First Annual Report Card on Delaware Governance: CRI Gives out Four F's     "It was important to evaluate these issues in a familiar format like a report card where Delawareans can clearly see how bad it really is and why CRI's work is so important. Delaware really deserves better."   -John R. Toedtman, Executive Director       NEWARK, DE (February 21, 2023) - The Caesar Rodney Institute releases its First Annual Report Card on Delaware Governance for 2022. The report card evaluates seven critical segments of Delaware life that show the state is failing in key areas and is trending in the wr...[read more]

Increased Education Spending not producing Educated Students By Dr. Tanya Hettler, Ph.D. Center for Education Excellence December 30, 2022     In the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data from 2020, as provided in the report "K-12 Education Spending Spotlight: An in-depth look at school finance data and trends" released by the Reason Foundation, Delaware ranked 13th in the nation in the increase in education spending over the period from 2002-2020. This reflects an increase in Delaware per pupil spending of 29% from $13,387 to $17,235 (inflation-adjusted).   A Closer Look into Delaware's Education Spending   Table 1 below is a...[read more]

Delaware's 204.07% Personal Income Tax rate harms small business owners By Charlie Copeland, Director  Center for Analysis of Delaware's Economy & Government Spending April 25, 2022     Several decades ago, Delaware instituted a gross receipts tax, aka Delaware's hidden sales tax, that is applied to the business rather than the consumer. When instituted, the tax was meant to be temporary to handle a budget shortfall.   So, why does Delaware still impose this tax when 45 other states have repealed it? A gross receipts tax (GRT) is a horrible public policy.   This tax on Delaware'...[read more]

Delaware needs a "tax-free carbon holiday" to review RGGI's wasteful program By David T. Stevenson  Center for Energy & Environmental Policy April 6, 2022     You may not be aware that Delaware has a tax on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. In 2009 power companies were required to start buying allowances from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program to emit carbon dioxide. The allowance cost was added to electric bills but was hidden from customers.   So far, under the RGGI program, Delaware has received $187 million in revenue, and as much as $100 million may ...[read more]