The recently released Transportation Trust Fund Task Force report projects a shortfall of $3.7 billion between spending and revenues over the coming ten years. The danger of not dealing with the shortfall is deterioration in Delaware’s transportation infrastructure and the resulting negative consequences for the state’s economy. The Task Force report is excellent and comprehensive. It recommends both cost containment measures as well as alternative ways to enhance revenue.

The EPA altered regulations to switch to a new class of refrigerants that supposedly reduces global warming. The reality is by 2100 the change will reduce forecasted temperature by 0.001 degree C, but will cost billions, add up to $70 to every new automobile, and increase flammability. Read this report to learn the details.

Snapshot of Delawares economy as of March 2010

The latest report from the nonprofit State Budget Solutions (SBS) estimates Delaware’s outstanding debt to be $14.4 billion. This is four times the state’s current general operating budget of $3.6 billion. SBS aggregates state government debt (Delaware ranks 7 th highest per capita in the nation), unemployment insurance trust fund loans, the current state budget gap, and the unfunded pension and retiree healthcare liabilities. With below average growth forecast for Delawa

The constraining influence of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Committee (DEFAC) has been a major factor in maintaining the state of Delawares high bond ratings. Recently, however, DEFAC has drifted. Over the past decade the mean absolute percentage error in DEFACs one year ahead forecast of revenues has been 4.1% and the two year ahead error has been 6.7%. This is not stellar but is understandable given all the many factors that impact state revenues. And, DEFAC

Should all households of similar income in Delaware be taxed the same?

Senate Bill 205 proposes to confine rent increases to homeowners in manufactured home communities to no more than the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding year. Based upon years of research and experience it is clear what this Bill will achieve. Current owners of manufactured home communities (landlords) in Delaware will begin to save money by cutting back on maintenance costs and other services. They will begin to modify rental contracts to include off the

Reliable, low cost electric power is critical to maintaining economic growth and our quality of life. Life expectancy has doubled, and the economy has grown eight-fold since 1900 with both directly linked to the growth of the electric industry. The effect is being replicated in developing countries today. Even developed countries find every 10% increase in power costs reduces economic growth by 1%, an important fact when most developed countries only grow 2 to 3% a year long

*as first published in the News Journal Dec. 16, 2013 Upwind power plants are not causing significant pollution in Delaware or in other mid-Atlantic and Northeast states as is commonly believed. For the first time, Delaware will meet all air-quality standards this year. It is time to celebrate the progress we have made in reducing air pollution and to move on to other problems instead of worrying about what other states are doing. The primary remaining emission source for n

Voluntary universal curbside recycling does offer the possibility to provide a distinct fee for the service and remove most of the hidden cost for recycling from DSWA. The recommendations in this paper would allow DSWA to significantly lower the 35% price increase now planned for July, 2010.