10-03-2025
Newton County-based lawmaker chairs Missouri's Committee on Government Efficiency
MISSOURI (KSNF/KODE) — Government efficiency has been making headlines since Inauguration Day, when President Trump established 'DOGE' by executive order to modernize federal technology and software.
A Newton County-based lawmaker is at the head of similar efforts in Missouri.
Representative Ben Baker announced his appointment to chair the Committee on Government Efficiency on January 23.
COGE has a number of bills on its slate, concerning how SNAP recipients can spend their benefits, unemployment compensation, pay for teachers and school administrators, vehicle inspection and registration, building permits, and funding for the departments of conservation and transportation.
The 20-member committee's primary job is to look for ways to reduce state spending and red tape.
'Even a state like ours that has a balanced budget amendment, we can't spend more money than we take in, but there's a lot of waste in places where if we had better processes I think it would make for more efficient government, which translates to less money, and regulation, and time for our citizens,' said Rep. Ben Baker, (R-MO) District 160 / Government Efficiency Committee Chair.
The Missouri State Senate has its own government efficiency committee.
It launched a 'Government Efficiency Portal' in February, where the public is encouraged to report duplication, waste, and inefficiency for the committee to review.
As for COGE, the committee's next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at noon.
You can visit the livestream here.
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