Republicans Set Their Sights on State Agencies, Unleashing Trump’s ‘DOGE’ in Arizona

In the wake of the November 2024 elections, Arizona’s legislative Republicans have committed to scaling back state government, drawing inspiration from President Donald Trump’s policies.

They aim to implement this promise through the establishment of two committees, the House Regulatory Oversight Committee and the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee, modeled after Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

Launched shortly after Trump’s recent election, DOGE focuses on curbing federal spending. Arizona lawmakers are now echoing this sentiment with proposed bills targeting state agencies, boards, and commissions.

Rep. Alex Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, is a driving force behind these initiatives. He has introduced legislation seeking to eliminate multiple state boards and commissions while empowering lawmakers and the public to challenge agency rules. “We want to take an axe to the size of government and its interference in the lives of Arizonans,” Kolodin stated.

His proposals include scrapping at least nine boards, starting with lesser-known entities like the Citrus Research Council. While board members typically serve as volunteers, some are accompanied by paid staff for operational support.

Kolodin’s ambitions extend further, as he targets all existing agencies if possible, evidenced by his push to terminate the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, despite opposition from other lawmakers who support its continuation.

Similarly, Rep. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson, has set his sights on the Arizona Department of Water Resources, introducing bills to halve its budget and expedite an audit. Diaz emphasized ongoing issues with transparency and regulatory overreach, particularly under Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration.

“ADWR has been sidetracked by extrastatutory activities that lack legislative authorization,” he commented, citing specific initiatives that detract from the department’s core responsibilities.

Kolodin also seeks to revive Proposition 315, a legislative referral previously rejected by voters. His revised version would give the Legislature authority to repeal costly agency rules, targeting those with financial impacts exceeding $1 million.

Proposed changes also affect the legislative process itself. Kolodin has suggested limiting lawmakers to introducing no more than 10 bills per session and restricting actions during the second session to bill repeals only.

Sen. J.D. Mesnard introduced a legislative referral aimed at amending Proposition 108, which currently allows state agency fees to be raised without the two-thirds majority required for tax increases. Mesnard believes the existing exception has led to excessive fee increases, undermining the original intent of the law.

Concerns about these proposed changes have arisen. Will Humble, a former director of the Department of Health Services, criticized these measures, warning that they could lead to diminished capacity for agencies, jeopardizing their effectiveness.

He argued for enhanced funding for oversight bodies like the Auditor General’s Office instead of cutting resources. “Having talented people making decisions is how you make government more effective,” Humble asserted.

Some proposals reflect broader Trump-era policies, such as one by Sen. Jake Hoffman that seeks to ban state entities from using diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

While many of these DOGE-inspired initiatives may face veto from Governor Hobbs, some could still reach voters in 2026. Kolodin remains optimistic about public support, though Humble expresses skepticism, suggesting that reaction to government overreach could influence future changes.

“The pendulum does swing,” he warned. “The more people are personally affected by these decisions, the less popular they become.”