Delaware's Democrats
by Sharleen Copeland

Delaware, what a state so small in area and population, but so prolific in history and affluence.  Delaware is literally called ''The First State.''  It was the first state to ratify the Constitution in 1787.  Delaware has a population of 724,842 which makes it the fifth smallest state in the United States Of America.  The state's area is the second smallest.  Delaware is also known to be the nation's Presidential bellwether  because it has voted for every winner starting in 1952.  In Delaware's General Assembly the upper chamber the Senate has twenty one members  in which the party's majority is Democratic.  In the Lower chamber the House Of Representatives there are forty one members and the majority is Republican.  There is also one Representative for Delaware in Congress which is a Republican.  Delaware has always been recognized as affluent.  Two-thirds of the people live in upscale cobblestone suburban areas.  Delaware's 'well to do' economic status was started by the wealthy family the Du Pont's. The state has been noticed due to the Du Pont's success in Delaware.             In Delaware the Democratic Governor Tom Carper has made many accomplishments for the Democratic party, and for his state.  One issue of great importance is education. Education receives most of the state government expenditures.  $1,326.45  (per capita).  Carper helped push for school choice and charter schools to give parents greater flexibility in educating their children.  He increased state funding for textbooks and classroom materials by twenty five percent and dedicated thirty million for improving school technology.            Governor Carper also helped to strengthen families and to reform welfare.  He set strict time limits on welfare payments and required recipients to work and keep their children in school.  He also reduced the welfare rolls by helping nearly 5,000 welfare recipients go to work.  Carper won national acclaim for child support enforcement, with record collections of more than $130 million since 1993.  He also discouraged teen pregnancy through a ''family cap'' and prevention efforts.              The issue of healthcare for all people of the state was very important to Governor Carper.  Carper eliminated the waiting list for subsidized child care, which saw 1,750 waiting for reliable child care.  Families no longer had to choose between going to work or keeping health care.  He also helped to extend coverage for the poor, which has assisted 20,000 working poor since 1993.  Governor Carper also helped kids from families without coverage earning between one hundred and two hundred percent of poverty  become eligible to participate in a good, comprehensive plan of health care (known as the Delaware Healthy children program) for as little as ten to twenty five dollars per month per family.              Governor Carper did not stop there. He also has made significant changes in taxes for Delaware.  He cut personal taxes twice to put money back in the pockets for every Delaware taxpayer.  He slashed utility and gross receipt taxes for a variety of businesses.  Most working families living in poverty pay no state income taxes until their income exceeds one hundred percent of poverty level    Delaware's property tax is among the lowest in America, and there is no sales tax.  Carpers tax accomplishments are so renowned that a survey of the ''Fortune 100'' ranks Delaware as the best state in which to locate or expand business based on tax policy.             Last but not least is the issue of protecting Delaware's environment.  He helped Delaware's industries to cut toxic air emissions by more than half since 1987.  Delaware has met the strict requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act.  He has cut manufacturing emissions of toxic chemicals into the water by nearly eighty percent.  He also permanently preserved more than 18,700 acres of open space and prime farmland preserved for at least ten years.  Delaware has been named the # 1 state in America for agland preservation.  He also created the 21st Century fund to increase investments in water and waste water facilities and in open space and farmland preservation.  Carper has also been committed to transforming long abandoned industrial wasteland into recreation areas for visitors and the people of Delaware to enjoy.  They also are implementing a ten year action plan to help reduce pollution emptying there bays, and other waterways.