State of Delaware
Office of the Budget
Capital Budget Introduction Letter
January 29, 2004
To Members of the 142nd General Assembly and to all Delawareans:
In compliance with 29 Del. C. Section 6342, I am respectfully
submitting for your consideration the Fiscal Year 2005 Bond and
Capital Improvements Act for the State of Delaware totaling
$592.7 million. These capital budget recommendations of $275.5
million in non-transportation projects, $273.7 million in
transportation projects and $43.5 million for Twenty-First
Century Fund projects reflect my continuing commitments to
improving our schools; attracting and retaining quality jobs;
protecting the environment and making Delaware more livable;
making families healthy, safe and self-sufficient; and managing
state government well.
For continued economic development that nurtures and maintains
high quality jobs my recommendation is $69.5 million to the
Delaware Economic Development Office for the Delaware Strategic
Fund, New Economy Initiative, the Port of Wilmington and the
Riverfront Development Corporation. With the implementation of
my economic development package and these funds, we can continue
to strengthen and diversify Delaware's economy by identifying
the successes of the future and laying the groundwork to make
them happen here.
To create a Livable Delaware that strengthens communities and
preserves our quality of life, I recommend $43.5 million for
green infrastructure, farmland preservation, resource
conservation and development, and wastewater treatment. State
taxpayers pay for roads, schools and other services demanded by
new development. Our Livable Delaware agenda for fighting sprawl
maximizes these taxpayer investments by preserving open space
and directing growth to areas where state, county and local
governments are prepared for it.
Improving public education continues to be a primary goal of my
Administration. To support schools that set high standards and
prepare children for college, work and life, I am recommending
$119.3 million for public education. These funds will be used
for new school construction in the Appoquinimink, Cape Henlopen,
and Polytech school districts and continue projects in
Brandywine, Caesar Rodney, Christina, Indian River, New Castle
County Vo-Tech and Red Clay school districts.
For the protection of the health, safety and self-sufficiency
for Delaware families, I am recommending $9.7 million for the
planning and construction of medical facilities, including the
Veterans Home, the Stockley Medical Center and a new facility at
the Delaware Psychiatric Center.
I look forward to working with you to approve this recommended
capital budget and together we will make a prosperous future for
Delaware.
Sincerely,
Ruth Ann Minner
Governor
