Hot off the press to you, is this Office of Management & Budget presentation.  Much of it is the same as the 2018 Budget Presentation that we got to you mid-January.  It is important to note for those of you who receive “Pass-Throughs” that they are slotted to be cut by $594,300.00 (Page 19).  In our last Public Policy blog post we noted the other Agency cuts (Pages 15-16) and the Grant-In-Aid reductions (Page 20). Click here for that report.

The Senate “Special Election” to fill Lt. Governor Hall-Long’s seat is scheduled for February 25th.  This is important for the balance of that Chamber.

Governor Carney will release his revised “Financial Plan” following the March 20th DEFAC State Economic Forecast.  JFC scheduled to review week of 4/24. Here’s the Joint Finance Committee Calendar.

We’re meeting with our U.S. Delegation to learn about and prepare for Federal changes – Sen. Coons – Jan 19th and Sen. Carper – February 6th. Congresswoman Blunt Rochester – Awaiting date.

Charitable Giving Incentives:

Sheila and I will be traveling to Washington D.C. on February 16th to meet with our U.S. Congress Members in support of Charitable Giving Incentives as the government looks to address the Federal Tax Code.  We’ll be joining with thousands of other Nonprofit and Foundation Leaders, Philanthropists, and other interested citizens.  If you’d like additional information let us know or search for it under: “100 Years of Giving DC Fly-In”.

Governor’s Public Meetings:

Get your Board Members and other key volunteers to tell the Governor directly what cuts will mean to Delawareans you serve. Gov. Carney has made a pitch to the Delaware public: “Help me come up with some ideas.” “This is a challenge for all of us,” Carney said. “The solution is going to be hard. But I’m confident we can do it.”

Carney will attend a series of “community conversations” in locations throughout the state:

• Feb. 15 – Drip Café, Hockessin, 7:30 a.m.
• Feb. 21 – Drip Café, Hockessin, 8 a.m.
• Feb. 22 – Downtown Dover Partnership, 9 a.m.
• March 1 – Nanticoke Senior Center, Seaford, 9 a.m.
• April 5 – Café Gelato, Newark, 8 a.m.

The meetings will be held in the morning, around 7:30 to 8 a.m. Exact times will be available online. Lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, will join Carney. Residents can submit comments online at governor.delaware.gov/Budget Reset or send an email to [email protected].

Join us for the Annual State Budget Update and Advocacy Warm-Up.