Missouri DOGE Report
One of the most exciting facets of President Trump’s second term has been the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Led by Elon Musk, DOGE has reinvigorated the movement to root out waste, fraud, and abuse at all levels of Government.
Governor Kehoe shared his support for DOGE in his State of the State address. The House and Senate both formed DOGE committees.
So where do things stand?
Wins
BACK TO THE OFFICE. In one of his first actions after taking office, Governor Kehoe ordered state workers back to the office. Ending pandemic-era remote work policies will increase government efficiency and provide better customer service to Missouri taxpayers.
ENDING DEI. Governor Kehoe ended the wasteful and counterproductive DEI programs that had come to infest state government. DEI initiatives are expensive and lead to less inclusive workplaces.
Opportunities
Still, there is waste in Missouri’s state government that can and should be addressed. This data is publicly available on the Missouri Accountability Portal and is drawn from fiscal year 2025.
MAGIC SHOWS. With payments to John Cassidy Magic & Balloons and Radz Magical Entertainment LLC, the Department of Agriculture spent $31,170 on magic shows. If they hired local Missouri entertainment, taxpayers would save.
FINE DINING. Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spent $100,761.77 on food at the Four Seasons Lodge. How much would the same spread have cost at the Columbia Courtyard Marriott?
VEHICLES. Missouri state government has a lot of cars. Excluding the Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, the state spent $8,147,032.94 on vehicles. In 2018, the sale of 86 vehicles from a single department resulted in savings of over $2.2 million.
CONFERENCE CIRCUIT. Missouri spent $6,261,486.06 on convention, conference, and training fees. Are Missouri taxpayers getting their money’s worth from this spending? Are our state employees being trained in a way that undermines the policy goals of this administration?
These are the questions that Missouri taxpayers want answered.
The people voted for major government reform.
Let’s make sure we give it to them.
Andy Bakker
Executive Director
Liberty Alliance USA