June 11, 2025

logo
google_play
app_store
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
    • Special Sections
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
      • Special Sections
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
On
News
April 10, 2025

On a quest to cut waste, Oklahoma House releases its list of ‘DOGE Ideas of Note’

By EMMA MURPHY OKLAHOMA VOICE 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Over 30 complaints of government waste and inefficiency in Oklahoma have been flagged as “ideas of note” and considered by House lawmakers during budget discussions.

House budget chair Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, said the House’s Government Efficiency Portal, which launched in December, received around 250 complaints, but many were “spammy and junk.”

The portal, which was modeled after President Donald Trump’s federal Department of Government Efficiency, received about 75 actual submissions, about 20% of which are legitimate claims of waste, he said.

Some of the submissions were used in budget hearings to inform questions lawmakers asked of agency directors, he said. Some of the “spam” was as simple as what people receive in their email inboxes, Caldwell said, but many were filled with “vitriol against a specific statewide elected officer.” Caldwell said he did not want to name that person.

House leaders voluntarily provided a list of 35 submissions, which they’ve identified as “DOGE Ideas of Note” in response to a request by Oklahoma Voice.

Ideas on the list ranged from consolidating within state agencies to reducing the number of traffic signs on Oklahoma highways.

Three submissions recommended reducing the number of school districts to consolidate administrative staff and share resources, while another recommended doing the same with the state’s 25 public institutions for higher education.

Consolidation of state storage and warehouse facilities, state vehicle fleets, and printing services were also recommended.

Other submissions noted inefficiencies when working with state agencies to obtain car tags, medical assessments, food stamps, childcare, health care and “vital records.”

One submission said the “over abundance” of unnecessary traffic signs “numbs drivers” and “litter” highways. An example included “speed limit signs increasing over a short distance” because “people know how to speed up.”

A couple of submissions questioned the need for Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to air television and radio advertisements. Someone else questioned why the OTA and the state Department of Transportation were separate agencies and if there was overlap in services.

Another recommended comparing job titles of state employees to consolidate duplicative tasks and re-evaluating the salaries of highly paid public servants.

The submissions provided to Oklahoma Voice only included the submitted idea and not any identifying information about the person using the portal.

Oklahoma Voice (oklahomavoice.com) is an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, supported by grants and donations. Oklahoma Voice provides nonpartisan reporting, and retains full editorial independence.

this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Sallisaw Veterans Center welcomes first residents
A: Main, Main, News
Sallisaw Veterans Center welcomes first residents
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 10, 2025
The more days that turned into weeks, which then evolved into months and stretched into years since the September 2020 groundbreaking for the new Sallisaw Veterans Center, the more impatient the commu...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
6 incumbents re-elected in Cherokee Nation General Election
A: Main, Main, News
6 incumbents re-elected in Cherokee Nation General Election
June 10, 2025
Six incumbents were re-elected to the Council of the Cherokee Nation during the tribe’s General Election on June 7, according to unofficial results from the Cherokee Nation Election Commission. The in...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Sallisaw School Board approves new hires, superintendent’s contract, insurance plans
A: Main, Main, News
Sallisaw School Board approves new hires, superintendent’s contract, insurance plans
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
June 10, 2025
The Sallisaw Board of Education convened for its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the district’s administration building, approving a full slate of business measures ahead of the upcoming s...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Your TIMES wins awards at state meet
A: Main, Main, News
Your TIMES wins awards at state meet
June 10, 2025
SHAWNEE — Your TIMES and its staff earned 13 awards Saturday when the Oklahoma Press Association presented its Better Newspaper Contest awards during the association’s annual convention held this year...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
4 tornadoes confirmed in Sequoyah County
A: Main, Main, News
4 tornadoes confirmed in Sequoyah County
June 10, 2025
The National Weather Service confirmed that at least three EF1 tornadoes struck Sequoyah County on Friday, with one beginning at Vian, another just east of Sallisaw and a third went north of Roland in...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Former Cowboys wide receiver added to College Football HoF ballot
Sports
OSU FOOTBALL
Former Cowboys wide receiver added to College Football HoF ballot
By SEAN MAGUIRE OKSTATE.COM 
June 10, 2025
STILLWATER — Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant has been added to the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}


ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
google_play
app_store

Editor Picks
Summer School fun
News, School News
Summer School fun
June 10, 2025
Moffett School students in grades Pre-K and Kindergarten recently enjoyed Summer School fun with blocks and building.
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
ATU-Ozark Campus spring 2025 Chancellor’s List, Honor Roll
News, School News
ATU-Ozark Campus spring 2025 Chancellor’s List, Honor Roll
June 10, 2025
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus has announced its Chancellor’s List and Honor Roll for the spring 2025 semester. The ATU-Ozark Campus Chancellor’s List recognizes students who complete a semeste...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Mark your calendar
Calendar, News
Mark your calendar
June 10, 2025
Announcements of upcoming events for nonprofit organizations and events in Sequoyah County may be delivered to Your TIMES in several different ways. They may be mailed to or hand delivered to Your TIM...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Sallisaw trainers receive honors from TCU Trainers Camp
B: Sports
SALLISAW FOOTBALL
Sallisaw trainers receive honors from TCU Trainers Camp
By DAVID SEELEY SPORTS EDITOR 
June 10, 2025
Two of the four Sallisaw Black Diamonds football trainers received honors from the 2024 Texas Christian University Trainers Camp, which took place Nov. 9 at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth,...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Full moons and baby burros are good for us
Columnists
HOME COUNTRY
Full moons and baby burros are good for us
By Slim Randles Guest Columnist 
June 10, 2025
In a few days, all those rhymers who lived in Tin Pan Alley back when Gertie was a pup will be fulfilled once again. How’s that you say? Was a love song ever written that didn’t have both moon and Jun...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Facebook

SEQUOYAH COUNTY TIMES
111 N. Oak
Sallisaw OK
74955

918.775.4433

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Sequoyah County Times

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy