Delaware's GOP finds agreement with Meyer on nuclear energy, questions education reform funding

Leaders of the Delaware Legislature’s two Republican Caucuses found some agreement with Governor Meyer during his State of the State Address, but are also raising some red flags.

House Minority Whip Jeff Spiegelman (R-Middletown/Smyrna), said he was pleased to hear Governor Meyer want to cut some of the regulatory hurdles and costs associated with home building to bring down prices, but also wants to see that mentality stretch to other permit-centric industries like restaurants and daycares.

“The approach he’s taking with housing, I support it, but don’t stop there, keep going. These other industries also need some of these burdens lifted.”

Another area of agreement from Delaware’s minority party came from the desire to keep electricity rate hikes in check, but Spiegelman said Delaware must also be more proactive with energy production.

“Delmarva Power needs to be addressed… but in in the end, it’s the power we need, and we need more of it, and we must have it as soon as possible.

Meyer’s speech said the US Wind offshore wind project that could produce 1.4 gigawatts of electricity to Delaware, but Spiegelman said while that could have merit, more traditional gas measures also need to be put on the table.

“But it’s not the reliable power that we would get out of more traditional energy sources, or this mini-nuke thing. That’s why we have to have these things.”“

House Minority Leader Tim Dukes (R-Delmar/Laurel) represents Delmar, the district with the lowest paid teachers in Delaware, but said a major concern for him came with the price tag of Meyer’s proposal to expand early education centers throughout the state.

“How many early childhood centers do we have, and what does that look like, per center? $50 million is a lot of money.”

Spiegelman noted Meyer’s comment that Delaware hadn’t altered its school funding formula in over 80 years, and while there is momentum, he’s waiting for next week’s budget address before seeing just how the Governor and other Democrats plan to attack changes.

“Would I like to have funding reform? Yes. Having not seen a proposal, and for something that big, and to get it done this year? That would be a pretty big lift, I’m not going to make a prediction.”

State Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) agreed with Meyer that creative spaces like Pine Box Studios could benefit from a film tax credit.

“We have an incredible range of scenery, from our beaches and rural agricultural communities to urban settings like Wilmington and the historic backdrops around Dover. Delaware should be a destination for filmmakers and a smart, responsible film incentive can help create jobs and investment while showcasing our state to the country.”

Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View) did not appreciate Meyer’s comments on health care.

“Democrats wrote the Affordable Care Act as well as the language that allowed enhanced subsidies to expire at the end of 2025. Blaming Republicans for a law Democrats authored more than a decade ago is simply not accurate.”

Pettyjohn also noted that it is a Republican-led Congress, plus President Trump, who helped recently give Delaware a chance for their first nursing school.

“Civility cannot be something we preach behind closed doors while publicly attacking Republicans in Congress, especially when Delaware’s rural healthcare expansion is being made possible by federal funding authorized under H.R. 1. Delaware families deserve solutions, not political finger-pointing.”