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.
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.
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.
Signed the first major reforms to the Coastal Zone Act, clearing the way for additional redevelopment and cleanup of legacy industrial sites.
Strengthened protections for Delawareans whose personal information is threatened by breaches of cyber security.
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.
Redirected new resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs through a new small business office within the Department of State.
Restructured Delaware's economic development efforts, partnering strategically with the private sector to attract business and jobs to Delaware.
Signed into law a package of legislation that expanded access to substance abuse treatment, and strengthened oversight of opioid prescriptions.
Preserved 9,382 acres of farmland on Delaware farms.
Committed to eliminating broadband deserts in 2020 to build Delaware’s innovation economy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
STRENGTHENING DELAWARE'S ECONOMY
IMPROVING SCHOOLS FOR ALL DELAWARE CHILDREN
A HEALTHIER DELAWARE
INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY
BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES
RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT
