Lafayette, La. – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has taken a significant step towards cutting waste and inefficiency in state government by signing an executive order to establish a new government efficiency task force. The move comes as part of Landry’s ongoing commitment to improving fiscal responsibility within the state.
The task force, led by oil and gas executive Steve Orlando, who has long been a supporter of Landry, will focus on identifying areas for potential cuts in state expenditures, contracts, and staffing levels. Orlando, who also serves as chairman of Allison Marine Holdings and runs one of Landry’s political action committees, Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators, has been appointed the state’s new Financial Responsibility czar. As part of his duties, Orlando will oversee the creation and execution of the Fiscal Responsibility Program and lead the task force’s meetings.
The task force is tasked with reviewing the state’s spending practices, seeking areas where public spending can be reduced, and examining opportunities to improve the efficiency of state services. Among the group’s goals will be reducing wait times for services, cutting unnecessary expenditures, and finding ways to take advantage of technology to modernize operations. The task force is expected to produce its first report by December 31, 2025.
In addition to Orlando, the task force will include several key political figures, including Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, who have each appointed four legislators to join the effort. Henry’s appointees are Senators Valarie Hodges, Blake Miguez, Jeremy Stine, and Gerald Boudreaux, while DeVillier selected Representatives Jack McFarland, Stephanie Berault, Phillip Tarver, and Adrian Fisher. The inclusion of both Republican and Democratic members reflects an effort to bring bipartisan perspectives to the table.
Landry’s executive order touts his record of reducing government spending during his time in office, citing a reduction of approximately $2 billion in the state’s budget. However, it’s important to note that much of this reduction occurred due to automatic cuts in federal spending, rather than direct decisions made by Landry or other state officials. Despite this, the governor has increased spending in certain areas, including the Louisiana State Police, where a new troop was added in New Orleans. He has also championed tough-on-crime laws expected to lead to higher costs, such as longer prison sentences.
The new initiative is similar to programs proposed by President-elect Donald Trump, who has emphasized reducing government waste and inefficiency at the federal level. Trump’s plan for a Department of Government Efficiency, led by figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has drawn attention for its ambitious goals of cutting bureaucratic overhead. Landry’s effort in Louisiana, while more localized, shares many of the same objectives of improving government accountability and fiscal discipline.
As Landry’s task force embarks on its work, all eyes will be on whether the initiative leads to meaningful savings or is largely symbolic. Regardless of the outcome, it signals the governor’s continued focus on reducing government spending and promoting fiscal responsibility in the state.