A leading New Jersey lawmaker is planning to create a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Garden State, modeled after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are trying to create at the federal level. We are proposing a bill to establish DOGE.
“We need it more than Washington,” said Senate Minority Leader Joe Pennacchio (R-Boonton).
“We reflect the actions of the federal government and these two gentlemen.”
Pennacchio, who previously worked in economic development under former Republican Gov. Donald DiFrancesco, said NJDOGE will be responsible for the state's budget, which has increased by 60% over the past seven fiscal years.
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New Jersey Senate Minority Whip Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris; (Official photo of the New Jersey State Senate)
“A lot of these increases were one-off money borrowed during COVID-19. You can't get it back. … They haven't even used the full amount. One-shots are everything.'' Gone.
“I saw an estimate that next year's budget deficit will probably be $4 billion. Next year is the gubernatorial election. There's going to be a new governor, but whether it's a Republican or a Democrat, there should be a commission. 'We are working together to provide them with a blueprint of what they can and should not do. ”
He said the state does have a “red tape” committee set up by former Gov. Chris Christie to loosen restrictions, but added that it hasn't produced results.
“Every dollar we save is another dollar less.” [Trenton] We have to raise taxes,” Pennacchio said.
If approved, Pennacchio's commission would include one member from the state Treasury Department, one member from the Chamber of Commerce, the top Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and Assembly, and one public member appointed by the governor. It will be.
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Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy (Getty)
”[N]Not only will cutting wasteful spending and ensuring efficiency begin to chip away at the worsening affordability crisis, but lowering the onslaught of taxes and fees will improve economic outcomes for voters across the Garden State. It can also reduce the burden,” Pennacchio said.
At least one other state senator plans to support the idea, but has not publicly endorsed it yet. Fox News Digital also asked representatives in the General Assembly for their reaction to the senator's bill.
Even though New Jersey has long been seen as a reliably blue state, it came within about four points of electing Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. Political analysts said the results were evidence of a shift in public opinion, especially on government spending.
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Mr. Trump won Morris County twice and in 2024 flipped Passaic County, which Mr. Pennacchio represents in part. He said voters support his NJDOGE proposal and are equally aware of the disparities in funding received from Trenton.
FOX News Digital requested comment on Trump's transition plan.
“My district is the one receiving the bill. Schools in my district are receiving cuts, but schools in other districts are not,” Pennacchio said.
“Those are the things we should be looking at. … If Congress still wants to subsidize this nonsense, so be it. They'll be on the record.
“Let's greet the next new governor with an explanation of what we can do, where we can cut costs, where we can eliminate costs. That will stimulate the economy and maybe reduce people's taxes.” It might happen.”
The field for the 2025 gubernatorial race is overcrowded, with several of the top names in both party primaries.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Stephen Fulop, former Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, and Representatives Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer round out the Democratic choices.
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On the Republican side, potential names include truck driver and former state senator Ed Dahl, U.S. Sen. John Bramnick, conservative journalist Bill Spadea, and 2021 gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli.
State Sen. Robert Singer (R-Lakewood) also joined Pennacchio's call for NJDOGE.
“With President Trump's plan to bring business back to America, New Jersey has a chance to lead the way. It's time to restore our state's manufacturing glory with high-wage jobs.” the singer said.
“Let’s make New Jersey the blueprint for the Make America Work Again movement, starting with a statewide DOGE.”
New Jersey State Capitol in Trenton (St. Petersburg)
Recently, large drones have been sighted throughout the Pennacchio area, making national news.
Mr. Pennacchio said that when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in 2001, government officials knew right away who had orchestrated it, and blamed the federal government for giving Jerseyans little answers about the plane. .
“I even had a meeting with the Department of Homeland Security[about drones]. The drones were useless. … They should be ashamed. FBI Director, he looked into it. [Christopher Wray] He has already announced that he is leaving. …So who cares about the store here? ”
