Abbott Names Jerome Greener to Lead Texas DOGE Office as State Efficiency Initiative Launches

Governor Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday the appointment of Jerome Greener as Director of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, marking a significant milestone in the state's effort to create a Texas version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency initiative, which aims to streamline regulations and reduce bureaucratic red tape for businesses.

The Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, known as TREO and dubbed "Texas DOGE" by state officials, was established through Senate Bill 14, signed by Abbott in April 2025, with a projected budget of $22.8 million over five years and up to 18 full-time staff members. Greener's appointment comes as the office prepares to launch operations in 2026 with a mandate to identify unnecessary regulations, improve government efficiency, and enhance the state's business-friendly environment.

Mission to Slash Red Tape and Administrative Burden

The Texas DOGE initiative emerged from bipartisan legislative support during the 89th Regular Session, with Senate Bill 14 passing both chambers with supermajorities. The office is tasked with conducting comprehensive regulatory reviews, implementing stricter standards for new regulations, and creating digital tools to help businesses navigate the regulatory landscape more effectively.

"We are putting at the forefront of legislation the shaping, formation, and recalibration of government in the State of Texas to make it more responsive and more efficient," Abbott declared during the ceremonial bill signing at the state Capitol.

The governor emphasized that TREO will "slash regulations, put stricter standards on new regulations that could be costly to businesses, and put a check on the growth of the administrative state". Unlike the federal DOGE's focus on personnel cuts, Texas DOGE concentrates on regulatory reform and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to business operations.

Bipartisan Legislative Foundation Drives Reform

The initiative gained momentum through the House Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee, established in January 2025 under the chairmanship of Representative Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake. The 13-member committee, comprising eight Republicans and five Democrats, has been working to identify inefficiencies in state government operations and modernize outdated technology systems.

Capriglione, who announced in July that he would not seek reelection after serving seven terms, positioned the Texas DOGE as fundamentally different from its federal counterpart. "Rather than focusing on public staffing cuts, in its early days, committee leaders will focus on finding areas to recommend for modernizing outdated state technology systems and auditing government agencies," Capriglione explained to The Texas Tribune.

The committee has reviewed 27 bills related to government efficiency, including proposals for agency audits and increased pay transparency. Capriglione emphasized that Texas DOGE aims to serve as a "one-stop shop" for citizens to voice concerns about state government services.

Business Community Welcomes Regulatory Reform

National Federation of Independent Business Texas State Director Jeff Burdett joined Abbott at the bill signing ceremony, highlighting small business support for the initiative. The legislation addresses concerns raised by a George Mason University study indicating that Texas regulates businesses more than most states, despite its reputation for business-friendly policies.

"The regulatory environment in Texas is well known for being good, but it seems like it's not as easy to navigate as it once was," Abbott noted during the signing ceremony.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows both endorsed the measure, with Burrows stating that "the fewer regulations we have, the more efficient they are, the easier they are to understand, which is going to help Texas business and economy continue to boom".

The office will create an interactive website to improve access to regulatory information, particularly for businesses in regulated industries. This digital transparency initiative represents part of TREO's broader mission to modernize government operations through technology.

Significant Investment in Government Modernization

The Legislative Budget Board projects TREO will require $9.7 million from the General Revenue Fund during the 2026-27 biennium, with most costs associated with hiring specialized staff, including attorneys, data scientists, program specialists, and IT personnel. The Department of Information Resources estimates additional technology costs of $1.09 million in fiscal year 2026 for website development, with ongoing annual maintenance costs of $654,000 beginning in 2027.

These technology expenses support the bill's goal of making regulatory information more accessible to the public and regulated entities through an interactive digital platform. The investment includes one-time costs for drafting a Regulatory Economic Analysis Manual and establishing comprehensive regulatory review processes.

Despite the significant upfront investment, supporters argue that TREO's long-term benefits will include reduced litigation costs, improved regulatory efficiency, and decreased compliance burdens that disproportionately affect small businesses.

Legal Framework Challenges Administrative Deference

A key provision of the legislation eliminates courts' obligation to defer to state agencies' interpretations of their own rules during legal disputes. This change aligns with the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which similarly reduced federal agency deference.

The legal reform reinforces the constitutional balance between the judiciary and executive agencies, ensuring that laws passed by the Legislature are not expanded through bureaucratic rulemaking. This represents what legal experts describe as a significant shift toward judicial independence in the interpretation of regulations.

Comparison with Federal DOGE Raises Questions

While inspired by Elon Musk's federal Department of Government Efficiency, Texas DOGE faces criticism from some lawmakers who question the creation of additional bureaucracy to achieve efficiency. Representative Brian Harrison, a Republican, opposed the legislation on the House floor, arguing that establishing a new office that increases spending represents the "opposite" of efficiency.

Chris Gedis, president of the Texas State Employees Union, criticized the bill as "adding another layer of bureaucracy rather than eliminating unnecessary processes". These concerns echo broader debates about whether creating new government entities can effectively reduce government size and complexity.

However, supporters distinguish Texas DOGE from the chaotic federal implementation that has sparked legal challenges and service disruptions. The Texas approach emphasizes careful review processes and bipartisan oversight rather than rapid personnel cuts.

Existing Oversight Mechanisms Raise Duplication Concerns

During legislative hearings, lawmakers questioned the necessity of TREO, given existing oversight mechanisms, particularly the Sunset Advisory Commission established in the late 1970s to evaluate state agencies. The Sunset Commission periodically reviews government agencies for effectiveness, efficiency, and public responsiveness.

Supporters argued that while the Sunset Commission conducts periodic reviews, TREO will work year-round to identify regulatory inefficiencies and propose solutions. This continuous oversight model represents a significant expansion of regulatory review capabilities compared to existing mechanisms.

The office will also complement other state efficiency initiatives, including the Governor's Office's existing economic development and regulatory review functions. TREO's specialized focus on regulatory burden reduction differentiates it from broader government oversight agencies.

Implementation Timeline and Strategic Priorities

TREO will officially launch operations in 2026, allowing time for staff hiring, system development, and initial regulatory assessments. The office's early priorities will include creating the interactive regulatory website, establishing review procedures, and beginning comprehensive audits of state agency regulations.

Greener's appointment provides leadership continuity as the office transitions from legislative concept to operational reality. His role will involve coordinating between state agencies, business stakeholders, and legislative oversight committees to implement the efficiency mandate.

The office's success will be measured through metrics including reduced regulatory compliance costs, improved business satisfaction with government services, and decreased processing times for regulatory approvals. These performance indicators will help justify the initial investment and guide future operations.