[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6303983,"mediaKeyId","2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c","parentId",2469384,"title","Senior centers warn reimbursement shortfalls threaten transportation services; rail safety advocates seek more education funding","audioSeconds",1057,"startMs",15175000,"endMs",16232000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c&start=15175&end=16232","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c/thumbnail_15175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303983/Delaware/Senior-centers-warn-reimbursement-shortfalls-threaten-transportation-services-rail-safety-advocates-seek-more-education-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303983-0003997a8d34967e23e033d64785d1f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934041&Signature=L6n5yeg0BvkqiYhgOb9E5DjCr8Jx8Wb9x-FYlJ5sgRDyB6pQnunZ5Ipfn0J1hCoqMpX5cVsSkdwLp6A7UCZSk-1QUB~1S4nOlsa3NVAfd6f0sBQX~6mbZ-xYoKShO50DA0XeqhvhJ6nlwMApMsoxqAccVWjRn5DToQ288pWcZQs3nSBjSRi9nnWJkwB~j0db4JiU5yAwWjuyB~BPy9RpJrn-SfErnFMlpUDn6pQ1HiHkVl3Pzcap7uqHav3fR2P2Jh6mr2X4vxdODeCuwyM0uFsdguy1L7~9C8GlxTbhoFvW9~4OaGyHdvgVEKY5vF5-~mjTf9nmia386ctkqWkeBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Delaware Legislaure","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple Kent and Sussex County senior centers told the Joint Finance Committee that current reimbursement levels and irregular payments for locally provided transportation services are unsustainable and could force service reductions.

Carolyn Fredericks of the Modern Maturity Center in Kent County said the center faces a suspension of services unless payments arrive on schedule; reported unpaid months total several thousand dollars and the center’s average cost per trip was listed in materials at $22.65. Jessica Kidwell, executive director of the Mimi A. Warren Senior Center in Smyrna, said reimbursements arrive sporadically and that the center covered roughly $81,000 in transportation costs without reimbursement during the prior year; she described a mismatch between the program’s intended monthly payments and the reality of three to five lump payments per year.

Amy Waltz, executive director of the Milford Senior Center, said the program’s reimbursements fell 39% short of the center’s requested amount for the current fiscal year and warned the center will run out of funds by April without additional support. Karen Krause of the Harrington Senior Center described ongoing membership growth and the need for another bus; the center reports delays on a received bus award and a shortfall in operating reimbursement.

Several senior‑center witnesses urged the committee to stabilize and increase the annual appropriation that supports senior center transportation. Committee members said they would consult with DelDOT and the Delaware Transit Corporation on the reimbursement schedule and the mechanics of DTC‑administered reimbursement programs.

Rail safety advocates and Operation Lifesaver representatives also addressed the committee. Stacy Inglis, executive director of the Delaware Safety Council (which now administers Operation Lifesaver statewide), and Crystal Blasius, the council’s rail‑safety chair, asked for funding to expand rail‑safety education to schoolchildren, bus drivers and first responders. They noted there are more than 400 at‑grade rail crossings statewide and said classroom and first‑responder training reduces risk around crossings and rail incidents. Barons Emery of a regional freight operator reiterated employer support and described industry and first‑responder training work under way.

Committee members asked DelDOT and DTC staff to identify the payment schedule constraints and explore whether the senior‑center reimbursement program can be made more regular and predictable. Lawmakers emphasized that reliable transportation is essential for seniors to access medical appointments and other services.

No formal committee action was recorded during public comment; the committee asked agency staff and budget officers to follow up and return with options to stabilize funding and timeliness of payments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Finance Committee Meeting Thursday, Feb 27, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:55 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Directors from multiple Delaware senior centers told the Joint Finance Committee that reimbursement shortfalls and irregular payments for locally run transportation services are forcing centers to cover large deficits and could lead to service suspensions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature DE Collection, Legislative, Delaware","taxId",77708,"location","Delaware","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6303988,"DelDOT projects tighten as fuel‑tax prospects and paving backlog reshape FY26 plan",4795,10332000,15127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c&start=10332&end=15127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c/thumbnail_10332000.jpg","/articles/6303988/Delaware/DelDOT-projects-tighten-as-fueltax-prospects-and-paving-backlog-reshape-FY26-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303988-b280d739869b11d3cca1828756b0f483/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934041&Signature=DAQA6QSWA7WlhxJXX0iLQFkA45rKgps~-AcDqXrBtZn0bFtLo1yH0jvukEtSY5W2X~CxucqyBZY1Jbi~Uh-iQ6MmKOrA4bd9gzNSQmGSkCiPbAsNRKduj8BbeJ97q4~PBnRYili3SB4EyaY2nROQ4cDmalBLeg8c4Uzfi54L15wmtAwtQBr-tKPqXJ2fJ1TZIYL3SKgkCMkr81ADU1appEofJEYG01RMNhUh0-z5q5poWmQv--6pieaD2tfongI6lKCp897w00YQY3wXJEer8ZtemKjcw1i-eoG~Ri3FIUJ99n0~cHmhyB2WYpamH9azinZ0oHpnsy7Ww4J7qk2fwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Transportation told the Joint Finance Committee the state’s transportation finances will face pressure in coming years from stagnant motor‑fuel tax receipts and rising operating costs, and presented a FY2026 operating request that totals about $464.7 million.

