Melissa Donovan
A new amendment progressing through the Florida Legislature could bring significant changes to the state’s governance by replacing the Office of the Lieutenant Governor with a newly established position focused on government efficiency.
The proposal, identified as HJR 1325, seeks to eliminate both the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the Government Efficiency Task Force. In their place, the amendment would introduce the Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE), a Cabinet-level position dedicated to identifying and addressing inefficiencies within state operations.
Proposed Government Restructuring Under HJR 1325
The role of Lieutenant Governor has remained unoccupied since Jeanette Nuñez accepted a position at Florida International University last month. Traditionally, this role serves as the Governor’s second-in-command and assumes leadership in the event of a gubernatorial vacancy. Under the proposed changes, however, the COGE would have a different function—examining and reporting on inefficiencies, fraud, and waste in state agencies.
Legislative and Voter Approval Process
If passed by lawmakers, HJR 1325 would still require approval from at least 60% of voters in the next general election. Should the amendment be enacted, the Legislature would appoint the first COGE in 2027 for a one-year term. Thereafter, voters would elect the COGE every two years. Starting in 2030, elections for the position would align with the Governor and Cabinet’s four-year cycle, with an eight-year term limit. By 2044, voters would have the option to eliminate the position via another ballot initiative.
Current Status and Related Efficiency Initiatives
The amendment has successfully passed two House committees and is now closer to a full House vote. Meanwhile, a corresponding Senate bill awaits two more committee hearings before it can move forward.
In a parallel effort to improve government efficiency, Governor Ron DeSantis recently introduced a task force aimed at reducing bureaucracy and enhancing operational effectiveness. This initiative supports broader objectives to streamline government functions and control expenditures.
As part of these reforms, DeSantis aims to cut 900 state positions in addition to 740 job reductions previously proposed. Additionally, the state’s public universities will undergo independent audits to evaluate their operational efficiency.
Returning Federal Funds
Further emphasizing Florida’s push for financial accountability, DeSantis announced that the state is returning $878 million in federal taxpayer funds to the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Governor highlighted Florida’s ongoing efforts to reject federal funding that he argues comes with restrictive conditions.
As HJR 1325 moves through the legislative process, its approval will depend on both lawmakers and voters, potentially reshaping Florida’s government structure and efficiency strategies for years to come.
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