Increased Investment Necessary for Delaware's Financial Future

Issue 5.21

May 24, 2019

State Chamber urges increased investment in Delaware's future

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce President Michael Quaranta urged the Joint Finance Committee to transfer $125 million to state reserves for additional financial security and certainty regarding the future of state finances.

“With exceptionally good forecasted numbers coming from DEFAC, the General Assembly should seize this opportunity to better prepare the state for inevitable economic downturns and subsequent budget shortfalls. Setting aside $125 million of additional revenue to meet a goal of $350 million, the approximate size of our last budget shortfall, is prudent and good stewardship of the public’s money.”

The opportunity presented to the General Assembly to preserve and protect Delaware’s long-term finances in this economy, if implemented, will go a long way to guard against the disruptive impact of reduced state spending combined with a down economy on business and nonprofits.

NEW Diverse Supplier Directory

We've created a special directory of diverse suppliers as defined by the U.S. Small Business Adminstration. This includes Chamber member organizations that are considered to be one or more of the following: Woman-Owned Business Enterprise, Minority-Owned Business Enterprise, Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise, Disabled-Owned Business Enterprise, Historically Black Colleges & Universities, LBGT-Owned Business Enterprise, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), or Small Business Enterprise.

If you'd like to add your business, email Chuck James at cjames@dscc.com .

Diverse Supplier Directory

Message from the President

As we head into the final two-week break, before the final four weeks of this year’s session, it’s a good time to review what will and may be considered by the General Assembly before they break in the early hours of July 1. The legislation to legalize recreational marijuana was introduced last week, and for employers remains largely the same as what the Chamber and others opposed last session.

Legislative Priority

This week was the first of the Memorial Day break, and the first of the Joint Finance Committee working on marking up the FY20 budget. Good news for budget writers came in the form of DEFAC numbers on Monday, adding close to $80 million to the forecast.

Compliance with new privacy and security laws is a major concern to businesses of all sizes. What is your business risk? Learn how to identify it. Learn how to mitigate it.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

University & Whist Club

Wilmington, DE 19806

Chamber member Chesapeake Utilities was welcomed by the New York Stock Exchange earlier this week in celebration of the contributions of the company's employees, its 12 straight years of superior earnings growth and total shareholder return, and over 25 years of being listed on the NYSE. Click here to watch the video .