Co-sponsors of the HCR 50 Resolution to Create KY DOGE Task Force – Rep. T.J. Roberts (R-22) and John Hodgson (R-36)
Kentucky Republicans have sponsored a resolution (HCR 50) to create a Kentucky-based version of DOGE. DOGE, Elon Musk’s wildly unpopular Department of Government Efficiency, has created massive job losses, and disruption of some necessary services like USAID.
The resolution was put forward by Representatives T.J. Roberts (R-22), and John Hodgson (R-36).
“House Concurrent Resolution 50 establishes the Kentucky Discipline of Government Efficiency Task Force, which is an interim committee to examine our financial practices, particularly the executive branch,” Roberts said in the General Assembly release. “Further, the (resolution) makes clear that our focus will be on the transition to zero-based budgeting.”
The resolution would establish the task force to focus on executive branch spending in Kentucky. This appears to be a ploy by Republicans to stunt the powers of the Governor’s office. While Republicans hold a supermajority in the state legislature, Republicans often find winning the Governor’s seat difficult with only three Republicans winning the seat in the last 60 years.
The legislation which would create a 10-member task force known as KY DOGE, would meet twice a month and would be required to turn in “findings” to be considered in the 2026 budget process by Oct. 1.
Like Musk, Roberts is also claiming that the KY DOGE task force would, “ensure that when we are spending the people’s money through our tax system, that it is done in an efficient manner.”
Elon Musk’s DOGE has claimed billions in savings but fact-checking has found that many of the claims are unsubstantiated and false. It is unclear how Kentuckians can be sure that this version doesn’t cause mass job loss and phony revenue savings.
Representative Hodgson said that he worked in a similar capacity during Republican Governor Matt Bevin’s administration.
“In the span of four years, we were able to cut out 200 unneeded boards and commissions,” Hodgson said in the release. “We downsized the workforce by about 10% — more than 3,000 people — without any reduction in service… The government not only survived, but was doing better at the end of that process. I think there are many more opportunities.”
The 10-member committee would be made up of 8 Republicans from the House and Senate and only two Democrats — one from each chamber.
When Representative Matthew Lehman (D-67) asked Roberts how the KY DOGE would be different than existing budget review committees, Roberts said the task force would be examining the funding base.
Democratic Representative Matthew Lehman (D-67)
“I’m just not exactly sure what (the task force) is going to accomplish that isn’t being accomplished by the current budget process and our interim joint budget review subcommittees,” Lehman said in a release.
HCR 50 passed through committee with a vote of 16-3. It now heads to the full KY House for a vote.
