By Jesse Jones
Rio Rancho Republican Sen. Jay Block proposed a bill mirroring the Federal Government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he said is to curb corruption and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Block recently introduced Senate Bill 484, which would create a Government Accountability to Taxpayer Office(GATO) to track government spending across state agencies, universities and programs using artificial intelligence tools. Operating under the governor with a small team of experts, the office would issue annual fiscal health and efficiency reports. The findings would be referred to the State Auditor or Attorney General if fraud or misuse is detected.
“This is not about eliminating jobs or anything like that,” Block said. “This is mainly about exposing any type of fraud, waste or abuse when it comes to your tax dollars.”
According to Block, New Mexico has been plagued by high-profile corruption scandals, including former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s embezzlement scheme and secret settlement payouts under Gov. Susana Martinez.
He said that unlike the State Auditor’s office, which focuses on financial compliance, GATO would utilize AI-driven tools to track all state expenditures—across agencies, universities and programs—in real-time, providing a broader view of taxpayer dollars.
Unlike DOGE, which focuses on modernizing federal technology, GATO will prioritize promoting transparency and accountability in state government spending.
“As our government has expanded in the last six years, it’s crucial to have transparency in how our money is being spent,” Block said.
According to the latest state budget report, New Mexico’s budget has nearly doubled over the past decade, growing from $6.2 billion in 2016 to $10.9 billion in 2026. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said the state’s economy has been fueled by energy production, government research and trade.
Since late 2022, government jobs in New Mexico have grown fast—up 6% by mid-2024—giving the state a larger share of public-sector jobs than the national average. Key sites like Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs, and Spaceport America keep fueling that growth.
New Mexico also leads the nation in the impact of research and development on its economy, contributing over $7 billion and nearly 36,000 jobs in 2021, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. As the second-largest oil and gas producer and a significant trade hub with Mexico, the state experienced solid growth in 2023 thanks to a booming energy sector and increasing trade.
GATO vs. DOGE vs. State Auditor
The proposed GATO agency would operate similarly to the federal DOGE and the State Auditor, with key differences in focus, scope and methods. While all three strive to ensure the proper use of public resources, their roles in oversight and accountability differ.
DOGE focuses on modernizing federal technology and improving productivity across government agencies. GATO, on the other hand, would use technology to enhance transparency and accountability in state government spending, targeting waste and inefficiency. The State Auditor is responsible for financial oversight and compliance, auditing agencies to ensure taxpayer funds are used correctly.
If approved, GATO would be an independent office under the governor. Its executive director would be appointed for a four-year term, subject to Senate approval. The director would oversee operations, manage activities, and enforce laws, reporting directly to the governor.
According to the Fiscal Impact Report, running GATO would cost about $500,000 in the first year and between $1 million and $1.5 million in the second. The funding would cover six full-time employees, including a director, four evaluators and an administrative assistant.
Some state agencies already have internal audit teams doing similar work, but past reports found they often lack independence, fail to coordinate and sometimes cost more than they save. Experts have suggested creating a statewide office like GATO or strengthening audit rules to address these issues.
GATO would have the authority to investigate state agencies and report its findings, which could help improve oversight. However, the report said the office could still face challenges ensuring independence and following consistent procedures.
The State Auditor’s Office, constitutionally established, conducts financial and special audits of over 1,000 governmental entities. It includes divisions such as the Financial Audit Division and Special Investigation Division.
“I commend Sen. Block for his dedication to enhancing accountability through performance audits of State agencies and programs,” State Auditor Joseph Maestas said. “However, the proposed legislation overlaps with the constitutional mandate of the New Mexico
Office of the State Auditor and would result in unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money.”
Maestas proposes the following actions to address Block’s concerns:
- Introduce a Senate Memorial: Present a senate memorial, drafted by the auditor’s office, during this legislative session to explore the creation of a Statewide Inspector General’s Office. This office would be established through amendments to the Audit Act and administratively attached to the OSA.
- Advocate for Increased Operational Budget Funding: Support additional funding for the OSA to ensure it continues to serve as an effective financial watchdog, holding public entities, including State agencies and their programs, accountable.
- Co-Sponsor HB 493: Join as a co-sponsor of the Public Finance Accountability Act, which would authorize the Department of Finance Authority to establish funding criteria for grant eligibility. This would codify the executive policy of Executive Order 2013-006 into State law.
“I am eager to collaborate with Sen. Block to better understand his specific concerns regarding the accountability of taxpayer money by State agencies and their programs,” Maestas said.
DOGE, housed within the Executive Office of the President, includes the U.S. DOGE Service, which helps federal agencies modernize technology and improve efficiency. The head of DOGE, the U.S. DOGE Service Administrator, is appointed by the President and reports to the White House Chief of Staff.
Amy Gleason, the acting administrator, oversees operations. However, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, senior White House adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk oversees DOGE.
Each federal agency has a DOGE team to streamline operations and enhance data sharing.
Political challenges
Despite Republican backing, the bill faces resistance from Democrats.
Block pointed out that past transparency bills were blocked in the Senate, saying, “We’ve been hitting brick walls with the Democrats on transparency.”
Block said public support will be key for the bill to pass.
“Everyone knows the government wastes money, everybody knows there’s corruption in government, and I would think that taxpayers would demand their elected officials be good stewards of their tax dollars,” Block said.
Though GATO’s future remains uncertain, Block said he is committed to reintroducing the bill next year if it fails. He expressed hope that growing frustration with government inefficiency will fuel demand for greater accountability.
The Signpost contacted the Governor’s and State Auditor’s offices for comment on the bill but has not received a response.