Ayotte Talks PUC, Charlie Kirk's Death, And Michael Addison With Reporters

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH

MANCHESTER, NH — As the state heads into the winter heating season, which is often financially hard on many in New Hampshire, Gov. Kelly Ayotte started a press conference Wednesday, saying she's looking for a new Public Utilities Commissioner who will be more sympathetic to residential ratepayers.

On Monday she announced that Dan Goldner, chair of the PUC who was in a holdover status, would not be getting another term.

"This search will be very important to find someone who has not only the qualifications but the focus on ratepayers, because some of the most recent decisions of the Public Utilities Commission in my view have some long-term consequences for increasing rates in a way that is just not right for New Hampshire. We want to bring rates down, we don't want to increase them. So that is a priority for me right now," Ayotte said.

She said her nominee will be someone who would understand the impact on all forms of energy.

POLITICAL DISCOURSE AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK

Ayotte also addressed the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah campus and the rhetoric associated with the response, where she said people should be focusing not on divisions but what can be done together.

"I want people to think about what we share together and our shared values and the things that unify us because I think they are much greater than what divides us. And in my view, we should really be focused on not our divisions but how we can work together and how we can have civil discourse.

"If you think about what Charlie Kirk stood for, he went on campuses and was willing to engage in an open discussion with people who disagreed with him. And to do that in a peaceful way. So that is what I hope for our state and that will always be my message. As to what other people's messages are, everyone is going to have their own individual viewpoint, but that is what I believe as governor of our state," Ayotte said.

Asked if she had a view on "CHARLIE's Act," Ayotte said she is not sure she understands what that is yet because it is only a LSR or in legislative review before a bill is drafted.

"I would take a look at it of course," Ayotte said.

Republicans and Democrats have been at odds over the rhetoric and two New Hampshire teachers have been placed on paid leave for their reactions to Kirk's death, one for an alleged classroom remark and the other for an alleged social media post.

On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Belcher, R-Wakefield, and House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, announced in a news release "legislation to protect education and civil discourse in New Hampshire."

The “Countering Hate And Revolutionary Leftist Indoctrination in Education Act,” known as the CHARLIE Act, will end taxpayer-funded indoctrination and restore schools to their rightful purpose: teaching truth, preparing students for success, and strengthening our country," the release said.

“For too long, the classrooms of New Hampshire Schools have been hijacked by woke activists who wield education as a weapon to indoctrinate kids with Marxist ideology,” said Rep. Belcher. “Our children deserve a real education. They are sent to school to learn math, science, reading, and civics that prepare them to think critically and succeed in life. They should not be subjected to the poisonous fringe theories of the radical Left that condition them to despise their own country, distrust their neighbors, and reject the very Constitution that guarantees their freedom.”

House Majority Leader Osborne also introduced a proposed revision to New Hampshire RSA 98-E. "The amendment would clarify that immunity does not extend to public employees who glorify, condone, or celebrate violence against American leaders. Osborne explained further, 'Free speech does not mean a blank check from taxpayers for those who cheer the assassination of journalists, candidates, or civic leaders. New Hampshire will not fund the advocacy of murder and assassinations,'” the release said.

On Monday, responding in a news release to previous remarks by Osborne, House Democratic Leader Rep. Alexis Simpson, D-Exeter, said: “In this moment, when our state and our nation are reeling from political violence, it is appalling that House Majority Leader Jason Osborne would call to ‘turn up the heat’ and tell young Granite Staters that they ‘have been conscripted to war.’ This is not leadership. Words matter, and dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric like this puts lives at risk.

"Granite Staters deserve leaders who will fight for them, not inflame tensions with violent rhetoric. While New Hampshire families are struggling with skyrocketing housing costs, crushing property taxes, and the rising price of food and everyday needs, Osborne is using his power to stoke division and extremism.

"The question every Granite Stater should be asking is this: will Governor Kelly Ayotte and Republican leaders denounce Osborne’s extremist words, or will they stand by in silence and endorse them through their inaction? Our democracy and our communities deserve better,” Simpson said.

MICHAEL ADDISON's APPEAL

On the question of a decision by the New Hampshire Supreme Court to hear Michael Addison's appeal of the death sentence he received for murdering Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs 19 years ago, which Ayotte prosecuted as then-Attorney General, she said it has already been found there were no legal errors in that case.

"That is a sentence he should receive," Ayotte said. "It is an insult to not only the Briggs family but the police officers in this state not to impose the sentence that the jury imposed and the proper punishment in this case."

The state no longer has a death penalty.

"I hope his sentence stands," Ayotte said.

Reporter Nancy West contributed to this report.

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.