Overall highlights
-- Spending would grow 5.5 percent to $2.74 billion.
-- $30.1 million would go for employee raises, averaging about 5.4 percent.
-- Capital spending on schools, roads, buildings and other big-ticket items would total $631 million, down from $774 million this year.
Biggest increases
Health/Social Services -- 8.5 percent
Education -- 6.4 percent
Safety/Homeland Security -- 6.4 percent
Children/youth/families -- 4.2 percent
Biggest reductions
Executive Department (Governor) -- 4.2 percent
Labor -- 3.3 percent
Finance -- 1.5 percent
DNREC -- .9 percent
Education
-- $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.
-- $3 million in operating funds to continue all-day kindergarten pilot programs and start phase-in during 2005-2006 school year in districts where more space is not needed to start program.
-- $1.3 million to add math/reading specialists in 22 lowest-performing middle schools.
-- $2.6 million reserved for private school bus contractors, anticipating revision of state reimbursement formula.
-- $6.3 million to cover state share of cost of more students in public schools.
Environment
-- Creating a Liveable Delaware Infrastructure Fund, with $38.5 million set aside for land preservation, wastewater projects, beach preservation.
Health
-- $45.8 million more to cover state’s share of rising Medicaid costs.
-- $10 million to continue cancer initiatives, such as colon cancer screening and payment for cancer treatment for the uninsured.
-- $13.4 million in capital funds to replace the outmoded Intermediate Care Medical Facility at the Stockley Medical Center in Frankford.
Public Safety
-- $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.
-- $469,000 to hire six more state troopers.
Economic Development
-- $12 million to continue New Economy initiative providing grants and start-up funds to new businesses, particularly in technology sector.
-- $10 million for the Strategic Fund, which provides incentives to attract companies to the state.
-- $10 million in capital funds for the Port of Wilmington.
-- $5 million for Wilmington’s Riverfront Development Corp.
Transportation
-- Adding 10 positions for the fall opening of the Georgetown inspection station.
-- $333 million in capital funds for roads, transit and other projects.
