New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte takes page from Trump with DOGE-like commission
In Concord, New Hampshire, the state’s newest governor, Kelly Ayotte, is wasting no time in proposing a new government efficiency commission to address the budget challenges ahead. As federal COVID relief funding dries up and business revenues decline, Ayotte is looking for ways to do more with less.
In her inaugural address, Ayotte announced the creation of the Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, emphasizing the need to save taxpayer dollars and find better ways to serve the people of the state. This move seems to be inspired by a similar national effort by President-elect Trump, who recently appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to steer the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE.
Ayotte’s proposal has received praise from state lawmakers, with Republican Mayor Jay Ruais calling it a “brilliant approach” to tackling government bloat. However, New Hampshire Democrats are critical of the plan, arguing that it will lead to massive budget cuts to essential services.
Despite the partisan divide, Ayotte remains focused on working with both parties to move the state forward. She has pledged to continue the policies of her predecessor, Chris Sununu, while also vowing to veto any legislation that further restricts access to abortion beyond the state’s current law.
In addition to her budget-saving initiatives, Ayotte has also announced plans to ban cell phones in public schools, citing concerns about the negative impact of screens on students’ learning environments. This move has been met with both support and skepticism, but Ayotte is determined to prioritize the needs of teachers and students in the state.
As Ayotte takes the reins as governor, she is already making waves with her bold proposals and commitment to efficient governance. With a strong team behind her and the support of her predecessor, Chris Sununu, Ayotte is poised to lead New Hampshire into a new era of governance.
