Lafayette, LA – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order to establish a new task force aimed at identifying waste and inefficiencies in state government, following a similar approach championed by former President Donald Trump. The initiative, which will focus on government spending, contracts, and staffing levels, is intended to reduce costs and improve the delivery of public services across Louisiana.
On Thursday, Landry formalized the creation of the Fiscal Responsibility Task Force, which will be charged with reviewing state expenditures, state contracts, staffing, and identifying potential areas for cost-cutting. The task force will also explore opportunities to streamline state services, particularly by integrating technology to improve efficiency and reduce wait times for citizens accessing state services.
As part of the executive order, Landry appointed Steve Orlando, a well-known oil and gas executive, as the state’s Financial Responsibility Czar. Orlando, the chairman of Allison Marine Holdings, will oversee the new Fiscal Responsibility Program and chair the task force’s meetings. Orlando, a longtime supporter of Landry, has close ties to the governor’s political network, having run Landry’s political action committee, Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators. He has also been involved in the political circle of Shane Guidry, a significant player in the Louisiana oil industry.
The task force includes a mix of political figures from both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, each appointed four legislators to serve alongside Orlando. Henry’s picks include Sens. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs; Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia; Jeremy Stine, R-Lake Charles; and Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette. DeVillier selected Reps. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro; Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell; Phillip Tarver, R-Lake Charles; and Adrian Fisher, D-Monroe.
The task force’s work is expected to lead to recommendations on how to cut public spending, improve state operations, and reduce inefficiencies. The group is also tasked with evaluating the state’s current expenditures and contracts to find potential savings. Landry emphasized in his executive order that his administration is committed to improving fiscal responsibility and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely.
The first report from the task force is due by December 31, 2025, outlining its findings and recommendations for budgetary adjustments and operational improvements.
While Landry’s push for government efficiency echoes efforts made by former President Trump, who proposed creating a Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate wasteful spending, the initiative in Louisiana is particularly focused on state-level reforms. Trump’s version of the initiative was led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and was famously dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in a playful nod to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, in which Musk is heavily invested.
Governor Landry has frequently touted his efforts to reduce state government spending, claiming to have cut approximately $2 billion from Louisiana’s state budget. However, much of this reduction was due to cuts in federal funding, rather than decisions made directly by Landry or his administration. Despite this, the governor has maintained a firm stance on fiscal responsibility and has called for further measures to trim state spending.
While Landry has pursued several cost-cutting initiatives, his administration has also seen increases in certain areas of state spending. For instance, Landry’s administration expanded funding for Louisiana State Police, including the establishment of a new troop in New Orleans. Additionally, the governor has championed a series of tough-on-crime laws that are expected to carry significant financial costs for the state, including longer prison sentences and expanded incarceration programs.
The Fiscal Responsibility Task Force will play a central role in advising Landry on how to balance the need for tough policies with the goal of reducing state expenses. The task force’s recommendations could have far-reaching implications for the governor’s fiscal policy and for the state’s budgetary priorities.
As Louisiana grapples with growing budgetary challenges, the Fiscal Responsibility Task Force will be closely watched by both political leaders and residents alike. The task force’s final report could shape future budget decisions and set the tone for fiscal policy in the state for years to come.
Governor Landry’s efforts to reform state spending are part of a broader national conversation about government efficiency and the role of government in managing public funds. Whether the new task force will be able to deliver the savings Landry has promised remains to be seen, but its creation signals a clear priority for the governor: reducing waste and improving fiscal responsibility in Louisiana’s government.