by James DeChene

In the last week, I’ve heard two presentations from the Office of Management and Budget on how they’re starting to put together next year’s budget, the November public hearing schedule (they start on November 22nd, and can be found here), and how DEFAC’s forecasting will be critical at their December meeting.

To date, DEFAC has estimated a $167 million revenue shortfall for FY2017. What remains to be seen this fall are how “door openers” will impact that number. Door openers include the final student enrollment numbers public schools report to the state, the final Medicaid numbers and, this year, the prorated raise amount for state employees. The best guesstimate on these additional increases are in the $150 million range, meaning budget writers need to find between $300 and $400 million in order to meet budget.

Shifting to how the state spends its money – 73% of the FY2016 budget is allocated to employee salaries and health care, pensions, Medicaid and debt service. Without cuts to personnel or programs, these numbers will increase next year. The largest growth of public sector employees are in education, as student enrollment in public schools continues to rise as more kids are transitioned from private/parochial schools back to public (1,500 students are added on average per year). Over 228,000 are eligible for Medicaid (over 25% of Delaware’s population). Revenue growth in FY17 is expected to be 1.5%, and FY18 will see 0% growth as currently forecast.

These are all items the State Chamber has talked about for the last few years—specifically on the need for there to be structural changes to how the state collects and spends money. Many of these ideas were highlighted in the Delaware Business Roundtable’s Growth Agenda, and we support their immediate adoption. This next year will be another difficult money year, with no easy solutions, but the business community, including the State Chamber, has proposed ideas on how to invest in economic development, make Delaware more attractive to outside entities, and to help turn our economy around. We hope the 149th General Assembly will discuss and debate these issues recognizing that without action, our budget will continue to suffer.

by James DeChene

This week Governor Markell addressed the members of the State Chamber’s Economic Development Committee to outline the recent successes focused on economic development, and to discuss how Delaware’s economy is faring as the recovery from the Great Recession continues.

Highlighting the importance of workforce readiness and development, the Governor featured the Pathways to Prosperity program currently providing industry developed curriculum to approximately 6,000 Delaware students statewide. This accomplishment comes on the heels of the first cohort of students who graduated this past May with a focus on advanced manufacturing. Their curriculum and required internship hours were provided predominantly by members of the State Chamber and the Delaware Manufacturing Association.
The Governor also highlighted successes in retaining the majority of DuPont’s presence in Delaware, while also helping local startups like The Mill, CoIN Loft and 1313 Innovation to bring and foster new and specialized jobs to Delaware.

Lastly the Governor focused on job growth in Delaware. Pointing to Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showing Delaware leading the region in jobs and outperforming the national unemployment level. Governor Markell wanted to be sure that committee members saw these positive trends.

Committee Chairman Michael Vanderslice pointed to Administration proposed efforts that the State Chamber and business community had supported, but ultimately weren’t successful. These included having state employees contribute more to their health care plans, increasing the gas tax to fund much needed state infrastructure improvements, and addressing Delaware’s poor water quality. Governor Markell remained optimistic that these efforts would be addressed in future legislation as those issues not only aren’t going away, but must be resolved if Delaware is to be able to continue to meet its budget needs.

by Mark DiMaio

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP) program on Supply Chain Optimization Leadership. It’s a national program developed by the Manufacturing Extension Partnership network. The program focused on understanding the advantages of incorporating a strategic approach to supply chain management, and how it can provide a positive impact on local economies. Today’s manufacturers need to be more agile, flexible, and responsive to external pressures. Competition between companies has given way to competition between supply chains. The DEMEP Supply Chain Optimization program provided a road map for companies to focus on improved collaboration and supply chain integration. I learned that the enemies of supply chain effectiveness are: the destabilizing effects of dependency; forecast inaccuracy; variation; and lack of supply chain visibility.

The program provided a working session to better understand supply chain fundamentals and the strategic implications of a poorly functioning supply chain, as well as gained insight to supply chain system dynamics. The main take away was that a lack of understanding and communication within your supply chain will drive higher inventory levels and lower levels of service. Developing a sound supply chain risk management strategy that includes strong partner collaboration will drive supply chain optimization. Rustyn Stoops, Executive Director for DEMEP, put it best, “Eliminating the four walls of your business and looking at your business as the entire Supply Chain, while improving communication and collaboration along that same Supply Chain, has the opportunity to yield some incredible results.”

by James DeChene

This week, former Governor Mike Castle was the speaker at the Chamber’s Leadership series. He spoke on a variety issues, but focused on, how as a leader in public service it was important to surround himself with talented individuals and allowing them the leeway to do their job well.

Providing insight on his entrance into public service, from helping to organize the Young Republicans group, to his run for the State Senate, his time as Lt. Governor, Governor and ultimately Delaware’s Congressman for 18 years, he commented that many of his successful initiatives started from conversations he had with constituents, such as focusing on Delaware teacher pay and the importance of early childhood education. He also emphasized the role of government is not to create jobs, but to create an environment where businesses can grow and flourish, highlighting that as governor Delaware enjoyed one of the most prosperous times in the state’s history.

Governor Castle also spoke about the tone and tenor currently in Washington, D.C. Pointing to Delaware and its history of working together to solve important problems, like how the parties came together to create the Financial Center Development Act, Governor Castle was lamenting the relatively recent polarizing ideology from both parties that has crippled Congress’ ability to tackle and solve the important problems we face, a record national debt, the need for meaningful tax reform policy and for an education policy that prepares young Americans for life after school.