Sherrill signs executive orders on ethics, government efficiency, permitting overhaul and kids’ online safety
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill began her first day in office by signing a slate of executive orders aimed at lowering costs, increasing accountability in state government, streamlining permitting and addressing children’s online safety and mental health, her office said.
After signing two previously announced executive orders at her swearing-in ceremony in Newark, Sherrill signed additional orders at the State House in Trenton that her administration said are intended to save residents time and money, improve government performance and strengthen public trust.
“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. My first six executive orders include freezing utility rate hikes, ensuring that officers and staff in my administration are meeting the highest standards of transparency and accountability, bringing agencies together to protect our kids online, and cutting through the roadblocks and red tape that are making it too hard to do business here. Let’s get to work,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill.
One order sets ethics standards for public employees and officers serving in the Sherrill administration, continuing requirements related to personal financial disclosure statements, disclosure of interests in closely held businesses, and provisions for establishing a blind trust for certain employees and officers, the governor’s office said. The order also continues a code of conduct applicable to the governor and lieutenant governor, according to the administration’s summary.
Another order creates the Office of the Chief Operating Officer within the Office of the Governor, a role the administration described as designed to drive efficiency, transparency and accountability across state government. The order outlines the COO’s responsibilities, including advising on strategic initiatives and operational performance and leading efforts to streamline permitting and regulatory processes, the administration said. Sherrill previously announced Kellie Doucette as New Jersey’s first chief operating officer, her office said.
A separate executive order launches what the administration called a “Save You Time and Money” agenda, including the creation of a cross-agency permitting team within the COO’s office intended to reduce permitting delays and costs. Under the plan, state agencies would catalog the permits they issue and submit the information to the team, which would develop a public permitting dashboard showing application status and agency timeframes, or “shot clocks,” the administration said. The order also creates a regulatory simplification team to reform regulatory structures and establishes a “New Jersey Report Card,” described as a public-facing portal with information about state-funded programs and an interactive budget analysis tool, the administration said.
Another executive order focuses on youth online safety and children’s mental health by establishing a new office within the Department of Health, the administration said. The order directs relevant state agencies to prioritize children’s mental health outcomes, review existing policies and regulatory frameworks to identify opportunities to promote healthy internet and social media use, and engage stakeholders including children, parents, educators and mental health professionals, the governor’s office said. It also tasks the COO with coordinating the cross-agency work and underscores Sherrill’s commitment to creating a higher education-based research center focused on online safety and youth mental health, according to the administration’s summary.
