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We support the inclination behind the drafting of legislation to launch a state Department of Government Efficiency.
While the specific details still need ironed out, we have no doubts that our government can accomplish as much or more while spending less. And the impulse to be apply greater scrutiny and oversight to how the state government operates and spends tax dollars should always be applauded.
"I think it's great that legislators are having these conversations, and I'm interested in working with anyone that wants to make state government more efficient," state Treasurer Stacy Garrity told the Center Square, for a report which the Sun-Gazette published in its Wednesday edition. "We have a responsibility to make sure we're using tax dollars correctly and wisely, and I think taxpayers expect that of us."
We agree with our state Treasurer and we believe that a majority of voters in our region agree with her as well.
We must note that the effort in Harrisburg is still grounded in the legislative process, with its appropriate checks and balances. Too many of the efforts undertaken by both the Trump and Biden administrations attempt or attempted to circumvent that necessity -- as we have identified in past editorials. The federal "DOGE" initiative fell into that category -- which is unfortunate, in part, because we are confident Republican lawmakers support the underlying principles and could, through the constitutional processes, fine-tune an approach that is better equipped to withstand the challenges of the future.
But beyond questions and concerns about process, we hope voters can recognize that between a $34 trillion debt at the federal level and the increasing and uncompetitive tax burdens on Pennsylvania's families and businesses and court rulings that the state must resolve the disparity in how public education is funded, our governments -- both state and federal -- must get their fiscal houses in order.
Scrutiny and oversight in the pursuit of more efficient spending is a key part of that.