2024 VoteDelaware Questionnaire Responses: Representative Frank Burns

1. A recent independent report commissioned by the State of Delaware found that public schools across the state are underfunded by $600 million dollars and recommended increased per-pupil funding, transparency, and the flexibility to allocate resources. If elected what concrete steps would you propose to take to ensure districts close the funding deficit to provide a constitutionally adequate education?

We can fund the necessary changes if we have the political will. The revenue Delaware derives from unclaimed property alone could fund more than half the need. We have to prioritize public education. Our children and our states future depend on it.  We need to eliminate the referendum system which puts schools at odds with their local communities. There are 20 school districts in the US that have more public school students than the entire state of Delaware, we need to reduce the number of school districts and ensure that school boards respect open meeting requirements to provide transparency and ensure that distribution of funds state wide

2. The Education Equity Ombudsperson program was codified into law last year without guaranteed continuing funding to ensure that the program is sustainable.  Will you support legislation to maintain the current annual funding of $1 million to support students statewide facing inequitable treatment? 

YES
It is folly to create a needed position and not fund it!

3. There are currently an estimated 5,000 undocumented children in Delaware living without access to basic healthcare services. This past session, the General Assembly failed to pass the “Cover All Children Act” which would have been a critical first step in developing a medical coverage program for children in Delaware who are not otherwise covered, including kids who are undocumented. Will you support legislation like the “Cover All Children Act” that ensures undocumented children are protected and cared for?  

YES
Whatever people may think of their parents activities, no child should be punished for being in Delaware without documentation. Lack of access to health care contributes to more severely ill children showing up at emergency rooms and lack of intervention leads to development of more life long chronic conditions. No innocent child should receive a life long punishment.

4. Over the past few decades, many immigrants have chosen to make Delaware their home and have become vital members of our communities. Will you support increasing translation and interpretation services in government agency buildings and in public schools to help immigrants navigate the systems we all use? 

YES
This can be done at a reasonable cost. Hospital systems have virtual translation services that they use for patients who are not fluent in English and similar services can be engaged by government agencies and schools.

5. Currently, agricultural and domestic workers are exempt from state labor protections which means that workers in those fields, many of whom are immigrants and work dangerous jobs, are left with few ways to protect themselves. Will you support the removal of this exemption, so that all workers, regardless of their job, have the same protections? 

YES
It is not acceptable that agricultural and domestic workers are excluded from worker protection and minimum wage laws in Delaware.

6. In 2017, Delaware codified the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in state law to ensure the right to an abortion remained protected. However, these protections could be removed through a simple majority vote and signature of the Governor. Will you support a state constitutional amendment to explicitly protect peoples’ access to reproductive healthcare?

YES
We need to protect the rights of future Delawareans.

7. Black maternal mortality rates continue to increase in Delaware, with the gap in healthcare disparities widening. Will you support the creation of a Reproductive Healthcare Equity Fund that would support the additional costs of accessing reproductive healthcare for uninsured or underinsured people and fund the recruitment and expansion of the number of healthcare providers, including doula providers, in the state? 

YES
Black maternal mortality rates are inexcusable. Expectant mothers need to be able to access providers they feel they can trust and be open with.

8. Delaware’s probation system is broken. It does not provide the resources and support needed for successful reentry, while allowing for overly harsh punishment for minor infractions. Will you support legislation tailoring probation conditions to the needs and circumstances of the individual and restricting the use of incarceration when no new crime has been committed?  

YES
A person with access to transportation, flexible job situation and no children to care for has a very different ability to adhere to stricter conditions than a person with an inflexible work schedule, family to care for and reliance on DART for transportation.

9. Access to record expungement should not be determined by an individual’s economic circumstances. Will you support legislation removing fines and fees as a barrier to expungement eligibility? 

YES
Expungement is often a step to a better job, to prevent someone from accessing a better job because they don't have money is not a wise policy.

10. It is well documented that older incarcerated adults are less likely to commit new crimes if released. Will you support legislation that would expand compassionate release for older incarcerated adults? 

YES
We all age differently. I think compassionate release should factor in both age and health.

11. The Delaware Supreme Court recently upheld Delaware’s early in-person and permanent absentee voting laws, but the laws remain vulnerable to future legal challenges. Will you support protecting early in-person and permanent absentee voting through a constitutional amendment? 

YES
The Delaware Supreme Court decision was not on the merits of the case, but standing of those who sued. We need constitutional amendments to ensure voters have every opportunity to vote.

12. As of 2022, felony disenfranchisement affected 7,721 voters in Delaware. 2,965 of these people were disenfranchised while on probation or parole and 1,360 were disenfranchised even though they were not incarcerated or on probation or parole. . Voting allows people to remain connected to their communities and helps facilitate the re-entry process. Will you support a constitutional amendment allowing all people to vote as soon as they leave prison? 

YES
We need to encourage engagement in society by those leaving prison.

13. Will you support a constitutional amendment allowing for same-day voter registration? 

YES
Provided that adequate identification is produced a provisional ballot should be available for same day registration.

14. Will you support a constitutional amendment allowing for no-excuse absentee voting?

YES
We need constitutional amendments to ensure legally qualified voters have every opportunity to vote.