Mikie Sherrill wasted no time making her mark as New Jersey’s new governor, launching a 90-day freeze on new regulations just days after taking office. The move signals a sharp pivot from the bureaucratic legacy of her predecessor, Phil Murphy, and sets the tone for a pro-reform, cost-cutting administration.
Sherrill, a Democrat and former Navy pilot, signed the executive order on Friday, halting all pending rulemaking across state agencies. The goal? Slash red tape, eliminate burdensome bureaucracy, and put taxpayers first.
“I am committed to putting New Jersey residents first and ensuring our state government truly works for the people it serves,” Sherrill said. “This means breaking down red tape, eliminating bureaucracy, and saving New Jerseyans’ time and money.”
Under the order, agencies have until February 2 to report proposed regulations that could impact public health, safety, or essential government operations. From there, Sherrill’s team will determine which, if any, rules should move forward before the full 90-day pause ends.
The move is already drawing praise from business leaders and watchdog groups who long criticized Murphy’s aggressive regulatory agenda. Among the most controversial proposals left behind by the previous administration are new labor rules targeting independent contractors and expansive data privacy mandates.
“This pause is simply good governance,” said Michele Siekerka, president of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. “It shows the new administration is serious about aligning policy with priorities that support growth, not hinder it.”
Sherrill’s regulatory freeze comes alongside two other executive actions aimed at stabilizing energy costs and promoting clean energy development, including a halt on utility rate hikes. Taken together, her opening salvo reflects a clear effort to reset Trenton’s tone and signal to voters that the era of unchecked rulemaking is over.
