Mikie Sherrill wasted no time as the newly sworn in governor Jan. 20, signing six executive orders.
At the swearing-in ceremony at NJPAC in Newark, she signed two executive orders to declare a state of emergency on utility costs. Later in the day in Trenton, she signed four more executive orders to save New Jerseyans time and money, improve children’s online safety and mental health and strengthen trust in state government.
“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. 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,” said Sherrill. “Let’s get to work.”
The first two orders addressed soaring energy rate costs. The first executive order uses state authority to offset upcoming rate increases and hold utilities accountable for keeping rates from continuing to climb at an unsustainable rate. The second order declares a state of emergency under the Disaster Control Act and creates and expands state programs to develop power generation in New Jersey. The order also addresses permitting challenges at the state level and interconnection delays at the utility level that hold up projects and drive up costs.
Her third executive order establishes the ethical standards to be followed by public employees and officers serving in the Sherrill administration, creating a culture of accountability and strengthening trust in state government. This includes personal financial disclosure statement requirements for designated public employees and officers.
Executive order No. 4 establishes the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) within the Office of the Governor – a position intended to drive efficiency, transparency, and accountability across state government. The order outlines key roles and responsibilities of the COO, as well as the structure of the office and how state agencies will interact with the Office of the COO. In a previous action, Gov. Sherrill announced that Kellie Doucette would be New Jersey’s first COO.
Her fifth executive order focuses on reducing permitting delays and costs, boosting accountability in the permitting and regulatory process, and expanding transparency into how taxpayer dollars are spent. The order creates the New Jersey Report Card, an interactive online portal that provides information on state-funded programs and what they are delivering for residents and includes an interactive budget analysis tool.
Executive orders four and five found favor with The New Jersey Business & Industry Association. The organization said that the order establishing the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, and the EO creating a cross-agency permitting team within the COO office, are consistent with the business and economic recommendations found in NJBIA’s Blueprint for More Competitive New Jersey, released last year.
“We thank Governor Sherrill and her administration for moving so quickly on both EOs to drive efficiencies and reduce permitting delays and costs, as promised,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “Both initiatives send a strong message that help is on the way for businesses, their customers and residents of the state. These are very positive developments that we look forward to helping with and seeing the results of.”
Chrissy Buteas, president and CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, said the state had taken a “significant step in strengthening our innovation economy as Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 5, reinforcing the state’s commitment to growth, investment, and competitiveness across key industries.”
Her final order on Day One takes action to protect children online and improve children’s mental health. It creates a new office within the Department of Health to coordinate government efforts to keep kids safe online and directs state agencies with jurisdiction over issues pertaining to children and their interaction with technology platforms to prioritize children’s mental health outcomes. This action orders relevant agencies to prioritize children’s mental health outcomes and conduct ongoing stakeholder engagement with kids, parents, educators, and mental health professionals to inform their efforts.
The often baleful impact social media has on children was a concern of outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy in his final State of the State address on Jan. 13.
