Governor Phil Murphy (D) issues one executive order from May 8-14


New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued one executive order from May 8-14. As of May 14, Murphy has issued 16 executive orders in 2023 — three fewer than he did at this point a year ago. The order is: 

  • Executive Order No. 329, where the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in recognition and mourning of Deptford Township Police Officer Robert Shisler.

Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of May 8-14, the nation’s governors issued 18 executive orders. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued the most with three. Governors in 36 states issued the fewest orders with zero. Republican governors issued 10 of the 18 orders, while Democratic governors issued eight.

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 1,565 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 591 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 386, while Democratic governors issued 205. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. 

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