Signed by Governor Matt Meyer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year state operating budget

Highlights:

• Specifies that the several amounts named in this Act, or such part thereof as may be necessary and essential to the proper conduct of the business of the agencies named herein, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, are hereby appropriated and authorized to be paid out of the Treasury of the State by the respective departments and divisions of State Government (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the several amounts hereby appropriated are as follows (Sec. 1):

• 33.1 million to cover projected growth in our schools, including raising teacher pay;

• $8.4 million to continue increasing mental health support within elementary, middle, and high schools;

• $8 million to create an Early Literacy Emergency Fund to help support our youngest learners;

• $3 million to fund teacher-driven projects, allowing teachers to request funding for classroom needs as they see fit;

• $2 million to assist education agencies with disciplinary needs;

• $250,000 to continue the voluntary middle and high school cell phone pouch pilot program to reduce classroom learning distractions;

• $61.2 million toward Other Post-Employment Benefits Investments, ensuring healthcare for state retirees and reducing long-term liability;

• $28 million to cover the state share of state employee and state retiree health insurance premiums to ensure existing health benefits remain intact;

• $1.3 million for residential and childhood lead prevention and remediation;

• $500,000 to eliminate $50 million in medical debt;

• $5 million for the Delaware Workforce Housing Program;

• $19 million for an Affordable Rental Housing Program within the Housing Development Fund;

• $4 million for the Strong Neighborhood Housing Fund; and

• $10 million for Urban Redevelopment.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year state operating budget

Highlights:

• Specifies that the several amounts named in this Act, or such part thereof as may be necessary and essential to the proper conduct of the business of the agencies named herein, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, are hereby appropriated and authorized to be paid out of the Treasury of the State by the respective departments and divisions of State Government (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the several amounts hereby appropriated are as follows (Sec. 1):

• 33.1 million to cover projected growth in our schools, including raising teacher pay;

• $8.4 million to continue increasing mental health support within elementary, middle, and high schools;

• $8 million to create an Early Literacy Emergency Fund to help support our youngest learners;

• $3 million to fund teacher-driven projects, allowing teachers to request funding for classroom needs as they see fit;

• $2 million to assist education agencies with disciplinary needs;

• $250,000 to continue the voluntary middle and high school cell phone pouch pilot program to reduce classroom learning distractions;

• $61.2 million toward Other Post-Employment Benefits Investments, ensuring healthcare for state retirees and reducing long-term liability;

• $28 million to cover the state share of state employee and state retiree health insurance premiums to ensure existing health benefits remain intact;

• $1.3 million for residential and childhood lead prevention and remediation;

• $500,000 to eliminate $50 million in medical debt;

• $5 million for the Delaware Workforce Housing Program;

• $19 million for an Affordable Rental Housing Program within the Housing Development Fund;

• $4 million for the Strong Neighborhood Housing Fund; and

• $10 million for Urban Redevelopment.

Full Bill Text