And so it begins!! Arizona State Representative Alexander Kolodin recently used X to share news about potential budget cuts the state is considering under its “Department Of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) initiative. This state-level effort follows President-elect Donald Trump’s request for tech mogul Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Elon Musk to suggest ways to reduce federal government waste and bureaucracy. The catchy “DOGE” name was coined by Musk himself.
In the recent elections, Republicans strengthened their hold on the Arizona legislature by gaining two additional seats in the State House. Arizona delivered Trump his largest victory margin among swing states after a narrow loss in 2020. The influence of Trump’s campaign alongside Charlie Kirk’s voter mobilization efforts with Turning Point USA significantly bolstered Conservative presence in the state.
Following Trump’s announcement of DOGE, Arizona Republicans swiftly established their own version of this committee focused on state issues. Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen explained that unlike its federal counterpart—an informal advisory body without legislative power—the Arizona DOGE committee was formed independently of the Executive Branch. Led by State Senator Shawnna Bolick, this committee will leverage legislative authority to evaluate bills and propose budget reductions.
BREAKING: A State Legislator on Arizona's DOGE committee just introduced a bill to shut down many state agencies, councils & commissions to cut waste.
Here's a list of some of the councils that will get shut down:
– Citrus Research Council
– Beef Research Council
– Cotton… pic.twitter.com/hJcRJBr1pU— George (@BehizyTweets) January 7, 2025
Petersen emphasized that any matters involving red tape, regulations, fraud, or government inefficiency would be directed to this committee. He also mentioned collaboration with a similar group in the Arizona House of Representatives, set up by Speaker-elect Steve Montenegro and chaired by State Rep. Joseph Chaplik.
Both committees aim to push forward bills that have gained momentum over recent years as part of broader efforts to eliminate waste and excessive regulation in Arizona. Petersen hinted at potential legislation introducing term limits for lawmakers but withheld further details during an interview with 91.5 Phoenix.
On Tuesday, Kolodin announced that the Arizona DOGE committee is already active, discussing various cuts and specific legislative proposals. “When big government is drowning you,” he remarked before a whiteboard filled with plans, “we got to throw the book out.” He criticized regulatory bloat in Arizona as more absurd than at the federal level.
Kolodin then humorously listed several unusual initiatives currently funded by state money: “Citrus Research Council? Cuties, how do they work? Gone. Beef Research Council? Where’s the beef? More like where’s the pork? Cotton Research Council? School bus advisory council? Student Transport Advisory Council? Companion Animal Stay and Neuter Advisory Council? Sickos. Gone in this bill.” His comments seemed reminiscent of Argentinian President Javier Milei’s viral video where he dramatically removed government departments from a whiteboard list.
“This is a new Republican era,” Kolodin concluded after highlighting more examples of governmental excesses and inefficiencies.