No Pay Hike
Delaware state employees shouldn’t expect a general pay raise this year.
That’s the word from Governor Jack Markell and the legislature’s budget writers yesterday as the First State heads into the new fiscal year July 1st.
Joint Finance Committee Chair Representative Melanie George Smith added that it was something she hoped would be addressed next year.
Meanwhile, Markell said that other priorities outrank a pay hike . with a discouraging budget projection for 2015.
As for the revised revenue forecast that put $20 million more into the state coffers Smith said that has already been spent on other initiatives.
Spending Increases
DOVER, Del. (AP) - Members of the legislature's budget writing committee have approved $2 million in new spending for Delaware charter schools.
Wednesday's vote by the Joint Finance Committee is aimed at helping high-performing charter schools with startup costs or funds to expand of programs.
While committee members authorized the funding, the proposed charter school performance fund must be approved in separate legislation that is still in the works.
Committee members also approved more than $2 million in new block grants to help schools with technology needs and a similar amount for computers used to administer statewide standardized tests.
The Wilmington News Journal reports the joint committee has already made some additions ranging from $3 million for teen mental health and suicide and a 1 percent increase in payments for contractors that provide services for the elderly and disabled to $5 million for computers and technology in schools.
