Delaware’s New Administration: What Should Be the First Priorities?

By: Jane Brady, Chair, A Better Delaware

It has been ani interesting week. While it appears more than half the voters in the U.S. went red, Delaware remained blue.

Congratulations to the winners of the state elections, from Governor to county and city officials, and thank you to those who ran, but did not win. It takes a bold heart to stand up and take a stand. There are no losers when there is a contest that informs and engages with the public.

So, what should be the first priorities of the new administration in Delaware? Certainly, and, in our view, most importantly, education.  Delaware’s public-school students are simply not learning what they need to, when they need to.  More money is not the answer. The system is bloated and ineffective. We need to implement structural change and focused objectives, and reward achieving those objectives.  Other states have found success by implementing a policy that students do not get promoted to fourth grade if they are not reading at third grade proficiency. The change in approach has transformed the objective from “teach children to read” (which we have been doing, not very successfully, for decades) to an individualized reading plan for each student, giving them the support they need to achieve that goal. Suddenly, everyone – the teacher, the parent and the student – are focused on the same goal, and, in the experience of other states, achieving it. Delaware needs to set specific goals and institute accountability for achieving them.

Next, the Governor-elect needs to revoke the commitment to allow the transmission lines from a Maryland offshore wind project to come ashore in Delaware’s state park. Delaware gains no electricity or jobs from the project yet assumes all the risks to our valuable and unique natural resources.

The new administration should address the apprentice ratios and expand the opportunities for young workers to join the workforce and take on the shortage of workers in the trades.

The Governor should have a broad and complete perspective when considering Delaware’s public policy.  Our standing in the legal and corporate communities is critical to our revenue and central to our business culture and the primacy of our courts.  Placing a government panel in supervision of non-profit and hospital businesses is contrary to that standing. Introducing competition to the health care market in Delaware is a better way to address the issue of health care costs.  Eliminate the Certificate of Need, which increases costs and restricts access to care according to study after study.  Implement policies and laws that encourage competition.

The new Governor should release the stranglehold that DNREC has had on businesses interested in establishing manufacturing in those areas of the coastal zone that permit it. In particular, he should seek to attract manufacturing, and the high paying jobs associated with manufacturing to our state. Recruiting pharmaceutical companies that make prescription drugs would meet several goals – making more of our medicines right here in the USA and attracting solid and long-term jobs to the state.

Finally, get rid of the EV Mandate. Allow Delaware citizens – not the government – to make the right choice of vehicle for their financial situation, work and commute requirements and lifestyle.

There are many other challenges and opportunities that the new administration will face. We remain committed to speaking out about the ideas we believe will make Delaware a better place to live, work and play.  And we will be watching to see if the promise of a creative and innovative new era develops in the months ahead.  We wish the new administration good luck and hope they will be reading at A Better Delaware.

Jane Brady serves as Chair of A Better Delaware. She previously served as Attorney General of Delaware and as a Judge of the Delaware Superior Court.