Republicans and Democrats are proposing different ways to pay for cleaning up polluted waterways in the state.
State Sens. Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) and Bryant Richardson (R-Laurel) proposed an alternative to funding water projects identified by the Clean Water & Flood Abatement Task Force.
Delaware Online.com reported that Democrats will introduce a bill calling for an income tax and business license surcharge and to pay for pollution clean-up. The charge could total $80 for a household and extra $45 for businesses, via the annual business license fee.
Gov. Jack Markell, earlier in his final term, proposed an increase tacked on to property taxes. That proposal went nowhere in a state that takes great pride in its low levies that have brought an influx of retirees and others escaping property taxes that can run $10,000 or more in New Jersey and several thousands of dollars elsewhere.
Delaware is known for having the bulk of its waterways to polluted for swimming.
“Funding for clean water has not kept pace with need, especially as nutrient runoff from more and more homes enters our waterways,” Townsend stated in a social media post. “Our diverse task force is scheduled to conclude work next week, and we have developed a very workable, transparent solution to this issue. We know so many Delawareans support efforts to clean up our water and shore up our infrastructure. Now it’s a matter of elected officials showing support, too. The future of our economy and our environment hangs in the balance.”
“We’re all in agreement on the need for clean water, and there are clearly projects that need funding,” said Lavelle. “The question is how do you pay for it? Before we go out and ask for more tax money, let’s look at what’s available.”
The GOP proposal what are described use tens of millions of dollars in available funds held by the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
The funds are proceeds from carbon emissions auctions conducted as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and currently sit unused.
Republicans have been critical of RGGI, claiming it has led to high energy bills in the state.
“The SEU has $30 million just sitting there, and they’re collecting way more than they can use each year,” said Lavelle. “Many other RGGI states have used their money for other purposes, so this isn’t unprecedented. The memorandum of understanding that created this mechanism allowed for up to 75 percent of that money to be used for other purposes and funding water projects is a perfect alternative use.”
The senators have prepared an amendment to the anticipated water tax bill that would shift funding from the taxpayers to the SEU and DNREC.
“With budgets so tight, and with Delawareans’ wages so stagnant, it is wrong of us to ask for more from them when this pile of money is sitting there,” said Senator Richardson. “I served on this task force, and there is a genuine need for these water projects. Using this available money to fund these projects is the right way to move forward on this issue.”
