Senator Walczyk and Assemblyman Gallahan introduce bill that would create New York version of DOGE

ALBANY, NY- New York State Senator Mark Walczyk and Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan announced Thursday that they have introduced legislation aimed at enhancing fiscal responsibility in New York State by establishing the New York State Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE), much like DOGE, which has been established at the federal level.

This bipartisan commission will be tasked with examining state spending, identifying unnecessary and wasteful expenditures, and issuing recommendations for eliminating inefficiencies, according to Walczyk’s office.

“The hard-earned money of New York taxpayers deserves to be spent wisely and efficiently," said Senator Walczyk.

"By creating this commission, we aim to shine a light on government waste and inefficiencies that have long plagued our state’s fiscal operations. It’s time to ensure that every dollar spent is justified and contributes to the well-being of our citizens."

“New York taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill for wasteful government spending, while our roads crumble, businesses flee, and residents struggle to make ends meet,” Gallahan emphasized.

“Instead of asking for more, Albany needs to start doing more with less. This commission will provide the transparency and oversight needed to rein in spending and restore accountability to the taxpayers of this state.”

The Senator pointed out how the state’s budget has inflated nearly 44% over the last five-years ($175.3 billion in 2020 – 2021) to $252 billion for the Fiscal Year, 2026.

Walczyk is amongst a whole group of North Country lawmakers who have been calling for a more fiscally responsible budget.

For context, Walczyk’s office claims this proposed measure highlights several examples of wasteful spending that have come under scrutiny in recent years.

Among the most notable, according to the senator, is $700 million allocated for the Empire State Film Tax Credit, part of what he refers to is the state's $7.7 billion in handouts to the film industry. "This program has drawn criticism for failing to produce a significant return on investment for taxpayers," Senator Walczyk’s office said.

Additionally, the senator accuses the tourism sector of not been immune to wasteful expenditures, going on to cite reports indicating that many Adirondack hotels are seeing empty beds, raising questions about the effectiveness of tourism projects that do not yield tangible benefits for local economies.

"This misallocation of resources further underscores the need for a thorough evaluation of spending practices," Senator Walczyk’s office iterated.

Furthermore, the senator has scolded the use of taxpayer dollars to fund drag queen shows in New York City schools, costing over $200,000, which has apparently sparked outrage among parents and taxpayers alike.

The Fiscal Year, 2026 New York State Budget is due come April 1.

Albany, NY Capitol Plaza image.