John Carney in State of Delaware Archives
On Budget & Economy:
Budgetary reserve will help during downturn
Regarding lost tax revenue during the shutdown of business, Carney touted his budget smoothing plan, which had put aside $125 million in reserves to cover costs when revenues are down. "It was very important as we buffered the challenges that we had in
this budget. As we move forward, there is a lot of uncertainty about the revenues that we will see next year," he said. "It's going to be a tough road, but setting up and having that $125 million in additional reserve is going to help us."
[Opponent Julianne] Murray said the government-imposed shutdown has caused unimaginable uncertainty for the state's budget and revenue stream. "Our revenue is going to be down tremendously. Yes, we have this $125 million out here, but the reality
is that Gov. Carney is a tax-and-spend person. I am incredibly concerned about what the response is going to be because I have every reason to believe taxes are going to go up when we have the deficit that we absolutely know is coming."
Source: Cape Gazette on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 17, 2020
On Crime:
Gangs should accept help or be prepared to go to prison
Carney said Wilmington crime is coming from a small number of gang-affiliated groups in poor neighborhoods across the city. "We give them a choice.
You either take the choice and assistance with us and our social services, or we're going to bring down the law hard on you and send you to prison for a long time," he said.
On the subject of crime, [opponent Julianne] Murray said racial justice and law enforcement can operate together and a partnership is needed.
Bad cops need to be removed to create confidence between law enforcement agencies and the communities served, she said.
Source: Cape Gazette on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 17, 2020
On Health Care:
COVID: We'll follow the science and wear masks
On COVID: "We'll continue to follow the science and wear masks. It's a small sacrifice to protect our neighbors. This is not a partisan political issue. It's a public health crisis," said Gov. John Carney,
who is running for a second term in office. "[We'll] stay focused on a healthy community and a strong economy. You can't be either/or; we have to have both."
Julianne Murray more information is needed on the acuity of the disease and who is really at risk instead of a general fearmongering throughout the greater population. "Mask wearing should be voluntary," she said. "Who we need to be
concerned about here is our vulnerable population, and our vulnerable population is people with pre-existing conditions and the elderly."
Source: Cape Gazette on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 17, 2020
On Crime:
Inmates should leave prison better than when they entered
Last year, I signed an Executive Order to help ex-offenders more successfully reenter their communities. This year, all inmates sentenced to more than a year in custody get individualized plans as soon as they enter prison.
The plans focus on drug treatment, education, and job skills. It's in everyone's interest that these individuals leave prison better off than when they entered.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Education:
Opportunity Funding targets resources to neediest students
For the first time in our state's history, we're targeting resources toward these students who need our help the most. We call it Opportunity Funding. Districts are already putting the money to good use. Public schools are using this funding to hire
more than 200 new educators and professionals focusing on low-income and English learners. My budget will continue this investment, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because the future of our state depends on the success of our children.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
By 2035, 40% of state's energy from renewable sources
Delaware has made great strides over the last decade to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and we should continue to be a leader on this issue.
By 2035, we want 40 percent of Delaware's energy to come from renewable sources.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Families & Children:
Give children books free of charge from birth to school
We're launching a pilot of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Participating children will receive one book each month from birth to five years old--free of charge. The program will be centered in 13 public libraries covering thousands of children
in five targeted school districts. We're also working with Delaware's pediatricians to get books to families right from the start. These efforts will help families build home libraries that could span generations.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Government Reform:
Citizens should be able to access state government online
This past year, we launched Delaware OneStop. It's a convenient, centralized platform that allows small businesses to easily get licensed with the state. We should also make it easier for everyday Delawareans to interact with their state government.
We need a OneStop for Delaware citizens-- where you can buy your park pass, register to vote, renew your license, or check for snow closures. This will be a game changer for our state.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Gun Control:
Keep guns out of the hands of those who would harm
We passed the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act and another, similar red flag law. The idea behind both pieces of legislation was really simple. We should keep firearms out of the hands of those intent on harming themselves or others.
