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DAY ONE PLAN
MIKE RAMONE: A GOVERNOR FOR ALL
MIKE RAMONE’S PLAN FOR A UNIFIED DELAWARE
Delaware has been divided for too long. After 32 years of single-party rule, much of the state has been left behind. For 32 years, we have paid the price of policies that prioritize special interests over the needs of everyday Delawareans. Now is the time for a proven bipartisan leader.
Mike Ramone is running for Governor to represent all of Delaware. He will work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to increase prosperity for all Delawareans. At the end of the day, our government should work for every single one of us. Mike has always done what is right for Delaware, not what was politically expedient, and he will lead with that same commitment to bipartisanship as our next governor.
On Day One, Mike Ramone will:
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Build a cabinet that reflects varying viewpoints.
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Prioritize problem-solving and bipartisan collaboration.
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Engage both Democrats and Republicans for commonsense legislation.
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Foster an environment centered on people, not politics.
A Proven Bipartisan Leader
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As the co-chair of The Small Business Caucus and The Kid’s Caucus, Mike worked with Democratic and Republican legislators alike. He championed the Angel Investor Tax Credit Bill, which, in the years since its passage, has brought a vibrant biotechnology industry to Delaware. Additionally, Mike was the only Republican to support the Marriage Equality and Civil Union Bills, displaying his independence and integrity even in the face of political pressure.
Mike Ramone also supports independent sectors of government, including the Delaware Economic Development Company/Prosperity Partnership, that work in unison to promote bipartisan economic solutions. As Minority Leader, Mike has built a reputation of working with lawmakers on all sides of the aisle to push forward positive solutions for our state. As Governor, Mike will sit down with legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle to open dialogue and foster a collaborative environment that prioritizes Delawareans, not political parties.
A COACH’S APPROACH TO EDUCATION
MIKE RAMONE’S PLAN TO EMPOWER DELAWARE STUDENTS & TEACHERS
Delaware’s education system is drowning. For decades, Mike Ramone has served our community as a swim coach, teacher, and mentor to young people throughout the state. After 32 years of failed leadership, Delaware needs a new coach, someone who understands what it takes to not only stay above water, but to win the race.
Despite having the fourth-highest per capita spending per student, Delaware ranks second to last in quality of education. As Governor, Mike Ramone will create an educational environment that fills every child’s cup. Mike will ensure that every student, no matter their circumstances, has a classroom environment that guarantees success. Mike will accomplish this by ensuring that every dollar spent on our education system makes it into the classroom and is not lost in administration.
On Day 1, Mike Ramone will:
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Increase performance-based incentives for Delaware teachers.
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Re-establish enhanced educational environments for challenged students.
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Expand access to voucher programs for all Delaware families.
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Eliminate Common Core Curriculum that is hurting Delaware students.
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Protect teacher retirement benefits.
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Reconfigure Delaware schools to ensure more money flows into the classroom.
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Stop Social Promotion.
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Incentivizing Delaware Teachers
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Mike Ramone wants to ensure that every teacher is recognized for their accomplishments and create an environment that encourages them to succeed. Mike will offer incentives to teachers whose students demonstrate growth, and to make sure teachers have an even playing field to earn these incentives. Creating an environment that will encourage teachers to focus on student outcomes will ensure that Delaware’s children succeed.​
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Enhancing Educational Environments
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Every child is different and has specific needs – as a parent and grandparent, Mike Ramone knows this all too well. To ensure that every child has their educational needs met, Mike plans to re-establish alternative programs that are better equipped to appropriately accommodate children with specialized mental, physical, or behavioral needs. This will ensure schools have a better distribution of resources to guarantee the success of every child.​​
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Expanding Voucher Programs
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Mike believes that all parents deserve a choice in their child’s education. This choice will be given to parents through vouchers or credits that allow them to choose their child’s educational path. Vouchers will provide individualized education for each child, which will allow children to have a more successful educational experience. No outcomes should be decided solely because of a child’s zip code.​
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Eliminating Common Core
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Mike will eliminate Common Core in order to create an educational environment that plays to each child's strengths. Mike understands that Common Core only produces cookie cutter outcomes, and our children deserve more. As Governor, Mike will empower principals to help parents and teachers personalize their students' education.​​
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Protecting Teacher Benefits
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As a member of Delaware's House of Representatives, Mike served on a committee that helped to protect teachers' retirement plans, and he is not going to stop defending teachers' benefits in the Governor’s office. Delaware needs to be a competitive state that our teachers want to work. By protecting the benefits of our teachers, Delaware will attract the best educators to our state, ensuring that our students will have a higher likelihood of success.​​
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Reconfiguring Delaware Schools
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To ensure that our tax dollars are going directly to the classroom, Mike will reconfigure our school districts where needed, reducing administrative overhead and increasing the amount of money going to students. Mike understands that zip codes should not determine educational outcomes. By assessing and realigning the districts, Mike will create an educational environment that ensures every child has access to quality education that fulfills their specific needs.
