Initiatives - Governor John Carney

Office of the Governor
JOHN CARNEY

Governor Carney took office on January 17, 2017 focused on making Delaware's economy more competitive, preparing Delaware's children to succeed, and protecting our environment.

Working with Delawareans across the state - and with members of the General - we’re making real progress on each those priorities.

We’re rebuilding our infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs. We’re making historic investments in Delaware’s public schools, and preserving record amounts of farmland and open space statewide.

And just three years after climbing out of a $400 million budget deficit, we are on sound financial footing and investing in our future.

Take a look below at the progress we’ve made together.

Continued Initiatives

Featured News from Governor Carney

Stronger Economy

Picture of Governor Carney at EDGE grants event

Supporting DE’s Small Businesses

Governor John Carney and the Division of Small Business launched EDGE Grants (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion) to assist Delaware entrepreneurs who want to grow their small businesses.

Improving Schools

Picture of Governor Carney at local school opportunity funding event.

Investing in High-Needs Schools

Governor Carney’s Opportunity Funding Initiative provides $75 million over three years for targeted resources toward Delaware’s most disadvantaged students. This investment includes $15 million for mental health and reading supports for high-needs Delaware schools.

Healthier Delaware

Picture of Governor Carney signing into law major reforms to expand access to substance abuse treatment.

Raising Tobacco Sales Age to 21

Governor Carney supported and signed legislation that increased the age to purchase tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21 to prevent younger Delawareans from smoking, improve the health of young Delawareans, and reduce health care costs.

Action Plan for Delaware — Our Progress

Image of a green completion checkmark Signed legislation that allows new mothers and fathers in the state workforce to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of their children.

Image of a green completion checkmark Created the Opportunity Funding Initiative, which will provide $75 million over three years for English learners, low-income students, and new mental health supports in schools.

Image of a green completion checkmark Signed the first major reforms to the Coastal Zone Act, clearing the way for additional redevelopment and cleanup of legacy industrial sites.

Image of a green completion checkmark Strengthened protections for Delawareans whose personal information is threatened by breaches of cyber security.

Image of a green completion checkmark Signed the Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act, establishing a refundable tax credit for qualified investors in Delaware small businesses to spur job creation and innovation.

Image of a green completion checkmark Redirected new resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs through a new small business office within the Department of State.

Image of a green completion checkmark Restructured Delaware's economic development efforts, partnering strategically with the private sector to attract business and jobs to Delaware.

Image of a green completion checkmark Signed into law a package of legislation that expanded access to substance abuse treatment, and strengthened oversight of opioid prescriptions.

Image of a green completion checkmark Preserved 9,382 acres of farmland on Delaware farms.

Image of a green completion checkmark Committed to eliminating broadband deserts in 2020 to build Delaware’s innovation economy.

Image of a green completion checkmark In just three years, Governor Carney and the General Assembly turned a $400 million deficit into a $200 million surplus, with $125 million in reserves.

Image of a green completion checkmark Signed the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act to confront the issue of gun safety and mental illness.

Image of a green completion checkmark Finalized a $600 million agreement to expand the Port of Wilmington and create jobs.

Image of a green completion checkmark Established a consistent anti-discrimination policy across state government.

Image of a green completion checkmark Created the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review Board (GEAR) to continuously identify cost savings and system improvements across state government.

Image of a green completion checkmark Signed legislation to lower health care costs for Delaware families, businesses, and state government through the launch of a health care benchmark initiative.

Image of a green completion checkmark Created a Department of Human Resources within state government to spearhead women's advocacy, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and other issues important to state employees.

Image of a green completion checkmark Expanded access to public data through Delaware's Open Data Portal.

Image of a green completion checkmark Facilitated access to credit and capital to foster small business and entrepreneur growth through EDGE Grants (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion).

Initiatives — Governor Carney's Priorities

Nearly three years since Governor Carney took office, state government is working for Delawareans. Governor Carney and his team have:

STRENGTHENING DELAWARE'S ECONOMY

Proposed and signed into law legislation creating a Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund for transportation infrastructure economic development projects that will create a significant number of jobs.

Launched EDGE Grants (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion), a competitive, matching grant program to assist Delaware entrepreneurs who want to grow their small businesses.

Implemented Delaware One Stop, an online tool to streamline registration and licensing requirements.

Signed legislation allowing state government to enter into Pay for Success contracts that will incentivize private funding of economic development and social impact initiatives. Under terms of the contracts, the state would protect taxpayer dollars by reimbursing private funding only if the initiatives reach stated goals, and achieve progress for Delawareans.

Signed legislation aimed at protecting Delaware's coastal waters and economy from offshore drilling.

Finalized a $600 million agreement to expand the Port of Wilmington and create jobs.

Announced $4 billion infrastructure investment plan to modernize Delaware’s transportation system.

Expanded access to high-speed broadband service, and committed to eliminating broadband deserts by 2020.

Signed the Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act, establishing a refundable tax credit for qualified investors in Delaware small businesses to spur job creation and innovation.

