(The Center Square) — New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte is taking a page from President Donald Trump’s playbook with the creation of a new panel to improve government efficiency and eliminate wasteful spending.
Ayotte, who was sworn into office two weeks ago, has tapped former Republican Gov. Craig Benson — who tapped Ayotte in 2004 to serve as state attorney general — to lead the 15-member group, dubbed the Commission on Government Efficiency. She also tapped Bedford businessman Andy Crews — who has contributed to Ayotte’s campaign — and several other business leaders.
Other panelists will include House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, and state Sen. Mark McConkey, R-Freedom, according to the Ayotte administration.
“I am proud to bring together business leaders and state government officials to make our state government more efficient and effective for all of New Hampshire,” Ayotte said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside our volunteer members to streamline government, cut spending, and ensure we’re doing everything we can to create value for taxpayers while honoring our unbreakable commitment to provide for our most vulnerable citizens.”
In her inaugural address, the former U.S. senator said the new commission would be tasked with coming up with ideas to streamline state government and cut wasteful spending.
“COGE will make us smarter than ever before when it comes to saving taxpayer dollars and finding better ways to serve the people of our state,” Ayotte said in her remarks.
It’s not clear yet how the new commission will operate, including whether its meetings would be open to the public, and if commissioners will be paid for their work.
The commission draws its name from Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which is expected to be led by Elon Musk, the world’s richest person.
The newly minted federal agency, a key campaign pledge by Trump, is tasked with slashing government waste and providing increased transparency for government spending. It was created by an executive order signed by Trump on Monday, a few hours after he was sworn into office. The new panel is led by Republicans, but includes several Democratic lawmakers.
