WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware Gov. Jack Markell has issued his second veto this year to reject a measure that would have provided state payments to Wilmington fire and police retirees.
The governor says he recognized that some would be disappointed by the veto, but said payments to individuals could balloon under the program and would not be sensible. The governor added he believes the decision is the city's not the state legislature.
The (Wilmington) News Journal reported that the retirees have not seen an increase since 2006. The bill would have provided payments every two years to about 700 retirees hired before 1992. Those hired later participate in a state plan.
The first payments would have gone out this September, with pensioners each receiving about $5,000 at a cost of $3.8 million.
