Governor Kelly Ayotte

On August 18th, Governor Kelly Ayotte, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding her first months in office, New Hampshire’s budget, and her vision for the state.
 

Budget & Fiscal Responsibility

 

Governor Ayotte emphasized that unlike Washington, New Hampshire must balance its budget. Her guiding principles were:

  • Live within our means
  • Preserve the New Hampshire Advantage (no income or sales tax, strong business climate)
  • Protect the most vulnerable

She noted that while the previous biennium saw a 21% spending increase, this biennium required a 9% reduction. Despite this, key funding priorities were preserved

 

Health & Social Services

  • No waitlist for services for individuals with disabilities.
  • Maintained Medicaid rates and eligibility, especially for children.
  • Increased support for community mental health centers, though she stressed the need for more providers.
  • Highlighted new federal Rural Transformation Grants to support mental health services and rural hospitals.

Education

  • $2.6 billion allocated to public education — more than the prior biennium.
  • Expansion of education freedom accounts for students needing alternatives to public schools.
  • Confirmed new Education Commissioner Caitlin Davis with bipartisan support.
  • Focused on strengthening curriculum and supporting teachers.
  • Discussed the new ban on cell phones in schools during class hours, expected to reduce cyberbullying, increase focus, and improve test scores.
  • Praised Nashua Community College as one of the best in New England, citing programs like the BAE microelectronics boot camp and new FAA partnership for air traffic control training.
  • Announced plans to improve credit transferability across NH community colleges and into the university system.

Child Care

Governor Ayotte noted childcare is both a workforce and affordability challenge. Over 5,000 families are currently supported by childcare scholarships, but more needs to be done to grow the provider workforce.

Public Safety

  • Highlighted the expansion of the Move Over Law in honor of fallen Trooper Jesse Sherrill.
  • Warned of dangerous speeding trends on NH highways, with a new task force addressing speed and distracted driving.
  • Reaffirmed her commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, noting the emerging danger of fentanyl mixed with xylazine (“tranq”), which resists Narcan.
  • Praised NH’s Recovery Friendly Workplace program and urged more employers to participate.
  • Supported first responder recruitment and retention, including adjustments to the retirement system.
  • Celebrated bipartisan passage of bail reform, ensuring violent offenders are not released back into communities too quickly.

Housing

Governor Ayotte described the housing shortage as a top workforce issue. Recent state reforms include:

  • Streamlining the state permitting process to 60 days.
  • Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on single-family lots.
  • Requiring localities to permit conversion of unused commercial buildings into housing.
  • Pledged to convene a state-local housing conference to coordinate infrastructure and zoning solutions.

Governor Ayotte praised Rotary’s community service and shared personal stories of Nashua roots. 

 

Q&A with Governor Ayotte

 

  • Judicial Appointments – The Governor was asked about the recent change to the process for appointing the state administrator in sexual abuse cases, Ayotte explained that the legislature shifted the appointment to a public process: nomination by the governor and approval by the Executive Council. She emphasized her career-long commitment to victims of crime.
  • Education Freedom Accounts – A member expressed concern over public funds being used for private schools. Ayotte responded that state-level funding for public schools has increased to historic levels, and that the program offers options for families when public schools are not meeting a child’s needs.
  • Foreign-Owned Property Concerns – Regarding the purchase of a Nashua building by a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Ayotte said she directed the Attorney General to review the facts and provide a public report. She supports new transparency requirements for foreign property purchases near national security assets.
  • Partisanship & the Four-Way Test – A member urged Ayotte to keep Rotary’s values of truth, fairness, goodwill, and benefit in mind amidst today’s divisive politics. Ayotte affirmed her focus remains on one guiding question: “Is it good for New Hampshire?”
  • Education & Teacher Empowerment – A member and former educator asked about empowering teachers amid diverse classroom challenges. Ayotte acknowledged the strain of regulations and expressed openness to directly surveying teachers about the greatest barriers they face.
  • Local Support Programs – It was also noted the benefit of state workforce training scholarships (WIOA program) and encouraged broader awareness. Ayotte praised the program and committed to further promotion.

The Governor closed by thanking the club for its service and reminding members that New Hampshire’s strength lies in its people: “When there’s a problem, we gather around the table, solve it, and move forward.”