Effective government doesn’t mean reducing government involvement.

With the push for reform from the Trump administration, Congress, and the Department of Government Efficiency, the focus should not only be on downsizing federal government operations. The ultimate aim should be to achieve positive results using the least amount of tax dollars necessary.

Though it may not be a hot topic and hasn’t been fully tested yet, a bipartisan law on government reforms passed in recent years could offer valuable assistance.

In today’s climate of increased waste and fraud, it’s crucial to target these elements that hamper efficiency. The surge in such issues experienced during the pandemic highlights the urgency to address them first.

The Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan entity often called the “congressional watchdog,” defines waste as the careless or extravagant use of government resources. In recent years, a substantial amount of waste has been uncovered, especially in the form of improper payments totaling $162 billion and potential annual fraud losses ranging between $233 billion and $521 billion.

One of the major areas of concern is the efficiency of government programs in achieving their intended objectives without requiring excessive tax dollars. For example, programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aim to alleviate poverty and offer financial help to low-income households. Research suggests that SNAP alone may have significant fraud issues and may be overpaying benefits by over $10 billion annually.

Unlike the private sector, productivity measures are challenging to apply to government operations. Public goods and services lack market transactions, necessitating different assessment strategies to determine their economic value.

The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, also known as the Evidence Act, was intended to address these challenges. Through comprehensive evaluation and evidence-based decision-making, federal programs and policies can be designed and improved more effectively.

Despite differing political views, the bipartisan support garnered by this act during the Trump administration signifies a shared effort to enhance government efficiency. Embracing this initiative offers the potential for a more productive and cost-effective government system.