Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued three executive orders from May 8-14. As of May 14, Evers has issued 20 executive orders in 2023 — seven more than he did at this point a year ago. The orders are:
- Executive Order #199, where the governor ordered that the flag of the United States and the flag of the state of Wisconsin be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for St. Croix County Sheriff’s Deputy Kaitie Leising.
- Executive Order #200, where the governor ordered that the flag of the United States and the flag of the state of Wisconsin be flown at half-staff in honor of Hmong-Lao veterans.
- Executive Order #201, where the governor ordered that the flag of the United States and the flag of the state of Wisconsin be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for peace officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of May 8-14, the nation’s governors issued 18 executive orders. Evers 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.
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 1,565 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 591 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 386, while Democratic governors issued 205. Wisconsin is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
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