N.C. lawmakers, Gov. Josh Stein initiate statewide efficiency efforts

In the midst of the Department of Government Efficiency's reworking of the federal government, North Carolina is making its own efficiency efforts. 

North Carolina House Speaker Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell, Watauga) announced the formation of the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency in January. 

“Unnecessary government bloat and waste hurt North Carolina taxpayers’ wallets and divert funds that could be used for core functions such as public safety and education,” Hall said in a press release.

Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston) and Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico) chair the committee and will work to identify potential waste and mismanagement in state and local government operations, according to the press release. 

Rep. Zack Hawkins (D-Durham), one of the representatives appointed to the committee, said that while he thinks the effort is inspired by DOGE, North Carolina will run the program differently. The committee will investigate government spending and make recommendations to the legislature based on its findings, but will not have the authority to single handedly cut programs or funding, he said. 

Another committee member, Rep. Phil Rubin (D-Wake), described DOGE’s actions as lawless, but he said he’s hopeful about North Carolina’s government efficiency efforts.

“I think there's a real opportunity to do something that is bipartisan and really benefits everyone in North Carolina, and if that's what we're doing, I'll be supportive,” Rubin said.

Committee member Rep. Wyatt Gable (R-Onslow) said he thinks all governments should have something like the state House's committee. 

The committee members also offered different ideas about what programs should be targeted. Hawkins suggested looking into tax policy and the Opportunity Scholarship program, Rubin suggested finding more efficient ways of improving government IT systems, Gable suggested examining storm relief spending and Torbett suggested targeting DEI programs.

In addition to making cuts, Hawkins said the committee may identify programs that could be expanded. He added that resources could be reallocated to prioritize food insecurity in rural areas.

John Locke Foundation Senior Political Analyst Mitch Kokai said that the committee's proposals would have to win support in the House and Senate, and then be approved by Gov. Josh Stein. 

This is not the first time North Carolina has made efforts to increase government efficiency. In 2013, a government efficiency and reform review, known as N.C. GEAR, was contracted by the state.

“[N.C. GEAR] came up with a number of good ideas, but sort of ran into the stumbling block of the fact that there wasn't a whole lot of buy-in from the General Assembly,” Kokai said. 

Gov. Stein is working to establish his own government efficiency program, the IMPACT Center. As part of Stein’s 2025-2027 Budget Proposal, a press release by the Governor’s office said the IMPACT Center would work to ensure that taxpayer money is well spent.

Stein also discussed government efficiency in the State of the State address on March 12.

“Of course, we have to be fiscally prudent — to be smart about how we invest taxpayers’ dollars,” Stein said in his address. “That’s why I’m directing my budget office to set up the IMPACT Center to ensure our government is run effectively and efficiently because people should know that their tax dollars are being well spent. But let’s get this right. Let’s use a scalpel, not a chainsaw.”

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