6 Executive Orders From NJ’s New Governor – And What They Mean

They may disagree on many issues, but there’s one thing that New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and President Donald Trump share in common: both hit the ground running for their new terms.

Like Trump did after his inauguration last year, the Garden State’s new governor released a flurry of executive actions on her first day in office.

“In the Navy, I learned that you have to lead, follow, or get out of the way – and I promised the people of New Jersey that I would be on a mission to deliver starting Day One,” she said. “That’s why I’m beginning my term as governor by taking immediate action to deliver on some of the key issues impacting New Jerseyans.”

In total, Sherrill signed six executive orders Tuesday. Here’s what they were – and how they will impact New Jersey residents.

ORDERS 1 AND 2: UTILITY BILLS AND ELECTRICITY

As part of her election campaign, Sherrill said she would issue a rate freeze for skyrocketing utility costs in New Jersey on her first day as governor. Sherrill has also been pitching a plan to “massively expand” solar, battery storage and nuclear power.

On Tuesday, she signed two executive orders that act on these campaign pledges.

RATE HIKE FREEZE – Sherrill’s first order authorizes the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to pause “any proceedings in which electric distribution utilities seek approvals for rate increases or cost recoveries.” The order also directs the board to use existing funds to offset electricity bill increases coming in June.

STATE OF EMERGENCY – Sherrill’s second order declares an official state of emergency under the Disaster Control Act. The order seeks to cut the amount of red tape needed to create more solar and battery storage generation, and creates a task force to lead an effort to build new nuclear power plants. It also directs the board of utilities to require electric utilities to report on “ghost loads” that may be coming from artificial intelligence data centers.

Sherrill’s first official orders as governor have attracted support from some environmental advocates, including Allison McLeod, the interim executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

“We are particularly encouraged by the governor’s actions to speed the development of solar energy and battery storage,” McLeod said. “These are two of the fastest, most affordable tools we have to bring energy online and stabilize our grid.”

Jackson Morris, director of state power sector policy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the executive orders will help to create more clean energy in the Garden State.

“[Sherrill’s actions fall in line with her campaign promises to protect our communities, reduce our carbon emissions, and address skyrocketing energy bills,” Morris said.

ORDER 3: CODE OF ETHICS

Sherrill’s third executive order outlines a series of ethical standards for public employees and officers serving in her administration.

Some highlights include:

• Continues the personal financial disclosure statement requirements for designated public employees and officers.
• Continues the provision for establishment of a blind trust for certain public employees and officers.
• Continues the disclosure of a public employee or officer's interests in closely held corporations or other business entities. 
• Continues the Code of Conduct applicable to the governor and lieutenant governor. 

ORDER 4: NEW STATE ADMINISTRATOR

Sherrill’s fourth executive order establishes the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) within the Office of the Governor. Sherrill previously announced that Kellie Doucette will be the first COO of New Jersey.

According to Sherrill, the duties of the job will include “serving as the governor's principal advisor on strategic initiatives, operational performance and organizational effectiveness.” Doucette will also lead the governor’s efforts to improve customer service and “streamline” permitting and regulatory processes across the state government.

State agencies in New Jersey will be required to designate liaisons to coordinate with the new office.

Sherrill said the position will position will help to create more “efficiency, transparency and accountability” across state government.

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) agreed, saying that the executive order lines up with a “blueprint” that they proposed for whoever won the governor election last year.

“As Gov. Sherrill campaigned on, this executive order should bring a more robust structure within all departments to bring about more organization and support for the state’s economic opportunities,” NJBIA president and CEO Michele Siekerka said.

ORDER 5: PERMITS AND TAXPAYER TRANSPARENCY

Sherrill said her fifth executive order aims to reduce permitting delays and costs, boost accountability in the permitting and regulatory process, and expand transparency into how taxpayer dollars are spent.

The order lays the groundwork for the creation of the “New Jersey Report Card,” an online portal that will give the public more information about state-funded programs – and what they’re delivering for Garden State residents.

The order also leverages some of the authority from the new Office of the Chief Operating Officer, creating a cross-agency permitting team within the department. The team will be charged with “streamlining and expediting the state permitting process” across all layers of state government.

Sherrill’s fifth executive order also got a thumbs-up from the NJBIA.

“Having this kind of organized integration will allow for better communication between departments, which ultimately should lead to less time, costs and frustration as it relates to permitting, particularly for larger-scale projects,” Siekerka said.

“Both initiatives send a strong message that help is on the way for businesses, their customers and residents of the state,” Siekerka added. “These are very positive developments that we look forward to helping with and seeing the results of.”

ORDER 6: CHILDREN AND THE INTERNET

Sherrill’s sixth executive order creates a new division within the Department of Health, known as the Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness.

The new office will lead a “whole-of-government” campaign to protect the mental health of kids when they use social media or other online technology.

State agencies will be required to review their existing policies and regulatory frameworks and identify opportunities to promote healthy internet and social media use.

“Over the past decade, the mental health of children and adolescents in the United States and in New Jersey has experienced a significant and well-documented decline, marked by increased rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation,” Sherrill’s order says.

“The timing of this decline in children’s mental health coincides with the widespread adoption of smartphones and the rapid growth of internet-based platforms and social media and the proliferation of artificial intelligence technology, which have fundamentally altered how children communicate, learn and socialize,” the order continues.

These days, the online experience that children get are increasingly shaped by algorithmic systems that prioritize engagement over well-being – often without sufficient safeguards, the order says.

During his final month in office, Sherrill’s predecessor – Phil Murphy – signed a law that bans cell phones in New Jersey’s K-12 public schools. The bipartisan bill saw support from Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

• See Related: NJ School Phone Ban Signed Into Law By Governor Murphy

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