Family members and mental health providers can now raise a concern, and a judge decides whether to intervene. These laws have already been used 35 times to date. And they have helped save lives.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Health Care:
Reduced rates has led to almost 95% with insurance
Nothing causes more fear or anxiety than when you or a loved one gets sick. We reduced rates on the ACA health insurance marketplace by almost 20 percent this year. Because of that--while ACA enrollment rates have declined nationally--we saw a more than
6 percent increase in Delawareans buying health insurance on the exchange. Today, almost 95 percent of Delawareans have health insurance. That's a big deal.
Access to quality healthcare is also about having doctors in your community. In some areas of our state, we simply don't have enough physicians. We will create a healthcare provider loan repayment program.
We want to attract some of the best and brightest young doctors to areas where they're needed the most.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Jobs:
Grants to small business is investment in the future
With a strong economy, it's the right time for us to invest in our future. More than half of Delawareans working are employed at small businesses. They're the engine of our economic growth. Our future success depends on finding ways to grow our
small businesses. So last spring we started a new grant program: Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion, or EDGE for short. We've awarded nearly $1.5 million in EDGE Grants to 20 companies.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Technology:
New investments on roads, transit, high-speed internet
With your help, we've invested $10 million in a new Transportation Infrastructure Fund. Delawareans expect to be able to get to and from work quickly and safely. That's why we're investing $4.5 billion over the next six years to modernize
our roads, bridges, and public transit.New investments in our technology infrastructure have already brought high-speed internet to the areas around Laurel, Seaford and Bridgeville--where service was spotty or nonexistent.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
On Government Reform:
Appointed first black judge to the state Supreme Court
The Rev. Al Sharpton congratulated Delaware's governor for making Vice Chancellor Tamika Montgomery-Reeves the first black judge to be appointed to the state Supreme Court, but also said the judiciary still needs a more diverse panel of justices.
Before Gov. John Carney's appointment of Montgomery-Reeves to the Supreme Court, Sharpton said he was preparing to directly challenge, rather than congratulate, the governor, given the state never had had a black justice on its Supreme Court.
The Delaware Legislative Black Caucus said in a statement that Gov. Carney should be commended for his
judicial selections, "which represent a significant step forward in improving diversity and representation at the highest level of Delaware's courts."
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2020 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2019
On Drugs:
Decriminalize under-age marijuana possession
DE SB45, An Act To Amend Title 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Marijuana. Bill Summary: Under current law, the possession, use, or consumption of a personal use quantity of marijuana remains a crime for those under the age of 21
despite being a civil violation for adults. This Act makes the possession, use, or consumption of a personal use quantity of marijuana a civil violation for juveniles.
Commentary by MPP.org [pro-legalization]: On [a related bill, on]
June 30, 2019, Gov. Carney signed SB 37 into law. This bill allows for a single cannabis misdemeanor conviction to be expunged after five years and a single cannabis felony conviction to be expunged after seven years.
:
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 13-6-2 on 6/20/2019; Passed House 34-7-0 on 6/30/2019; Signed by Governor John Carney on 07/31/2019.
Source: BillTrack50 on Delaware legislative voting records: DE SB45
Jul 31, 2019
On Jobs:
Work-a-Day Earn-a-Pay Program Pilot
Gov. John Carney announced the expansion of the Work-a-Day Earn-a-Pay Program Pilot. The $150,000 pilot initiative funded by the Department of Transportation created a partnership with Goodwill of Delaware to hire 46 individuals who collected 759 bags
of trash along the I-95 corridor in Wilmington. Cleanups were performed three times per week."As we work to 'Keep DE Litter Free,' this program is a great example of how we can put people to work and address the litter problem that exists across our
state," said Carney. "With DelDOT and Goodwill of Delaware working together, this program will expand statewide beginning on August 1, and broaden our litter cleanup efforts."
DelDOT will provide $483,000 in funding for the expanding program.
The expanded program will increase the frequency of I-95 ramp cleanups in Wilmington as well as target other high-litter areas in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties.
Source: Delaware Business Times on 2020 Delaware gubernatorial race
Jul 18, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Eliminate climate-changing hydrofluorocarbons in Delaware
Governor Carney has directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to propose regulations by March 2020 that will eliminate the use of dangerous hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Delaware. HFCs are used as replacements for ozone-
depleting substances in air conditioning, refrigeration, foam-blowing, solvents, and aerosols, but they are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to climate change."Delaware is already feeling the effects of climate change.
