Summary#

Senate Joint Resolution 22 sets Delaware’s official General Fund revenue estimates for fiscal year 2027. Under the state constitutional rule cited in the resolution, those estimates help set the limit on state General Fund appropriations; the stated purpose is to provide the official figures.

• The resolution estimates gross revenue at $7,841.3 million, refunds at $563.8 million, and net revenue at $7,277.5 million.
• It estimates $408.8 million in unencumbered funds (money left uncommitted from the previous fiscal year).
• Together, net revenue and unencumbered funds total $7,686.3 million. The constitutional 98% limit would allow up to about $7,532.6 million in aggregate General Fund appropriations, based on these estimates.
• The resolution sets estimates; it does not itself appropriate money, change taxes, or create a public program.

What it means for you#

• State budget makers: The estimates are the official figures used for the constitutional limit on total General Fund appropriations. A later joint resolution could replace them as the most recent estimate.
• Delaware residents and taxpayers: This resolution does not directly change tax rates, benefits, or public services. Any effects would depend on separate budget decisions.

Money#

No publicly available information on administrative costs; this resolution sets revenue estimates, not an appropriation.

• The estimated $563.8 million in refunds is deducted from gross revenue to give estimated net revenue of $7,277.5 million.
• The figures are estimates, not a statement of how much revenue the state will actually collect.

What is unclear#

• The resolution does not explain how the estimates were calculated or give a range of possible outcomes.
• It does not say how actual revenue differing from the estimates would affect spending decisions.
• No publicly available information on the administrative cost of preparing or updating the estimates.

Case for#

• The estimates give the state an official revenue figure for applying the constitutional limit on appropriations.
• Counting refunds separately makes clear that estimated net revenue is lower than gross revenue.
• Including estimated unencumbered funds reflects money available from the prior fiscal year in the figures used for the limit.

Case against#

• The appropriation limit depends on estimates. If actual revenue is lower than estimated, the limit could allow appropriations above the revenue ultimately collected.
• The resolution gives no method or uncertainty range, so readers cannot assess how reliable the estimates are from this text alone.
• The estimates do not decide which programs receive funding or explain how lawmakers would respond if actual revenue differs.