In Madison, Wisconsin, the initiative credited to Elon Musk that aims to enhance government efficiency commenced on Tuesday with a collaborative, bipartisan approach. The committee gathered input from both Democrats and testimonies from various governmental leaders.
The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under Musk’s guidance at the federal level, has inspired multiple states, including Wisconsin, to establish similar frameworks. States such as Florida, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire have also emulated this model.
Named the GOAT committee, short for Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency, the Wisconsin Assembly’s version operates with limited mandate and power compared to DOGE, which gained comprehensive authority under President Donald Trump.
Established by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, the GOAT committee consists of nine members, including three Democrats. There is no equivalent committee in the state Senate, indicating that any proposals might struggle to gain complete legislative approval.
Additionally, the committee lacks the power to independently terminate state employees or implement budget cuts, as such substantial measures require the endorsement of the full Legislature and Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Governor Evers, known for setting records in vetoing bills proposed by Republicans, makes it improbable for him to consent to any major actions suggested by the GOAT committee.
Despite this, as a legislative committee, it welcomed testimony at its inaugural session from several agency leaders within Evers’ administration. University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and Nicolet National Bank founder Bob Atwell were notable participants.
Republican Rep. Amanda Nedweski, who chairs the committee, emphasized addressing public concerns on telework, office utilization, state payroll accountability, cybersecurity, and potential cost reductions.
While Nedweski maintained order during the meeting by preventing committee vice chair Rep. Shae Sortwell from diverging into DEI-related spending inquiries, Sortwell had previously sought extensive DEI information from Wisconsin’s largest cities and counties, raising objections from Democratic committee members.
Speaker Vos has highlighted the committee’s mission to eliminate inefficiencies, fraud, and abuses within the state’s systems. Sortwell’s efforts were justified as part of this data collection process.
On a federal scale, DOGE claims substantial financial savings upwards of $100 billion through extensive cutbacks, contract terminations, and office closures, though many savings claims have been exaggerated or unsubstantiated.
Furthermore, DOGE’s initiatives faced significant legal challenges during Trump’s administration phases. Nearly two dozen lawsuits emerged, questioning DOGE’s rigorous cost-cutting strategies carried out with limited transparency about operations and staffing.
