GOVERNOR MEYER VETOES $35 MILLION LEGISLATIVE HALL EXPANSION AMID AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

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Jonah Anderson

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GOVERNOR MEYER VETOES $35 MILLION LEGISLATIVE HALL EXPANSION AMID AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS

DOVER, Del. - Governor Matt Meyer today exercised his constitutional line-item veto authority to remove the $35 million appropriation for the proposed Legislative Hall expansion project from House Bill 500, the Fiscal Year 2027 Bond and Capital Improvements Act.

The governor returned the bond bill to the General Assembly with his objections. In his veto statement, Meyer noted that the $35 million appropriation represents only the initial funding for a project expected to cost at least $116 million. He said that while improvements to Legislative Hall's security, accessibility and public participation are important, those needs can be addressed at a lower cost while allowing the state to focus on higher priorities.

"Everywhere I go, Delawareans tell me the same thing: life costs too much," said Governor Matt Meyer. "At a time when families are struggling to afford housing, healthcare, and energy bills, I can't justify spending $116 million on a Legislative Hall expansion. Affordability demands accountability, and accountability demands that we put taxpayers first. Affordability starts with setting the right priorities."

The veto applies only to the $35 million appropriation for the Legislative Hall expansion project. The remainder of House Bill 500, which funds schools, affordable housing, transportation, clean water infrastructure, parks, libraries, agriculture and other statewide capital priorities, remains intact.

The governor pointed to continued affordability challenges facing Delaware families and argued that unmet needs, including school construction, housing and community investments, should take precedence over expanding government office space. He also cited concerns raised by lawmakers, government transparency advocates and members of the public regarding both the project's cost and the process by which the appropriation was added to the bond bill.

In his message to the General Assembly, Meyer said Delaware's line-item veto authority exists to allow governors to remove individual appropriations that do not serve the public interest while preserving the remainder of important legislation. He urged the General Assembly to work with him and his administration to find other uses for the money, noting that when Delawareans are forced to make tough choices, government leaders should too.

The Governor's full line item veto statement can be found here