Delaware

Governor Meyer declared a Literacy Emergency and reported all K-3 schools now use literacy screeners. Through the Your Voice, Your Choice program, over 41,000 books and 4,000 classrooms were supported. He called for passing a fair funding formula based on students' actual needs, highlighted the Redding Consortium's bold district consolidation recommendations, and announced an additional $8.7 million federal grant for evidence-based literacy in grades 4-8.

Governor Meyer announced Delaware received preliminary notice of the largest competitive healthcare grant in state history through the federal rural health transformation program, enabling pursuit of the state's first medical school. He proposed expanding scope of practice, reforming Certificate of Need, expanding mobile health units, and eliminating the gross receipts tax on medical services. He also highlighted aggressive efforts to address lead exposure.

Governor Meyer highlighted record corporate franchise success with nearly 280,000 new entities incorporated in Delaware in the first ten months of 2025, up 14%. He announced Merck's $1 billion life sciences investment and emphasized small business support through the EDGE grant program and $14 million in federal small business funding. He proposed a film tax credit, noting Delaware is one of the few states without one.

Governor Meyer emphasized that Delaware is closer than ever to universal high-speed broadband, with 72% of residents able to make high-speed video calls from home. He highlighted the Diamond State Port Corporation's Edgemoor Port expansion as a once-in-a-generation project and called for increased energy generation including the 1.7-gigawatt U.S. Wind project and nuclear energy feasibility.

Governor Meyer honored Corporal Ty Snook, a Delaware State Police trooper killed in the line of duty, and recognized officers who thwarted a planned terrorist attack at the University of Delaware. He noted shootings in 2025 were at some of the lowest numbers in years and highlighted historically low recidivism rates. He emphasized the importance of continued work on public safety, noting that one shooting is one too many.

Governor Meyer called energy affordability "unacceptable," citing a couple whose bill jumped from $150 to $600 monthly, and demanded Delmarva Power stop overcharging families. He called on the Public Service Commission to stop approving rate hikes and emphasized the need for more homegrown energy generation, including the 1.7-gigawatt U.S. Wind project and safe modern nuclear energy, endorsing a Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force led by legislators.

Governor Meyer identified a shortage of nearly 20,000 affordable units statewide and noted that one-third of housing costs have nothing to do with construction but are due to red tape. He pledged to implement reforms making Delaware's permitting systems the most streamlined and efficient in the country, working with counties and municipalities on smart growth that fills housing needs while protecting farmland. He referenced collaboration with nine local jurisdictions on zoning reforms and plans for new HOPE Centers in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Governor Meyer highlighted $65 million in new efficiencies and cost savings in the budget and promised to return the state to manageable budget growth under 5%. He committed to a responsible budget that 'puts families first' and thanked legislative budget leaders for their partnership in sustainably funding critical services, while noting the state faces fiscal pressure from federal cuts that the Attorney General has fought to recover, saving $856.7 million.

Governor Meyer highlighted Delaware students winning a gold medal at the International Jamboree in Paris for bioengineering work, and noted 72% broadband connectivity with a goal of becoming the first state with universal high-speed broadband. He called for nuclear energy feasibility exploration and announced modernization of Delaware's banking and payments framework for an increasingly digital world.

Delaware honored Corporal Ty Snook with the Order of the First State, the state's highest honor, after he was killed in the line of duty. Governor Meyer recognized the establishment of a new Secretary-level role for Veterans Affairs under Secretary Karen Berry and thanked legislators including Senator Lawson, a combat veteran, for advocating for veterans. He also acknowledged National Guard Major General Benson's leadership during the longest federal government shutdown.

Governor Meyer highlighted $65 million in new efficiencies and cost savings found by the Budget Director's team, with the proposed budget returning state growth to under 5%. He noted the unemployment insurance backlog decreased 70% from over 7,000 claims to fewer than 2,000, and highlighted DNREC's transformation into a culture of efficiency with new dashboards and improved permitting systems.

Governor Meyer announced a nearly $50 million investment in early childhood education and highlighted the Lieutenant Governor's leadership on building stronger family support systems. He addressed housing shortages of nearly 20,000 affordable units statewide and proposed streamlining permitting to make Delaware the most efficient state for building affordable housing. He also mentioned plans for HOPE Center counterparts in Kent and Sussex Counties for vulnerable populations.

Governor Meyer called out Delmarva Power for overcharging families, citing one couple whose bill jumped from $150 to $600 monthly. He called on the Public Service Commission to stop approving rate hikes and emphasized the need for more homegrown energy including the 1.7-gigawatt U.S. Wind project and nuclear energy. He also highlighted housing challenges with a shortage of nearly 20,000 affordable units and promised the most streamlined permitting systems in the country.