Delaware

March 4, 2010 -- (Dover, DE) - Delaware’s efforts to improve student achievement and create stronger public schools were recognized today when the federal Department of Education announced the state has moved to the next round in the Race to the Top competition. The announcement was made today by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.    » read more »

January 28, 2010 -- Dover -- Delaware Governor Jack Markell today released a balanced budget proposal that puts people to work, keeps the state’s commitment to a world-class education system and makes government more cost effective. The Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Act meets the growing challenges facing the state’s budget without raising taxes.

“This budget, while difficult, furthers the goals and vision I outlined in the State of the State. It demands a leaner, more efficient government. It encourages economic growth, and it better allows our children to get a world-class education so they can work in first-class jobs,” Markell said.    » read more »

January 21, 2010 -- Dover, DE – Creating more jobs is critical to restoring Delaware’s promise and prosperity, Delaware Governor Jack Markell made clear in his State of the State address today.

“Our focus is on creating more and better jobs and building a stronger economy for us all. To do that, Delaware must be the best state to start or grow a business. We will create an environment for new prosperity. We will encourage economic growth, demand a leaner, more efficient government and provide our children a world-class education so they can work in first-class jobs,” Markell said.    » read more »

Neighborhood Stabilization Plan creates partnerships with community housing organizations, other agencies and businesses to battle blight and falling property values

December 15, 2009 -- NEW CASTLE – Delaware Governor Jack Markell, New Castle County Executive Chris Coons and other government and non-profit leaders to announce the county’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program will use a state grant to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed and abandoned homes.    » read more »

December 15, 2009 -- DOVER – Approximately every 45 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol-related crash in this country. That’s why beginning Wednesday December 16th, Delaware’s Office of Highway Safety and its law enforcement community will join with thousands of others in all 50 states to take part in the national impaired driving crackdown, Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

The crackdown is a nationwide high visibility enforcement and awareness program organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) aimed at deterring impaired driving during the holiday season.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- DOVER -- Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Secretary of Labor John McMahon announced today that unemployed Delaware workers will be eligible for up to fourteen weeks of additional unemployment insurance benefits.

“These benefits will help Delawareans who have been hit hard by the national economic recession get back on their feet,” Markell said. “Turning around the state’s economy takes time. That’s why my administration is working hard every day to move our economy forward and create jobs by making Delaware the best state in the nation for starting and growing businesses.”    » read more »

New Law to Take Effect Next Week

November 16, 2009 -- DOVER- Delaware would become the first state in America to require insurance carriers to cover medically appropriate developmental screening tests for children between birth and the age of three under a new law that will take effect Nov. 25.

The new law, which Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed into law Aug. 27, will dramatically increase the number of children whose developmental delays are detected at a very young age when they can be successfully treated.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell has declared a state of emergency for Kent County and Sussex County to better enable response to the current storm, effective at 6 p.m.

Earlier today, Gov. Markell authorized the Delaware National Guard to position heavy vehicles and personnel in a number of locations in Sussex County to be ready for any needed response to flooding overnight or Friday. In addition, the Guard delivered more than 1,000 sandbags to Sussex County for use by local governments in staving off flooding.    » read more »

Carper, Kaufman, Castle urge Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider plan

November 12, 2009 -- WILMINGTON, DE – In a November 10 letter to Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Delaware’s congressional delegation objects to the Corps’ plan to proceed with the deepening of the Delaware River without required permits, urging her to reconsider.

Bypassing a congressional directive that requires the Corps to obtain appropriate permits from Delaware, the Corps intends to commence a $300 million project as early as next month to deepen the Delaware River shipping channel – a project that has not yet received environmental clearance from the state.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware agreed today on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of off shore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region’s significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.    » read more »

Deal ‘Marks Important Steps Toward’ Building Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm

November 9, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – Delaware Governor Jack Markell released the following statement Monday in response to NRG Energy’s announcement that it has acquired Bluewater Wind:

“Delaware’s leadership has positioned it to be the first state in the nation to develop an offshore wind farm, bringing clean power to Delawareans and creating hundreds of jobs. Today's announcement by NRG and Bluewater Wind marks important steps towards realizing this vision. The agreement will bring together the financing, experience, and energy expertise necessary to develop the billion dollar project -- illustrating that smart environmental policy will help drive economic growth in Delaware.”    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Delaware congressional delegation – Democratic Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman and Republican Rep. Mike Castle – hailed the NRG Energy Inc. announcement today of its purchase of Bluewater Wind:

“This is great news for the future of off-shore wind power in our nation and in our state.

“Both parties agree that the added financing capability comes at a critical juncture for Bluewater Wind — an established developer with promising projects already underway. Delaware is now better poised than ever to be the first state in the nation to have an off-shore wind farm.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- NEWARK – Delaware’s one-time tax amnesty program is anticipated to net more than $22 million for the state, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced Thursday.

The two-month long partnership between the Delaware Division of Revenue and the General Revenue Corporation, a subsidiary of Sallie Mae Corporation, is expected to clear more than 14,000 delinquent accounts. When the program was authorized this summer, estimates called for $10 million to be collected.

“During these challenging times, it is certainly good news that Delaware will have additional funds to help government meet its core commitments, like teachers in the classroom, police on the street and care for our most vulnerable citizens,” Markell said.    » read more »

Markell lays out “five foundations” for making state government smaller and more cost-effective during budget process in advance of OMB hearings

November 2, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – State government will have at least 1,000 fewer positions than it did in the beginning of his term this January, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced today. As the Office of Management and Budget begins a month of budget hearings, the Governor laid out five foundations he and his Cabinet are using to make government work more efficiently and cost-effectively to reduce the size and cost of state government.    » read more »

Senate Floor, remarks as prepared for delivery

October 30, 2009 -- Mr. President, my home state of Delaware has been the recipient of some good news this week and so I thought this would be a good time to come to the floor and discuss how Delaware is leading the way in responding to the challenge of climate change and creating green jobs.

This is a critical time in our history. At stake are the jobs and economic future of our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, as we emerge from this economic crisis, many of the jobs we have lost will not return. To make a full recovery, we need to create the next generation of jobs. I believe that the jobs leading the way will be the clean and green energy industries of tomorrow.    » read more »