Gov. DeSantis’s new DOGE process pressure positive aspects momentum: ‘Flip the lens inward’

Native jurisdictions and public universities in Florida are latching on to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new state-level DOGE Job Drive, together with by means of formal resolutions, unbiased committees and extra assets supporting the brand new initiative.      

DeSantis introduced the creation of “Florida DOGE” in February, a program just like the one led on the federal stage by Elon Musk. The audit intends to make the most of synthetic intelligence and different measures to uncover hidden waste, evaluate state college and faculty operations and spending, remove “redundant” boards or commissions, and study entities’ spending habits. The initiative intends to make sure monetary compliance with all state legal guidelines, present suggestions and submit referrals to the suitable enforcement companies when mandatory.  

The governor subsequently despatched out official steerage in March to numerous counties and municipalities, in addition to to public schools and universities, requesting they affirm their willingness to adjust to the audit. The steerage additionally ordered the appointment of a proxy to be the first level of contact all through the initiative. 

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In response, a few of Florida’s largest jurisdictions and public establishments – like Hillsborough County, the Metropolis of Jacksonville, and Florida Atlantic College – have signaled their willingness to adjust to the audit. Their efforts embrace passing formal resolutions and creating unbiased committees to help the governor’s initiative.

The Florida DOGE initiative intends to “abolish” 70 redundant boards and commissions across the state, per a February press launch from the governor’s workplace saying the brand new auditing effort. (Getty Photographs/Fox Information)

“Finishing this DOGE audit is a no brainer when you think about the inefficiencies we’ve already stumbled throughout – like previous, forgotten financial institution accounts sitting there with thousands and thousands of {dollars} simply gathering mud,” mentioned Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who helped spearhead the decision affirming the county’s willingness to open its doorways.

In Jacksonville, the town created a “Duval DOGE” process pressure that has already begun conducting conferences and is zeroing in on tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in capital enchancment tasks which have sat idle since 2023, in line with WJXT Channel 4 in Jacksonville. This week, the “Duval DOGE” process pressure additionally launched a web site to trace the work being achieved with the continued audit. 

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A number of of Florida’s largest jurisdictions, along with some public universities and schools, have affirmed their willingness to open their doorways to the governor’s auditors. (Getty Photographs)

Nevertheless, whereas residents in Jacksonville have been supportive of the hassle, others have pushed again. 

“DOGE is a misnomer, catchy misnomer for let’s see what we are able to take away from the working class, the needy, the aged. We don’t want it,” Duval County resident Russell Harper mentioned throughout a metropolis corridor assembly concerning the new “Duval DOGE” committee. Different residents complained that the “Duval DOGE” lacked enough Democratic illustration and was simply an effort to achieve favor with political elites.

Protesters rally outdoors the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Constructing, headquarters of the Workplace of Personnel Administration, on Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Photographs)

Range, Fairness, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public schools and universities will even be a part of the audit. The governor’s DOGE process pressure goals to make sure that no state funds help these applications, according to a decision handed by the state board of training final yr prohibiting such spending.

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Florida DOGE additionally intends to “abolish” 70 redundant boards and commissions across the state, per a February press launch from the governor’s workplace saying the brand new audits. 

“Florida was DOGE earlier than DOGE was cool,” DeSantis spokesperson Brian Wright mentioned in an announcement to Fox Information Digital. “Over the previous 5 years, Florida, underneath Governor Ron DeSantis, has eradicated dozens of pointless boards, lifted unnecessary rules, and decreased spending. Florida has paid down 41% of our state’s debt, strengthened our financial system, and elevated our rainy-day fund by almost $10 billion – all with out elevating taxes.”

Wostal mentioned the brand new DOGE audit was a greater response than simply elevating taxes to pay for wanted providers. 

“As a substitute of the knee-jerk response of elevating taxes – placing much more pressure on already stretched households – it’s time for the federal government to show the lens inward,” he mentioned.