“Massachusetts should not be trailing the nation on jobs. We should be leading.”

Lexington, MA– The Healey administration announced that Massachusetts’ unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in April, exceeding the national average of 4.2%. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy called the increase “unacceptable” and a reflection of deeper failures in the Governor’s economic leadership.

“Maura Healey’s administration is asleep at the wheel and managing our state’s decline,” said Kennealy. “Massachusetts should not be trailing the nation on jobs. We should be leading.”

Kennealy criticized the state’s overregulation, high taxes, and hostile business climate as central reasons employers are reluctant to grow or locate in Massachusetts.

“Unfortunately, Governor Healey’s focus seems to be growing the government rather than the private sector,” he continued. “Job creation and good-paying salaries don’t come from big government – they come from a strong private sector.”

When elected Governor, Kennealy pledged to pursue pro-growth policies focused on unleashing the private sector, lowering taxes, and cutting red tape to drive job creation.

“I will cut taxes and slash regulations to let businesses grow — not to grow government,” said Kennealy. “Freeing the private sector is the best way to reduce unemployment and revitalize our economy.”

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