CONCORD, N.H. – The nation’s new governor is heading out the starting gate with a proposal for a new government efficiency commission that appears to be modeled in part on a similar national effort by President-elect Trump.
In the battleground state of New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who replaced longtime Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, said in her inaugural address Thursday that the state’s economic downturn and the depletion of federal coronavirus relief funding for states have led to concerns over the future. He pointed out the state budget issues. Among business income.
“We’re going to have to look for better ways to do things with less money,” Ayotte said.
The new governor then said, “I know there’s nothing harder than keeping politicians from spending money, so today I’m creating the Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, as I like to call it.” will be announced. ” he said.
The new governor looks forward to working with the Trump administration.
Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican who is replacing fellow Republican Chris Sununu, takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol in Concord, New Hampshire, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa )
Ayotte argued that “COGE will make us smarter than ever before in finding better ways to save taxpayers money and serve our state’s residents.”
“We’re looking for new and efficient ways to make things better and serve our taxpayers,” Ayotte said in an exclusive interview with FOX News Digital ahead of the inauguration. It looked like he was making fun of his own proposal.
Comeback Kid: Former Republican rising star rises again with big gubernatorial victory
The New Hampshire governor’s move comes just days after Trump won the presidential election, putting Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, and a former Republican presidential candidate at the helm of what he calls the Department of Government Efficiency. This comes almost two months after the company appointed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. ” Best known by the acronym DOGE.
Ayotte’s proposal received much applause from state legislators gathered at the New Hampshire State House for the governor’s inauguration. Republicans made significant gains in the November elections, strengthening their majorities in the state House and Senate.
Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte will be sworn in as Governor of New Hampshire during an inauguration ceremony at the State Capitol in Concord, New Hampshire on January 9, 2025 (FOX News – Paul Steinhauser)
“I think it’s a great approach,” Jay Ruais, the Republican mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest city, told Fox News.
Mr Luet, who is seen as a rising star within the party, said: “I think appointing a committee like this to pursue any kind of bloat is the perfect approach and definitely would be really beneficial to the state government.” I think it’s certain that it will help us downstream,” he said. Even at the local level. ”
New Hampshire Democrats clearly oppose this.
“Governor Ayotte has only been in office less than 24 hours, but she’s already laying the groundwork for deep budget cuts to services people rely on. This all comes as a result of years of Republican policies she supported failing. Ray Buckley, the longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman, argued.
“Throughout her speech, one thing became clear: Kelly Ayotte is taking a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook,” Buckley asserted. “Governor Ayotte is following in Mr. Trump’s footsteps and starting down a dangerous and costly path for New Hampshire.”
What’s next for this popular Republican governor who has decided not to seek re-election?
Ayotte, a former state senator and state attorney general, defeated Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig by nearly 10 points in the November election. Her victory kept the governorship in Republican hands.
In her speech, Ayotte praised her predecessor for advocating for policy continuity.
“New Hampshire is moving in the right direction, and no one deserves more credit for that than four-term Governor Chris Sununu. Thank you, Governor,” Ayotte said.
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is honored by Republican Kelly Ayotte during an inauguration ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (AP Photo/Charles・Kulpa)
Looking ahead, Ayotte told Republican state legislative leaders, “I look forward to working with you to deliver on our promise to unite the Republican majority over the next two years and keep our state moving in the right direction.” “I’m doing it,” he said.
Ayotte then reiterated a long-standing promise by the New Hampshire Republican, saying, “No one will be surprised when I say this: There will be no income tax, there will be no sales tax, and there will never be.”
But Ayotte also extended an olive branch to Democrats, saying, “My door is always open. Good government knows no party.”
“Republican, Democrat, independent, I’m going to be your governor because our state is so much bigger than party or ideology,” she added.
And Ayotte, who faced a barrage of attacks from Democrats over the abortion issue during last year’s gubernatorial race, told state lawmakers, “If you could send me a bill that would further restrict access to abortion beyond current law, “I will veto it,” he reiterated his vow. . ”
Abortion is legal in New Hampshire until the 24th week of pregnancy.
Ayotte also made headlines when she announced a move to ban the use of cell phones in the state’s public schools.
The governor pointed to her husband, Joe, a former Air Force pilot who flew combat missions over Iraq and now teaches middle school math. We’re talking about what we need.” He and thousands of teachers across the state work on the front lines of the education system and uniquely know what works for students and what doesn’t.
“That is why today I am announcing that we will take steps to ban the use of mobile phones in schools.Screens are negatively impacting the learning environment and distracting students,” Ayotte stressed. .
Sununu spoke in an interview on Fox News Digital on the eve of Ayotte’s inauguration. It was Ayotte’s last full day in office after eight years and four electoral victories (New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont are the only states in the nation with two-year terms). Governor ), praised his successor.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Kelly has been a great friend for decades. She will be a great governor for New Hampshire. She was born and raised in New Hampshire, is ready, and is fully committed with a great team here in the state.” ” Sununu emphasized.
The outgoing governor added that he is available for advice at any time during his retirement. “Anything I can add, she knows she can always call or text,” he said.
Paul Steinhauser is a political reporter based in New Hampshire.
Source link
