If elected as governor in 2026, Mike Kennealy has a promise to the voters: no new taxes..The Republican, who served as the secretary of housing and economic development under former Governor Charlie Baker, made this promise on Tuesday, April 15, the day state and federal income tax filings were due.“Under Maura Healey, Massachusetts has become unaffordable – young people, families, and seniors are leaving our state," Kennealy said in a press release. "My commitment to Bay Staters is simple: no new taxes. I call on Maura Healey to join me in this commitment. As many Bay Staters are making the tough decision to pay their electricity bills or put food on the table, Maura Healey is spending roughly a billion a year on the migrant crisis, proposing feckless new taxes and has abandoned fiscal responsibility. It is time for a change.”As the Kennealy campaign points out, Healey is pushing for several tax increases.As NewBostonPost reported earlier this year, the incumbent Democrat has proposed about $491 million in tax increases this year.Healey's proposed $61.5 billion fiscal year 2026 budget includes the following tax increase proposals, as NewBostonPost previously reported:Subjecting candy to the state's 6.25 percent sales tax ($25 million)Subjecting synthetic nicotine products -- including ZYN and VELO pouches -- to the state's 210 percent excise tax for smokeless tobacco products ($2 million)The Municipal Empowerment Act, which would allow towns to raise their local option lodging tax from 6 percent to 7 percent (6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in Boston), increase the maximum local option meals tax from 0.75 percent to 1 percent, and establish a new 5 percent local option motor vehicle excise surcharge based on a vehicle’s value ($155 million)Capping the state's charitable state income tax deduction at $5,000 for individuals ($10,000 for couples filing jointly) ($164 million)Creating a “pharmacy assessment” on all prescription drugs sold in the Commonwealth that would charge pharmacies $2 per prescription or 6 percent of what the prescription costs, whichever is less ($145 million) The no-new-taxes pledge from Kennealy comes as the Pioneer Institute, a right-of-center economic think tank based in Boston, congratulated Kennealy on entering the race.Here is what the organization said in a press release:Congratulations to Mike Kennealy on his decision to run for Governor of Massachusetts.Mike has served as a thoughtful and deeply engaged member of Pioneer Institute’s board since 2023. We are grateful for his contributions and his commitment to the Commonwealth.Pioneer is an independent, non-partisan think tank with offices in Boston and Washington, D.C. Our work is grounded in four policy areas essential to human potential: K–12 education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and American civic values. These issues are especially vital in Massachusetts — a state whose success depends on attracting talent and capital.Innovation has always come from the states, and democracy depends on citizens who bring ideas, commitment, and a spirit of service to the public square. To preserve Pioneer’s independence, our bylaws require that board members running for office step away from leadership, which Mike has done.We wish him well in the campaign ahead.Other Republicans who may run for governor include Brian Shortsleeve, who served as the chief administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under Baker from 2015 to 2017, and state Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer). Shortsleeve is expected to announce his run in June.Healey's office could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.
If elected as governor in 2026, Mike Kennealy has a promise to the voters: no new taxes..The Republican, who served as the secretary of housing and economic development under former Governor Charlie Baker, made this promise on Tuesday, April 15, the day state and federal income tax filings were due.“Under Maura Healey, Massachusetts has become unaffordable – young people, families, and seniors are leaving our state," Kennealy said in a press release. "My commitment to Bay Staters is simple: no new taxes. I call on Maura Healey to join me in this commitment. As many Bay Staters are making the tough decision to pay their electricity bills or put food on the table, Maura Healey is spending roughly a billion a year on the migrant crisis, proposing feckless new taxes and has abandoned fiscal responsibility. It is time for a change.”As the Kennealy campaign points out, Healey is pushing for several tax increases.As NewBostonPost reported earlier this year, the incumbent Democrat has proposed about $491 million in tax increases this year.Healey's proposed $61.5 billion fiscal year 2026 budget includes the following tax increase proposals, as NewBostonPost previously reported:Subjecting candy to the state's 6.25 percent sales tax ($25 million)Subjecting synthetic nicotine products -- including ZYN and VELO pouches -- to the state's 210 percent excise tax for smokeless tobacco products ($2 million)The Municipal Empowerment Act, which would allow towns to raise their local option lodging tax from 6 percent to 7 percent (6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in Boston), increase the maximum local option meals tax from 0.75 percent to 1 percent, and establish a new 5 percent local option motor vehicle excise surcharge based on a vehicle’s value ($155 million)Capping the state's charitable state income tax deduction at $5,000 for individuals ($10,000 for couples filing jointly) ($164 million)Creating a “pharmacy assessment” on all prescription drugs sold in the Commonwealth that would charge pharmacies $2 per prescription or 6 percent of what the prescription costs, whichever is less ($145 million) The no-new-taxes pledge from Kennealy comes as the Pioneer Institute, a right-of-center economic think tank based in Boston, congratulated Kennealy on entering the race.Here is what the organization said in a press release:Congratulations to Mike Kennealy on his decision to run for Governor of Massachusetts.Mike has served as a thoughtful and deeply engaged member of Pioneer Institute’s board since 2023. We are grateful for his contributions and his commitment to the Commonwealth.Pioneer is an independent, non-partisan think tank with offices in Boston and Washington, D.C. Our work is grounded in four policy areas essential to human potential: K–12 education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and American civic values. These issues are especially vital in Massachusetts — a state whose success depends on attracting talent and capital.Innovation has always come from the states, and democracy depends on citizens who bring ideas, commitment, and a spirit of service to the public square. To preserve Pioneer’s independence, our bylaws require that board members running for office step away from leadership, which Mike has done.We wish him well in the campaign ahead.Other Republicans who may run for governor include Brian Shortsleeve, who served as the chief administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under Baker from 2015 to 2017, and state Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer). Shortsleeve is expected to announce his run in June.Healey's office could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.
