Utah Launches GRIT Initiative to Boost Government Efficiency
Salt Lake City, UT — Governor Spencer Cox announced the creation of the Government Reform, Innovation & Transparency (GRIT) initiative on May 9, 2025, aimed at enhancing state government efficiency and accountability. This initiative reflects Cox’s enthusiasm for reform, taking inspiration from the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while adding a unique Utah twist.
Speaking at a news conference, Cox expressed excitement about formalizing an endeavor Utah has long engaged in: continuous budget evaluation. "We were DOGE before DOGE was a thing," he declared, noting that the state conducts similar reviews multiple times a year.
Led by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, GRIT will gather feedback from citizens and state employees alike. Executive Director Sophia DiCaro emphasized the dual approach of engaging the public and internal stakeholders to identify inefficiencies and improve services.
Under the GRIT framework, state agencies will be tasked with submitting proposals for efficiency improvements, utilizing a professional learning network, and reporting their progress publicly. This initiative resonates with a significant portion of the Utah electorate, with a recent poll indicating that 72% of Republican voters support government efficiency measures.
While Cox admires DOGE’s objectives, he critiqued its execution, which has led to chaos in federal agencies due to mass layoffs. "GRIT is the thinking man’s DOGE," he stated, underscoring a commitment to thoughtful reform rather than indiscriminate cuts. The governor plans to enhance transparency by providing public dashboards to track GRIT’s progress.
Cox reassured citizens that the initiative might not necessarily lead to job cuts but may even require hiring additional personnel for optimal outcomes. DiCaro encouraged public engagement, stating, “This is your money, your investment, and you should expect the best from us.”
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