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A BUSINESS LEADER FOR DELAWARE
MIKE RAMONE’S ECONOMIC PLAN TO REVITALIZE DELAWARE
For more than four decades, Mike Ramone has been an entrepreneur and job creator, employing hundreds of people throughout Delaware. At a time when hardworking Delaware families are struggling with rising inflation, high interest rates, and a worsening economy, we need a proven executive with the business acumen to get our economy back on track.
Delaware has been under single-party rule for more than 32 years. Now, with Delaware ranking dead last for economic development, Delawareans are hungry for change. Mike's Day 1 economic plan simplifies Delaware's confusing tax code, eliminates Delaware's gross receipts tax, cuts corporate tax rates, and protects our seniors from rising property taxes.
On Day 1, Mike Ramone will revitalize Delaware’s economy by:
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Expanding tax credits for minority entrepreneurs.
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Eliminating Delaware’s gross receipts tax.
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Simplifying Delaware’s tax code by reducing 7 tax brackets to 3.
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Implementing Zero Based Budgeting requirements for Delaware’s government agencies.
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Increasing the senior property tax credit.
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Rollback the real estate transfer tax from 4% to 3%.
Holding Dover Accountable
As Governor, Mike Ramone will work to increase economic development and cut taxes by first fixing our uncontrolled budget growth. By keeping a balanced and economically sound budget, Mike will ensure that legislators will not recklessly spend Delawareans' tax dollars and allow for tax cuts.
Mike will include allocations within this formulaic budget for extraordinary income. Mike is dedicated to developing the Delaware economy through restructuring the budget to decrease taxes and ensure that the taxes collected are spent wisely.
Expanding Opportunities For Minority Communities
Mike Ramone will ensure economic opportunities for all Delawareans, no matter their zip code. To promote homegrown entrepreneurship, Mike will create a joint public-private initiative to increase professional development and economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Mike believes that everyone in Delaware possesses the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to achieve the American Dream and will make sure everyone has the resources to do so.
Mike started his first business at age 20, and knows that the hardworking people around him inspired and encouraged him to take risks. Mike will create a similar atmosphere to encourage economic development in all areas of Delaware – not just the already wealthy ones.
Simplifying Delaware’s Tax Code
Mike Ramone will fight to simplify Delaware’s complex tax code. One of his first initiatives will be to eliminate Delaware’s hidden sales tax, also known as the gross receipts tax. Mike would modify this tax so that it is eliminated over a transitional five-year period, as promised by lawmakers in Dover.
Mike recognizes the fervent and growing real estate market in Delaware. He believes reducing the real estate transfer tax from 4% to 3% is an achievable course of action to produce a robust housing market. Mike is adamant about finding ways to reduce unnecessary costs for Delaware homeowners.
As a business owner, Mike understands the unnecessary number of tax brackets in Delaware. Mike wants to reduce seven brackets to three brackets by consolidating each one into the lower bracket. This reduction results in lower personal income taxes for everyone.
Zero Based Budgeting
As Governor, Mike will advocate for adopting a Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) policy that would reduce frivolous spending and encourage the advancement of the most suitable, efficient, and effective programs.
Delaware’s largest employer is the government—this is unsustainable and irresponsible. We must always remember that every dollar the government spends comes from the pockets of taxpayers. As such, we cannot allow bloated bureaucracies to increase budgets year after year, taking more from the taxpayer and offering less in return.
Protecting Delaware Seniors
Over two years ago, Delaware seniors were promised a tax credit of $100. Due to inflation, that $100 goes nowhere for them. Mike Ramone believes seniors deserve fair compensation beyond the initial amount. Mike would raise the long overdue senior tax credit to $1,000 to best return expenses the State of Delaware has been taking from seniors for years.
Mike’s plan for seniors consists of two parts. First, any senior's home in Delaware that's worth $500,000 or less and lived in for 10 years will get a $1,000 senior tax credit. The second part will freeze the property tax on these houses. Mike understands homeowners cannot control how the market fluctuates the value of their house, and they should not be penalized for it.
A COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY
MIKE RAMONE’S PLAN TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE
After 32 years of single-party rule, violent crime and drugs are running rampant in Delaware. Mike Ramone has the experience needed to turn our state around and make Delaware safe for our families and businesses.
Mike believes that in order for our justice system to work for all Delawareans, it is in desperate need of reform. As Governor, Mike will ensure that the system is empowering those with addictions to get help while keeping criminals off of our streets, support our law enforcement officers, and will ensure that they get the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
On Day One, Mike will:
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Create a violent crime task force.
