WALTHAM, MA — Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy today condemned House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz for dismissing two taxpayer-focused ballot questions as “irresponsible,” calling the characterization a blatant attempt to protect a broken status quo that has failed Massachusetts families.

“The only thing ‘irresponsible’ here is Beacon Hill’s addiction to overspending,” said Kennealy. “Calling direct tax relief for working families irresponsible—after Democrats blew through their own budget by more than $6 billion—is breathtakingly out of touch.”

The ballot questions referenced by Rep. Michlewitz would deliver clear, measurable relief to Massachusetts taxpayers. One would lower the state income tax from 5% to 4%, providing meaningful savings for working- and middle-class families across the Commonwealth. The other would trigger additional tax refunds when state revenues exceed projections—again, putting money directly back into taxpayers’ pockets.

“It would almost be comical to hear these proposals labeled ‘irresponsible’ if the consequences weren’t so serious,” Kennealy continued. “Governor Healey and the Democratic supermajority have shown time and again that they cannot be trusted as responsible stewards of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.”

Kennealy argued that after years of runaway spending, rising costs, and declining affordability, the most responsible course of action is to limit the government’s ability to waste money and allow families to keep more of what they earn.

“Massachusetts doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a failed leadership problem,” Kennealy said. “When government proves it can’t manage money responsibly, the answer isn’t higher taxes or fewer refunds. The answer is accountability. Letting taxpayers keep more of their own money isn’t reckless—it’s common sense.”

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