A senior DelDOT presenter (identified in the hearing as the department secretary) summarized the department’s mission and highlighted safety priorities including median barriers, pedestrian improvements and additional work‑zone speed enforcement. The department reported fiscal‑year totals showing roughly $1.05 billion in Trust Fund sources, with revenues coming from tolls, motor fuel tax, DMV receipts and federal sources.

DelDOT’s operating budget request includes debt service, the Delaware Transit Corporation operating subsidy, personnel costs and operating adjustments. The agency said its FY26 recommended operating request is $464.7 million — a year‑over‑year operational increase of about 1.7 percent after accounting for contract settlements, debt service changes (including scheduled increases tied to US‑301 financing) and other adjustments presented to the committee.

Lawmakers pressed DelDOT on several fronts: staffing and recruitment, DMV transaction backlogs, plan‑review fees, neighborhood paving priorities and the department’s long‑term revenue outlook.

On staffing, DelDOT reported vacancy rates that vary by function — equipment operators, mechanics, engineers, DMV front‑line staff and transit drivers — and described recruitment programs, expanded internship pipelines and classification reviews to improve retention and pay competitiveness. The department said it converted many casual seasonal positions but did not proceed with further casual‑to‑full‑time conversions after the governor’s operating guidance limited new recurring operating spending.

DMV: DelDOT officials said they have substantially reduced dealer‑title processing delays and expanded an online portal for dealers. Average in‑office DMV wait time was presented at roughly 27 minutes, with work under way to expand online services and mobile “DMV on the Go” events.

Plan review and fees: The State Fire Marshal and the department each discussed plan‑review user fees. DelDOT briefers noted those fees and a long‑standing $25 permit cap for some categories date to older legislation; DelDOT and several legislators urged a statutory review because the $25 cap has not kept pace with administrative costs. The department also noted that some classes of applicants (schools, local governments and others) are statutorily exempt from plan‑review fees.

Paving and capital: DelDOT said the statewide neighborhood paving program (SSPMF) has funded hundreds of locations and that after the current fiscal year the department expects to have addressed the worst (very poor) corridors. The department also described a $575 million FY26 capital program request that covers the largest projects in the Transportation Trust Fund. Officials said some capital timing has been stretched because of operating pressures in previous years.

Transit and clean‑fuels investments: DelDOT and the Delaware Transit Corporation described ongoing work to add battery and hydrogen buses and related charging and hydrogen facilities. John Sisson of DTC discussed an awarded Federal Transit Administration grant to build a microgrid at the Dover garage: solar panels plus battery storage to charge electric buses and reduce energy cost volatility.

Revenue outlook: Presenters noted the motor‑fuel tax is flat in their near‑term projection and that increased fuel efficiency and adoption of alternative vehicles will reduce fuel‑tax receipts over time unless the state takes action. DelDOT intends to pursue a mix of options — revenue adjustments and capital‑program prioritization — and said it will present legislative options and finance alternatives for consideration.

