DOVER – With the passage of Senate Bill 160, the fiscal 2024 capital budget (also known as the Bond Bill), House Speaker Valerie Longhurst issued the following statement on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus:
“A lot has been said and written about Delaware’s capital budget in recent days. Let’s be clear about just how vital the Bond Bill is to our state. The Bond Bill is a $1.4 billion budget that funds construction, building repair and road paving projects in all three counties. Without this bill, road repairs stall, school improvements fall behind, and environmental protection initiatives remain in limbo.
“Unfortunately, House Republicans held up this critical funding bill, jeopardizing thousands of projects across the state. We as the majority party don’t feel it’s appropriate making statements in the press about not caring about preventing Delaware’s infrastructure from crumbling. We don’t get to take the capital budget hostage over a controversial bill rather than listening to the opposition. We have the responsibility and burden of governing. We have the responsibility of ensuring that we pass a Bond Bill and Grant-in-Aid bill so our state continues to function well.
“The capital budget touches literally every corner of our state, which is why it’s so confusing that House Republicans publicly stated they were willing to walk away from their responsibility to provide critical infrastructure improvements to their communities. Projects in the Bond Bill include:
- $354.2 million to complete road projects statewide.
- $80.6 million for school construction projects in the Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Colonial, Milford, New Castle County Vo-Tech and Sussex Tech school districts.
- $21.2 million in Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
- $21 million for the new Troop 4 in Georgetown.
- $19.9 million for statewide park improvements including Bellevue State Park, White Clay Creek Nature Center, Killens Pond Water Park, the Fort Miles Museum, Lums Pond, Fort Delaware, Cape Henlopen, and Trap Pond.
- $12 million for beach and dredging needs throughout the state.
- $10 million for statewide drainage improvements
- $9.1 million for the School Safety and Security Fund.
“The Bond Bill also includes $45 million for projects for nonprofits and cities and towns, and Community Transportation Funds to allow legislators to address immediate road-related issues in their districts. All of these projects also mean thousands of jobs for Delaware workers. That is what was at stake here and what was voted down on Thursday.
“House Democrats prioritized these projects and the quality of life of all Delawareans. We voted to guarantee that this vital work continues and that our state not be thrown into weeks and months of dysfunction.”
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