Attention Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis creates state version of DOGE, announces job cuts and University Audits
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the creation of Florida’s own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), modeled after the federal initiative to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the creation of a Florida version of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), modeled after the federal government's initiative to eliminate "waste, fraud, and abuse" at the state level.
DeSantis revealed that, over the next year, Florida aims to dissolve 70 state boards and commissions, eliminate 900 positions, require independent reviews and audits of universities, and assess local government spending.
DeSantis expresses admiration for Musk administration's handling of DOGE
At a press conference in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis explained: “I’m excited about this effort to take some of what we’ve seen in Washington, like what Elon Musk is doing, and apply it to Florida.”
Musk and the Trump administration’s DOGE have made significant cuts to federal departments, including Education, the Small Business Administration, Energy, Defense, and others, firing thousands of employees.
Florida already has a Government Efficiency Task Force, created by a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2006. This task force meets every four years to make recommendations aimed at improving government operations and reducing costs.
During the press conference, DeSantis also criticized the Biden administration’s diversity and inclusion efforts and its spending practices, stating: “You see what they need to do in Washington to try to right the ship. If they just make America operate like Florida, we will be OK.”
DeSantis added that Florida plans to utilize artificial intelligence to help accomplish its goals, describing the audits as the “DOGE-ing of the state university system.”
The state will conduct thorough evaluations of university operations and spending, including financial management, debt, and staffing practices. DeSantis emphasized that these audits will ensure students receive an education that prepares them for meaningful employment after graduation.
Since Trump arrived at the White House, DeSantis has expressed his admiration and desire to work with him. Photo: EFE
He remarked, “Look, if you want to do some of this, go to Cal Berkeley, go to some of these other places. We don’t really want to be doing some of this stuff in Florida.”
Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, and Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., who also oversees the state’s college system, voiced support for Florida’s “DOGE-ing.”
However, some federal agencies have pushed back against DOGE's efforts. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently requested federal employees' weekly accomplishments, which was promoted by Musk on social media. Musk stated, “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” The Department of Defense, led by Pete Hegseth, a Trump ally, issued a statement advising employees to pause responses to the OPM request.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 58% of Americans are concerned Musk's cuts to the federal government may negatively affect services like Social Security and student aid.
Looking toward 2026 in Florida
DeSantis also addressed the governor’s race, criticizing U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples for not being involved in key victories. Donalds received a "pre-endorsement" from President Trump, who posted on Truth Social: “Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”
DeSantis also mentioned that his wife, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, had been considered for the 2026 governor's race, recalling a conversation with the late conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, who endorsed her, saying, “The only person I would rather have as my governor than you is her."
DeSantis stated that decisions on lieutenant governor and CFO positions would be made after the Florida legislative session, which begins next week. Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez now serves as interim president of Florida International University, and current CFO Jimmy Patronis will resign at the end of March to run for the Congressional District 1 seat vacated by former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
“We want to focus on what’s really important. I also want to observe how different people perform over the next couple of weeks, both in the Legislature and out,” DeSantis said.