Staff Reports
States that are proudly waving the flag of fiscal responsibility are increasingly aligning with former President Trump’s push to get government employees back in the office, or else. Republican governors across the country, from Oklahoma to Wisconsin, are waving their collective fists at the trend of remote work, signaling that it’s time for public servants to return to their desks—or pack their bags.
In the wake of Trump’s announcement about his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), states like Ohio and Utah are taking action. Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine is leading the charge, reminding his employees that effective public service doesn’t happen in pajamas. His recent executive order insists that state employees return to in-person work by March. Apparently, sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee doesn’t quite cut it when it comes to serving Ohioans.
The collective chorus from Republican officials is that enough is enough. After years of remote work, which some have taken as an open-ended vacation, taxpayers are tired of shelling out for empty offices and underperforming workers. Economists at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) argue that governments have been throwing money out the window, literally maintaining buildings that house no one. It has become a rallying cry for efficiency advocates pushing for audits on the public workforce—because who wouldn’t want to see taxpayer dollars at work?
With GOP governors tightening the reins, even Utah’s Spencer Cox is reconsidering his previously pro-remote work stance after realizing that being together might just be more beneficial for teamwork than a telework mantra. Cox’s about-face proves that even the strongest proponents of telecommuting can eventually see the wisdom of teamwork over solo Zoom meetings. Clearly, governors are beginning to see that moving offices back open doesn’t just stack up productivity; it brings accountability back to the workplace.
Despite the enthusiasm from Republican leaders, Democrats and government labor unions are throwing cold water on this return-to-office movement. They argue that working from home is an economic boon and a perk that should be maintained, as if the concept of sitting on the couch and calling it “working hard” is a real thing. Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin vows to veto any legislation demanding workers return to the office, claiming that attracting the best talent may require flexible work arrangements—because nothing says “elite” like a government job in sweatpants.
GOP-led states embrace DOGE’s return-to-office move for government workershttps://t.co/eVZTwJUCgG pic.twitter.com/S0NNiRScu9
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 27, 2025
The mixed responses from states are showing that while some are embracing the return, others are digging their heels in. Radical unions are even filing lawsuits against Republican governors who want to end the telework gravy train without negotiating new deals. Meanwhile, in Idaho, a return-to-office policy is now a startling reality for many workers, limiting the number who can enjoy telework to just 20%. As criticism mounts against the Biden administration for its lack of urgency in getting federal employees back to offices, leaders like Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin are taking a stand, reflecting the growing support for the idea that a solid work ethic should mean showing up in person.
In a landscape often riddled with inefficiency, an army of GOP governors is on a mission to reinstate some good old-fashioned accountability in the public sector. The message is clear: the time for home office lounging is over. Accountability, transparency, and taxpayer dollars demand that public servants return to the communal grind of the office. If one thing is for certain, it’s that the fight over the cubicle space is heating up, and it’s going to be an entertaining showdown for those who appreciate a good political tussle.
