DOVER, Del. - Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has signed the state's Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, approving a spending plan that he says focuses on education, affordable housing, healthcare, and state employees.
According to the governor's office, the budget includes significant investments aimed at making Delaware more affordable while expanding opportunities for families across the state. Officials say the plan was developed in partnership with the General Assembly and prioritizes public education, childcare, healthcare, housing, and economic growth.
"Here in Delaware, we value our children's future, our workers, our healthcare, attainable housing, affordability, and opportunity," Meyer said in a statement. "A budget is more than dollars and cents; it's a statement of our values."
Lawmakers highlighted several major investments included in the spending plan, including nearly $200 million for public education. State leaders say the funding will support classrooms while continuing efforts to modernize Delaware's public school funding system.
The budget also expands eligibility for Delaware's Purchase of Care program, allowing about 10% more children to qualify for affordable childcare while providing additional support for childcare providers.
Healthcare funding is also included, with investments to expand access to care, increase support for seniors, and provide pay raises for direct care professionals serving people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Officials say the budget continues the state's efforts to address housing affordability and homelessness prevention, building on what the administration describes as the largest affordable housing investment made by a Delaware administration during its first 17 months in office.
The spending plan also invests more than $150 million in Delaware's workforce, including a 3% pay raise for state employees and public education employees, including teachers, first responders, transportation workers, and other public servants.
Some Delaware Republicans have remained vocal critics of the nearly $7 billion budget, however. After the budget passed the House of Representatives on June 25, Republican Representative Bryan Shupe took to social media to say he had voted against it.
“I voted no on Delaware’s budget because the math simply does not work,” Shupe said. “This year’s budget increases government spending by 6.3%, while revenue is projected to grow by only 2%. That is not sustainable. Over the past five years, state spending has increased by 37%, while taxpayer revenue has grown by only 20%.”
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget takes effect on July 1, 2026.
