FLORIDA - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has introduced a new initiative aimed at cutting bureaucratic waste and improving state government efficiency through a task force known as "DOGE."
Announced during a press conference on Monday, the task force—formally named the Department of Government Efficiency Task Force—will focus on streamlining government operations, eliminating outdated positions, and auditing state spending. According to DeSantis, the goal is to modernize Florida’s government using artificial intelligence and data-driven reviews to ensure taxpayer money is spent effectively.
“We are creating a state DOGE task force that will take a multi-pronged approach to eliminating inefficiencies and modernizing how our government operates,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis explained that his administration has worked on similar cost-cutting measures since taking office in 2018 but said this effort is inspired by federal efficiency programs, including Elon Musk’s federally implemented Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The Florida DOGE task force is set to operate for one year, ending March 31, 2026. Its primary focus will be assessing contracts, payments, and general government functions to identify wasteful spending.
A significant part of the initiative will involve conducting independent audits of Florida’s university system. DeSantis has been vocal about his stance on higher education, particularly his opposition to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, which he has sought to eliminate from public universities.
“This is about bringing real accountability to our universities,” DeSantis said. “We want them focused on their core mission, not pushing ideological agendas.”
The task force will also examine state boards and commissions, with DeSantis suggesting that as many as 70 could be eliminated due to redundancy or obsolescence.
He emphasized that many of these boards serve outdated functions and contribute to unnecessary government expansion.
“There are hundreds of these entities, and most people have never even heard of them,” DeSantis said. “We’re looking at their budgets, appointments, vacancies, and missions to see which ones are still relevant and which have outlived their purpose.”
Beyond state agencies and higher education, DeSantis signaled an interest in applying stricter financial oversight to local governments, potentially through new legislation.
“For the next year, DOGE teams could conduct audits at the county level, using AI and other tools to analyze spending,” DeSantis said. “I think it would be eye-opening for a lot of people to see where the money actually goes.”
The initiative has sparked criticism from Florida Democrats, who argue that Republicans—who have controlled the state government for nearly three decades—are responsible for any inefficiencies that exist.
Despite pushback, the DOGE task force is expected to begin work immediately, with findings and recommendations anticipated throughout the coming year.