Lawmakers propose Florida’s own Department of Government Efficiency

Legislators in Florida are drawn to the idea of cutting bureaucracy because the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has been targeting the federal government by trying to eliminate positions. Florida Representative Tiffany Esposito, a Republican from Deltona, is spearheading this endeavor with a measure that would establish a “Florida DOGE” or “FLOGE.” Florida Bill HB305 will give lawmakers more authority over administrative regulations in an effort to remove what some lawmakers call needless red tape. The law also calls for cost-benefit studies for new regulations and the introduction of automatic expiration dates for state agency rules that are considered out-of-date. With this bill, Esposito hopes to streamline Florida’s more than 170,000 regulatory limitations.

“Our enterprises are burdened by rules and regulations, don’t they? Esposito remarked, “It costs time, and time is money.” In my opinion, the government saves money by not having to review the administrative aspects of all those rules and regulations, but more significantly, it saves money for our businesses, Floridians, and taxpayers. With a senate companion added by Rep. Esposito, the proposed bill is gaining momentum. Lawmakers who favor HB305 are getting ready to introduce it before committees when the legislative sessions begin in a few days. However, it won’t be simple because certain people, including Orlando Democrat Rep. Anna Eskamani, are opposing the plan. Because the bill has the backing of the Cicero Institute, which has pushed for a relaxation of child labor rules, Rep. Eskamani voiced worries about it.

She also criticized the Republican leadership for their inaction during their time in office. “We’ve been under Republican control for about 30 years, so it’s ironic that Republican legislators are doing this,” Eskamani added. “You can take action if there were issues with state agencies.” \With over 840 pieces of legislation for lawmakers to review, it is unknown if HB305 will gain traction when the Florida 2025 legislative session begins on March 4 traction.