State of the State address a mixed bag for GOP in Delaware

By Glenn Rolfe
Posted 1/20/22

DOVER — Gov. John Carney’s State Of The State address Thursday drew mixed reviews from state Republican leadership, attracting kudos for several initiatives that include support …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

State of the State address a mixed bag for GOP in Delaware

Posted

DOVER — Gov. John Carney’s State Of The State address Thursday drew mixed reviews from state Republican leadership, attracting kudos for several initiatives that include support for open space and farmland preservation, and criticism of the indoor mask mandate in effect under the governor’s COVID 19 state of emergency.

Several GOP lawmakers said the ongoing mask requirement is a detriment to small business in Delaware.

“Being a small businessperson, I didn’t hear a whole lot of encouragement from the governor today,” said Sen. Gerald Hocker, the Senate Minority leader. “Being forced to wear a mask in the state of Delaware is hurting small businesses. I had an email this week from a person that lives in Selbyville that went to a supermarket in Maryland and also a restaurant in Maryland because they didn’t have to wear a mask in either place. So, if that is one doing that, there are several.”

“People lived through the masks with the first mandate but now they are tired of it. They see that they are not working 100 percent and they just want to be able to make their own choice. That is another thing that is hurting small business that I didn’t hear the governor today at all,” Sen. Hocker said.

“Really, the only reason for the state of emergency, the big reason is for the mask mandate in our schools and in indoor settings throughout the state,” said Sen. Brian Pettyjohn. “I just came back from a long weekend celebrating my 20th anniversary down in in Florida. And I will say this. There is no mask mandate down there. People are still in the restaurants. They are congregating.”

“There are people that wear masks,” Sen. Pettyjohn continued. “I talked to a couple people that were wearing masks and they said they were wearing masks because they are immune compromised. I think that’s great. If you want to wear a mask, you should absolutely wear a mask. If you are really concerned about health, yourself or your family, get yourself an N95 or a KN95 and wear it properly. But for everybody else that just wants to be out there and live their lives, they should be able to do that and not be forced to wear a mask inside,” said Sen. Pettyjohn.

GOP leaders also focused on the state’s financial picture, spurring calls for tax relief. Republicans have several tax-cut bills pending action in the General Assembly and they plan to make a renewed push to return surplus state revenue to Delawareans.

According to the the House Republican Caucus, since the current fiscal year began on July 1, the state’s revenue forecasts have jumped dramatically. In the last six months, the state’s nonpartisan Delaware Economic & Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) has twice boosted state revenue projections for the current and upcoming fiscal years, increasing total income by $820 million.

Rep. Danny Short, the House Minority Leader, said efforts need to be made to provide tax relief to the working families of this state and businesses.

“I was here as well as my colleagues when we had an $800 million problem, and we raised taxes, particularly around the realty transfer tax,” Rep. Short said. “Now, we’ve got an $820 million surplus. Maybe it’s time to give some of that money back.”

Rep. Short said he welcomes support from Democratic colleagues across the aisle who think tax breaks are warranted at this particular time, “and maybe even our governor get on board.”

“We have to be taking care of the people here in Delaware who are working through this. We are giving tax breaks for individuals that have been receiving unemployment. That is great for them,” Sen. Pettyjohn said. “But as we are seeing prices rise at the grocery stores and the gas pumps right now, for people that have been working every single day for 40 hours a week, 50 hours, 60 hours … they are working a lot more hours because they can’t find the workers. We need to be giving them help as well. We need to be letting them know that their hard work, their sacrifice is appreciated by the state.”

Rep. Tim Dukes offered a positive spin on several takeaways from the governor’s address, including open space and farmland preservation support, “which is significant, especially in Sussex County.”

“Those are good things, those are things that are going to pay dividends well into future for people in the state of Delaware,” said Sen. Pettyjohn.

The Clean Water Trust Fund initiative, investment in infrastructure and broadband initiative also drew kudos from Rep. Dukes.

“I think if we’ve seen anything throughout the COVID epidemic was the lack of broadband internet in a lot of our rural areas,” said Rep. Dukes. “Also, investment in infrastructure, with our roads and bridges. We’re excited to see how all of that will roll out with the governor’s budget next week. Hopefully, it will give more detail.”

Rep. Short agreed, concurring there were several good things in the address. “But, the problem with the State of the State that most of us usually have is a lack of the details that will come out probably next when he introduces his recommended budget,” Rep. Short said.

Sen. Hocker, noting his family’s grocery business like many others remains short-staffed, responded to the governor’s job training proposal and employment perspective.

“We hear all these new businesses that are coming to Delaware and all the jobs that they going to bring. Where are all these workers going to come from? He talked about a training fund and training new employees,” said Sen. Hocker. “I’ll train my own. We just need people to apply.”

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X