We are the lowest-lying state in the country, and our sea level is rising at twice the global average. For the sake of our economy and our environment, it's crucial we continue to address climate change with urgency," said
Governor Carney. "My administration is moving toward eliminating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as an increasingly harmful element to our state and our environment."\
Source: 2019 governor press release for 2020 Delaware governor race
Jun 30, 2019
On Crime:
Help ex-offenders back into community
I signed an Executive Order to help ex-offenders more successfully reenter their communities. We're creating individualized plans for each inmate. The goal is to give them the drug treatment, education, and job skills they need to survive on the outside.
Bottom line is really quite simple: over 90 percent of inmates will eventually leave prison. We need to make sure they're better off when they leave prison than when they got there in the first place.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Education:
Prioritize public education & supporting teachers
Our goals are very clear. Every third grader should be reading at grade level. Every 8th grader should be proficient in math. And every student should be graduating high school ready for college, or a career. It's time to begin a new chapter in
Delaware's public education. And here's how we'll do it: With a focus on early childhood education, supporting teachers, and getting children to perform on grade level.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Education:
Support 700 teachers at high-needs schools
We will also continue to target additional resources to our highest needs schools. In my budget, I will more than double the funding for student loan repayment for teachers in high needs schools.
Last year, that program provided student loan assistance for 200 teachers in over 100 schools. Next year, we plan to reach 700 teachers.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
If Washington won't act on climate change, we will
As a low-lying state, sea level rise and climate change pose an existential threat to our bay and coastal communities. Despite Washington's refusal to act, we've joined with 16 other states to form the U.S. Climate Alliance.
We've committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 to at least 26 percent below 2005 levels. And we've committed to accelerating policies to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Health Care:
Need to address high cost of health care
Part of having a good quality of life is making sure Delawareans can access and afford quality healthcare. Delaware consistently spends more than most other states on healthcare costs. That's why I signed an executive order setting both quality
and spending benchmarks for the entire healthcare system. We're doing this by improving transparency around the cost of health care services. We need to know what factors are driving these higher costs and how we can change the trends.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Jobs:
Investment in new jobs means drop in unemployment
Over the past two years, and thanks in large part to the work of many of you, we have 10,000 new jobs in Delaware. Our unemployment rate has fallen to 3.8 percent for the first time since 2008. Working with you, we signed an agreement to bring hundreds o
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Technology:
Invest $3 billion in transportation infrastructure
We continue to make historic investments in our infrastructure--with over $3 billion to upgrade our transportation system through 2025. That means less traffic, safer bridges, and more pedestrian friendly streets. This year I'm proposing to create a new
Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund that would help the state to react quickly to important economic development projects. We're going to invest $10 million in this new fund.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Delaware legislature
Jan 17, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Increase diversity in state employment
As part of our focus on improving workplace conditions for state employees, I directed Secretary Johnson to analyze our state's current sexual harassment policy and training, and to recommend ways to improve it.
At the same time, we'll be working to improve diversity and inclusion in every state agency, particularly in hiring and promotion practices. Our first step was to hire the state's first Chief Diversity Officer.
Source: 2018 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 18, 2018
On Education:
Focus on improving troubled schools
Christina School District's portion of the City schools need our help the most. So for the past six months, we have been trying to form a partnership with the district to lift up our city children. The state has offered Christina support for smaller
class sizes, more professional development for teachers, critical capital upgrades, an early learning center and parent supports. This may be the most difficult thing we do during this Administration, but it is clearly the most important.
Source: 2018 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 18, 2018
On Drugs:
Impose new protections for the safe prescribing of opioids
The opioid crisis plagues our state and country. When last measured, Delaware had the nation's fifth highest overall rate of opioid sales. And in too many cases opioid abuse contributes to our state's tragic heroin problem. Effective April 1st, we
will impose new protections for the safe prescribing of opioids. These new regulations will be some of the most far-reaching in the nation. We have introduced new legislation to allow expanded use of the state's prescription database to better target
doctors who overprescribe.Prevention is key. But, we also need an all hands on deck approach to save the lives of those battling opioid and heroin addiction. I will continue the work to increase the availability of residential treatment, recovery
homes, and expanded services for outpatient treatment slots. Delaware's Prescription Drug Action Committee has developed a set of recommendations from stakeholders across the spectrum.
Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address
Mar 30, 2017
On Families & Children:
Re-establish the Family Services Cabinet Council
A strong economy and good-paying jobs go a long way toward making most families stable and healthy. But for too many Delaware families--and far too many of our state's children--a growing economy is not enough. These families, these kids, need our help.
That's why I've re-established the Family Services Cabinet Council, which meets for the first time next week. Many Delaware families continue to face significant challenges--including the high cost of child care; violence and poverty in their
neighborhoods; the impact of caring for an aging family member; or the challenges of navigating an economy in transition.The Family Services Cabinet Council will spearhead a new effort to coordinate public and private services that are often
fragmented. The Council will propose changes to current programs to improve the delivery of state services. We will tackle the hardest problems. I will chair this Council myself, and my cabinet secretaries will be engaged personally.
Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address
Mar 30, 2017
On Local Issues:
Develop incubators like DTP @ STAR, full on Day 1
Innovation is the key to our future. The most important part of our long-term strategy is building on the resources we already have to help startups and large and small businesses grow and create jobs. Delaware already has a lot of the tools in place to
build an economy based on innovation and entrepreneurialism. Delaware's newest incubator, DTP @ STAR, opened last year and was full on Day 1. And resources like the Delaware Technology Park, New Castle County Chamber's Emerging Enterprise Center, and
The Mill in the old Nemours Building provide affordable and supportive space for entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. We will seek new opportunities to build more space like this and attract the entrepreneurs that will reshape our economy.
Once we have them here, we need to keep them here so Delaware can benefit from that business and job growth. In most cases, that means access to capital. We will put in place a plan to ensure that businesses that start here, can afford to grow here.
Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address
Mar 30, 2017
On Principles & Values:
Delawareans are willing to chip in and help, if all do
I know that all of you in the General Assembly are tired of sitting here year after year talking about how we can climb out of another budget hole. Some things are beyond our control, but this one is not. It's within our power to put ourselves on
a more sustainable financial footing. My budget does that, and I look forward to working with each of you on your ideas to do the same. What I will not do is use budget gimmicks or one-time fixes to bail us out, only to be right back here next year
giving the same speech.At our budget town hall in Milford, a gentleman stood up and said to me, "As long as government's cutting costs and doing more with less, I'm willing to pay a little bit more. But it's got to be a fair trade."
I heard this sentiment echoed up and down the state. Delawareans are willing to chip in and help with our budget problem, as long as their neighbors are asked to do the same. My budget is built on this principle of shared sacrifice.
Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address
Mar 30, 2017
On Tax Reform:
Share sacrifice of budget cuts and tax hikes
Business as usual has to change. If we are going to tackle the tough issues that confront us, we need to get our financial house in order. We need a budget reset--a new plan to set us on stronger financial footing and make our state more competitive. A
long-term solution to a nearly $400 million budget deficit.I've proposed an operating budget that grows government spending less than 3/10 of 1%. It contains a 50-50 mix of spending cuts & new revenue. It's built on the principle of shared sacrifice.
Our north star in building this budget was making Delaware more competitive. While we went line by line, deciding which programs to cut and which to preserve, which taxes to raise and which to leave untouched, we asked ourselves the same
question over and over again: "How will this decision impact our ability to grow our economy and compete?"
It would be easy to get lost in the doom and gloom of budget cuts and tax hikes. There is something in our budget for everyone not to like.
Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address
Mar 30, 2017
On Families & Children:
Respite care programs for family caregivers
Q: AARP believes Delaware's 123,000 unpaid family caregivers provide an important service. AARP supports a range of policies to help caregivers, including greater workplace flexibility, state caregiver tax credits, respite care, and expanding the
ability of nurses to delegate certain tasks to direct care workers. John Carney: Recently, I lost my father and mother-in-law after illnesses and hospitalization of varying lengths.