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Increase the resources available to our law enforcement officers.
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Promote rehabilitative justice to combat the opioid crisis.
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Improve the safety of Delaware’s highway system.
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Combating Violent Crime
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Violent crime is out of control. Cities like Wilmington are consistently ranked among the most violent municipalities in our country. As Governor, Mike will ensure that law enforcement has every resource necessary to keep our communities and children safe. Mike understands that in order to reduce violent crime, law enforcement and community leaders must come together. That is why he will establish a violent crime task force consisting of community, religious, and law enforcement leaders who will be tasked with identifying the root causes of violent crime and coming up with commonsense solutions. As Governor, Mike will immediately focus on initiatives that support education and economic policies that will prevent violent crime from consuming our communities.
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Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
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Mike Ramone understands the unique challenges and impacts addiction has on our communities. As Governor, Mike Ramone will encourage rehabilitative justice that seeks to reform addicts, not penalize them. Mike believes that Delawareans who suffer from opioid addiction need compassionate, impactful, and enforceable solutions, not empty promises from politicians. These programs focus on reformation so they become productive members of our communities.​​
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Supporting Law Enforcement
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With crime rates rising in cities throughout Delaware, Mike Ramone understands the critical role law enforcement plays in keeping our communities safe. As Governor, Mike will work with lawmakers on both sides to ensure law enforcement has the tools, resources, and training necessary to protect our neighborhoods.​​
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Improving Highway Safety
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Delaware highways play an integral role in growing Delaware’s economy, that is why Mike Ramone will fight to improve highways safety. As Governor, Mike Ramone will support innovate technology to improve safety inside and outside of the vehicle. By working closely with DelDOT, Mike will improve our infrastructure, keeping our families safe and our economy strong.
AN ADVOCATE FOR DELAWARE HEALTHCARE
MIKE RAMONE’S PLAN TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE IN DELAWARE
As the owner of fitness centers throughout Delaware, Mike Ramone has witnessed firsthand the importance of wellness. He understands that if our healthcare system focuses on keeping people healthy, then we can reduce the cost of treating people when they’re sick.
After 32 years of single-party rule, Delaware’s healthcare system is in disarray and desperately needs reform. Delawareans deserve a healthcare system that works for them, not against them. Mike’s Day 1 plan includes increasing veterans' benefits, addressing Delaware's shortage of medical professionals, and fixing the administrative burden created by bloated bureaucracy.
On Day 1, Mike Ramone will:
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Fight to expand benefits for Delaware’s veterans.
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Increase access to mental health resources.
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Protect women’s reproductive health.
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Educate Delawareans on healthy living.
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Audit the bloated Department of Health and Social Services.
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Combat Delaware’s growing opioid crisis.
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Encourage healthcare professionals to stay in Delaware.
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Fighting For Veteran Benefits
Having served on the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Delaware House of Representatives, Mike honors the dedication and sacrifice of our country’s military personnel. Mike believes every veteran should be recognized for their service, and one of the best ways to show this appreciation and support is by creating a seamless transition for veterans returning home to Delaware.
Mike believes taking care of our veterans includes access to critical mental health services. By expanding these resources, veterans will be able to adjust to civilian life with the support of Delaware's healthcare network.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Resources
Since Mike focuses on healthy care instead of sick care, he understands that mental health is just as important as physical health. However, he also understands that hospitals are not always the best place to receive mental health care.
Mike will expand access to mental health facilities, ensuring that everyone gets quality care and reducing the strain on our emergency rooms. As Governor, Mike will lead the fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that all Delawareans can receive the help they need.
Protecting Women’s Reproductive Health
As governor, Mike will protect women's reproductive health. Through his initiative to increase the retention of medical professionals, Mike will increase the number of women's health doctors around the state, ensuring that every woman receives personalized, quality care that she can choose.
Supporting Healthcare Professionals
Mike understands that Delaware is facing a shortage of quality doctors across all specialties. Mike wants to partner with local colleges to incentivize doctors to come to Delaware to get their medical education and motivate them to stay in the state after they complete school.
Hospitals and doctor offices across Delaware are facing a continued shortage of healthcare professionals. As Governor, Mike will advocate for monetary or debt relief incentives for doctors who are educated in Delaware and continue to serve our Delaware communities after graduating.
Reforming the Department of Health and Social Services
To ensure that Delaware’s healthcare administration operates effectively and efficiently, Mike will direct an audit of the Department of Health and Social Services to understand the agency's impacts on health and wellness in Delaware.
As Governor, Mike will advocate splitting the agency into multiple departments to ensure efficiency and ease the burden on Delaware taxpayers. These actions would create modern, well-structured, and fiscally responsible departments that would administer effective and efficient healthcare to all Delawareans.
