DOVER — Today, July 1, Governor Matt Meyer marked several legislative victories at the end of the 2025 legislative session, delivering on key promises for Delawareans including strengthening public schools, expanding healthcare access, making housing more affordable, and boosting transparency and accountability in government.

Many of those priorities were included in a $6.5 billion operating budget (HB 225) and a $37 million supplemental spending bill (HB 226) for Fiscal Year 2026, signed by Governor Meyer tonight. Governor Meyer applauds the General Assembly’s bipartisan support for a forward-looking, fiscally responsible spending plan. Governor Meyer also signed SB 200, the FY26 Capital Budget, also known as the “Bond Bill,” as well as HB 230, the Grant-in-Aid bill.

The FY2026 appropriations reflect Governor Meyer’s commitment to investing in the foundation of Delaware’s future—education, public health, workforce development, and equity. SB 200 also includes a $90 million investment in the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College, including $20 million for Biden Hall, marking the state’s most significant investment ever in higher education.

Following the signing, Governor Meyer released the following statement:

“This budget is a promise to the people of Delaware: we are investing in your future. We’ve paired bold investments with responsible governance. From raising teacher pay and expanding early literacy programs to strengthening our safety net and honoring our commitments to public workers, we are building a state where every child, every family, and every community has a chance to thrive. I’m especially proud of the steps we’ve taken to advance justice, boosting support for victim services and launching new tools like the Office of the Inspector General. This is what government can and should do: reflect our values, strengthen our communities, and prepare us for the future.”

PRIORITY FUNDING ITEMS:

Education

• $33.1 million to cover projected growth in our schools, including raising teacher pay.
• $8.4 million to continue increasing mental health support within elementary, middle, and high schools.
• $8 million to create an Early Literacy Emergency Fund to help support our youngest learners.
• $3 million to fund teacher-driven projects, allowing teachers to request funding for classroom needs as they see fit.
• $2 million to assist education agencies with disciplinary needs.
• $250,000 to continue the voluntary middle and high school cell phone pouch pilot program to reduce classroom learning distractions.

Healthcare

• $61.2 million toward Other Post-Employment Benefits Investments, ensuring healthcare for state retirees and reducing long-term liability.
• $28 million to cover the state share of state employee and state retiree health insurance premiums to ensure existing health benefits remain intact.
• $1.3 million for residential and childhood lead prevention and remediation.
• $500,000 to eliminate $50 million in medical debt.

Housing

• $5 million for the Delaware Workforce Housing Program.
• $19 million for an Affordable Rental Housing Program within the Housing Development Fund.
• $4 million for the Strong Neighborhood Housing Fund.
• $10 million for Urban Redevelopment.

KEY BILLS SIGNED SINCE JANUARY 21

• SB 21: Clarifying key governance structures to reinforce Delaware’s reputation for equitable, predictable, and efficient corporate oversight.
• HB 140: Legalizing Medical-Aid-in-Dying.
• HB 110: Amends requirements for fingerprint-based background checks for Delaware’s licensed marijuana businesses, moving the recreational market kick-off forward.
• HB 62: Limits utility cut offs in extreme temperatures.
• SB 69: Bans Red Dye 40 in school meals.
• SB 159: Requires electric substations to be included in heavy industrial zones, clearing the path for offshore wind.
• SB 180: Allows out-of-state licensees to practice in Delaware in emergencies, as determined by the Board of Pharmacy and the Secretary of State.

BILLS TO BE SIGNED IN THE COMING WEEKS

Education

• HS 1 for HB 91: $3.2 million for all public schools to offer free breakfast, regardless of a student’s income level.
• SB 81: Ensures educators with paraprofessional experience receive salary credits regardless of hire date.

Healthcare

• SB156: Removes medical debt from credit reporting.

Housing

• SB 150: Creating an Affordable Housing Rental Program within DSHA.
• SJR 8: Launching a pilot program for DSHA focused on zoning reform.
• SB 115 w/ SS 2: Shielding eviction records from public view to help former defendants overcome barriers to housing and economic stability.

Transparency and Accountability

• SB 4: Creating an Office of the Inspector General.
• HB 1: Creating a cabinet-level position for Veterans Affairs.
• SB 59, 60, 61: Demanding transparency from utility companies in their decision-making processes to hold them accountable for rising energy rates.

Safety and Criminal Justice Reforms

• SB 7: Lessening probation and parole restrictions needed to support rehabilitation and protect public safety.
• SB 32: Keeps DOC correctional, probation, and parole officers’ personal information confidential upon request.
• SS 1 for SB10 (Richard “Mouse” Smith Compassionate Release Act): Streamlines Delaware’s sentence modification process, allowing for direct applications to the parole board based on serious medical conditions, age, and time served.
• SS 1 for SB 17: Updating the Victims’ Bill of Rights.

The budget maintains a Rainy Day Fund of $365.4 million and a Budget Stabilization Fund of $469.2 million. Governor Meyer’s FY2026 “Budget Reset” framework—focused on affordability, transparency, and economic opportunity—helped shape the final spending plan.

For additional questions or to schedule an interview with Governor Matt Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.

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