New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte is taking Trump's page on the DOGE-like commission

CONCORD, NH – The nation's new governor is getting out of the first gate by proposing a new government efficiency commission that appears to be modeled, to some extent, on a similar national effort by President-elect Trump.

Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte of the swing state of New Hampshire, in his opening speech on Thursday as he succeeded Gov. Chris Sununu, outlined the state's budget challenges ahead due to the end of state funding for COVID and the economic downturn. in business income.

“We're going to have to look at finding better ways to do things for fewer dollars,” Ayotte said.

The new governor then said, “Because I know that there is nothing more difficult than getting politicians to not spend money, today I announce the establishment of the Commission on Good Government Performance, or as I like to call it – 'COGE.'

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Ayotte argued that “COGE will make us smarter than ever when it comes to saving taxpayer dollars and finding better ways to serve the people of our state.”

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital before his inauguration, Ayotte appeared to tease his proposal by insisting that “we are looking for new and effective ways to do things better and work for the taxpayers.”

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The New Hampshire governor's move comes nearly two months after Trump, days after his presidential election victory, tapped Elon Musk, the world's richest man, and Republican presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to direct what he called “the Department of Public Works,” better known by its acronym DOGE.

Ayotte's proposal was widely applauded by state lawmakers gathered at New Hampshire's Statehouse for the governor's inauguration. Republicans in the November election made big gains as they strengthened their upper house and state senate.

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte is sworn in as governor of New Hampshire at his inauguration on Jan. 9, 2025 at the Statehouse in Concord, NH. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

“I think it's a good approach,” Republican Mayor Jay Ruais of Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city, told Fox News.

Ruais, who is considered a rising star in his party, emphasized “appointing a commission like this to follow any kind of impasse, I think, is the right way and it will be really beneficial for the country's government and it certainly helps us to look downstream. and local level.”

New Hampshire Democrats apparently disagree.

“Governor Ayotte hasn't been in office twenty-four hours yet, and she's laying the groundwork for massive budget cuts to the services people depend on. All of this is because of the failed Republican policies she championed,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley argued.

“Throughout his speech, one thing was clear – Kelly Ayotte is taking a page out of Donald Trump's playbook,” Buckley said. “Governor Ayotte is following in Trump's footsteps and is on a dangerous and expensive path for New Hampshire.”

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Ayotte, a former U.S. senator who previously served as the state's attorney general, defeated Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig by nearly 10 points in the November election. His victory kept the governor's office in the hands of the GOP.

In his speech, Ayotte praised his predecessor, whose policies he campaigned to continue.

“New Hampshire is moving in the right direction, and no one deserves more credit for that after four terms than Governor Chris Sununu. Thank you, Governor,” Ayotte said.

Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu was recognized by Republican Kelly Ayotte during his inauguration at the State House, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Concord, NH (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Looking ahead, Ayotte told state GOP leaders, “I look forward to working with you … to bring more Republicans together over the next two years to deliver on the promises we made to keep our country on the right track.”

And Ayotte reiterated the New Hampshire Republican's longtime pledge that “it won't surprise anyone if I say this: no income tax, no sales tax, not now, not ever.”

But Ayotte also extended an olive branch to Democrats, saying, “My door is always open. Good government knows no party.”

“I will be your governor, whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, you name it. Because our country is much bigger than a party or an ideology,” he added.

And Ayotte, who faced a barrage of attacks from Democrats on the abortion issue during last year's gubernatorial campaign, repeated his pledge to state lawmakers that “if you send me a law that further restricts access to abortion outside of our current law: I will oppose it. .”

Abortion is legal in New Hampshire at 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Ayotte also made headlines by announcing that he would ban cell phones in public schools.

Pointing to her husband, Joe, a retired Air Force pilot who flew in Iraq and today teaches middle school math, the governor said, “Joe and I talk about what he sees in the classroom and what his students need all the time. He and thousands of teachers in our state are at the forefront. in our educational system Teachers know uniquely what works for our students and what doesn't.

“That is why today I am announcing that we will take action to ban cell phones in our schools. Screens have a negative impact on our learning spaces, they draw the attention of students,” highlighted Ayotte.

Sununu, in an interview with Fox News Digital the night before the inauguration of Ayotte, who was his last day in office after eight years and four electoral victories (New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont are the only states in the country that received a two-year term. governors), praised his successor.

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“Kelly has been a great friend for decades. He's going to be an amazing governor of New Hampshire. He's New Hampshire, born, raised, ready to go, hitting the ground running with a great team here in the state,” Sununu emphasized.

The outgoing governor added that while he is leaving office, he is always available for advice. “Anything I can add, you know he can call and text anytime,” he said.