New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued four executive orders from March 13-19. As of March 19, Murphy has issued 10 executive orders in 2023 — six fewer than he did at this point a year ago. Three of four executive orders are below:
- Executive Order No. 320, where the governor declared a state of emergency in five counties affected by a winter storm.
- Executive Order No. 321, where the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in recognition and mourning of former Sen. Ronald Rice (D).
- Executive Order No. 323, where the governor ordered the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council created by Senate Bill No. 783 to replace the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council created by Executive Order No. 305 (2022).
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of March 13-19, the nation’s governors issued 25 executive orders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued the most with nine. Governors in 39 states issued the fewest with zero. Democratic governors issued 13 of the 25 orders, while Republican governors issued 12.
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 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 345 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 210, while Democratic governors issued 135. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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