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Governor Hall-Long urges collaboration, highlights state achievements in address to General Assembly
Summary
Governor Hall-Long delivered remarks to a joint session of the General Assembly, urging presence, bipartisanship and continued investment in housing, education, healthcare and workforce supports; she thanked colleagues, staff and family and encouraged members to work across differences.
Governor Hall-Long addressed members of the House and Senate after the joint session convened, offering advice to new and returning legislators and highlighting accomplishments from recent terms.
"Being present matters," Governor Hall-Long said, urging legislators to attend, listen and participate in debates. She described the importance of constituent service and noted that "some of the most meaningful work you will ever do . . . won't have a headline," urging members to value behind-the-scenes work that affects families and communities.
The governor referenced bipartisan policy accomplishments and investments, including initiatives to support early learners and childcare, raised educator pay, investments in housing and a program described on the floor as an "AI innovation smart food program" to address food insecurity and reduce waste. She credited the Legislature with helping turn a near-$400 million deficit into what she described on the floor as a $450 million budget stabilization, and thanked members for work on jobs and worker supports during the pandemic.
Hall-Long recognized Speaker Melissa Minor Brown as "a very historic and trailblazing person" and thanked Governor Carney and his staff for their support. She also named her first gentleman, Dane Long, and thanked family, staff and advocates who worked alongside her. She closed by wishing the incoming governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect success, saying, "I wish to our colleagues, ... Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, and our governor-elect Matt Meyer, the best because you, today, are there collectively with the 150 will be successful. Your success is gonna be Delaware's success." She concluded with an appeal for members to work together and a benediction: "May God bless you all, and God bless this wonderful First State."
The remarks were delivered after the joint session certified election results and before the Senate returned to its regular business.
