Proposed Budget Highlights
The proposed fiscal 2023 budget continues investments in key areas such as strengthening the economy, expanding opportunity, and supporting families and workforce. Funding recommendations include:
- Investing in three priority areas: clean water, Wilmington education initiatives, and
economic development.
- $367.2 million in state and federal clean water investments to improve drinking water and water resources.
- $75.0 million to ensure Delaware remains competitive through modernizing infrastructure, focusing on small businesses, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Providing targeted tax relief and incentives, including exempting 2021 unemployment insurance benefits from state personal income taxes to total $25.2 million over two years.
- Funding school projects, totaling $339.9 million across all three counties.
- $88.7 million in compensation and pay increases for state employees, including moving toward a $15 minimum wage, increasing merit pay scales or 2 percent pay increases, depending on current pay scales and roles.
- $30 million for farmland and open space preservation, $20.6 million for mental health services in elementary schools, $11.5 million in increased support for childcare providers, and $7.6 million for police body-worn cameras.
In addition to the general fund budget, the governor recommended allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the following categories:
- $355 million in statewide technology and capital upgrades
- $135 million in housing development and emergency housing
- $121 million in hospitals and health care facilities
- $112.5 million for the Community Investment Recovery Fund (Nonprofits)
- $107 million in higher education
- $100 million in COVID response and mitigation
- $50 million in workforce development and pathways