The Trump administration rightly aims to streamline government operations, and it’s fair for Americans to expect just that. I completely support the President’s goal of eliminating waste and fraud. However, sending Elon Musk and his team felt like sending a bull into a china shop, disrupting the efforts of civil servants who’ve been effectively serving the public since 1883. It’s hard to showcase the real impact of Musk’s approach.
Recently, Musk revealed that his team discovered only $160 billion in potential savings, which, honestly, is a far cry from the ambitious $1 trillion goal he set.
In the wake of these developments, a new ABC News IPSOS poll indicated that many Americans disapprove of Musk’s handling of the initiative. There’s a general concern that Trump might go too far in cutting down the government’s size and functionality.
Sadly, the fallout has been significant, affecting the lives of tens of thousands of federal employees. Musk announced plans that seem to push for more government intervention, which, I think, could put crucial programs at risk. We’re talking about vital services like medical research and veteran support, not to mention the responsible use of taxpayer money.
We don’t have to resort to chaos to enhance government efficiency. I’ve demonstrated that it can be done without the disorder we witnessed with Musk’s involvement.
Before I entered the House, I was the CEO of Baltimore County, overseeing a government budget of $5 billion and serving over 850,000 residents. In that role, I inherited a bureaucratic system stuck in the past. So, we decided to take action and scrutinize the efficiency of local government and our school system, which is the 25th largest in the country.
We brought in experts to perform thorough audits of county agencies, comparing our data with similar communities across the nation. We also surveyed the public extensively. The outcomes from these initiatives were significant.
These efforts produced two major reports, which identified $771 million in savings over five years, documented through over a thousand recommendations. Simple changes, like adopting double-sided printing as a default, helped greatly. We even introduced environmentally friendly solutions, like “smart” salt spreaders, leading to more savings.
We can improve government efficiency without the turmoil seen under Musk’s leadership. My experiences prove that it’s achievable.
Baltimore County’s savings came from leveraging our most valuable asset: the employees themselves. We conducted over 300 interviews, gathering insights from both frontline workers and management. Without listening to the people in the field, true efficiency gains are nearly impossible. Ignoring their input prevents identification of potential improvements.
It’s unfortunate that Musk’s efforts have turned “efficiency” into a contentious term. It doesn’t have to be this way. Genuine government efficiency is crucial at all levels, and it is absolutely attainable.
Now that Elon Musk has returned to Tesla, if President Trump is interested in learning how to implement these changes correctly, I’m more than willing to share my insights.
