In his State of the State message on Thursday, Gov. Jack Markell jumped into the issue of violent crime in Wilmington while offering an encouraging view of the economy. (Click on the photo above for a rebroadcast of the address.
Markell proposed “a rapid, fact-based, intensive examination of public safety strategies in the city through a commission to be established by a Joint Resolution. Working with an outside expert, Public Safety Secretary Lew Schiliro and New Castle County Public Safety Director Joe Bryant will lead the group, which will make recommendations that can be acted on by the city and by the General Assembly this session if necessary.”
Concern about the high murder rate has been accompanied by worries from major employers over crime in downtown.
Earlier, Markell joined new Attorney General Matt Denn, who proposed spending proceeds from a financial crisis settlement with Citi and Bank of America. The money would be used for housing and other initiatives in areas with high poverty and crime rates.
Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams took a cautious stance with the following statement:
“With the creation of this new task force, I will closely review all recommendations, with the hopes to possibly implement the proposed strategies with the assistance of resources from the State of Delaware. I would also like to personally thank Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro and the New Castle County Public Safety Liaison, Joseph Bryant, who will serve as the chairs of the commission and work collaboratively with city, county and state officials, in addition to, law enforcement representatives to solve Wilmington’s crime problem.”
Williams has been critical of media coverage of the homicide and crime rate and has defended the city’s crime fighting strategy.
The address started off on an upbeat note with Markell taking note of the improvement in the economy, with job growth running ahead of the the national rate over the past two years, the fourth fastest in the nation.
Markell also announced that Perdue is following up on its commitment by moving its agribusiness headquarters to Sussex County, a move that will add 150 jobs.
The governor stopped short of proposing an increase in the gas tax, instead asking legislators to come up with ways to fund improvements to the transportation system.
Markell’s proposal for a 10 cent increase in the gas tax was unpopular with legislators. Gas taxes have since plunged, leading those supporting the gas tax taking note of a lost opportunity.
Continuing a theme he has voiced in recent weeks, Markell urged lawmakers and other state leaders to recognize that globalization and digital technology pose both an opportunity and a threat to the economy.
“I ask the General Assembly, our schools, our colleges, and our businesses to join me in committing to the Delaware Promise… By 2025, 65 percent of our workforce will earn a college degree or professional certificate. Everyone will earn at least a high school diploma.”
Markell also proposed:
-Efforts to retain top teachers.
– Eliminate red tape through regular review of old regulations and by requiring regulatory impact statements for new regulations.
– Improving job prospects for those in prison through job-training programs.
– Investing in addiction treatment programs and more flexibility in those programs.
– Ending homelessness among veterans.
