DES MOINES – The final report and recommendations from the Iowa DOGE Task Force was released this week, and at a press conference, Governor Kim Reynolds was joined by chair Emily Schmitt to discuss the ongoing attempt to streamline government operations and spending.
“Alignment has given us a clear line of sight into all areas of state government and reinforced the importance of continuously evaluating and improving our operations. The Iowa DOGE Task Force was a logical next step,” Governor Reynolds said. “In February, I signed Executive Order 12, establishing the task force and inviting leaders from private sector businesses, local government and education to assess how we can improve workforce programs, leverage emerging technologies, maximize taxpayer investment, and ultimately, take alignment to the next level.”
In 180 days, the task force engaged with several state agencies, convened stakeholder focus groups, received input from more than 5,000 Iowans representing all 99 counties, and produced a comprehensive report filled with concrete, actionable recommendations.
“Creating a government ecosystem that reduces administration and increases collaboration allows every Iowan a better serviced state and outcomes that can evolve and adapt,” Iowa DOGE Task Force Chair Emily Schmitt said. “These factors not only contribute to effective government, but also overall economic development, community vibrancy and business growth.”
During the press conference, Governor Reynolds directly addressed concerns regarding IPERS, the state’s largest public pension system.
“There has been much public speculation, not to mention misinformation, about potential changes to benefits that state employees, law enforcement officers, teachers, and others rely on,” Gov. Reynolds said. “You can rest assured that IPERS will be there for your retirement, just as you’ve planned and we’ve promised. You have my word, and it was the intent of the task force from the beginning.”
Governor Reynolds went on to highlight some of the report’s recommendations. Over the coming months, she plans to review recommendations in detail with her respective cabinet members for potential implementation.
“Our goal will be to build on the success of alignment, leverage ongoing progress across agencies, and identify new areas for further improvement,” she said.