No Chainsaw For DeSana As He Launches DOGE Michigan

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/11/2025) House Republicans, led by Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), launched on Thursday a Department of Government Efficient (DOGE)-like task force that's been charged with recommending sniffing out public assistance fraud and efficiencies within state government.

Under the pledge to squeeze “waste, fraud and abuse” out of state government, DeSana specifically mentioned Medicaid, food assistance and public education administration costs as places he'd like to focus on initially. He also mentioned reducing the number of state departments, although the structuring of the executive branch is historically a function of the governor.

“Our goal is to streamline Michigan government, make it more efficient and get us back to where the people of Michigan can prosper rather than government growing to the extent that it has,” DeSana said during a press conference at the House Office Building.

Like its federal government namesake, Michigan DOGE has a mission to "restore trust in public institutions by identifying inefficiencies, reducing waste, and promoting responsible, taxpayer-first governance at every level of Michigan’s public sector. However, DeSana said the federal effort led by Elon Musk had nothing to do with the mechanics of his panel. DeSana declined to carry a golden chainsaw into Thursday’s press conference as Musk famously did earlier this year.

DeSana credited Republican legislators in Ohio with sharing ideas on how a DOGE-like task force could work in Michigan.

DeSana cited research presented to the task force claiming $1.8 billion in “proven Medicaid fraud” based on a partial verification of the program, estimating the figure could grow if additional cases are reviewed. He also said the task force was shown data suggesting thousands of Medicaid recipients may have significant financial assets, including some with six- or seven-figure bank balances, though he said the group is relying on third-party analysis and state data still needs to be reviewed.

Republicans also plan on examining the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, pointing to what DeSana described as an error rate above federal targets. He warned the state could face penalties of $300 million to $400 million next year if those rates are not reduced.

Beyond benefit programs, DeSana said the task force intends to look broadly at the size of Michigan’s bureaucracy. He noted the state budget has grown by roughly $30 billion over the past eight years, driven by a mix of state and federal funding, and said Michigan now employs about 50,000 state workers, with an additional 180,000 local and county employees supported through state programs.

Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Portland), another task force member, emphasized that the effort is not intended to reduce services for vulnerable populations.

“We are not talking about not taking care of the poorest, the disabled or veterans,” she said. “When we identify fraud, waste and abuse, we will have more than enough resources to take care of those who are truly needy.”

DOGE Michigan held its first meeting Wednesday with DeSana as chair. Other members include House Appropriations Committee Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), House Oversight Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers), Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond), Johnsen, Rep. Joseph Pavlov (R-Kimball Township), Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland), Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland), Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville), Rep. Donni Steele (R-Lake Orion), Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) and Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy). No Democrats were named as part of the task force.