Governor Carney’s 2023 State of the State Address

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The following are excerpts from Governor Carney’s remarks:

ECONOMY

“I believe that our success as a state must start with building a strong and growing economy. We know that a good job solves a lot of problems – and that’s not just political rhetoric.”

WORKFORCE

“The biggest challenge we have is filling the job openings that are out there. For my entire career in public service, we’ve been focused first on creating jobs. There have always been more people looking for work than jobs available. Today, it’s just the opposite. We have thousands more job openings than we have people looking for work. Let me say that again – in a different way. Employers have 37,000 job openings in the State of Delaware. And there are just 21,000 Delawareans looking for a job. I’ve never seen a situation like this before. Our state government sees those challenges every day. Across the executive branch agencies, we have 2,000 job openings and it’s harder than ever to find candidates. This is not a problem unique to Delaware. In fact, every state in the country is facing similar challenges. And so our ability to compete will depend on our success building and attracting a highly skilled workforce. Our colleges and universities have never been more important in this work.”

FEDERAL FUNDING

“Thanks to President Biden and our congressional delegation, we’ve also seen a significant influx of federal dollars that will help us build on this progress. With the support of the American Rescue Plan, we’re building a Clinical Lab at Delaware State University. An Allied Health Center at Delaware Tech in Wilmington. And a state-of-the-art laboratory on the site of the McKinly Lab at the University of Delaware. Over the course of the next year, ARPA funding will help rehabilitate blighted homes and properties on the east side of Wilmington.”

EDUCATION

“All children should be able to read at grade level by third grade. Be proficient in math by middle school. And graduate high school ready for college or a career. If we meet those targets, our students will be better off in the long run. And our state will be stronger. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: too many students are behind. That’s especially true among our most vulnerable students. And that’s just not acceptable. We need everyone to lean into this issue.”

CHILD CARE

“Supporting our youngest learners and their families has to be a top priority for all of us. That’s why my budget next week will increase state investments in early childhood education. We will propose an increase in purchase of care to help more low-income families access quality child care. We will also double funding for the Early Childhood Assistance Program – or ECAP. These programs serve many of the most vulnerable 3- and 4-year-olds in our state. And with the help of an $8 million federal grant, we will develop a plan for the future of child care and early education in Delaware. I know this is a priority for Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long, Senator Gay, and many others in this chamber.”

ENVIRONMENT

“In the Oath of Office, we all take as elected officials, we pledge to ‘respect the right of future generations to share the rich historic and natural heritage of Delaware.’ But, that natural heritage is under threat. We’re the lowest-lying state in the nation. And the effects of climate change and sea level rise on Delaware communities are real. We’re seeing them every day. That’s why we need to take action. With the help of federal infrastructure funding, we will accelerate efforts to build out Delaware’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. And we’ll restore investments in the Clean Water Trust – to protect our waterways and drinking water.”

CRIME

“Protecting our state also means making sure Delaware families feel safe in their homes and communities. We’re working with leaders in Wilmington and Dover to expand our Group Violence Intervention Program – to reduce gun violence. Our collective efforts have shown good results. Statewide, shootings are down 30 percent since last year. There’s a lot more work to do, for sure. Gun violence anywhere is unacceptable – and we need everyone to make this a priority.”

RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

“We can’t make any of these investments – in education, in our economy, in environmental protection and public safety – if we don’t have our fiscal house in order. Over the past six years, we have charted a responsible course, together. We’ve protected taxpayer dollars and directed investments where they can have the greatest impact. I’ve talked to a lot of taxpayers over the years – and that’s what they expect of us. When I took office six years ago, we were facing an almost $400 million deficit. Now, we have $400 million more in reserves for when the economy turns down again which we know will happen at some point. Despite a global pandemic that ravaged our economy – we have turned a significant deficit into a surplus. We have directed one-time revenue into one-time projects and built the largest infrastructure program in Delaware history – two years in a row now.”

