Delaware’s $400 million budget shortfall isn’t the result of federal tax changes—it’s the outcome of years of unchecked state spending. As the Caesar Rodney Institute explains, Dover’s leaders have expanded budgets through off-book appropriations and relied on temporary federal aid to mask structural problems. With surpluses fading, Delaware faces a fiscal crisis of its own making, demanding real reform—not blame-shifting to Washington.

As the federal shutdown continues, most Delawareans won’t see changes in their health insurance premiums. The current debate in Washington only affects temporary ACA marketplace subsidies that help a small share of insured residents. Medicare, Medicaid, and employer-based coverage remain stable. Even if enhanced subsidies expire, higher rates would impact only some ACA enrollees. For most Americans, coverage and costs will stay the same. Learn more at CaesarRodney.org.

Delaware’s students are in crisis. New national and state test results show steep declines in reading and math proficiency — only 41% of students meet reading standards and 34% meet math. Teachers are overburdened with nonacademic duties, while programs meant to close achievement gaps show little progress. Delaware must urgently refocus on classroom instruction, evidence-based reading, and teacher support to restore literacy, accountability, and student success.

 A bill sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, Senate Bill 165, titled "An Act to Amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code Relating to Student Improvement Component," has just passed in the Delaware General Assembly. The bill requires the Delaware Department of Education to pilot a new method of teacher evaluation that allows teachers to choose how they are evaluated and considers factors that may negatively affect student performance, such as student absences, noncompliance, or a lack