Governor Tony Evers (D) issues two executive orders from April 17-23


Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued two executive orders from April 17-23. As of April 23, Evers has issued 14 executive orders in 2023—three more than he did at this point a year ago. The orders are:

  • EXECUTIVE ORDER #194, where the governor declared a state of emergency in response to widespread flooding across the state.
  • EXECUTIVE ORDER #195, where the governor created a green ribbon commission to advise the Department of Administration and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation on the establishment of an environmental and clean energy fund.

Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of April 17-23, the nation’s governors issued 43 executive orders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued the most with 20. Governors in 40 states issued the fewest orders with zero. Democratic governors issued 5 of the 43 orders, while Republican governors issued 38.

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 515 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 346, while Democratic governors issued 169. Wisconsin is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.

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