Former New Castle County Police Officer Michael Terranova is running for State Senate.
The Hockessin Democrat, who now works as an instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College, hopes to represent the 6th Senate District in Dover, which stretches from Newark to Yorklyn.
Terranova said he is running because he wants to bring fiscal reform to the General Assembly while at the same time, improving public education.
He said he believes the state can go further in making cuts to its operating budgets and said he does not believe tax or fee increases are necessary to bring the state out of its financial troubles. There can be no “sacred cows” when it comes to balancing the budget, he said, and suggested the state consider consolidating school districts as a way to save money.
“We have 19 school districts and nobody can tell me why,” Terranova said. “We’re not consolidating purchasing power or doing anything that could provide major cost savings.”
He said consolidation would not only mean fewer administrators on the payroll, but would also allow for centralized fiscal oversight of the state’s schools – reducing the likelihood of the financial troubles recently experienced in the Christiana and Red Clay school districts.
In the end, those kinds of changes could lead to more money going to the classroom, Terranova said, meaning students could have access to more up-to-date technology and read from newer text books.
“Education is the number one thing on people’s minds, even in these tough economic times,” he said. “I’ve fielded more questions about schools than anything else.”
Terranova said he also hopes to push for a more collaborative planning process between state transportation officials and the local governments that approve development.
“We’re falling behind in our road improvements, but the county isn’t stopping approving new development,” he said. “We need to get the county and state on the same page.”
Continuing to restrict the use of the state’s Transportation Trust Fund for infrastructure improvement projects was key, he said.
“The days of paying salaries out of that fund are over,” he said.
Finally, Terranova said he would support legislation that open more of the General Assembly’s proceedings to the public.
“Over the past few years the issue of open government has emerged as a top priority of the citizenry only to be buried in a desk drawer in Dover,” he said. “Each of us has a right to know how every dollar is being spent and I pledge to support open government initiatives.”
Terranova will face Newark-resident John Mackenzie in the September 9 Democratic Primary, with the winner facing incumbent Liane Sorenson (R-Yorklyn) in the general election.
Terranova, 55, lives in Southwood Estates with his wife Lisa. He has three adult sons.
