Jack Markell in State of Delaware Archives
On Corporations:
Reduce regulatory burdens on business
Our employers and entrepreneurs expect Delaware to be an affordable, welcoming place to do business. That's why we have taken major steps to ease regulatory burdens.
We've invested in broadband deployment in southern Delaware and increased access to capital for hundreds of start-ups and small companies--but we can do more.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Corporations:
Ease restrictions on crowdfunding
Congress has given states the flexibility to permit citizens to more easily invest in startups. Much of this investing can be done through what is known as crowdfunding--a way for entrepreneurs to connect with investors. Through crowdfunding, companies
raise billions--this year the amount of investment is expected to exceed the funding provided through traditional sources like venture capital. But our laws prevent our citizens from using crowdfunding to its full potential to help Delaware businesses.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Crime:
Increase services for prisoners to reduce recidivism
Through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, we've given courts risk assessment tools to help determine whether a defendant can remain in the community while awaiting trial.
And we have supported community-based supervision programs as effective alternatives to incarceration for lower-risk offenders.
More than 95% of offenders will eventually leave prison. That's why we have begun to implement a more just and cost-effective
criminal justice system that provides treatment and job training to prepare inmates to contribute to our state when released.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Crime:
Make it easier for felons to vote
Right now, a person with a felony conviction can vote as soon as his or her probation is complete, but only if he or she has paid all fines and fees. People should pay up, but their ability to participate in democracy should
not depend on their ability to pay. Let's join the more than 40 other states that have no financial bar to exercising the most American of rights, the right to vote.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Education:
Support IT education in schools
We're putting a special focus on our growing IT sector. Through our computer science pathway and other high level courses, we've increased the number of
high school students studying computer programming from about 80 to 560 in just the last two years. Our goal is 1,000 students by September.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Education:
Make university scholarships less restrictive
Nearly 20,000 Delawareans have received full scholarships toward degrees at Delaware Tech, UD, and Delaware State. But we can do better. Some students who need these scholarships the most can't access them, despite meeting academic requirements, because
current rules mandate that they attend school full-time and without interruption. I ask the General Assembly to make these scholarships more universal by expanding their benefits to part-time students and those who must take a break from their studies.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Education:
Increase teacher compensation
We have a responsibility to ensure that the best and brightest enter teaching, and get the support they need once they arrive in the classroom. That's why my budget will include funding to raise starting salaries to be more
competitive with our neighbors. And we will pilot opportunities for educators to earn more for taking on leadership responsibilities, without leaving the classroom for administrative positions.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Families & Children:
Increase access to effective contraception for women
Delaware has one of the highest unplanned pregnancy rates in the country--57%.
Research shows that most unplanned pregnancies occur because women are using a method of contraception that isn't very effective.
There are new methods that are much more effective than the pill but here our healthcare system doesn't make it easy to choose these.
That's why the state is launching a partnership with the national nonprofit Upstream USA, to train our healthcare providers so that all Delaware women can conveniently access the most effective contraceptive options, at low or no-cost.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Health Care:
Reduce costs by moving away from fee-for-service model
Employers, hospitals, physicians, and behavioral health specialists have spent thousands of hours on plans to move away from an expensive fee-for-service model & toward a system that emphasizes quality outcomes at an affordable cost. Today's system does
virtually nothing to help people focus on costs, so we'll give employees the information and better incentives to choose cost-effective, high quality care--like using urgent care instead of the emergency room or telemedicine instead of an office visit.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Principles & Values:
Religious tolerance is cornerstone of US value system
The recognition of the discriminatory sins of prior generations presents an opportunity to reflect on whether we have learned history's lessons--whether we are living up to our core values of opportunity & equality for all people. The suggestion by some
that one's eligibility to enter this country should be subject to a religious test represents a dangerous path. Because while racial and religious tolerance may not always have been our history, that is the future in which we want our children to live.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Tax Reform:
Reduce corporate tax to increase competitiveness
It's also time for us to modernize our tax code to promote job creation. I applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Delaware Competes Act,
which recognizes that we must change our corporate income tax laws so that Delaware is more competitive--and so that companies have a bigger incentive to expand in our state.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature
Jan 21, 2016
On Drugs:
Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana
Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in Delaware. Markell signed the bill privately shortly after it passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on a straight party-line vote. "The governor remains
committed to reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system and refocusing resources where they are needed most," a Markell spokeswoman said.Opponents expressed concerns that the legislation sends the wrong message to children,
`and that it will lead to greater acceptance and use of illegal drugs while hampering the abilities of police to conduct searches and seizures. "This is a bill we're going to regret," said Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover. "The message we're sending young
people is one we simply should not send."
