Amidst this rapidly changing federal landscape, 29 state governments that span the political spectrum have attempted to establish their own government efficiency initiatives, and some have successfully codified statewide efforts. Sixteen states have successfully enacted state-level government efficiency efforts via legislation, EO, statewide programs, and/or governor- or legislature-established commissions (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas House committee and executive branch office, Utah, Wisconsin) while another 13 states have proposed but not yet enacted state-level government efficiency initiatives (Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, Washington).
The following analysis reviews each of the 11 state initiatives/proposals — Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas (House committee and executive branch office), Washington, Wisconsin — that specifically address data and technology (7 of which are currently operational initiatives: Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas House committee and executive branch office, Wisconsin) which are illustrative of how policymakers are adapting DOGE-like efforts to the state level. This resource identifies:
11 states explicitly incorporate data and technology, especially AI, as a means to improve government efficiency. State initiatives (enacted and just introduced this legislative session) that embrace data and technology to achieve more efficient government have three notable common aspects:
- A stated goal of identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in state government using AI;
- Expanded access to existing state data systems; and,
- Efforts to encourage tech-facilitated public engagement on government efficiency.
Five of the 11 states [Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin] explicitly call for the use of AI to eliminate government inefficiencies with approaches such as streamlining state rulemaking processes, downsizing agencies, and assessing funding to consolidate or cut.
Lambert here: Four red states, and Wisconsin.
Four of the 11 states [New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington] seek to expand access to existing state data systems in their initiatives to reduce government inefficiencies.
Four of the 11 states [Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri] that address data and technology in their initiatives or proposals this legislative session have (or would have) created online/digital means for the public to provide input on state government efficiency matters.
When it comes to these state DOGE efforts, the devil will be in the details of implementation — much as it has been with the federal DOGE. Moving forward, established state DOGE efforts and states considering taking on government efficiency initiatives should learn from the following shortcomings and damaging outcomes of the federal DOGE efforts:
- Lack of transparency…
- Violations of privacy protections…
- Security breaches…
- Using AI in unproven ways and wasting taxpayer dollars…
On its face, government efficiency and efforts to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse is a positive thing, and one in which data and technology, including AI, can play a role. But in light of DOGE’s missteps and continued federal attempts to access state administrative data, policymakers should closely examine what these efforts actually seek to achieve.
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