Delaware
Ousted budget forecaster resigns from marijuana appeals role
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- Michael Houghton resigned as Delaware’s marijuana appeals commissioner, effective April 24.
- This follows his removal last month from the state’s economic advisory panel by Gov. Matt Meyer.
- Houghton’s ousting from the economic panel occurred after he criticized the governor’s administration over transparency.
In the weeks following his unseating from Delaware’s long-standing economic advisory panel, long-time budget forecaster Michael Houghton announced his decision to resign from his position as the marijuana appeals commissioner from Sussex County, effective April 24.
This decision comes after Houghton was ousted from the state’s Economic and Financial Advisory Council last month.
The controversial removal by Gov. Matt Meyer came a day after a news report where Houghton criticized the Democrat’s administration “over transparency surrounding the state’s prominent corporate franchise,” according to previous reporting from Spotlight Delaware.
A March 25 letter from Meyer to Houghton shared with Delaware Online/The News Journal did not include a reason behind the leader’s decision, only that he would be choosing a new council member to fill Houghton’s seat.
Meyer later named CSC Corporate Counsel and Director of Global Government Affairs Brenda Wise as a replacement on April 7.
When asked if there were any more potential changes in DEFAC’s future or other panels, Meyer said he and his team look at and analyze each one, and then “do what’s best” for each board and commission.
“Some need new faces, and some don’t,” he said during a press conference on April 15.
Houghton told Delaware Online/The News Journal he felt it was “necessary and appropriate” for him to step down as commissioner at this time, considering the past month or so.
“There are significant issues facing the Appeals Commission,” Houghton said in a statement shared April 24. “With a new appointment to the Commission, the Governor will shape its direction and advance his policies.”
Houghton did not elaborate on what lies ahead for the commission. The news comes after around 19 social equity applicants had their provisional recreational marijuana licenses rejected after falling prey to what were deemed “‘predatory’ consulting contracts,” according to previous reporting from WHYY.
State Marijuana Commissioner Josh Sanderlin told the news outlet applicants are appealing. Sanderlin also said there could be another lottery after the appeals process ends.
This isn’t the only shake-up Meyer’s team has faced these past few days.
Mila Myles, who served as spokesperson for the Democrat, announced that April 24 was her last day in the role.
She first joined the agency as transition communications director for the then Gov.-elect’s team. She later moved into the communications director role once Meyer assumed office, as previously reported by Delaware Online/The News Journal.
“A political strategist at heart,” Myles said she will be focusing on electing Democrats across the ballot this year moving forward, according to a LinkedIn post issued April 27.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.