Bond Bill panel ponders how to divvy up extra funds

By Jen Rini
Delaware State News
June 18, 2013

DOVER — Lawmakers on the Bond Bill Committee have an extra pot of money to work with, but their list of additional capital projects may prove to be problematic to fund.

Numbers from the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council’s June report, coupled with $24.5 million in bond premium and reversions and a leftover $4.3 million from the Joint Finance Committee’s budget, dropped $50.1 million theoretically into the committee’s hands. However, the governor’s administration proposed project funding with $41.4 million of those additional funds — leaving only $8.7 million for legislators to fund a list of nearly 50 projects.

The project request list amounts to around $28 million and includes funding for Killens Pond Water Park, residence renovation costs for Delaware State University and funding for a new Family Court building in Sussex County.

The options include whittling down the list of projects or slicing some of the recommendations the governor has made, which encompass dividing funding toward capital needs for the Port of Wilmington, Open Space, Farmland Preservation and the state’s casinos as well as the Transportation Trust Fund.

Read entire article HERE>>>