Markell says health care costs biggest challenge

In his final State of the State address Thursday, the two-term Democrat said the current cost trend is not sustainable for taxpayers, and that he will propose changes to improve the long-term viability of the state’s health care plans while ensuring that state workers have access to high-quality care.

Markell’s other proposals include raising starting salaries for teachers, providing more job skill training for high school students, and working with universities to provide lab space and start-up capital for DuPont Co. workers who have recently lost their jobs in advance of the company’s merger with Dow Chemical.

Markell said he also wants to provide more low-income income children access to high-quality early learning programs.