Committee members asked about speed‑camera warnings, E‑ZPass vendor performance, the toll stabilization fund (DelDOT said the Route‑1 toll stabilization fund will be fully funded in FY26), and planned microtransit service expansions. The department agreed to follow up with committee staff on several items, including the distribution of exempt plan reviews and details about specific project timelines.","Delaware Department of Transportation officials told the Joint Finance Committee they face longer‑term revenue pressures from declining fuel revenues, requested a $464.7 million FY26 operating plan and outlined capital priorities including neighborhood paving, microtransit expansion and electric bus microgrids.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6303993,"Delaware National Guard highlights deployments, cyber and recruiting gains as FY26 requests filed",775,6686000,7461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c&start=6686&end=7461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c/thumbnail_6686000.jpg","/articles/6303993/Delaware/Delaware-National-Guard-highlights-deployments-cyber-and-recruiting-gains-as-FY26-requests-filed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303993-af6f7c8f47f70b62a4d8a5d827efe4a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934041&Signature=dHeoWM-EQizLHQkNikmUoZj5~FC9ZSlBpcqavjbj~a7H9uUxQ5C6dXvjOlv1pAhhqwsTlWGJUoN0yOWQd5grCEvlW~z8-C4KcvXOjnB4UBrWYYpFYvZeHsri-3sqX6P0rvRlPHtELFn2os1Zfm~J956mCHJSaX2xWEEJ0-zgC2SfjbG3CQDI~7qCdDC7yBzrZBV47tWrvkewTmS5N4nb2vhNnSLQG7fEOvAUbfSfpMjVKRwXrbp82vVXCXAbiPqkMUEBMvtTJWlpv4c52ab57fep1oj4cxfI2ExAnP-SriAQc5aZehWwRN28e326XCXlXdvlfA19Oe8vRBgIPLJ~kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delaware National Guard told the Joint Finance Committee it remains largely federally funded but asked the state for a small set of targeted FY2026 additions to support state operations and recruiting. The Guard also reviewed a year of deployments, domestic responses and training partnerships.

A senior official identified in the hearing as “the General” said the Guard maintained dual missions of federal deployments overseas and state emergency response. He said roughly 30 soldiers and 21 airmen were still mobilized at the time of the hearing and that the Guard responded rapidly to a Category‑3 hurricane threat in Florida, preparing a 25‑mile convoy that was recalled before it reached the staging area. The General recapped 94 days of state active duty between July and December to provide cyber protection and election systems support, performed jointly with state agencies including the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and Department of Elections.

The presentation highlighted the 30th Civil Support Team’s role in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive response, and the unit’s six mission responses and multiple training events in 2024. The Guard’s aviation and fire and emergency services units also reported deployments and training exchanges, and Guard members supported domestic missions such as a controlled burn to extinguish smoldering hay bales affecting air quality.

On recruiting, the Guard described the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (“JEEP”), launched in 2023, which pays monetary incentives to service members who provide leads that result in enlistments. Guard presenters said JEEP generated 104 enlistments from referred leads and has become an important retention and recruiting tool. The Guard also cited a cadet program that serves at‑risk high school students and noted several cadets plan to enlist.

The Guard submitted two small state “door‑openers” for consideration: $43,000 to support ongoing operations at a pandemic‑readiness center in New Castle, and $27,000 to cover partial annualized salary costs for an administrative officer added in FY2025. The Guard also requested a 1% increase for education assistance ($59,000) to support tuition reimbursement used as a recruiting and retention tool.

Lawmakers asked about costs associated with high‑profile federal travel and other missions; the Guard said many mission costs are federally funded and agreed to provide clarifying detail when requested. The Guard emphasized authorized strength near 100% for both Army and Air components, and said maintaining end strength is critical to securing federal funding and sustaining operational commitments.

The committee did not take an immediate vote on the Guard’s state requests; presenters said they would provide follow‑up details as requested.","The Delaware National Guard briefed the Joint Finance Committee on FY2026 needs and recent activity: hurricane response convoys, election cyber support, state partnership training, recruiting incentives and a small set of state budget door‑openers focused on operations and education assistance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6303998,"Fire Prevention Commission outlines staffing, equipment and background‑check costs, cites unfunded items",4253,1900000,6153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c&start=1900&end=6153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469384-add4f74a6f033e34f6f032fa69ec1e2c/thumbnail_1900000.jpg","/articles/6303998/Delaware/Fire-Prevention-Commission-outlines-staffing-equipment-and-backgroundcheck-costs-cites-unfunded-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303998-798c7ab4feb3dc36261f9d136483986d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934041&Signature=mVZib3K0BH62QzuFRoDjI9HsZ0xMde1FB7DFMYHpa3--e9yvhxWBk925u4JCTzkbAErLYEfvwGtng3TBMrWgYsPjb4AU09JnauwCPp8-hjKGopXYrtueZzNJspVtcfYDc-TZPvRRttZoGYx3Esev1mV-MrsQPiDN-4422iUE-irH~VLQkU4ZsQdHV25mOjkIHD1IMicuI32IC5OCZ~sQQaEdg9ojp8pvPJIZR23SQXr0ZHBFuR9Ywf~5NjwXY5zkGqGmKkzZDThHDPrrt~jVbPkwi7w9sqj~q~lTaQYlbroA5LCq9x20PfezTRmpJZbjkO~ulU1PVhGAJ-j9chk3BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission and Delaware State Fire School presented a FY2026 budget request to the Joint Finance Committee that included multiple personnel additions, new equipment and recurring operating requests — many of which the governor’s budget did not recommend.