The legislation makes possession by an adult of a "personal use" quantity of marijuana, defined as an ounce or less, a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100, rather than a crime.
Source: Washington Post on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race
Jun 18, 2015
On Drugs:
Addiction is a disease; fill gaps in drug treatment system
Much crime is committed by people with substance abuse problems. 71% of men arrested tested positive for an illegal substance. Too often, our solution is to simply throw the drug user in prison, but many of these individuals need treatment more than a
prison guard.For many addicts, it's possible to deal with their disease successfully and go on to live happy, productive lives. There are stories like a teenage girl who lapsed into drug and alcohol use following her father's suicide and landed in
jail, but with assistance of a Drug Court program overcame her addiction and got a college education.
We all know people with addictions who, with the right intervention, could live fulfilling lives. It's time for us to put into practice what we
already know: addiction is a disease. It can and must be treated. Later this year, I will propose changes that better align our resources to fill the gaps in our drug treatment system and I look forward to working with you to fill these gaps.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature
Jan 23, 2014
On Local Issues:
$7M for Downtown Development Districts
We know revitalizing neighborhoods is an important part of making our streets safer. We can replicate the success other communities have had in strengthening neighborhoods, while also harnessing the attraction that vibrant downtowns hold for talented
young people and innovative small businesses.To do so, I propose we create "Downtown Development Districts"--a small number of designated areas in our cities that will qualify for development incentives and a host of other benefits in housing and
transportation. Builders looking to make investments in these Districts would receive grants for a percentage of their investment.
I propose dedicating $7 million toward these kinds of projects,
which will leverage tens of millions of dollars in private capital. And more importantly, this program can improve our housing stock and revitalize our downtowns.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature
Jan 23, 2014
On Principles & Values:
Unleashing the potential in every Delawarean
Unleashing the Potential in Every Delawarean- The Opportunity to Work: Only 20% of our kids graduate from high school ready for college or a career.
- A Culture of Innovation: It's time to write a new chapter in our rich history of invention.
-
Investing in Delaware: Unleashing the potential of our economy demands world-class infrastructure.
- Opportunity to Learn: Quality education is essential for anyone seeking to unleash his or her potential.
- A New Day in Delaware Downtowns: Much of
our success as a state will depend upon whether our cities are safe and vibrant.
- The Opportunity to Contribute: We cannot meet our potential if we give up on a great number of our people.
Years from now--after the roads have been built; after
today's kindergartners have retired from jobs we helped create; after our cities thrive and our waters run clean; the people of Delaware may not remember us by name. But they will know that our focus was to unleash the potential of every Delawarean.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature
Jan 23, 2014
On Technology:
New I-95 fly-over ramps; $1.1B for infrastructure
Unleashing the potential of our economy also demands world-class infrastructure. The ability to move goods and services efficiently, connect to cutting-edge information technology infrastructure, and access cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy, is
essential to every industry in our state.For years, Delawareans tried to avoid the interchange of I-95 and Route 1. But our investment in new fly-over ramps has alleviated congestion, shortening commutes, shipping times, and trips to the beach.
We are making similar improvements at I-95 and 202. That exit ramp was a notorious choke point, but improvements have cut the average number of hours per day of slowing traffic from six to less than one.
Infrastructure investments create high-paying,
middle-class jobs today and they lay the foundation for future prosperity. It's time to stop complaining about the sorry shape of our Transportation Trust Fund and fix the underlying issues. I propose that we invest $1.1 billion over five years.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature
Jan 23, 2014
On Welfare & Poverty:
Free college for low-income families; increase minimum wage
First and foremost, unleashing [our] potential requires that Delawareans have the opportunity to work. Thanks to our partnership with the College Board, we are identifying students with the potential to thrive in college, but who would likely not apply,
often because of financial concerns. They have received letters encouraging them to apply [to colleges], waiving their application fees, and offering financial support.I propose a scholarship program so that all low-income Delaware students with
college potential can take credit-bearing courses during their senior year of high school.
