Benjamin Franklin said there were only two things certain in life: death and taxes. But I'd like to add a third certainty: trash. And while some in this room might want to discuss reducing taxes, I want to talk about reducing trash.

Increasing recycling in Delaware is an idea whose time has come and, if put off, may not come again.

I have said it often and I will say it again: I believe you learn to read when you are young, then read to learn for the rest of your life.

Our promise to our children should be this: if you do well in school, we will pay for you to obtain a college degree.

So I promise you that this State of the State, like a good pizza, will be delivered in 25 minutes or less.

Medicaid provides health care to our neediest citizens. While other states have had to cut Medicaid rolls and benefits already, Delaware has not. But the President's proposed budget would shift tens of millions of dollars of cost to the states, raising the real possibility of program cuts.

Our financial services and insurance cluster is one of Delaware's key economic drivers in the state.