Combatting Delaware’s Opioid Crisis
Mike knows that the opioid crisis and other addictions are deeply personal and painful to families all across Delaware. Our state’s proximity to major transportation hubs and the direct route major interstates take through Delaware put many of our communities at an increased risk for opioid-related addiction.
Instead of punishing those who struggle with addiction, Mike plans to focus on rehabilitation efforts by expanding access to facilities staffed with trained medical professionals who can help rehabilitate addicts. Mike believes that those who struggle with addiction deserve our best efforts to help them get better, not to punish them.
A CHAMPION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
MIKE RAMONE’S PLAN TO MAKE DELAWARE HOUSING ATTAINABLE
As a lifelong Delawarean, small business owner, and legislator for more than 16 years, Mike Ramone knows our community and the hardships everyday Delawareans face. Over and over, Mike has heard that Delawareans are struggling to find affordable housing — and he will make it his mission to ensure everyone has access.
Mike understands that every Delawarean deserves a housing market that works for them, not against them, but that too often regulatory hurdles, systemic inequity, a floundering job market, and schools that fail to prepare our students make the dream of home ownership inaccessible. By combining his business experience with his legislative acumen, Mike will work with lawmakers to implement commonsense economic solutions that will combat Delaware’s housing crisis head-on.
On Day One, Mike will:
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End unnecessary regulatory hurdles and expedite the construction of affordable housing options.
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Coordinate between the state, counties, and municipalities to create equity throughout Delaware.
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Transform our education system so that students are prepared to enter the workforce and eventually buy a home.
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Revitalize Delaware’s job market so that more Delawareans have the opportunity to become homeowners.
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Streamline the development of new homes and apartments through initiatives such as smart growth and Ready in 6.
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Support and expand mental health and addiction programs to combat homelessness.
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Partner with community leaders and nonprofits.
Ending Regulatory Hurdles
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There are too many regulatory hurdles and excessive red tape that make owning a home unaffordable or inaccessible for everyday Delawareans. Mike will streamline the regulatory process of buying a house and end this incessant backlog to ensure every Delawarean can truly afford a home.
Creating Equity
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In Delaware, the state, counties, and municipalities each have different regulatory and developmental requirements. Not only does this increase the cost of building or owning a home, but it also contributes to the growing inequality across our state. A prospective homeowner should be able to find affordable housing in Wilmington just as easily as a homeowner in Laurel, for example. Mike will create a consolidated and comprehensive regulatory framework that is applied evenly throughout the state so that there is a consistent market for affordable homes, apartments, and housing options throughout Delaware.
Transforming Delaware’s Education
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Mike Ramone knows that we need to fight the housing crisis at its root. By transforming our educational system, Delaware’s schools will once again produce prepared and employable students who are ready to contribute to our communities when they graduate high school or college. Creating an education system that supports, uplifts, and prepares our students for the workforce and for life will make buying a home in Delaware more attainable for the next generation and motivate them to stay in our state.
Modernizing Delaware’s Job Market
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By modernizing Delaware’s job market, Mike Ramone believes we can expand opportunities for homeownership and make a variety of housing options more accessible to more people throughout the state. As Governor, Mike will incentivize higher education to expand into more lucrative and growing fields, like BioTech and FinTech. Creating new job markets in Delaware will give Delawareans a reason to stay in the state where they can build a better career, earn more money, and afford a home more easily.
Streamlining Development
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Just like Mike will end regulatory overreach for prospective buyers, he will also decrease regulation on developers to make it more efficient for them to build affordable homes and apartments throughout Delaware. In the legislature, Mike supported an initiative that sought to cut through the red tape and lessen the burden of regulatory oversight on developers of affordable housing. In the Governor’s office, he will continue to work with community leaders, lawmakers, and developers to cut down on inefficiencies and ensure that hardworking Delawareans have an abundance of housing options within a reasonable timeframe.
Addressing Homelessness
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Homelessness is an important issue impacting communities throughout Delaware. When addressing the challenges facing our unhoused population, Mike will put compassion first, partnering with nonprofits and community leaders to ensure unhoused Delawareans have a safe place to stay. Mike will also work with lawmakers to expand mental health resources and increase access to addiction programs that will support those in need on their way to recovery and help prevent homelessness throughout the state. These policies, in conjunction with his affordable housing agenda, will help Mike end excessive homelessness in Delaware.
Supporting Our Non-Profits
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Due to 32 years of inaction in Dover, our nonprofits have had to step up to fill the gap. Mike understands the vital role nonprofits play in providing necessary resources to our communities and believes these organizations should be supported accordingly. As Governor, Mike will partner with the community leaders and nonprofit organizations that tackle the housing crisis head-on and help them realize their mission of addressing the disparities facing our communities. This will leverage our public-private partnerships and provide additional resources for Delawareans struggling to find affordable housing.