"Thank You"

Since November 1988, I have enjoyed the high honor and special privilege of serving voters of the 17th Senatorial District. I consider this level of public service one of the highest honors anyone could ever enjoy and hope for. In all sincerity, I appreciate the trust, confidence and support bestowed upon me by both the voters and that of my colleagues in both chambers. Recently, I announced my intention not to seek reelection, and though I still enjoy good health and care deeply about "giving back", it is time for me to concentrate more time and energy on my business and other pursuits.

Over the past 20 years, I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve, in a bi-partisan manner, with many distinguished individuals, including but not limited to: four (4) Governors (Castle, Wolf, Carper, & Minner), as well as a multitude of local, county, and municipal government leaders, appointed and elected, and many others. During this time we forged many alliances, sincere friendships, and together, on behalf of the voters, we achieved many accomplishments. I should also mention, with regret, that some of my closest Senate and House members are no longer with us due to retirements, disabilities, and deaths.

The Past:_____________________________________________________________

When I entered the public service arena (Nov.1988) there were substantial challenges and opportunities before us. Our campaign enjoyed a tremendous amount of support and help from a diverse and wide variety of persons from all walks of life, all party affiliations, and from all segments of our community, from charitable and volunteer organizations to churches to Little Leagues to Volunteer Firemen…and more. Today, I humbly say to our supporters "thank you for this opportunity to serve".

Back in the 1980s, there was no state retirees' post-retirement fund, no state funded paramedic service, no para-transit service, no pharmacy assistance for the disabled and seniors, and no veterans home. The state had minimal involvement over land use issues and rapid growth of our beloved Delaware was about to emerge.

We had 95,000 public school students, and student performance, based on national education indicators, was mediocre. Previous education reform efforts, however well intentioned, consisted of much talk, some action, and too little progress. Past reform efforts, even with greater funding, were without basic change, or new initiatives were inadequately funded and implemented in an ad hoc manner without lasting change nor positive results. Vo-Tech schools were shared, part-time institutions. Charter schools and public school Choice did not exist.

Rising healthcare costs and coverage accessibility were twin challenges facing leaders in all levels of government. In 1992, one of Kent County's premier employers, Dover Downs enterprises was down to 35 employees and on the verge of closing its racetracks. This would have undoubtedly imperiled future Dover NASCAR races and potentially caused multi-million dollar negative impacts to both Kent County and the state. At the same time, the economy was ebbing and a recession was underway. Playtex thought about leaving. Delaware State University (DSU) was a college with outdated facilities and a new president, William DeLauder was making changes.

The Present:__________________________________________________________

Today we have about 125,000 public school students including full-time Vo-Tech and increasing numbers of new charter schools as well as public school choice. Throughout the 1990s, education curriculums and standards were realigned and revised. New accountability measures were put in place. Change continues with the contemplation of Vision 2015. Some of those possible changes would be: a new statewide assessment system scheduled to replace the existing testing (DSTP) and to provide immediate scores and next day online diagnostic reports for teachers, thereby increasing actual classroom instruction time and more.

We expanded healthcare access and affordability in measured doses vis-à-vis our participation in the federal Medicaid program, from 80,000 enrollees to over 135,000 enrollees today. We also assisted with the establishment and funding of basic community and school district healthcare clinics. Yet much remains to be accomplished as healthcare spending is approaching 18% of our national GNP.

In 1993 we narrowly passed Video Slots legislation aimed specifically to rescue 3 existing racetracks and the state share of revenues flowed in beyond anyone's anticipation. DSU moved from a run-down campus to a beautiful reinvigorated campus under President DeLauder. DSU's campus master plan was implemented, faculty degree requirements were raised materially, DSU's state bond bill allocations soared, and a beautiful campus transformation was implemented…and is ongoing. Key legislation was passed which authorized new dorms to be built and DSU gained university status. DSU was on the move and still is.

Kent County economic development moved forward in a positive fashion: our Downtown Dover Main Street program started and continues, our civilian and DAFB joint-use aviation relationship and our Kent County civil air terminal continue to meet increasing aviation and NASCAR needs. The state bought the Garrison tract ($2 million) and transferred ownership to the City of Dover for future economic development. DAFB provides nearly a $480 million annual impact to our state, and the city and state relationship with DAFB has never been better. They and our valued DE Air National Guard are highly valued and form a strong team.

In the mid-1990s several major insurers disenrolled over 10,000 Delawareans from their Medicare HMO programs, and the State of Delaware responded quickly. Now over 8,000 of our low-income elderly and under age 65 disabled citizens enjoy valuable, affordable pharmacy assistance funded in part by the proceeds of our Tobacco Master Settlement agreement. I am most proud of this achievement as I co-authored and co-prime sponsored this legislation. Additionally, to assist our seniors, the legislature reduced local property taxes by 50%, up to $500 annually.

During this period, personal income taxes (PIT) have decreased and have remained at their lowest levels since the 1970s. Our state bond rating improved from double A (AA) to triple A (AAA) and remains at that level. We increased standard deductions, increased targeted tax credits, and combined with compressed tax brackets, we thereby removed nearly 30,000 persons from our state income tax system. Since 1989, combined total tax cuts returned nearly $250 million annually to taxpayers and businesses.

The Future:___________________________________________________________

The state's current financial future, compared to other states, is better off than most. However we need more "real" spending reforms and restraints as our growing state revenue needs and expenses outlook is daunting. The next economic downturn will be very challenging, yet I remain confident our state's bi-partisan attitude and civility will prevail, the turbulence of another election will fade, and the next legislature will find equitable ways to address the challenges and opportunities before us. But major stormy clouds loom ahead of us.

The last two (2) administrations (and the legislature) have ballooned state "operating budget" spending from $1 billion to nearly $3.5 billion and self-imposed spending restraint and real performance measures are lacking. Based on the report of a recent Del DOT study committee documenting needs on infrastructure, continued growth, and other variables, our Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) remains materially under-funded, despite the infusion of $900 million new revenues. The TTF still needs another estimated $600+ million in sustainable funds in order to address past, current, and projected transportation deficiencies and increasing related TTF expenses such as paving, road rehabilitation, new road studies and construction, bridges, drainage, salaries of employees, etc.

Our Capital Bond Bill (BB) needs are greatly outpacing available funding, and recently-passed school referenda may consume most of future bond bill appropriations if funding increases and/or changes are not implemented promptly. From the mid-1990s to 2005, state surpluses were shifted to the BB to avoid debt service and meet capital needs. However, in the foreseeable future, cash surpluses are not anticipated. So projects will be seriously delayed, deferred, or even cancelled. To further exacerbate the state's financial picture, other strains on our operating and capital budgets continue.

Required current and future state retiree healthcare funding will require about $185 million annual funding, over 25 years, in order to fiscally assure retirees and rating agencies that future healthcare costs are properly accounted for and projected healthcare expenses will be covered. New nearby slots competition will cut into our current and future state lottery revenues, and our manufacturing base, as in other states, continues to decline.

In closing, while substantial challenges loom again, a lot of very good changes have occurred and, working together, more can be accomplished.

I thank you for the honor and opportunity to serve.

John Still