Ayotte Says There’s Ample Time Left To Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff

WASHINGTON – While there are less than three weeks to go before the nation’s economy faces the so-called “fiscal cliff,” U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte remains optimistic about reaching a solution. Ayotte, a Republican, acknowledged that most rank-and-file citizens are concerned about the short period remaining to avert the dual impact of sequestration – the automatic across-the-board spending cuts set to go into effect at the end of this year – and the scheduled expiration of decade-old income tax cuts. “I’d agree with the average person on that,” Ayotte said Wednesday at a discussion at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.