Executive Summary

Governors and legislators across the United States are pursuing strategies to enhance government efficiency and accountability. Since the 2025 Executive Order, states established dedicated efficiency offices, modeled after the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to identify wasteful spending and streamline operations. Legislatures are also participating in government efficiency efforts by increasing oversight through creating task forces and committees while encouraging public reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse. Executive agencies are utilizing performance-based budgeting and rigorous audits to improve accountability.

States are targeting wasteful spending, ensuring balanced budgets, auditing finances annually, combating Medicaid fraud, and linking budget decisions to performance outcomes. This report explores how states implement strategies to optimize service delivery and responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.