The News Journal
1/27/2005
Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner today proposed spending $2.74 billion in the budget year that begins in July, a 5.5 percent increase from this year driven by rising costs for pensions, health care for the poor and state employee raises and benefits.
Minner also proposed a $631.1 million capital budget that would pay for roads, new and refurbished schools, sewer improvements and flood-control measures. More than $333 million of that would pay for transportation projects and services.
The governor’s plan also calls for setting aside $38.5 million in expected revenues from abandoned property to create a “Livable Delaware Infrastructure Fund,” which includes $17.3 million for water and wastewater projects.
Other budget highlights include:
-- $111.6 million in capital funds for public school construction, including $30.8 million for building related to implementing all-day kindergarten in all elementary schools by 2008.
-- $45.8 million more to cover state’s share of rising Medicaid costs.
-- $19 million in capital funds to enhance statewide emergency radio system.
-- $1.7 million reserved for Department of Corrections for coming task force
recommendations to remedy understaffing and prison security issues.
-- $13.4 million in capital funds to replace the outmoded Intermediate Care Medical Facility at the Stockley Medical Center in Frankford.
Minner announced her budget during a press conference this afternoon. The proposal now will be scrutinized by the General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee, which will hold open hearings throughout February. The Legislature must adopt a budget by June 30.
Find complete coverage in Friday’s News Journal and at delawareonline.com. Contact Patrick Jackson at 678-4274 or pjackson@delawareonline.com.