The commission’s chairman, Ron Marble, told the committee the supplemental requests reflect items the joint sunset review identified and a previous law that “did not get funded adequately” during the enactment process. He introduced State Fire Marshal John Rudd and Fire School Director Tucker Dempsey as agency witnesses.

The agency detailed personnel requests for the State Fire Marshal’s office that would add or reclassify positions to expand inspections, investigations and supervisory capacity. John Rudd told the committee the marshal’s legal duties are codified in “title 16 chapter 66,” and described plan‑review and inspection workloads that have risen with development. The packet presented to lawmakers listed requests including: one new supervisory fire protection specialist ($102,100, not recommended), additional fire protection specialist 1 positions ($155,600, not recommended), a deputy fire marshal 1 ($98,800, not recommended) and two investigator 2 positions to support ambulance licensing, inspections and investigations (amounts listed in the briefing).

Tucker Dempsey outlined State Fire School requests and performance trends. The school asked for an administrative specialist 3 to handle increased fiscal and certification paperwork after the school raised required training hours and expanded national certification work. Dempsey said the school’s EMT pass rates and industrial training contracts have improved, and he highlighted a pending Department of Labor grant to build burn training facilities in Sussex and Newcastle counties.

Committee members pressed agency witnesses about House Bill 411 (often read in the transcript as “4 11”), the background‑check law lawmakers passed for firefighters. Marble and Rudd said the law’s implementation created new costs and administrative work that were not included in the bill’s original funding. Representative Short, identified in the hearing as the bill’s sponsor, and other legislators described work to re‑draft implementing language to meet federal requirements and reduce the risk that volunteers would be deterred. Rudd and staff said the upfront estimate for an implemented background‑check program could be “less than… $100,000” per year, and that the State Fire Commission currently processes background checks in a locked, audited file system.

Agency requests also included a $40,000 wellness and resiliency outreach program (recommended in the governor’s budget) and a $37,000 one‑time House Bill 101 request for emergency training equipment for the Fire School (recommended). Several other operating or one‑time items — from fleet and radio funding to a $100,000 request for investigative laser scanners and a modest companion‑dog care allowance — were listed as not recommended in the governor’s budget.

Marble and Rudd said the requests stem partly from a recent joint sunset review that recommended expanded staffing and operational resources for investigations, inspection and certification. Several legislators asked whether the background‑check requirement would reduce volunteer recruitment; Rudd and commission staff said they have not seen evidence of a recruitment slowdown and emphasized confidentiality and a case review process that the commission administers, including FBI and SBI audit trails.

The hearing did not produce a committee vote; agency representatives left the committee with an updated list of requests and follow‑up items lawmakers asked staff to research.

The commission’s materials to the committee list multiple specific line items and whether the governor recommended them; those detailed line items remain the authoritative source for exact counts and amounts.

The commission and fire school also described outreach and training partnerships (including work with local volunteer organizations and industrial customers) and said they will continue to pursue federal grants and private partnerships to cover some program costs.

Requests to the committee included both recurring FTE requests and one‑time equipment funding; the governor’s recommended budget did not include many of the recurring FTE items, according to the agency’s presentation.","Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission and State Fire School leaders told the Joint Finance Committee they face staffing and equipment shortfalls tied to a recent sunset review, cited an unfunded background‑check law (House Bill 411) and asked for multiple personnel and one‑time equipment allocations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senior centers warn reimbursement shortfalls threaten transportation services; rail safety advocates seek more education funding

DelDOT projects tighten as fuel‑tax prospects and paving backlog reshape FY26 plan

Delaware National Guard highlights deployments, cyber and recruiting gains as FY26 requests filed

Fire Prevention Commission outlines staffing, equipment and background‑check costs, cites unfunded items