Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Monday, officially creating Iowa's very own DOGE task force. Highlighting similar goals as President Donald Trump's new Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Gov. Reynolds said this is the next step in her plan to make government more efficient. She pointed to the government reorganization bill she signed into law in 2022, reducing the number of state agencies along with consolidating boards and commissions. She said Iowa's new DOGE task force will review how local, state and federal governments work together, hoping to find ways to improve efficiency. She wants the task force to focus on maximizing taxpayers return on investment, leveraging technology, like artificial intelligence, and refining workforce and job training. Gov. Reynolds said she's not ruling out reducing the number of government employees and DOGE will be looking at that workforce. Gov. Reynolds said they're still finalizing the members for the DOGE task force but said they'll be meeting within the next 60 days. Then they'll release their report within 180 days from that first meeting. Governor says if there are recommendations that she would like to implement, this timeline will allow her to introduce those changes during the 2026 legislative session.
