On Thursday, Governor John Carney signed the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. The budget was passed earlier this week.
The budget totals $4.2 billion, up about four percent from a year ago.
A supplemental budget appropriates funds to provide a $500 one-time salary supplement to full-time and part-time employees, as well as supplements to pensioners and one-time funded priority projects.
The governor was unable to summon up enough support for a vote on the “budget” smoothing” constitutional amendment that would revise the state’s aging fiscal forecast formula and deal with a myriad of tax deductions for seniors among other things.
The measure would also replace the rainy day fund of set-aside revenues that has never been touched with a fund that would set aside money in years when revenues grow.
The amendment would require votes by two sessions of the General Assembly.
“When we presented our budget proposal in January, we were focused on making responsible decisions, using one-time revenue for one-time investments, and helping keep our state competitive. The budget I signed today accomplishes those goals,” said Carney. “This is a responsible budget that will invest in our highest-needs schools, and help us recruit and retain teachers where they’re needed most. We are making new investments to confront the opioid crisis, and giving state employees a well-deserved raise. I want to thank members of the Joint Finance Committee and the entire General Assembly for their efficient work on this budget, and for making responsible decisions that will help us continue to address our long-term, structural challenges.”
The budget, which was approved by a wide margin in both houses, lacked the drama that marked the passage of the last fiscal year budget. At that time, legislators were wrestling with a nearly $400 million shortfall.
