Delaware’s Governor says his job is about “jobs, schools, and smart spending”

Delaware Governor Jack Markell, appearing on WHYY’s Radio Times with Marty Moss- Coane, says his administration is all about “jobs, schools, and smart spending.” 

Markell said he is optimistic about the future for the First State, despite challenges facing the nation economically.

“We’re not immune to what’s going on in the national economy, for sure,”  the Governor said.  He added that the state is “incredibly focused, more focused I would bet than just about anybody, in how we bring more jobs and better jobs to our state.”

Markell talked about the effort that resulted in the recent announcement to bring Bloom Energy to the developing science and technology park the University of Delaware is creating at the former Chrysler assembly plant in Newark.  The company’s fuel-cell facility would bring about 900 jobs, with an additional 600 jobs possible through its suppliers.

The Governor also said he was concerned about the political partisanship in Washington.  “Right now the partisanship, the bickering, the rancor between the parties is terrible,” Markell said.  “Not that we’re perfect in Delaware, but I think we do try to work together for the most part, putting partisanship aside when it comes to doing what’s right for our state.”

Delaware was also one of the initial states to win a $119-million Race to the Top education grant last year.  Markell said the state is utilizing that funding to bring about innovative teacher development programs, specialized coaches for school principals, and making it possible for every high school junior to take the SAT test.