Waltham, MA – Governor Maura Healey has announced her opposition to the ballot question that would lower the Massachusetts income tax rate from 5% to 4%, claiming the measure would “undercut affordability.”

Leading Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy sharply disagreed, calling the Governor’s position fundamentally flawed and out of touch with the financial realities facing Massachusetts families.

Kennealy released the following statement:

“Governor Healey’s view of affordability is completely backwards. Putting more money back into the pockets of Massachusetts citizens is one of the most direct and effective ways to address the affordability crisis.

It’s clear the Governor is more concerned with protecting the state’s growing budget than protecting the personal budgets of hardworking families. When individuals have more money in their pockets, they invest, they spend, and they fuel economic growth – which in turn strengthens state revenues.

The real reason Massachusetts has become one of the least affordable states in the country is because of higher taxes, burdensome regulations, and relentless fee increases on families and small businesses.

I look forward to voting in favor of lowering the income tax. As Governor, I will go even further – delivering additional tax relief and cutting unnecessary regulations to restore Massachusetts’ competitiveness.

As Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, we helped create over 230,000 private-sector jobs during my time in state government. We can do it again but it requires new leadership focused on results, pragmatism, and economic growth, not political ideology.”

Kennealy has consistently emphasized affordability, economic competitiveness, and job creation as the cornerstones of his campaign for Governor.

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