On NHPR, Ayotte Offers Excuses, Evasion, and Broken Promises

On NHPR, Ayotte Offers Excuses, Evasion, and Broken Promises
 

In an appearance on NHPR’s ‘All Things Considered,’ Kelly Ayotte gave another go at attempting to spin her failing record. 

When asked about the state’s housing crisis and need to “jumpstart more affordable housing,” Ayotte took the opportunity to try and cover up her cuts to affordable housing initiatives, saying, “we take opportunities of all kinds to increase the supply of housing.” However, Ayotte slashed funding for proven affordable housing initiatives, leaving no new funding for the Housing Champions Program — which was responsible for nearly half of all new housing units.

After attempting to cover up her broken promise of lowering utility costs, all Ayotte had to say on the issue of sky-high electric and utility costs is that she is focused on “making sure that the Public Utilities Commission has a focus on affordability and bringing energy costs down.” Yet Kelly Ayotte’s PUC approved another rate hike for New Hampshire families that could drive electricity bills up by $18 a month. To make matters worse, Ayotte nominated Chris Ellms Jr. as chair of the PUC, which experts warned could be a huge problem given he “has no demonstrated experience in utility ratemaking [or] cost causation.”

Ayotte capped off the interview by evading an answer on whether she would support an ICE detention facility in New Hampshire. Instead, she served up some word salad and could not offer an ounce of opposition to the enforcement tactics that Donald Trump’s ICE has been using to terrorize communities.

“The only consistent thing about Kelly Ayotte in this campaign is excuses and broken promises,” said NHDP spokesperson Marissa Hebert. “Whether it’s the rising cost of housing, skyrocketing utility bills, or Donald Trump’s extreme immigration agenda, Ayotte refuses to level with the people she serves.”