Matching skilled workers with available jobs is critical. Thanks to our new JobLink capability, it's easier than ever for employers to search our database for
employees with the skills they need.
Finally, too many working Delawareans struggle to care for their families and put food on the table. I am glad that the General Assembly is poised to increase the minimum wage.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature
Jan 23, 2014
On Civil Rights:
Supported same-sex marriage for Delaware
The Washington Blade has learned seven of the 12 Delaware state senators who had previously not stated their position on the state's same-sex marriage bill plan to vote against it next week. Aides for state Sen. Colin Bonini (R-Dover) [and six others]
said the lawmakers will vote against House Bill 75 when the state Senate considers the measure on May 7. Eleven of Delaware's 21 senators need to vote for HB 75 in order for it to pass.Equality Delaware's President reiterated to the
Blade she remains optimistic HB 75 will pass. "I am confident we will have the votes to pass marriage equality in Delaware," she said.
Neighboring Maryland is among the nine states and D.C. that currently allow same-sex marriage. The Delaware Senate
vote on HB 75 is scheduled to take place five days after Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed his state's same-sex marriage bill into law. Gov. Jack Markell has said he will sign HB 75 into law if lawmakers approve it.
Source: Washington Blade on 2016 Delaware Gubernatorial debate
May 3, 2013
On Energy & Oil:
Petroleum refinery reopening is a stride in jobs and economy
The reopening of the Delaware City petroleum refinery is the culmination of two years of teamwork. Now, hundreds will report to work here each day, better able to support their families and their neighborhood businesses.
The Delaware City refinery is a high-conversion heavy crude oil refinery with a processing capacity of 190,000 barrels per day. The refinery's production is sold in the U.S. Northeast via pipeline, barge, and truck distribution.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Delaware City Refinery"
Oct 7, 2011
On Corporations:
Expand manufacturing; reform permitting; help small business
Historically, Delaware has been defined by what we make. Manufacturing jobs have provided a ladder to economic independence for countless families and they must remain part of our economic future. Our Delaware Manufacturing Association will build on
effective past outreach to local manufacturers on topics ranging from lean manufacturing techniques to energy savings programs. Together, we will work to develop and implement new ways to expand manufacturing jobs.We will stay focused on the particula
issues facing our small businesses. That means continuing our efforts to make permitting more efficient and predictable. It also means recognizing that one of the most important assets of any small business is its workforce. Too often, small business
owners have trouble negotiating and paying for healthcare coverage for their workforce, or attracting the best workers when they don't. We will implement the new federal health care act in a way that most helps our small businesses.
Source: 2011 Delaware State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2011
On Education:
Ensure we have the best possible public schools
[We will work] with Delaware's excellent educators to ensure we have the best possible public schools. Employers want to know that their children will have a great place to learn and that our schools will graduate young people ready to thrive in the work
world. Our students today are graduating into a job environment far different from what their parents faced. They are competing with graduates from around the world for jobs and we are competing with governments to help make those opportunities available
Source: 2011 Delaware State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2011
On Gun Control:
More troopers & more enforcement against gun crimes
Parents should not fear their children will be hit by stray bullets. Borrowing an idea from the Delaware State Troopers Association, we will make those who violate our laws fund efforts to reduce the incidence of gun violence. To this end, [my
administration will] focus new resources, including additional state troopers, on reducing gun crimes, beginning in the City of Wilmington.
Source: 2011 Delaware State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2011
On Jobs:
Job Creation Infrastructure Fund: tax credits for job growth
We must be prepared to make the infrastructure investments necessary when we see significant opportunities to put Delawareans back to work. I am proposing a Job Creation Infrastructure Investment Fund that will allow us to seize the best opportunities fo
investing in future jobs in ways that our Transportation Trust Fund currently cannot. And to drive home the message that Delaware is the best place to start and grow a business, we must promote job-creating capital investment.
For businesses large or small that are willing to put Delawareans to work in a new or expanded manufacturing facility--whether it be for traditional manufacturing, or for clean energy--we will provide tax credits to support that job growth.
We must continue to create a business climate that puts our neighbors back to work and that puts Delaware back at the forefront of making things again.
Source: 2011 Delaware State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2011
Page last updated: Jan 28, 2021