Family
As a local, small business owner born and raised in our district, Bryan is deeply rooted in family values and the heritage and traditions of our community. Raising two children alongside his wife Sherry, with a foundation of Christian values and an emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking, they believe a household is where love knows no bounds and respect is the cornerstone of relationships. Bryan understands the profound impact of strong familial bonds on shaping individuals and communities alike. With a steadfast commitment to prioritizing the needs of families in every policy decision, Bryan pledges to champion initiatives that strengthen the foundation of our society, ensuring that every family has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Driven by a profound sense of duty and fueled by the love and support of their own family, Bryan and Sherry stand ready to serve and empower families across our District and the state of Delaware.
Legislative Priorities:
Reforming Delaware’s Education System –
In Delaware, there exists a critical need for comprehensive education reform. Our children’s future depends on the quality of education they receive, and it is imperative that we address several pressing issues within our education system. First and foremost, we must prioritize transparency, ensuring that parents, taxpayers, and policymakers have access to clear and accurate information about school performance, budgets, and resources.
Currently, only 41% of Delaware students are on grade level in English while only 31% are on grade level for math.
My Education Transparency Bill, HB 66, places data points including proficiency rates of all public schools on a single web page on the Department of Education website. The bill passed the full House floor and awaits a vote in the State Senate.
School choice needs to be a cornerstone of Delaware’s education reform, promoting freedom and empowering parents to make the best educational decisions for their children. By expanding school choice options, we ensure that families are not limited to a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Instead, parents can select schools that align with their values, beliefs, and their child’s unique needs. This competition among schools fosters innovation and accountability, pushing institutions to continually improve to attract students.
Seventeen schools in Delaware are single-digit proficiency schools, meaning that over 90% of their students can not perform English or Math at grade level.
My Single-digit proficiency Bill, HB 192 requires schools with these rates to create a local improvement plan with annual reporting. The bill passed the full House floor. The new follow-up bill in 2024 ensures that families and students have the ability to attend any school in Delaware, without the need to raise taxes. Each family will receive an education passport in the amount of what they are currently receiving in taxpayer money to use at any school in Delaware. The money will follow the student, not the school.
Additionally, safety must remain a top priority in our schools, ensuring that students and educators have a secure learning environment. My SRO & Constables Bill HB 167 creates funding for the positions in each public school. The bill passed the House Education Committee and is awaiting appropriations.
By addressing these key areas – transparency, accountability, and safety – we can pave the way for a brighter educational future for all Delawareans.
Preserving our Agricultural Heritage –
Agriculture has provided sustenance, livelihoods, and a deep sense of community for generations. It embodies the principles of self-reliance, hard work, and stewardship of the land, values that we in Sussex County hold dear. By safeguarding our agricultural heritage, we ensure the continuity of a way of life that has made our families strong and self-sufficient. We must protect our farms, ranches, and rural landscapes, not only for the sake of our economic well-being but also to maintain the cultural fabric that binds our communities together. Conservatives understand that honoring our agricultural roots is essential to passing on a legacy of strength, resilience, and self-sufficiency to future generations.
I was privileged this year to stand up on the record during a City Council Meeting to speak out against commercial development east of Route 1 between Cedar Neck Rd and Ceder Beach Rd. Alongside many neighbors, we stood together to stress the importance of our farmland, natural resources, and open space and hold the line on paving over paradise. The council decided 6-1 to not approve commercial development of this beautiful, pristine area and to keep our heritage of agriculture alive.
I was also a proud sponsor of HB 483, Preserving Farmland through Investment, which increased the amount of Delaware Farmland Preservation Fund to adjust for inflation. This funding amount has not been increased since 2005.
Defending Our First Responders –
Defending our first responders is a duty that is essential to public service. These brave men and women, whether they be police officers, firefighters, paramedics, or emergency personnel, selflessly put their lives on the line daily to protect our communities and ensure our safety. They embody the values of courage, dedication, and service to others that our communities hold in high regard. It is incumbent upon us to provide these heroes with the resources, training, and support they need to carry out their vital missions.
I was privileged to sponsor the Tuition Reimbursement for First Responders, HB 249, which created a tuition reimbursement program for volunteer firefighters, similar to already existing programs for law enforcement officers and National Guard members.
Our bill HB 308, the Protecting Our Officers Injured on duty Act, treats officers and firefighters who have not reached normal retirement date the same as those who have by removing the provision that requires a deduction in disability benefits if the officer or firefighter earns more than what the officer’s or firefighter’s base pay was at the time of disability.
Their commitment to upholding law and order, responding to emergencies, and preserving the well-being of our citizens is a testament to the enduring strength of our state and nation. We must stand unwaveringly beside our first responders, recognizing that their unwavering dedication is essential to the preservation of the liberties and values we hold dear.
Rethinking Infrastructure Rehabilitation-
Instead of following the traditional patchwork model of road construction, I decided to develop a plan alongside City and State officials where both teams worked together with private companies to take a comprehensive approach to our public work systems. Essentially, if crews are ripping up a road for replacement, we work as a team to replace aging water and sewer pipes while removing harmful materials such as lead and asbestos. This holistic approach not only saves taxpayer money through shared partnerships but allows for projects to last several decades longer before repairs are needed.
Since 2019 I have committed over $75 million to local road and infrastructure rehabilitation across our district including the town of Milford, Lincoln, Ellendale, Slaughter Beach, and Prime Hook.
The importance of replacing aging infrastructure cannot be overstated from a local perspective. It is a matter of responsible stewardship and safeguarding the future. Our infrastructure, built by the hard work and vision of previous generations, now requires renewal. Neglecting this duty not only endangers public safety but also undermines economic prosperity and the principles of self-reliance.
Working alongside the City of Milford and the State Housing Authority, we developed the DDD district in our historic business district. The program has brought in over $24.2 million in private investments, with the assistance of $2.62 million in grants. Thanks to local families like the Kings, Bonds, Wileys, Fitzgeralds, Parkers, Walls, and many others, our downtown has seen major private investments, bringing more economic growth into the heart of Milford.