Governor Carney Unveils Ambitious 2025 Budget Plan for Delaware

Governor John CarneyImage via Office of the Governor Delaware

DOVER, DE — Governor John Carney has unveiled his Fiscal Year 2025 Recommended Budget, addressing key areas such as public education, economic development, workforce support, and environmental protection. The proposed budget, which totals $6.07 billion in the General Fund Operating budget, was presented to the General Assembly on Thursday.

“Our recommended budget continues to responsibly invest in areas I’ve prioritized during my time as Governor—in public schools, our economy, our workforce, and protecting our environment—while making sure these investments are sustainable in the long run,” said Governor Carney.

The proposed budget also sets aside $410.1 million in the Budget Stabilization Fund to manage forecasted flat revenues in future years. Additionally, it appropriates $91.8 million toward one-time items in a separate supplemental appropriation bill.

Under this budget, the state takes steps toward providing competitive compensation for its employees. It moves toward a goal of $60,000 starting salary for new teachers over the next four years, a significant increase that aligns with recommendations from the Public Education Compensation Committee.

The budget also aims to underscore the state’s commitment to early childhood education and child care, with more than $135 million allocated for initiatives including the Purchase of Care and the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP). Opportunity Funding Investments for low-income students and English language learners in schools will be increased by $10 million for a total of $63 million.

In terms of environmental protection, the budget includes significant investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, shoreline and waterway resiliency, clean water initiatives, and Aglands preservation.

To prepare Delaware for the economy of the future, the budget allocates $52.5 million for economic development. This includes $32.5 million for the Strategic Fund, Graduation Lab Space, Site Readiness, and Transportation Infrastructure Fund, and $20 million for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and SABRE.

State employees are also set to benefit from the proposed budget, with a 2% minimum increase across the board and continued funding for a historic wage increase for teachers. The budget also includes a $150 million investment in state employee health care and other post-retirement employee benefits.

Governor Carney’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal represents a comprehensive plan to strengthen Delaware’s economy, invest in its children, protect the environment, and support its workforce. It lays out an ambitious roadmap for the state’s future, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and responsible investment in key areas of public life.

VIDEO: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Presentation

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