Texas Is Attempting to Replicate the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency Initiative

The Department of Government Efficiency is a new Trump Administration initiative to cut federal spending. Now, the State of Texas is attempting to replicate it.

A new Trump Administration initiative to cut federal spending is now being replicated by the State of Texas.

The Department of Government Efficiency was the brainchild of President Trump, who was frustrated by what he saw as the government's inability to make tough decisions and cut waste. The administration's efforts were focused on reducing the size and scope of the federal workforce, streamlining administrative processes, and negotiating lower prices for goods and services.

Now, the Texas House is attempting to launch a similar initiative at the state level. On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee held their very first “DOGE Committee” meeting.

The committee, which is named after Senior Trump Advisor Elon Musk's DOGE coin, was tasked with identifying areas where the state government could be more efficient in its spending.

The panel heard presentations from a variety of parties, including municipalities, state agencies, and academics. They discussed the challenges facing the state in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and rising inflation.

Among those who spoke were Houston Mayor John Whitmire's Chief and Deputy Chiefs of Staff, who discussed the city's efforts to combat a forecasted $350 million budget deficit.

Their remarks centered on a recently published Ernst & Young report, which made recommendations for reducing the deficit.

"This is about making Houston better and that's what good governance is about. It's not about claiming perfection. It's about the relentless pursuit of improvement. The people we serve deserve nothing less," Deputy Chief of Staff Steven David said.

"We're not here to claim perfection. We're here to acknowledge the need for improvement and to highlight the steps that we're taking to get there," Chief of Staff Marc Veazey added.

The city was one of several parties asked to present before the panel as it attempts to chart a path forward.

ABC13 asked Whitmire about his decision to send leaders of his administration to speak on the panel.

"Picking up the garbage is not a Republican or Democratic issue and we have no resemblance to the Washington experience," he said.

Whitmire told ABC13 the city will enact a mass hiring freeze later this week, "likely on Friday." It will be the first major cut the city has made in line with the EY findings.

Whitmire told ABC13 that public safety cuts "aren't even on the table." The Houston police and fire departments will not be subject to the freeze as all other city agencies are.

According to the EY report, approximately 2,400 vacant positions will be eliminated.