Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order launching Iowa’s DOGE Task Force—the next step in Iowa’s ongoing efforts to successfully improve effectiveness and efficiency in state government.
The task force, led by Sukup Manufacturing Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Emily Schmitt, will be organized and focused around three broad goals: maximizing return on taxpayer investment, leveraging emerging technology, and further refining workforce and job training programs.
“Today, I signed an Executive Order to officially launch our own Iowa DOGE Task Force to continue the work we began with our state government alignment,” Gov. Reynolds said. "This group will make recommendations on maximizing return on taxpayer investment, further refining our workforce and job training programs, and leveraging technology, such as artificial intelligence."
“In manufacturing, we continuously review and improve every day—moving layouts, switching machines for pieces to be made, and integrating technology—all which lead to better employee engagement," Schmitt said. "Establishing the Iowa DOGE taskforce is a natural next step in the continuation of all these principles. I trust that the outcomes of this taskforce will be felt by all Iowans.”
The Iowa DOGE Task Force will hold its first meeting within 60 days and submit its report and recommendations within 180 days of that initial meeting.
Since Gov. Reynolds was elected to office in 2018, she has reduced Iowa’s income tax rate from 8.98% to a flat 3.8% rate and eliminated tax on retirement and inheritance income. After conducting a review of state operations in 2022, Gov. Reynolds led an effort to cut 21 state agencies, eliminate 600 open positions, remove 1,200 regulations, and identify 4,700 acres of state-owned farmland to sell.
In all, Gov. Reynolds’ alignment of state government has saved taxpayers $217 million in 18 months, surpassing initial projections for the first four years.