Expanded abortion access, allowing licensed physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwives to perform abortions, and protecting those traveling to the state to terminate pregnancies.

Increased paid leave for all Delaware families, offering workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave to address a worker’s serious health condition or that of a family member. 

Delivered $300 direct payments to Delawareans, as part of a bipartisan tax rebate to help counter the impact of inflation on families. 

Upgraded local infrastructure, following passage of a $1.4 billion capital budget, which provides funds to improve roadways, schools, libraries and state parks like Cape Henlopen. 

Adopted healthcare legislation that expands Delawareans’ access to telehealth and telemedicine services. 

Protected Delaware’s environment, with the Clean Water for Delaware Act which protects waterways and rebuilds drinking water infrastructure, focusing on underserved communities. 

Expanded access to the polls, for the first time offering early in-person voting in Delaware at least 10 days before Election Day.

Improved gun safety, the result of six gun safety bills which ban the sale of assault weapons, raise the age from 18 to 21 to purchase most firearms, and strengthen background checks.

Passed education legislation that increases K-3 special education funding and expanded Black history ecducation for all K-12 students.

The choice is clear

The other political party wants to steal your right to vote.

The other political party wants to take away your right to control your body.

The other political party wants to remove your right to affordable health care. 

The other political party wants to repeal your right to privacy.

Only one political wants to protect your rights. . .

VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

Republicans are trying to take rights that have been part of American life for decades. Protect your rights by supporting Democratic candidates in your district.

To vote in the upcoming primary and general elections, you must register by August 20, 2022.

Register to vote today at ivote.de.go

Several potential candidates for public office nurtured their civic duty ambitions by attending How to Run for Public Office, a workshop held Feb. 10 in Georgetown. 

Strategic and tactical advice was provided by a panel of former campaigners addressing key aspects of running for office: preparation and advance planning, staying authentic, cultivating support personnel and finances, messaging, problems to avoid, and the personal ingredients needed for successful campaigning. 

The program was conducted in a hybrid format with attendees present both in person and via Zoom. It was sponsored by Sussex County Democratic Party at its Sterling Avenue headquarters. 

“This is part of our ongoing outreach effort to identify, encourage and enable good candidates for public office; to help folks who want to contribute to the well-being of their community,” said Jane Hovington, party chair. 

Panelist Leslie Ledogar, then chair of the 14th Representative District Democratic Committee, which is anchored by Lewes & Rehoboth Beach, currently supports Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, at the capitol. Ledogar described important styles and types of messaging to help candidates align their personal values with voter needs. She counseled taking the long view and soliciting enduring voter support. 

Panelist Kerri Evelyn Harris, former candidate for U.S. Senate and current DNC National Committee member, is beginning her campaign for the 32nd Representative District. Her counsel to other candidates covered matching one’s promises to the scope of the office sought, keeping the campaign staff aligned with one’s personal mission vision, and using voter feedback productively. 

Panelist Erik Raser-Schramm, a campaign worker in Delaware since 2004, has participated in runs for offices up and down the line: local, state and national. A past chair of the Delaware Democratic Party, he is currently deputy chief administrative officer for New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. Raser-Schramm contributed advice via Zoom on places to secure campaign support, how to advance plan around these targets, and ways to utilize help so it matches volunteer interests and capacities. He also counseled how to manage screening questionnaires from potential endorsing organizations.  

The workshop included a spirited question-and-answer session as well as closing commentary on candidness as both a candidate and a subsequent public officeholder. In closing discussion, the need to maintain voter contact after the election also emerged as a vital aspect of politics in Delaware. 

PHOTO:  How to Run for Public Office candidate training in-person attendees shown are (l-r) Leslie Ledogar, then 14th RD Democratic Committee chair; Jane Hovington, Sussex County Democratic Party chair; Kerri Evelyn Harris, National Democratic Committee member; and Michael Payam, Sussex County Democratic Committee vice chair.