(The Center Square) − Gov. Jeff Landry has signed an executive order establishing a new Fiscal Responsibility Program aimed at streamlining Louisiana’s government operations, reducing wasteful spending, and modernizing state services.
“Our government can and should be more efficient, modern, and accountable to our people,” Landry said in the executive order, emphasizing the need for a budget that prioritizes citizens’ needs while eliminating inefficiencies.
The Fiscal Responsibility Program will evaluate state expenditures, contracts, staffing levels, and services to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve service delivery. Key components include:
Reviewing current state budget expenditures and identifying potential reductions.Evaluating contracts to determine if they should be renewed, modified, or terminated.Assessing staffing levels across departments to eliminate unnecessary vacancies.Identifying duplication of efforts within and across state agencies.Exploring technological solutions to expedite state services while cutting costs.
The program will be led by a fiscal responsibility czar, Steve Orlando, who will oversee a task force comprising members of the Louisiana Senate and House, along with other appointees. The group will provide its first findings by Dec. 31, 2025, with annual updates thereafter.
The Fiscal Responsibility Program task force will include four members of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by Senate President Cameron Henry with Senators Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, and Jeremy Stine, R-Lake Charles, named to the group.
Additionally, four members of the Louisiana House of Representatives will join, appointed by House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, including Reps. Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell, Adrian Fisher D-Monroe, Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, and Phillip Tarver, R-Lake Charles.
Landry pointed to his track record of cutting costs as U.S. congressman, attorney general and governor, and expressed confidence that the program would help create a leaner, more effective state government.
The executive order builds on recent voter-approved measures aimed at improving fiscal transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
In the November elections, Louisiana voters passed constitutional Amendments 2 and 3, which mandate a 48-hour review period before lawmakers can vote on appropriations bills, including those amended in conference committees.
Amendment 3 complements this reform by allowing legislators to extend the regular session by up to six days if additional time is needed to finalize the state budget.
The amendments are a response to criticism of the rushed passage of the $52 billion budget during the final half-hour of the 2023 legislative session, where lawmakers bypassed the 48-hour review period and constitutional expenditure limits.
“This is a tactic regularly used in the Legislature,” said Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute. “It’s the whole ‘we have to pass it to see what’s in it’ mindset.”
The office is similar to the Department of Government Efficiency which President-elect Donald Trump has promised to establish at the federal level.