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Delaware Gets Failing Grade for Fiscal Health

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - A new report has given Delaware an "F" grade for its fiscal health.

The analysis from Truth in Accounting claims the state had an $8.5 billion gap between assets and liabilities in 2016. The nonprofit group focuses on state budgets.

Truth in Accounting said the burden on Delaware taxpayers rose by $6,600 per person from 2015 to 2016.

The report said Delaware had assets of $2.9 billion and liabilities of $11.4 billion, with most of its bills coming from pension benefits and retiree health care.

The report said it's not unusual to have state debt coming from unfunded retiree benefits.

A spokesman for Gov. John Carney told the Delaware State News that the governor will continue working toward a balanced, long-term plan that addresses Delaware's financial challenges and invests in education, economic development, public safety and environmental protection.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.