On Wednesday Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill to create a new Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), which he dubbed “our own DOGE” on social media.
Newsweek contacted Abbott for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
President Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the leadership of tech billionaire Elon Musk, shortly after his second presidential inauguration on January 20.
The body, which despite its name is not a formal government department, has overseen a significant cut in the number of federal workers, with many probationary employees being dismissed, and is attempting to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, though this is facing legal challenge.
Abbott’s creation of TREO indicates a similar desire to cut government spending.
What To Know
Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 14, a piece of legislation proposed by Republican Senator Phil King, into law on Wednesday. He said commenting “Texas will now have our own DOGE” on X.
The bill, which had already been approved by the Texas Legislature, creates the TREO along with an advisory council tasked with cutting what its supporters regard as excess bureaucracy and regulation. The new body, which Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described as “DOGE, Texas-style,” is due to begin operations in September and will be tasked with identifying “unnecessary and ineffective rules.”
Requirements included in Senate Bill 14 also include the creation of an online portal which Texans can use to search for rules by state agency, along with a requirement that agencies publish their regulations in easy to understand plain language.
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell/GETTY
According to the Dallas Morning News Governor Abbott said: “There’s low-hanging fruit all over the place.
“When you look at the vast amount of regulations, there’s so much slicing and dicing that needs to be done. So we will look to accelerate the process.”
Governor Abbott will be responsible for appointing members of TREO which will also have up to 18 full-time employees.
In March the Texas House created a new ‘Delivery of Government Efficiency’ committee, under GOP chair Giovanni Capriglione, to search for wasted government spending though critics have suggested its work will overlap with the already existing Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X Abbott wrote: “Signed SB 14 into law today at the Texas Capitol. Texas will now have our own DOGE, known as the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office.
“This will make government more efficient and less costly. Texas continues to move at the speed of business.”
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, said: “This is a fantastic bill to start with. Texas businesses, Texas citizens, they deserve regulations that are in plain English, and you can understand what they mean. They deserve to know what they actually do, and they deserve to make sure they’re consistent and as few as possible.”
In a statement Lieutenant Governor Patrick said: “Texas DOGE will ensure the Texas Miracle continues long into the 21st century. Texans understand that by cutting red tape, more money stays in the pocket of taxpayers. Our conservative approach to regulation will keep Texans prosperous and our state the best place to do business in America and across the globe.”
However it was opposed in the Texas House by Republican Representative Brian Harrison who said: “The point of DOGE is to cut government, reduce spending and shrink the bureaucracy. Unfortunately, this bill does the exact opposite.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen what impact TREO will have and whether it will prove as controversial as DOGE has on the national stage.