New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued three executive orders from April 3-9. As of April 9, Murphy has issued 13 executive orders in 2023 — four fewer than he did at this point a year ago. The orders are:
- Executive Order No. 324, where the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of United States Army Sergeant David Solinas.
- Executive Order No. 325, where the governor lifted COVID-19 testing requirements in congregate care and healthcare settings.
- Executive Order No. 326, where the governor signed an order detailing gender-affirming healthcare protections in New Jersey.
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of April 3-9, the nation’s governors issued 14 executive orders. Murphy and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued the most with three. Governors in 41 states issued the fewest orders with zero. Democratic and Republican governors issued seven orders each.
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 1,558 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 425 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 273, while Democratic governors issued 152. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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