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Rising health costs threaten economic prosperity, Gov. Markell warns in weekly message

Delaware Public Media
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Delaware Public Media

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell used his first weekly message of the new fiscal year to reflect on key steps the state has taken to increase economic opportunities for Delawareans.

The state has supported research and innovation, reformed the tax code to make it more sensible for businesses and continued a focus on redeveloping downtown districts, he said.

 

“Delaware will also be a more attractive place for workers and businesses because of record investments in our trails and pathways, libraries, and the arts,” Markell said.

The governor also highlighted the state’s investment in education by increasing teacher pay, focusing on job training and expanding language immersion programs.

But Markell warns of growing healthcare costs that are threatening these investments in the state’s economic future.

 

He said he’s hopeful lawmakers will reform the healthcare system in the coming year.      

Full text of Gov. Markell's weekly message:

In my State of the State address, I talked about government’s obligation to do more than maintain the status quo. We must expect more to increase Delawareans’ opportunities to make the most of their talents. Our approach in recent years has helped achieve the fastest job growth in the region, while raising the quality of life for all Delawareans.

The budget I signed this past week, along with other steps taken in the legislature’s just-completed session, builds on this progress. We’ve made our tax code more sensible for businesses large and small, supported research and innovation, and continued to focus on economic development in our downtowns.

Delaware will also be a more attractive place for workers and businesses because of record investments in our trails and pathways, libraries, and the arts. Students of all ages will have more access to great educational opportunities because of investments in high-quality early learning, innovative programs like world language immersion, and greater chances to earn college credit and workplace experience before graduation. And, for the first time, we have recognized that our educators deserve to be paid more for taking on additional leadership responsibilities while remaining in the classroom, rather than only by becoming administrators.

While all of these efforts should be celebrated, this year’s budget was especially challenging. Growing costs in some areas, particularly in health care, are unsustainable. I’m hopeful that proposals we have made will set the stage for reforms because without change, we cannot afford other key investments. By ensuring that we continue to focus on the areas that make the most difference to our future prosperity – like education and job training, research and innovation, -- we’ll make sure our state continues to become a prosperous place to live, work, and raise a family. And we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

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