Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has recently announced that the state will have a new state digital service team, which would work to improve the government’s efficiency. This announcement did not sit well with some Virginia residents, however, as many accused the governor of simply hiring more people, which they deemed the opposite of efficiency.
Spanberger talked about the new team on social media, announcing that she appointed Andrea Fletcher to serve as Director of the Virginia Digital Service. This new team was focused on modernizing the state government by improving websites and systems. According to Spanberger, the team would help the government to “work more effectively, efficiently, and reliably.”
The Virginia governor also used the chance to take a jab at the federal government, claiming that in a time of “unprecedented uncertainty and disruption out of Washington,” it was important for Virginia to invest smartly.
Virginia Governor Criticized for Lacking Efficiency
All the talk about government efficiency was not very well received by people online on X, however. Someone commented on the announcement, saying: “More bureaucrats, more commissions, more salaries, more pensions. More affordability, too–for the bureaucrats collecting the salaries.” Others asked: “So does that mean she will reverse all the extra expenses you have created? If not who cares.”
The main issue people seemed to have with the new department was that this would allegedly mean spending more money: “I believe that makes bigger government. More spending for any results that we won’t see until after your gone.” Others agreed: “So you’re spending tax dollars to make sure our tax dollars are spent more efficiently. You are the perfect example of what is wrong with government.”
Some users also took offense at Spanberger talking about disruption in the federal government: “As a Virginian, my disruption does not come from Washington, it is coming from Virginia’s new lousy Governor! Stop personal property taxes and reduce our power bills like you promised!”
To a few Virginia voters, the only way to actually gain more efficiency would be to vote Spanberger out of office in the next election: “Come on Virginia Voters – WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS GRIFTER. LET’S END GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY AND MISMANAGEMENT OF OUR TAX DOLLARS. VOTE REPUBLICANS AND SECURE OUR COMMONWEALTH AND OUR NATION!”
It remains to be seen whether the Virginia politician will be able to improve efficiency with the new team, but it seems that her detractors are not too confident about that. For now, Spanberger will have to prove that creating another government team can ultimately save taxpayers more money than it costs.
