By Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
AUSTIN – Last week a bipartisan Senate Bill passed with a nod toward improving government efficiency in Texas.
SB 14 called “Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency,” was put forward by Weatherford’s Republican State Senator Phil King.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said “The Texas economy is the envy of America and the world. Texans understand that by cutting red tape, more money stays in the pocket of taxpayers. When Texans save money, the private sector is unleashed, Texans start small businesses, jobs are created, and our economy grows.
Patrick said he personally prioritized this bill because, “President Trump’s creation of the “Department of Government Efficiency” inspired me to find ways Texas can save taxpayers and businesses money by cutting burdensome regulations.
The Texas Miracle will continue long into the 21st century because our common sense, conservative approach to regulation will keep Texans prosperous and our economy strong.”
SB 14 establishes Texas’ own Regulatory Efficiency Office.
If this bill passes into law the governor’s office would then be tasked to create a Regulatory Efficiency Office. Alongside that creation would also be an advisory panel to oversee regulatory reform.
Inside that office, Texans could then expect staff to identify and eliminate any unnecessary rules, while also improving the rulemaking process, and increasing public access to regulatory information. The advisory panel would also be expected to direct on ways to improve the efficiency of state agencies’ regulatory processes and to identify unnecessary or ineffective regulations, according to a media release from Patrick’s office.
The bill will now head to the House where it will be heard by the House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, which met for the first time on March At that time this committee focused on topics as diverse as the newly formed Space Commission, the Sunset Advisory Commission and the states IT department.
If the bill passes out of committee, it will then be debated on the House floor before a final vote.
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.
