OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Thursday, the head of the Oklahoma State Senate raised questions over the necessity of DOGE-OK to cut government waste.

On Feb. 3, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) launched the state’s Division of Government Efficiency—modeling similar efforts led by Elon Musk in Washington, D.C.

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) asserted that DOGE-OK could be a good idea—if the effort doesn’t duplicate existing functions.

“The whole DOGE concept is good, but the legislature started this several years ago with LOFT,” noted Pro Tem Paxton.

The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency’s mission statement is “to assist the Oklahoma Legislature in making informed, data-driven decisions that will serve the citizens of Oklahoma by ensuring accountability in state government, efficient use of resources, and effective programs and services.”

Gov. Stitt discussed DOGE-OK during a Wednesday press conference.

“I’ve been doing DOGE-OK since I started. I’ve been DOGE-ing in Oklahoma since January of 2019,” he explained.

He said ensuring efficiency in state government has been at the core of his administration’s work—from cutting 1,000 vehicles from the state fleet to reducing government employee numbers.

“If it’s more than a ham sandwich I’m going to look at it. $5 million here, $5 million there,” added Gov. Stitt. “That’s my purpose with the DOGE-OK, is to really help Elon know if you can block-grant something to us, here’s how things look.”

Pro Tem Paxton added that he’s open to anything that would increase transparency, but that he hasn’t “dug in deep to the details of what they’re doing, if it’s going to be you know duplication you know of what we’re already doing, maybe so. Maybe it enhances what we’re already doing.”

The state also has other existing avenues for investigating government waste and mismanagement available—including grand jury investigations and reports from the state auditor’s office.

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to FOX 25’s request for a response to Pro Tem Paxton’s comments and further clarification on how DOGE-OK might differ from already existing initiatives.