On February 20, 2025, Elon Musk was seen holding a chainsaw after addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, a symbolic gesture tied to his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE's Legacy and New Proposals
While Musk's DOGE aimed to streamline government, its outcomes often resulted in legal challenges rather than improved efficiency. Now, in South Dakota, two contenders for the Republican gubernatorial nomination are pushing for a similar agency.
House Speaker Jon Hansen stated to KELO, "One thing that we’re focusing on is doing a South Dakota DOGE, actually cutting state expenditures and then passing that savings on to property taxpayers."
Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden added, "There is abuse. I guarantee it. And my DOGE is going to find it."
Criticism and Oversight Concerns
Critics argue that establishing a new department could increase bureaucracy before any savings are realized. Existing state departments already undergo rigorous review by the Legislature, including hearings in both the House and Senate, with funding decisions made by the Appropriations Committee.
Other Republican candidates, Governor Larry Rhoden and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, have not endorsed the DOGE concept, potentially offering voters a clearer choice in the primary.
If implemented, experts caution against replicating the Musk model, suggesting that precision tools, rather than broad cuts, are needed to address government waste effectively.
