.
• $1 million for planning of the redesign for the new psychiatric facility at the Herman Holloway Campus of the Department of Health and Social Services and $500,000 for further improvements to the Delaware Psychiatric Center pending recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on the Delaware Psychiatric Center.
Safety:
• $9 million for the Kent County Court Complex for the expansion and renovation of court facilities in Kent County and the continuation of the program to modernize court facilities throughout the state.
• $4.5 million to complete the enhancements to the state’s 800 MHz emergency radio communication system.
• $835,400 to fund two additional Superior Court judges and additional court staff to address increasing caseloads.
• $695,000 to fund 10 additional Delaware State Police troopers. This funding, coupled with a recently signed agreement with Sussex County, will allow the Delaware State Police to exceed the administration’s goal of 680 troopers over the next several years.
Self Sufficiency:
• $8.5 million to support libraries throughout the state to include projects in Dover, Milford and the New Castle Public Library.
• $5 million to preserve the supply of low-income housing units for families in need.
• $250,000 for the Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (DEMAP) which provides loans to eligible Delaware families who are suffering from significant financial hardships.
• A pilot Sunday Bus Service program for select routes in New Castle County to provide greater opportunities for the residents of Delaware to access services and employment opportunities.
Economic Development:
• $8 million to the Delaware Strategic Fund to support economic development in Delaware.
• $2 million for the fifth year of funding for the New Economy Initiative to expand Delaware’s research base in biotechnology and life sciences and to support the initiation of a regional infrastructure plan.
• $2 million for continued support for the Diamond State Port Corporation.
• $1 million to the Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology for vaccine development.
Environment/Livable Delaware:
• $20 million through the continued dedication of earmarked revenue for the Farmland Preservation program and the Open Space program.
• $3.2 million for Conservation Cost Share projects to support best practices in the management of soil nutrients for urban and rural landowners.
• $2.2 million for beach preservation and replenishment.
• $1 million for the Clean Water State Grant Match to improve water treatment facilities statewide.
More than 93 percent of the growth in the Fiscal Year 2009 recommended budget is associated with “door opener” items including $36.2 million for the Medicaid program to cover increasing health care costs and a client base that is projected to reach more than 153,000 people during Fiscal Year 2009. In addition, $9.8 million is recommended for public school enrollment increases and $3.4 million is recommended for population growth in the juvenile justice system.
“The Fiscal Year 2009 recommended financial plan is balanced, fiscally responsible and directs limited resources to critical core government services and key initiatives,” said J.J. Davis, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. “Through the leadership of Governor Minner, this budget will allow the state to weather the current economic climate.”
The budget and bond bill proposals now go to the General Assembly for consideration and passage by June 30.
