Recommended budget aims to close ‘structural gap’

Meyer said there was a structural gap between expenses and revenue of more than $500 million. He’s proposing reductions to several areas of the budget to help close the divide.

“We don’t believe in going around and cutting government with chainsaws,” he said. “We believe in doing it with scalpels, going line by line, looking intelligently at the services Delawareans are receiving and making sure that we can make more efficient those that aren’t working or don’t make sense.”

Brian Maxwell, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said spending on cost drivers, which totals $524 million, has grown 8% from the current fiscal year. The administration wants to reduce cost drivers by nearly $108 million. Maxwell said Medicaid, inmate medical services, personnel cost and student population growth make up 66% of total for cost drivers.

Other reductions include a $131 million reduction in state investments and a $168 million cut in one-time spending.

The governor’s recommended capital projects legislation, known as the Bond Bill, is $43 million less than the $934 million total in fiscal 26. The recommended budget also slashes $12.5 million from last year’s grants-in-aid bill, giving about $85.5 million in state funding to nonprofits, local fire companies and senior centers.

Meyer also wants to use $10 million to create a film tax credit.

Adding revenue from fees and taxes

The administration wants to balance the budget by raising approximately $160 million in new revenue.

Meyer did not include a proposal to revamp the state’s regressive personal income tax system so wealthier residents would pay more taxes, one of his signature priorities he outlined last year.

About $81 million of that would come from revamping business formation fees, such as when companies form limited liability companies, or LLCs, and the annual franchise tax. Another $18.9 million would come from hiking tobacco taxes, including taxes on cigarettes and vaping products. The tax on cigarettes would go from $2.10 to $3.60 per pack.

House Speaker Melissa “Mimi” Minor-Brown introduced legislation to raise tobacco taxes last year, but it stalled in committee.

Meyer said the proposed tobacco tax increase reflects changes in how people consume nicotine and how outdated the current tax structure has become.

“The tobacco tax also has to do with the changing nature of that industry and tobacco products,” Meyer said. “When you look at the tax system we have in place now for tobacco, I don’t think it makes sense for the current industry — and I wouldn’t say that about alcohol.”

Senate budget chief Trey Paradee, D-Dover, said he’s unsure there’s the political will to rework the tax brackets.

“Coming out of this property reassessment debacle, for lack of a better word, I don’t think that there is much of an appetite to touch people’s personal income taxes at this time,” he said.

• Wegmans acknowledged using facial recognition technology for security in a limited number of stores.
• The company states the technology is only used to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct.
• Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act requires businesses to get consent before collecting sensitive data like biometrics.

In January, reports of signs notifying shoppers that their biometric data was being collected at a Wegmans store in New York City prompted the grocery chain to acknowledge that it uses facial recognition technology in a limited number of locations. The company says the cameras are part of its security strategy, but the disclosures have raised questions about whether similar surveillance are being used in other states, including Delaware.

In a statement issued after the signage drew public attention, Wegmans said facial recognition technology is used only in “a small fraction of our stores located in communities that exhibit an elevated risk.” According to the Rochester, New York-based retailer, the system collects facial recognition data only to identify individuals who have previously been flagged for misconduct.

Wegmans said it does not collect other forms of biometric data such as retinal scans or voice prints, and that images and video are retained only as long as needed for security purposes before being discarded.

When asked by Delaware Online/The News Journal whether facial recognition is used at its lone Delaware location, Wegmans did not provide a direct answer. Marcie Rivera, a spokesperson for the chain, said the company follows a single privacy policy for all shoppers nationwide. She noted the policy incorporates the privacy requirements of every state where the company operates, including Delaware.

How Delaware law protects personal data collection

All businesses operating in the First State are required to comply with Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, which took effect in January 2025. Whether online or in person, the statute allows residents to opt-out of the collection of covered personal information and requires businesses to obtain consent before collecting sensitive personal data.

Personal data is defined as any information that can be linked to an identifiable individual, excluding publicly available information. This includes a name, address, phone number, email, mobile or computer device identifier.

Delaware will need to start shoveling again this weekend, especially in Sussex County.

A nor’easter will start moving up the coast late this week and interact with the cold air hitting the eastern part of the country, potentially causing a bomb cyclone. The storm, named Winter Storm Gianna by The Weather Channel, is still hard to predict as specific details remain uncertain.

According to the National Weather Service’s 4 p.m. update, there is confidence a coastal storm will impact parts of Delaware this upcoming weekend with strong winds and coastal flooding. However, it’s still too early to determine other impacts such as snowfall.

Delaware snow forecasts

Here’s a look at the range of snow forecasts for Delaware this weekend.

• National Weather Service: The forecast is calling for snow starting Saturday, Jan. 31, in Sussex County and continuing through Sunday. The chance of getting 4 inches of snow in Sussex County is 50% to 60%. The chance of getting 4 inches of snow in Kent County is 40% to 50%, and the chance of getting 4 inches of snow in New Castle County is 40%.
• AccuWeather: The forecast is calling for snow to start in the First State at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, and run until 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Sussex County is expected to get 6 to 10 inches of snow. Kent County is expected to get 3 to 6 inches of snow. New Castle County is expected to get 1 to 3 inches of snow.
• The Weather Channel: The forecast is calling for the snow to mostly miss Delaware. Georgetown is expected to receive 2 to 6 inches from Saturday, Jan. 31, to Sunday, Feb. 1. Dover is expected to receive less than an inch, and Wilmington is expected to see a few flurries.
• Apple app: The forecast is calling for 2 to 3 inches of snow on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Sussex County.

What is a bomb cyclone?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a bombogenesis, or bomb cyclone, is a mid-latitude cyclone that rapidly or explosively intensifies over a 24-hour period. The storm’s central pressure usually has to drop 24 millibars in 24 hours.

Also known as a winter hurricane, the storm is capable of producing blizzard conditions, heavy rains and strong winds.

Delaware weather: ‘Bitterly cold’ temps preserve ice, snow – and school snow days

What is a nor’easter?

According to the National Weather Service, a nor’easter is a strong low-pressure system that affects the Mid-Atlantic and New England states. They produce heavy snow, rain, and tremendous waves that can cause beach erosion and structural damage. Wind gusts associated with these storms can exceed hurricane-force intensity.

A nor’easter gets its name from the northeasterly winds blowing in from the ocean.

How to prepare for winter weather

Here are a few tips to prepare for the cold weather.

• Stock up on snow removal supplies. Add rock salt or ice melt, space heaters and snow shovels to your snow preparation arsenal.
• Make sure your snowblower is working. There’s nothing worse than having heavy snow and finding out your snowblower isn’t working. Before the storm hits, do a test run or take it in for a tune-up.
• Clean the gutters. Remove all dead leaves and other debris so that your gutters can do what they’re intended to do – collect water from the roof and channel it down to the ground.
• Inspect the roof. Repair or replace any damaged shingles or hire someone to do it for you.
• Trim tree branches. Cut or trim back any trees that are close to your house.
• Add more insulation. Call in a pro to check your insulation and add more where necessary.
• Seal up cracks. Inspect doors and windows for drafts and seal up any openings to avoid the loss of heat and warm air.
• Insulate your pipes. Frozen pipes can burst, flooding your home and yard.