Gov. John Carney delivered his last State of the State speech on Tuesday
In a reversal from the tradition of making the speech early in the legislative session, the State of the State was rescheduled ito March, since Carney had the flu on the original date. Carney’s final budget address was made before the State of the State speech.
The speech outlined his budget priorities, economic accomplishments during this two terms and carried a warning about keeping spending under control as the state struggles with issues like a liability in state employee health insurance.
Carney entered his first term with a budget shortfall of $400 million and will leave with a $400 million surplus. By contrast, neighboring Maryland is facing a budget shortfall.
Carney cited as one of his accomplishments the formation of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a private organization spun out of the former Delaware Economic Development Office. The partnership has been credited with retaining and adding thousands of jobs. Carney also pointed to more than 30,000 jobs created in the state since 2017.
He also cited progress in funding public school programs that give students more help. Delaware, like many state, is struggling with lagging student performance after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Carney pushed for passage of legislation that would put “budget smoothing” into the statute books. Budget smoothing sets aside more money for period when revenues drop. Budget smoothing has been opposed by some progressives in Carney’s party who have proposed tax inceases and ramping up spending.
Carney’s speech saw hecklers escorted out of Legislative Hall after shouting demands for a cease fire in the Gaza war.
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