Why Should Delaware Care?
On Wednesday, Governor-elect Matt Meyer gave his first live interview since winning the election, and openly discussed his beliefs on a wide range of topics just days before the General Assembly returns and he takes the oath of office.
Governor-elect Matt Meyer vowed to “protect people” but stopped short of pledging to make Delaware a sanctuary state for undocumented Delawareans under the second administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to enact mass deportations nationwide.
Trump has detailed plans to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military to carry out widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants — a sweeping action that could come in the first hours of his presidency on Jan. 20.
Meyer pledged to protect Delawareans Wednesday but remained vague in his response to a question about whether he would issue an executive order declaring Delaware a “sanctuary state,” which are states with laws or policies that limit cooperation with federal authorities carrying out immigration enforcement.
“We’re going to protect people,” Meyer said. “We’ll have no tolerance for anyone in Delaware going door-to-door or looking for people who are doing no wrong, doing nothing but trying to feed their family, and trying to send them away.”
The comments are among the most decisive rhetoric heard from the governor-elect about the incoming Trump administration, and its implications for undocumented Delawareans since the 2024 presidential election.
Meyer will become governor one day after Trump ascends to the presidency for the second time. Meyer’s comments came during Spotlight Delaware’s Legislative Summit at Delaware State University in Dover, where he gave his first live interview since being elected governor.
The event brought together lawmakers, advocates, leaders and First State residents to preview priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which convenes on Tuesday. Panelists — including Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown and outgoing Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Robert Coupe — discussed housing, education and marijuana regulation.
During a “fireside chat” with Spotlight Delaware Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens, Meyer spoke candidly about becoming a Democratic governor during a Trump presidency and laid out the priorities for his tenure, including a possible change to tax brackets. Education, housing and health care are all top of mind for the former New Castle County executive, who is considered a political outsider by many established statehouse lawmakers.
Leadership at a crossroads
Meyer will assume the state’s highest office at a time when Delaware’s political leadership is changing at every level. By February, Delawareans will have a new president, governor, U.S. senator, U.S. congresswoman and General Assembly leadership.
Delaware’s recently elected members to the U.S. Congress are making history. Rep. Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender member of Congress, and Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester became the first Black woman to serve in both chambers of Congress.
With national and state politics venturing into unprecedented territory, Meyer described it as a “scary time” in our country but in an emotional moment of the interview he doubled down on his commitment to protect Delawareans.
“This is kind of a scary time for the country right now, and we’re a part of that country,” Meyer said. “If things start to go off the rails a little bit, state government is going to be more important than ever before in making sure we protect people.”
Meyer described being an elected official during a Trump administration as “no cup of tea,” referencing his time as county executive during Trump’s first term. Nonetheless, Meyer reiterated that he’s willing to work with Trump if he brings value and opportunity to the First State.
Meyer acknowledged the troubled state of the U.S. immigration system and said his administration will do whatever it can to partner to make sure borders are secure and that people living without authorization have a pathway to citizenship.
“I didn’t vote for (Trump) but I don’t care, I’m working with him if it’s going to help people in this room and across our state,” Meyer said.
Education, budget, medical school discussed
A new Secretary of Education could be announced in the coming days, according to Meyer. Meyer, who previously taught middle school math in Wilmington, said he’s looking for someone who’s been an educator and has real interest in diving in and doing “really hard things.”
The incoming secretary would enter the role at a time when the educational funding system in Delaware may be overhauled. Meyer has detailed plans to reform the education funding system to conform more closely with a 2023 American Institutes for Research (AIR) report in order to address disparities and distribute funds to students who need them the most.
The analysis recommended that the state increase annual spending by as much as $1 billion to meet its proficiency goals in 2030. Meyer also reiterated his pledge to increase teacher salaries in order to address the ongoing teacher shortage in the state.
“There’s a lot of money in this system that’s not getting to classrooms and not getting to where we need it to go,” Meyer said. “If it costs money to make sure kids are reading, we’re going to find the money to make sure kids can read.”
Additionally, Meyer expressed interest in possibly changing the income tax bracket ranges and possibly raising taxes for high-earners in order to fund some of the state’s initiatives. There’s a place for certain tax brackets and income sectors to pay different amounts, Meyer said.
“I don’t think it’s right that Delaware families making $70,000 a year pay the same tax rate as Delaware families making $70 million a year,” Meyer said.
The incoming Meyer administration will retain a considerable amount of outgoing Gov. John Carney’s recommended 2026 budget, but changes will be made, he said. The governor-elect will also inherit a $469.2 million Budget Stabilization Fund, a tranche of money created by Carney to stow away for emergencies — an idea that Meyer is not a fan of.
Meyer expressed his disapproval of collecting excess revenue and saving it for a rainy day, especially when a lot of residents are already experiencing financial hardships, he said. The amount that residents pay in taxes should mirror the amount that the state spends, not more, Meyer added.
“It’s a rainy day if you can’t afford childcare for your kids,” Meyer said. “If we’re going to hold on to (excess funds), I’d rather (Delawareans) hold on to it.”
Additionally, Meyer doubled down on his commitment to bring a medical school to Delaware, which is one of only three states without one. Meyer will take steps early in his administration to bring in a school and address the health care inequalities seen in Sussex County.
Meyer also suggested having the state fund the creation of more residency slots to address the pressing health needs and workforce shortages.
The post Governor-elect Meyer discusses Trump, taxes, health care appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.