Delaware

November 5, 2009 -- NEWARK – Delaware’s one-time tax amnesty program is anticipated to net more than $22 million for the state, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced Thursday.

The two-month long partnership between the Delaware Division of Revenue and the General Revenue Corporation, a subsidiary of Sallie Mae Corporation, is expected to clear more than 14,000 delinquent accounts. When the program was authorized this summer, estimates called for $10 million to be collected.

“During these challenging times, it is certainly good news that Delaware will have additional funds to help government meet its core commitments, like teachers in the classroom, police on the street and care for our most vulnerable citizens,” Markell said.    » read more »

Markell lays out “five foundations” for making state government smaller and more cost-effective during budget process in advance of OMB hearings

November 2, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – State government will have at least 1,000 fewer positions than it did in the beginning of his term this January, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced today. As the Office of Management and Budget begins a month of budget hearings, the Governor laid out five foundations he and his Cabinet are using to make government work more efficiently and cost-effectively to reduce the size and cost of state government.    » read more »

Senate Floor, remarks as prepared for delivery

October 30, 2009 -- Mr. President, my home state of Delaware has been the recipient of some good news this week and so I thought this would be a good time to come to the floor and discuss how Delaware is leading the way in responding to the challenge of climate change and creating green jobs.

This is a critical time in our history. At stake are the jobs and economic future of our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, as we emerge from this economic crisis, many of the jobs we have lost will not return. To make a full recovery, we need to create the next generation of jobs. I believe that the jobs leading the way will be the clean and green energy industries of tomorrow.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Today’s announcement that auto production will be returning to the old GM’s assembly facility in Wilmington, DE, is an example of how successful partnerships can help transform the American auto industry of the future.

The White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers has worked closely with the state of Delaware, federal agencies and the old GM to help support this successful announcement, and will continue working with states and agencies across the country to support positive economic transitions in auto communities.

Mission of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE – As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles.

The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- The University of Delaware and Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica have finalized an agreement to install a utility-scale 2-megawatt Gamesa wind turbine at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes in 2010. UD and Gamesa representatives signed the agreement in an Oct. 19 ceremony attended by several dignitaries including Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara, and City of Lewes Mayor Jim Ford.    » read more »

DNREC Secretary approves plan for largest improvement in air quality in Delaware history by reducing emissions from Indian River power plant

October 14, 2009 -- DOVER – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara has issued a Secretary’s Order approving construction permits for air pollution control equipment at NRG’s Indian River power plant near Millsboro that will transform the facility from among the 50 dirtiest coal plants in the nation to the one of the cleanest while also providing substantial public health and environmental benefits to Delawareans.    » read more »

Less than three weeks remain to pay back taxes without penalties and interest

October 13, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell and state finance officials reminded taxpayers Tuesday that they have less than three weeks to take advantage of the state’s Voluntary Tax Compliance Initiative that will allow individuals and businesses to pay outstanding State of Delaware tax liabilities without penalty. The deadline for enrolling in the program is Oct. 30.

“This amnesty program is generating crucial funding to help government meet its core commitments, such as teachers in the classroom, police on the street and care for our most vulnerable citizens, while also benefiting taxpayers,” Markell said.    » read more »

October 12, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – Delaware Governor Jack Markell on Monday encouraged Delaware’s business leaders to play an even larger part in turning our economy around by serving as “eyes and ears” for the state’s economic development officials.

Business owners, Markell told the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, should let state officials know when they hear of businesses interested in expanding or relocating in Delaware, and they should also raise a red flag when they hear of fellow business owners who are running into governmental red tape.    » read more »

Bond agencies praise state’s responsible management of taxpayer dollars

October 07, 2009 -- Dover – The country's three major bond-rating agencies have affirmed Delaware's triple-A ratings based, in part, on the state's strong fiscal management practices.

“Delaware is being rewarded for the fiscal discipline exercised during these challenging times,” Gov. Markell said. "Members of the General Assembly and this administration made the tough choices to responsibly solve last year's historic budget challenge and those decisions are paying off now. We will still face significant challenges in the upcoming budget, and it is important we work together in a bipartisan way and exercise the same discipline as we address Delaware's financial future."    » read more »

HB 232 is part of broad statewide effort to combat foreclosure and foreclosure-related fraud

October 05, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – Delaware Governor Markell signed legislation into law today clarifying protections of homeowners in foreclosure. House Bill 232 clarifies that companies that offer to negotiate modifications of secured debt, such as a mortgage, on behalf of consumers are subject to the provisions of the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Protection Act, which prevents companies from charging homeowners who are in foreclosure thousands of dollars in up-front fees to negotiate with loan servicers or lenders.    » read more »

NASA funding will launch research center for optical sciences

September 30, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell praised Delaware State University’s receipt of a $5 million grant from NASA that will allow the university to establish an Optical Sciences Center for Applied Research (OSCAR) on its campus.

The center will foster new NASA-related science and technology developments based on optical sciences and technology, enhance the aerospace science and technology workforce, and develop partnerships with industry, NASA research centers and other federal laboratories, and minority and non minority-serving colleges and universities.. Specific research areas include Planetary Science, Space Communications & Navigation, and Astrobiology.    » read more »

Governor highlights need for policies that create jobs while helping the environment

September 17, 2009 -- BENSALEM, Pa. – Delaware companies talked face-to-face with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and other White House officials Thursday at a town meeting hosted by Delaware Governor Jack Markell.

The event, which was also hosted by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, highlighted the success local companies are having creating jobs in industries that protect the environment, such as alternative energy and energy conservation.    » read more »

HB 139 would allow health care coverage of all kids at no cost to state; HB 199 would provide developmental screenings for infants and toddlers

August 27, 2009 -- NEWARK – Delaware children now have better access to health care after Governor Jack Markell signed two bills into law on Thursday that expand the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and provide developmental screenings for infants and toddlers.

“I am delighted to be signing legislation that will make Delaware’s children healthier,” Governor Markell said. “These initiatives are creative ways to improve health care for children without increasing the costs to taxpayers.”    » read more »

Responsibly closes historic shortfall; lauds passage of administration’s education and energy reforms

July 01, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell on Wednesday morning made the following remarks after he signed the fiscal 2010 operating budget into law at the close of the 2009 General Assembly session. The operating budget, for the first time in years, is significantly smaller than the 2009 spending plan. Markell also signed the FY 2010 Bond Bill and Grant-in-Aid budget.

In addition to addressing the historic $800 million shortfall, Markell and the General Assembly worked to pass historic equal-rights and open-government legislation, as well as significant education and energy reforms as well other legislation that will move Delaware forward.    » read more »