Carney proposes largest operating and capital budgets in state history
From Delaware State News
DOVER — Gov. John Carney’s budget proposal includes what would be both the largest operating and largest capital sums in state history. It contains a 2 percent pay raise for state employees and directs much of the state’s expected excess revenue to one-time projects like construction, building maintenance and water treatment.
The governor’s recommended operating budget totals $4.63 billion in recurring expenses and $9.9 million in a separate one-time spending bill, while the capital bond bill comes to $893 million. The general spending plan for the fiscal year started July 1 is $4.45 billion, along with $62 million in a one-time supplement.
The current bond bill, the largest in state history, is $863 million.
Of the $178 million operating increase, about $36.5 million would go to school enrollment growth, while $29.3 million would cover a raise for most of the state’s tens of thousands of employees. Collectively bargained workers like police and correctional officers would not be covered.
Teachers received 2 percent raises in each of the past two years, with most other state employees pocketing an extra $1,000 each year. The proposed 2 percent increase across the board means employees who earn less than $50,000 will see a smaller bump, while those at the upper end of the pay scale will benefit from an amount several times larger than the one handed out last year.
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