A coalition of Republican New Hampshire legislators joined the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance on the State Home Thursday for a pair of press conferences highlighting what they known as “the growing economic divide” between Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The marketing campaign comes as Massachusetts has lately misplaced a handful of high-profile companies to the Granite State, together with electronics producer SynQor and healthcare and safety know-how firm Analogic Corp.
“We came to the Massachusetts State House today to thank Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Democrats in office, to thank them for their leadership and driving their policies that have made Massachusetts such a bad state to do business in and New Hampshire such a good state to do business in,” stated New Hampshire Deputy Home Majority Chief and state Rep. Joseph Sweeney (R-Salem).
“These businesses moving to New Hampshire are no accident. When we see headlines like Analogic and SynQor moving their operations to the state of New Hampshire it’s not luck, it’s not coincidence. It’s the result of over the last decade New Hampshire Republicans have done everything that we can to lower our business taxes, lower our taxes in the state, say ‘no’ to the new taxes that Democrats have proposed in New Hampshire, like an income tax,” he stated.
It additionally comes as Massachusetts maintains its rank as a bottom-10 state for financial competitiveness, one thing nationwide watchdog group The Tax Basis credit to the Bay State’s sluggishness to repair its “overly burdensome individual income taxes, property taxes, and UI taxes.”
However, Gov. Maura Healey fired again, telling the Herald that New Hampshire’s financial system is extraordinarily depending on that of Massachusetts, including that the Granite State “doesn’t have a GDP without Massachusetts.”
“Our economy is about eight times the size of New Hampshire’s. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people are actually leaving New Hampshire to come work for companies and jobs in Massachusetts. Because, Massachusetts at the end of the day provides the economic engine to New Hampshire. New Hampshire doesn’t have a GDP without Massachusetts and what we provide,” stated Healey when requested in regards to the marketing campaign.
“Massachusetts is the juggernaut [of New England]. Our economy drives the region and I’m really proud of that. I’m going to keep growing the economy here and growing jobs. New Hampshire has a lot of great things to offer, but they got nothing on us when it comes to the economy and job growth,” she stated.
Mass Fiscal and the New Hampshire lawmakers pointed to an inventory of 15 taxes applied in Massachusetts, 12 of which New Hampshire doesn’t have.
These embody an revenue tax, a millionaire’s tax, an curiosity & dividends tax, a list tax, gross sales tax, enterprise income tax (New Hampshire has 7.5% enterprise revenue tax in comparison with 8% in Massachusetts), a company minimal tax, capital beneficial properties tax, dying tax, cigarette tax per pack (New Hampshire cigarette tax is $1.79 per pack in comparison with $3.51 in Massachusetts), an area cigarette tax, liquor taxes, car excise tax, a meals and rooms tax (8.5% in New Hampshire in comparison with as much as 11.7% in Massachusetts), and the web zero emissions by 2050 mandate.
However, the New Hampshire legislators say the Bay State is utilizing its bigger financial system to ship companies and residents fleeing by way of what they name pointless local weather mandates, taxes, and extra.
“We are here to send a message to the governor’s office: Sincerely, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for doing what you do,” stated New Hampshire state Rep. Brian Labrie (R-Bedford), who additionally chairs the state’s Home Small Business Coalition. “Your budget is a lot bigger than ours. Our marketing budget is nowhere near what yours is. You guys are doing us the biggest service in the world, in Massachusetts, and in the governor’s office, for allowing businesses to get frustrated and leave the state. We are happy to take them.”
Earlier this month, the Healey Administration launched the Massachusetts Competitiveness Council to develop methods to strengthen the state’s enterprise and financial local weather. The council, which consists of greater than 20 leaders from enterprise, labor, analysis and state authorities, met for the primary time on December 3. It was created by Healey in October to “advise her administration on policies and initiatives that support businesses, grow jobs, and ensure Massachusetts remains a leader in innovation, talent and quality of life.”
“I love New Hampshire. I grew up in New Hampshire, I went to school in New Hampshire, I played ball in New Hampshire. I’ve got a lot of friends and family in New Hampshire. But, I’ll tell you this, I’m glad I live in Massachusetts. Massachusetts is a state that leads in education and innovation and healthcare,” Healey stated. “What I would like to see, honestly. Rather than people, whether it’s the governor or members of the state legislature, bash another New England state. How about we work together and collectively grow our economies and grow jobs?”
Two of the three Republicans working to unseat Healey in 2026 additionally chimed in after listening to in regards to the marketing campaign.
Brian Shortsleeve says “Maura Healey is the best thing that ever happened to the state of New Hampshire,” Shortsleeve stated.
“Working families and job creators in Massachusetts need relief from crippling taxes, and state-mandated fees that drive up energy costs. New Hampshire shouldn’t get used to it though: next year when I become governor we’re going to create an environment where our people and businesses can thrive, not force them north, south, and west to lower cost states,” he stated.
As for the Kennealy group, Marketing campaign Communications Director Logan Trupiano informed the Herald the show by the New Hampshire lawmakers was “an embarrassment” for Healey and Massachusetts residents.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing a mass exodus of residents and businesses moving out of Massachusetts to New Hampshire,” Trupiano stated. “It’s due to high taxes and excessive regulations that have been strangling businesses and these residents for as long as Maura Healey has been governor. Mike Kennealy was the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under the Baker Administration and presided over a booming economy. Come September, Massachusetts residents will have a choice between more of the same from Maura Healey or a booming economy with Mike Kennealy.”
The Herald reached out to Mike Minogue’s marketing campaign for remark.
Mass Fiscal and the New Hampshire lawmakers started their day in New Hampshire, talking to members of the press outdoors a Entire Meals in Salem.
