Last week—following deliberations lasting into the early hours of Wednesday morning—the General Assembly passed the state budget for fiscal year 2010. The approved budget evoked disappointment in some, and relative relief in others. Budget highlights include:
• 2.5% reduction in wages for all state workers, amounting to $33 million in savings. This is a marked improvement over the initially proposed 8% reduction. State workers will take five days of obligatory leave in 2010.
• $155 million in fe… Continue

Much has been said in recent weeks about the proposed cutbacks in Governor Markell’s FY10 budget (across-the-board reduction in compensation for state workers receiving particular media attention), and the degree to which reductions will be sufficient to address projected shortfalls in FY10 and future years. But what about the flipside of the governor’s budget— proposed plans to raise revenues in the state? How do they connect with current revenue streams? What revenue sources are projected to g… Continue

April 9, 2009


State budget shortfall hits museums

Two may close; others may have hours cut

By KEN MAMMARELLA
The News Journal

Two museums operated by the state of Delaware may be closed and six have their operating days reduced in a proposal by Gov. Jack Markell to help reduce the state's deficit. The moves would save $254,300.

Because of safety concerns, one of these eight -- the Delaware Archaeology Museum in downtown Dover -- closed temporarily on Tuesday.

That museum and the nearby Mu… Continue

Governor Markell unveiled his recommended FY2010 budget Thursday to Delawareans eager to see how he would address the state’s unprecedented budget gap. The budget shortfall has ballooned from a projected $606 million to $750 million since January. The Governor's budget proposal seeks to fill the budget gap with a combination of spending cuts, tax increases, and one time reallocation of funds. When added to the anticipated $155m in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestmen… Continue

Today, Governor Markell addressed the legislature and released his new budget. Some analysis will follow shortly.

Read his budget address:
http://governor.delaware.gov/2009budgetaddress.shtml

Check out the FY10 proposed budget:
http://budget.delaware.gov/fy2010/budget2010.shtml