Launched Delaware’s Opportunity Zones program, targeted at revitalizing economically-distressed communities by providing tax benefits to investors. The Division of Small Business’ new interactive Opportunity Zones website serves as a portal to the program for those looking to invest.

Restructured Delaware's economic development efforts, partnering strategically with the private sector to attract business and jobs to Delaware.

Signed the first major reforms to the Coastal Zone Act, clearing the way for additional redevelopment and cleanup of legacy industrial sites.

Redirected new resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs through a new small business office within the Department of State.

Launched Mobile One-Stop jobs unit to provide job-related services in communities with high rates of unemployment.

Partnered with DuPont and the University of Delaware to open the Delaware Innovation Space, a major business incubator and research institute at the Experimental Station.

Announced $258 million of investments to create jobs and rebuild Wilmington transportation infrastructure, including new Christina River Bridge and Wilmington Transit Center.

Signed legislation to enhance protections for Delawareans whose personal information is affected by a breach of cybersecurity, providing the first update in Delaware law in more than a decade to address advances in cyber threats.

Signed legislation that prevents employers from requesting the salary history of job applicants and helps address a persistent pay gap between men and women.

Announced New Wilmington sports complex, home to 76ers G League Team.

IMPROVING SCHOOLS FOR ALL DELAWARE CHILDREN

Enhance the Opportunity Funding Initiative and worked with the General Assembly to provide $75 million over three years for English learners, low-income students, and new mental health supports in schools.

Expanded the High Needs Educator Student Loan Payment Program, offering up to $10,000 in student loan relief for educators in high-needs schools and subject areas.

Established the School Safety and Security Fund and provided school districts with $5 million to upgrade their safety infrastructure and protect children.

Worked with schools statewide to enhance internet speeds in the classroom, and make Delaware a national leader in classroom broadband speeds and connectivity, according to a 2018 State of the States report. The State of Delaware is recognized for 100 percent school connectivity.

Established the Office of Innovation and Improvement, led by a veteran Wilmington educator, to focus support on high-needs schools across Delaware, starting in Wilmington.

Launched a Basic Needs Closet initiative to stock 45 high-poverty schools with basic necessities such as clean clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, and winter clothing.

Restructured the Department of Education as a support agency, decreasing administrative positions while increasing supports for educators.

Partnered with school districts to upgrade broadband technology in 48 schools across the state, doubling bandwidth capacity and expanding access to high-speed internet for 27,000 Delaware children.

A HEALTHIER DELAWARE

Increased the age to purchase tobacco and vape products from 18 to 21 to prevent younger Delawareans from smoking, improve the health of young Delawareans, and reduce health care costs.

Created reinsurance program to lower health care costs on the ACA market place, which resulted in an almost 20% reduction in rates and an over 6% increase in enrollment.

Enacted a ban on single-use plastic bags that will help protect Delaware’s environment, wildlife and communities.

Launched “Keep DE Litter Free,” a statewide public awareness campaign to encourage Delawareans and visitors not to litter, to help clean up outdoor spaces, and protect Delaware’s unique natural heritage.

Signed legislation that codifies consumer protections of the Affordable Care Act in Delaware law – including protections for Delawareans with pre-existing conditions, the guaranteed availability of coverage, and permissible rating factors.

Directed DNREC to initiate efforts to eliminate the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Supported U.S. Climate Alliance’s “Clean Car Promise,” which calls for a common-sense approach to address vehicle pollution and climate change.

Established health care benchmarks to lower the cost of health care in Delaware, and improve quality by tracking key measures of health care.

Enacted “Aiden’s Law,” which will ensure a coordinated plan of care for infants born addicted or exposed to drugs, and for their families.

Launched START initiative to engage more Delawareans suffering from substance use disorder in treatment, while also meeting their needs for housing, employment, education and other wraparound services.

Launched healthcare benchmark initiative to lower healthcare costs for Delaware families, businesses, and state government.

Signed legislation allowing the sale of naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, at pharmacies without an individual prescription.

Signed into law a package of legislation that expanded access to substance abuse treatment, and strengthened oversight of opioid prescriptions.

Implemented new opioid prescription regulations, resulting in a drop in prescriptions statewide to their lowest levels in four years.

Created Behavioral Health Consortium and Addiction Action Committee to more effectively coordinate mental health and addiction services statewide.

Launched HelpIsHereDE.com, Delaware's one-stop website for information and services related to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery for the community, those struggling with addiction, and medical providers.

INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Supported legislation that makes it easier for offenders re-entering our communities to find meaningful employment.

Signed legislation requiring gun owners to safely store firearms around children.

Established the School Safety and Security Fund and provided school districts with $5 million to upgrade their safety infrastructure and protect children.

Signed an Executive Order to improve reentry procedures, reduce recidivism.

Confronted the issue of gun violence and mental illness by signing the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act alongside Vice President Joe Biden.

Signed legislation banning bump stock devices, strengthening penalties on straw purchases, and enacting additional red flag protections.

