Business and our Economy
A strong economy is dependent upon the health of our business community and the health of our business community is dependent upon us having superior infrastructure and educational opportunities. Government must provide safe and reliable roads, rail, water and sewer service, and enable our rapid transition to cleaner energy and universal, reliable broadband and other telecommunication services. These services along with fast, predictable permitting to employers and a ready and educated workforce are the basic building blocks to attract new businesses and help our current businesses thrive.
In 2019, I was honored by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce with the 2019 Small Business Guardian Award.
A few of the bills that I have sponsored and which are now law include:
Creation of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund (Prime Sponsor, Senate Bill 61 w/HA 1, 150th GA) State economic development officials pursue economic development opportunities that, if realized, would have significant impact on Delaware's future economic health and competitiveness. Such situations frequently require expeditious action and the need to enhance Delaware's transportation infrastructure on a timeline and schedule that is outside the 6 year Capital Transportation Program. To meet these challenges, this Act establishes the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund to provide economic assistance for renovation, construction, or any other type of improvements to roads and related transportation infrastructure in order to attract new businesses to Delaware, or for the expansion of existing Delaware businesses, when such an economic development opportunity would create a significant number of direct, permanent, quality, full-time jobs.
Encouragement of Regional Rail (Prime Sponsor, HCR 81, 150th GA) Encourages the Delaware Department of Transportation to work with the State of Maryland, the State of Pennsylvania, Amtrak, and all other appropriate regional entities to connect and enhance the regional rail service that serves Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Increasing the Minimum Wage (Co-sponsor of SB 15; 151st GA) This bill provides for gradual increases in the Delaware minimum wage to $15 over a period of several years by Jan. 1st, 2025.
Creation of a site readiness fund to promote economic growth (Co-sponsor of SB 127; 151st GA) This bill sustains economic growth and stability by establishing a fund to provide grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses or public entities that invest in constructing, renovating or improving infrastructure for sites that will attract new businesses or expand existing businesses within the State.
Establishment of the Elevate Delaware program (Co-sponsor of HS 1 for HB 166; 151st GA) Elevate Delaware will provide payments for tuition and auxiliary expenses, up to $10,000, for individuals to attend a non-credit certificate program as developed by the Workforce Development Board, based upon the skill requirements of employers in Delaware. Individuals are eligible for Elevate Delaware if they are employed by an employer with under 51 employees and are subject to Delaware income tax.
