New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued five executive orders from Feb. 13-19. As of Feb. 19, Murphy has issued six executive orders in 2023—seven fewer than he did at this point a year ago.
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of Feb. 13-19, the nation’s governors issued 14 executive orders. Governor Murphy issued the most with five. Governors in 41 states issued the fewest orders with zero. Democratic governors issued 12 of the 14 orders, while Republican governors issued two.
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Murphy has served as governor since Jan. 16, 2018. He issued 37 executive orders in 2022 and 66 in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 251 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 172, while Democratic governors issued 79. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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