Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued three executive orders from April 10-16. As of April 16, Evers has issued 12 executive orders in 2023 — one more than he did at this point a year ago. The orders are:
- EXECUTIVE ORDER #191, where the governor declared a state of emergency in response to elevated wildfire conditions.
- EXECUTIVE ORDER #192, where the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach.
- EXECUTIVE ORDER #193, where the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel.
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of April 10-16, the nation’s governors issued 23 executive orders. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D), South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R), and Evers issued the most with three each. Governors in 35 states issued the fewest orders with zero. Democratic governors issued 12 of the 23 orders, while Republican governors issued 11.
Evers has served as governor since Jan. 7, 2019. He issued 31 executive orders in 2022 and 49 in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,558 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 447 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 283, while Democratic governors issued 164. Wisconsin is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
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