UPDATED: Gov Carney Signs FY 2020 Budget

UPDATED – 6pm – Approved by the Delaware State Senate hours earlier, Governor John Carney has signed the $4.4-billion FY 2020 operating budget (HB 225).  As of 6:20pm HB 226 – the supplemental spending bill that appropriates an additional $62 million for one-time expenditures, was still waiting to be signed.

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Highlights:

• General Fund Operating budget totals $4.4 billion, limiting growth to 4.2%
• Sets aside over $100 million in reserves (after projected cash to bond bill and grant in aid)
• Appropriates $62 million toward one-time items in a separate supplemental appropriation bill
• Funds “door openers” such as:
  • $19.5 million for K-12 enrollment growth
  • $14.6 million for salary steps (Education, DSP, DTCC, agency)
  • $9.4 million for pupil transportation
  • $9.8 million for Medicaid growth
  • $2.2 million for debt service
  • $1.3 million for elections machine maintenance
  • $1.1 million for inmate medical/pharmacy inflation

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The Delaware State Senate has approved the FY 2020 operating budget with a vote of 20 to 1 – the ‘no’ vote from Republican Senator Colin Bonini.  House Bill 225 was introduced on June 11 – the earliest that an operating budget has been filed in 20 years. The budget invests strongly in education initiatives, provides modest raises for state workers, supports the implementation of the DOC Independent Review recommendations and much more.  The Senate today also passed House Bill 226, a supplemental spending bill that appropriates an additional $62 million for one-time expenditures.   Both measures are headed to Governor John Carney who is expected to sign them later today.