Gov. Landry creates DOGE-like program for Louisiana
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Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order last week to create a "Fiscal Responsibility Program" similar to President-elect Trump's Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency.
Why it matters: The nine-member group is charged with identifying ways to save state money and "opportunities of reduction," the order says, with a first report due by the end of 2025.
The big picture: Louisiana is among a small handful of states that have followed Trump's lead with new efforts to streamline or downside government budgets.
- Similar efforts have popped up in New Jersey, Fox reports, and Oklahoma lawmakers created a digital portal to seek efficiency ideas, KOSU reports.
Between the lines: "Our state budget has ballooned in recent years to unprecedented levels," Landry's order says, "even while our population shrank."
- The result, according to Landry, is "a bloated government budget."
- Although the order doesn't reference Trump's DOGE program, Landry recently told WAFB that he was "absolutely convinced" by the concept.
How it works: The nine appointed members of Landry's Fiscal Responsibility Program include four members of the Louisiana Senate and four members from the Louisiana House.
- They'll be led by Lafayette businessman Steve Orlando, a longtime Landry supporter, the Louisiana Illuminator reports.
Zoom in: The group's duties include reviewing state expenses, staff levels, reviewing the efficacy and necessity of all state departments that aren't legally required, identifying duplicated efforts, and identifying what state services can be eliminated, sped up or offered at lower costs, the order says.
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