I saw firsthand the confusing, stressful, and emotionally draining situations that family members acting as caretakers can find themselves in. As Governor,
I'd support legislation encouraging employers to give caretakers more flexibility in tending to their loved ones. I would also support respite care programs that allow caregivers to get a rest while knowing their loved ones are being cared for.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2016
On Social Security:
Expect to work longer than our parents did before retiring
Q: AARP fights to put a secure retirement within reach for people who work hard and plan for their future. AARP is advocating for common-sense state solutions that would enable more workers to save for retirement at work. AARP supports the enactment
of "Work and Save" plans for workers who do not have access to a retirement plan at work.John Carney: As a baby boomer, I know we can expect to work for much longer than our parents did before retiring. As former Sec. of Finance,
I understand the importance of saving throughout one's career. I helped revamp the state employee deferred compensation plan to enable more state employees to save for retirement. For future seniors to live comfortably in retirement, we need
solutions to encourage long-term saving from an early age. While being sensitive to small businesses for whom offering a payroll deduction may be burdensome, I'd support measures to encourage employers to offer a retirement savings plan as an option.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2016
On Crime:
Rehabilitating offenders is key to safer communities
Like everyone, John wants to make sure we are keeping dangerous criminals off our streets. But he also knows that rehabilitating offenders and helping them become employed and productive members of society are the keys to safer communities. Even more
important is preventing our young people from turning to a life of crime in the first place. As governor, he will work to:- Target our resources on high-risk offenders, so police are keeping a closer eye on those individuals with a history of
serious and violent crimes.
- End the school-to-prison pipeline by giving young people employment and educational options that keep them off the streets.
- Provide better access to mental health care and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
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Allocate police resources with the needs of the community in mind.
- Improve education and training programs to prepare inmates for reentry into society.
- Work with law enforcement to develop trust within the communities they serve.
Source: 2016 Delaware Gubernatorial campaign website, JohnCarney.org
Sep 9, 2016
On Free Trade:
Ideas to bring jobs back instead of arguing about offshoring
Alpha Technologies is currently finalizing a deal with one of the nation's largest mortgage companies that will result in nearly a dozen new hires. During Thursday's grand opening, Alpha Technologies argues that sending jobs "half a planet and
12 time zones away" is not as cost-effective as it might appear. Travel costs, difficulties with cross-border data security and even simple language barriers will convince more corporations to bring outsourced jobs back to the U.S. in the next five years
"This is a big deal," said U.S. Rep. John Carney, a Democratic candidate for governor. In Congress, "we argue until the cows come home about offshoring, but we don't come with many practical ideas about how to bring jobs back to the
United States," he said. "This is the best way you could give back by creating jobs and bringing them back from overseas."
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2016 Delaware Governor's race
Mar 10, 2016
On Gun Control:
Enforce existing gun laws; do more on mental health
Congressman John Carney came to the Delaware Council for Global and Muslim Affairs to discuss his bid for governor of Delaware. On gun control, Carney stated that he supported common sense regulations, and mainly believed that we should focus on actually
enforcing the laws we already have on the books, since that could potentially stop much of the violence associated with guns.Carney also discussed the importance of mental health.
He shared a story where he asked a school principal if he had one more dollar, where would it go? The principal responded by saying it would go to a mental health therapist.
Current politics, according to Carney, is dominated by partisanship.
He said that he tries his best to not only represent his constituency, but also to be a moderate, staying away from extremes. But being a moderate means taking shots from both sides, which makes that choice especially hard.
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2016 Delaware Governor's race
Mar 10, 2016
On Jobs:
Focus on trade school training and apprenticeships
Carney addressed a question I raised about how the future of Delaware will look for young people. He cited how he has pushed for job creation, and played a vital role in getting most of DuPont to stay in Delaware. He believed that I'll have plenty of
Delaware jobs to look forward to.I later inquired about his views on the future of trade schools as a way to build a greater workforce. He said that everyone needs welders, yet we seem to not have enough. We focus on only the highest jobs through
college or the lowest jobs, and don't focus on the decently paying middle jobs, occupations vital for Americans such as welding, or plumbing or other trades.
He cited Germany's apprenticeship programs as an excellent example and something we
could emulate in Delaware. In addition, he saw the pathway program in schools as an important first step in pushing for education that can still get students good jobs without spending thousands of dollars on college.
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2016 Delaware Governor's race
Mar 10, 2016
Page last updated: Jan 28, 2021