Joined the States for Gun Safety Coalition, a multi-state bipartisan partnership to more effectively share data across state borders, intercept the flow of illegal weapons, and engage research institutions to explore new ways to confront gun violence.

Announced an agreement to increase salaries for Delaware's correctional officers and study additional changes to help recruit and retain officers, and decrease the use of mandatory overtime across Delaware's correctional system.

Appointed a Special Assistant at the Department of Correction to oversee implementation of reforms recommended by the Independent Review into conditions at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.

Implemented significant investments in equipment, technology and training at the Department of Correction.

Appointed a new Bureau Chief to lead DOC's efforts to help offenders successfully re-enter their communities, and reduce Delaware's rate of recidivism.

Opted-in to federal FirstNet plan to build a wireless broadband network intended to improve communications for first responders across the State of Delaware.

Joined the National Criminal Justice Reform Project – an initiative led by the National Governors Association and the National Criminal Justice Association Center for Justice Planning to assist states in implementing evidence-based criminal justice reforms.

BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES

Expanded the Work-A-Day, Earn-A-Pay Program statewide, which puts people to work and addresses the litter problem that exists across our state.

Expanded the Downtown Development District (DDD) program to include Delaware City, Middletown, New Castle, and Clayton as new DDD districts to drive private investment in additional towns and cities. In the original eight districts — Dover, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Milford, Seaford, Smyrna and Wilmington — $31.6 million in DDD rebates has leveraged $597 million in private investment in those designated downtown districts.

Launched Homes for Grads, a homeownership program for recent college graduates, which offers discounted rates on DSHA’s down payment assistance loans for homebuyers who have graduated college with a four-year degree or higher in the last three years.

Preserved 9,382 acres of farmland on Delaware farms.

Expanded Delaware's State Parks system with the addition of the 17th state park, Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn.

Revamped Delaware's down payment assistance program to better serve low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Delaware.

Authorized $3 million in additional funding to strengthen local efforts in the fight against blight with the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund.

Launched the Home4Good program and leveraged $1.2 million to bring additional resources to Delaware to serve those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program was launched in July 2018.

Launched the Statewide Emergency Repair Program, a one-stop source for low-income homeowners in need of emergency repairs. The program has helped 121 families so far with about $462,000 in repairs. SERP replaced a patchwork of local programs with a single point of contact statewide.

Strengthened local efforts in the fight against blight, with a $5.5 million investment in Delaware communities through the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund. The investment will lead to about 100 new or rehabilitated housing units statewide. The total Strong Neighborhoods projects will total about 181 units statewide, replacing vacant, foreclosed or abandoned properties with new homeowners.

Expanded summer and after-school programs in communities serving high-risk populations.

Created Project LAUNCH to provide trauma-informed training to early learning professionals in high-risk and disadvantaged communities, starting in Wilmington.

RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT

Supported General Assembly’s passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Delaware Constitution.

Created the Delaware Anti-Litter Alliance – a coalition of local leaders committed to reducing litter in Delaware.

Signed an Executive Order making Delaware a trauma-informed state. The Order provides direction for the Family Services Cabinet Council to help mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and build resilience in children, adults and communities.

Launched Text-to-911 capabilities at all Delaware 911 centers to accept emergency requests for help through text message when a call to 911 is not possible.

Launched full-scale, head-to-head sports betting in June 2018, making Delaware the first state in the nation outside of Nevada to offer this type of wagering.

Governor Carney signed legislation that allows new mothers and fathers in the state workforce to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of their children, making Delaware a national leader on family leave.

Announced First Chance Delaware, an initiative led by First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney to recognize and facilitate effective partnerships, to share research and best practices, and to promote opportunities to collaborate in support of Delaware’s children.

Launched a pilot program to test mobile driver’s license technology, becoming one of first states to do so. The mobile licenses are designed to improve security and better protect personal privacy.

Created a Department of Human Resources within state government to spearhead women's advocacy, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and other issues important to state employees.

Hired Delaware's first Chief Diversity Officer to lead the state's efforts to define and cultivate equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout state government.

Established a consistent anti-discrimination policy across state government.

Created the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review Board (GEAR) to continuously identify cost savings and system improvements across state government.

Signed legislation making comprehensive reforms to the state's unclaimed property laws to make them more predictable, efficient and fair.

Received top AAA bond ratings from all three major credit rating agencies, and saved taxpayers $4.7 million through debt refinancing.

Expanded access to open data, adding features and datasets to the Open Data Portal. The portal offers Delawareans unfiltered access to data collected and maintained by state government, including information about public spending, state land inventory, and air quality monitoring. Eleven additional datasets were made publicly available in the last year alone.

Deployed more than 100 Delaware National Guard soldiers, airmen and women to support relief efforts in Texas, the United States Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Launched delaware.gov/relief to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico and other areas affected by natural disasters.

Continued Initiatives

Featured News from Governor Carney

Action Plan for Delaware — Our Progress