DOVER, Del. (AP/DPR) - Democratic Gov. John Carney lashed out at the gridlock and acrimony in Washington during his State of the State address yesterday to the Delaware legislature.
He said voters were, “…tired of gridlock, negativity and politics as usual. They’re asking us to be different here in Delaware. They think it’s a win if we get something done, not when we score political points. They don’t want us to shut down the government. They want us to make the government work for them.”
Carny also said that Delaware is "strong, and getting stronger."
That was Carney's assessment Thursday in his State of the State speech to members of the General Assembly.
Carney used the opportunity to tout his administration's efforts to boost Delaware's economy, improve public education and ensure the state spends taxpayer money wisely. While offering few new proposals, Carney said officials need to build on those efforts.
He said, “While a rising tide lifts a lot of boats there are too many in our state who have not benefited from the economic recovery. These are the people who need our help the most. So, let’s help them.”
Prisons
In addition to upping funding for education for low-income and non-English langage students Carney also stressed programs that would help former prison inmates reenter society.
He said,"Over ninety perent of inmates will leave prison. They will be standing next to you and meet at the Wawa or at the mall. We need to make sure they are better off when they leave prison than when they went there in the first place."
Carney also pledged to continue carrying out reforms in the state prisons in the wake of the inmate uprising at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center that resulted in the death of correctional officer Steven Floyd.
Carney also proposed creating a new transportation infrastructure investment fund to spur economic development efforts.
He also signaled his support for bills to raise the age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21 and to ban guns made by 3-D printers and guns with component parts that can be purchased in pieces, with no serial number, then assembled at home.
