Ayotte Looking Out for Herself While We Pay the Price
- Amplify NH
- May 19
- 3 min read
Once again, Governor Kelly Ayotte is missing in action and Granite Staters are stuck paying the price. As communities across New Hampshire brace for rising costs as a result of looming state budget cuts and the Trump Administration’s ongoing turbulent trade policies, Ayotte’s backwards priorities were on full display.
Time and time again, Ayotte proves that she’s more interested in protecting her own self interests than standing up for the people of New Hampshire. Let’s take a look:
Instead of Lowering Costs for Families, Ayotte Prioritizes Higher Office Budget
As New Hampshire grapples with rising costs and a deepening budget crisis, Governor Kelly Ayotte is under fire for prioritizing her own office’s funding over critical public needs. Despite being asked to trim just $100,000 from her office’s budget — a fraction of the cuts other agencies have endured — Ayotte has continued to insist on restoring the funds, even as the Republican-led Senate Finance Committee firmly rejected the request.
While hardworking Granite Staters are bracing for higher property taxes and cuts to public safety, education, health care and more, Ayotte is too busy protecting her own political comforts to care. Even members of her own party are losing patience with her backwards priorities.
Republican Senate President Sharon Carson weighed in, saying “it’s a little disappointing to see that they [the governor’s office] don’t want to give up [anything]. We gave a million dollars. They are just being asked to give $100,000.”
The controversy comes as Ayotte’s overly optimistic revenue projections have created an estimated $300 million shortfall, forcing the legislature into painful budget reductions that threaten public safety and essential services.
It’s outrageous that Ayotte is fighting harder to protect her own office budget than to protect the people of New Hampshire. While hardworking Granite Staters are bracing for higher property taxes and cuts to public safety, education, and health care, Ayotte is busy protecting her own political comforts. Her priorities are backward, and even members of her own party are starting to lose patience.
While Other States Act, Ayotte Sits By and Lets Utility Rates Soar
As we touched on last week, other Northeast Governors have been taking divisive action to stand up for their constituents in the wake of threats and reckless trade action from the Trump Administration. As other Northeast Governors are taking action to cut utility costs for working families, Kelly Ayotte remains on the sidelines, as the only New England governor who failed to show up for a key regional meeting with Canadian premiers on tariffs and energy affordability.
Last week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey introduced a legislative package that would cap rate increases, eliminate junk fees, and strengthen oversight of utility companies, saving Massachusetts residents an estimated $10 billion over the next decade. In February, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered audits of utility companies across the state as utility prices surged. And the Governors of Vermont and Connecticut have made reducing energy costs a top priority in their states this year. Meanwhile in New Hampshire, Eversource is now seeking to raise electric rates by $260 a year for the average customer starting August 1. Ayotte’s refusal to take action is leaving Granite Staters vulnerable to soaring rates.
Thanks to Ayotte’s inaction, Granite Staters are staring down a $260 rate hike. She has no plan, no pushback, and by rejecting the offer to just have a seat at the table, she is placing her own political interests over the well being of vulnerable Granite Staters. While every other governor in the Northeast is fighting to lower costs for working families in their states, Ayotte is simply watching costs go up and shrugging her shoulders.
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Thank you,
Ryan Mahoney
Executive Director