What’s New

State to spend $50 million to help people qualify for better jobs

From: Town Square Live

Delaware will put $50 million of COVID-19 relief money into workforce development, but exactly how that money will be spent isn’t clear.

The plan was announced by Gov. John Carney Tuesday morning without an explanation of where the money would go. A press release from his office two hours later listed some projects that will receive money but gave little detail on specifically how it will be used.

To pay for the initiatives, Carney plans to tap the more than $1 billion in COVID-relief funds Delaware received from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal stimulus package aimed at hastening the economic recovery from the pandemic.

“We’re focused on investments that will build on the strengths of Delaware’s world-class workforce and support Delaware families and businesses who were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Carney said at the press conference. “These workforce development programs will help Delawareans develop the skills they need to succeed in a 21st-century economy.” Read more.

The “Success Sequence” offers a long-term solution to Delaware violence elaware violence by Charlie Copeland, Co-Director Center for Analysis of Delaware’s Economy & Government Spending

Charlie Copeland, Co-Director Center for Analysis of Delaware’s Economy & Government Spending at The Caesar Rodney  Institute 

Delaware policymakers have promoted policies for years that have led to the breakdown of civil order in several communities in our State. These policies have promoted a sequence of “failure behaviors” that have led directly to the violence and poverty we see. If we really want to build back better, it is time to promote a new sequence – the “Success Sequence.” It really works!

Introduction According to Delaware Online data from August 19, 2021, in the past 365 days, gunfire in Delaware has caused 249 injuries and 90 deaths. The News Journal titles its piece, “A year of gun violence.” (See graphic below – Source: Delaware News Journal)

Gun violence in Delaware has been bad for a really long time (Perhaps you might remember the “Murder Town USA” moniker applied to Wilmington by Newsweek magazine back in 2014.). In desperation, Wilmington’s City Council asked the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for a health assessment of the city and to make recommendations to solve the problem. In 2015 the CDC issued a lengthy report with numerous recommendations (largely shelved). And six years on, the violence grows and further threatens Delaware’s reputation and quality of life. Read more.

Financial State of the States 2021

From: Truth in Accounting

Truth in Accounting has released its twelfth annual Financial State of the States report, a nationwide analysis of the most recent state government financial information. This comprehensive analysis surveys the fiscal health of the 50 states during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite receiving federal assistance from the CARES Act and other COVID-19 related grants, the majority of states’ finances worsened. Total debt among the 50 states amounted to $1.5 trillion at the end of the fiscal year 2021. Read more: Delaware ranking pgs. 114-115.

Auditor to host Sept. 20 town hall on rescue funds spending | Cape Gazet

From: The Cape Gazette

State Auditor Kathy McGuiness will hold a town hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 20, at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

The event is part of a series of town halls focusing on Project: Gray Fox, her online resource for municipalities, counties, school districts and state agencies to securely track their American Rescue Plan Act spending.

“Delawareans have been asking for greater accessibility, transparency and good governance in the First State,” McGuiness said. “These town halls will allow the public to better understand how their communities will be spending their ARPA funds.”

Delaware received approximately $1.25 billion total in ARPA money. The U.S. Treasury has issued guidance for how government entities can spend the funds, but each one – whether a municipality, school district, county or state agency – decides which categories to choose from.

“These town halls will provide the necessary information so that all Delawareans can be informed citizen fiscal watchdogs,” McGuiness said. As state auditor, she is dedicated to identifying fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. Project: Gray Fox proactively seeks to prevent those issues. Read more

Little is being said about state redistricting, despite calls for transparency

From: Delaware Live

Delaware’s state House and Senate districts must be redrawn and approved by Nov. 7, but legislative leaders have yet to announce a date to convene a special session to vote on the new district lines.

In August, a broad coalition of community organizations sent an open letter calling on Democratic House and Senate leadership to ensure a fair, transparent, nondiscriminatory, and politically impartial process.

On Thursday, one of the letter’s signatories, Common Cause of Delaware, said in a press release, “One month without any response from state leaders has passed since Common Cause of Delaware and a broad coalition of community organizations sent a letter asking for a fair and transparent redistricting process.”

Common Cause of Delaware is now demanding that state legislators “start communicating with the public about this year’s redistricting cycle.”

“Redistricting will impact our elections for the next decade and the people of Delaware deserve to have a meaningful say in the process,” said Claire Snyder-Hall, director of Common Cause of Delaware. “A completely transparent and public redistricting process will ensure we draw fair maps that benefit our communities, not the politicians. It’s time for state leaders to come forward with details about this year’s redistricting process.” Read more.