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COGE Unveils Comprehensive Efficiency Blueprint for Ayotte Administration
- Granite Eagle
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
CONCORD, NH — A state commission created on Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s first day in office released a sweeping set of recommendations aimed at streamlining operations, cutting duplication, and strengthening accountability across New Hampshire’s government.
The Commission on Government Efficiency, co-chaired by former Gov. Craig Benson and business leader Andy Crews, reviewed every major state agency, producing what the report calls a “strategic assessment” designed to make government “more effective, more collaborative, and more efficient for the benefit of its citizens”.
The report identifies dozens of opportunities for modernization such as reducing administrative bloat, eliminating redundant roles, opening inactive state land to economic use, tightening eligibility oversight in public-funded programs, and reining in regulatory growth.
Among the most significant recommendations is a firm endorsement of in-person work requirements for state employees. The report argues that pandemic-era remote practices have weakened accountability and slowed public-facing service, citing national data showing lower productivity and reduced oversight in remote settings.
The commission also highlights what it calls “excessive administrative growth” within the University System. It urges a full review of management layers, executive pay, and duplicative system-level functions, recommending that savings be redirected back into classrooms and student aid.
On regulatory reform, the report recommends a “one-in, two-out” approach for state rules, requiring agencies to repeal at least two outdated regulations for every new rule they adopt. The commission argues this would combat “administrative sprawl” and reduce burdens on residents and businesses.
The commission also calls for tighter oversight of taxpayer-funded legal services. It proposes a centralized verification system for public-defender applications, citing the current $30 million annual cost and what it describes as inconsistent eligibility screening across local courts.
In education, the report urges stronger transparency requirements in school budgeting, expanded reimbursement for eligible special-education services, and the creation of a Teacher Bill of Rights to reinforce classroom authority and reduce disruptions. It also recommends independent audit committees for school districts, citing recent breakdowns in financial oversight such as the Claremont audit lapses.
On fiscal management, the report identifies millions of dollars in potential value from unused state-owned land and recommends that agencies review surplus parcels for sale, lease, or redevelopment. Many parcels controlled by the Department of Transportation, the report notes, “no longer serve an operational purpose”.
The commission also calls for reviewing vehicle assignments across agencies, describing some state vehicles as “significantly underutilized” and recommending GPS tracking and stricter allocation standards.
Other recommendations include consolidating overlapping workforce-development programs; restructuring oversized agencies such as DHHS into more manageable units; modernizing contracting oversight; expanding fraud-detection tools in assistance programs; and transitioning Pease Development Authority responsibilities to other state agencies given the completion of most of its original mission.
Ayotte has already implemented several reforms that mirror the report’s recommendations, including digitizing Executive Council agenda submissions, tightening out-of-state travel approvals, and launching an appointment-only DMV system expected to save six figures annually.
Benson and Crews said the commission’s work reflects New Hampshire’s tradition of practical, incremental innovation rather than sweeping mandates. Their report emphasizes outcomes over spending levels, urging policymakers to evaluate state operations through “efficiency, accountability, and measurable results”.