Delaware lawmakers in Dover have unanimously approved a historic $98.5 million grants package for community organizations, nonprofit groups, and volunteer fire companies for the upcoming fiscal year. This “grant-in-aid” package surpasses last year’s record-breaking $72 million and the $66.5 million initially recommended by Governor John Carney. The funding will benefit nearly 50 nonprofit agencies and community organizations not included in previous grants legislation. Representative Kim Williams, a Wilmington-area Democrat and co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, expressed gratitude for being able to support these critical organizations at such a significant level, allowing them to continue their essential work for the people of Delaware.
The approval of this bill concludes the legislature’s budget-related tasks for the fiscal year 2025. Earlier, a $6.13 billion general fund operating budget was passed for the new fiscal year, representing a more than 9% increase from the previous year, with considerable increases allocated to public education and the Department of Health and Social Services. In conjunction with the operating budget, a supplemental budget bill of over $168.3 million for one-time appropriations was also approved.
The operating budget, which exceeded Governor Carney’s earlier recommendations, maintains the trend of annual spending increases close to 10%, despite projections of flat revenue growth. This budget marks the third consecutive year of pay raises for state employees, with most staff receiving a 2% increase.
In addition to the operating budget, lawmakers passed a $1.1 billion capital budget for construction, transportation, maintenance, and economic development projects. Although slightly lower than the previous year’s capital budget, this spending plan exceeds the governor’s proposal, with significant allocations for transportation projects and non-transportation initiatives.
