Meyer executive orders keep rolling in

Building on statements made during his inauguration speech, in which Gov. Matt Meyer said housing is a human right, the new governor has established a working group on workforce and affordable housing.

Meyer created the group through his fourth executive order Jan. 23, and has tasked members to recommend ways to streamline the permitting process for workforce and affordable housing.

“Housing is a human right, and no Delawarean should be left out in the cold,” Meyer said in a press release. “With this executive order, we take the first step in overhauling and streamlining our permitting and homebuilding process, bringing folks across the state together to collaborate and provide solutions on how we can get people in quality homes they can afford as soon as possible.”   

The order seeks to create a one-stop shop for projects in each county in order to quickly increase the stock of workforce and affordable housing across the state, Meyer said. 

Meyer’s latest action follows his third executive order signed Jan. 22, requiring state agencies to conduct an internal review, identify areas where improvements can be made, and submit a report to the governor’s office within 90 days.

The governor’s office will also collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Finance to complete a performance review of all services of state government with the executive branch to create greater value for Delawareans, the order states.

“Delawareans should trust that their state government is working for them, and that’s why transparency and accountability is at the heart of everything we do for you,” Meyer said. “This executive order is the first step in delivering an ethical government you can believe in.”

He signed his second executive order Jan. 21 to preserve Delaware’s independent judiciary and continue the judicial nominating commission – the same day he signed his first executive order to address workforce apprenticeships for students.