House Wants to Make Voters An Offer They Can’t Refuse
BOSTON, MA — Republican candidate for governor Brian Shortsleeve blasted the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee for inserting a provision into its latest supplemental budget that would permanently block key federal tax relief, including no tax on tips and no tax on overtime, if voters approve the income tax cut this November.
“This is as outrageous as it gets. Speaker Mariano and the House are doing their best Tony Soprano impressions and trying to extort voters: if you lower your taxes, we’ll make sure you pay more somewhere else. That’s not fiscal policy, that’s political coercion, and it’s aimed directly at working families who deserve relief, not threats,” said Shortsleeve.
Shortsleeve said the move underscores Beacon Hill’s resistance to tax relief and accountability.
“It’s bad enough that Maura Healey wants to delay tax relief related to federal tax measures. Our families are already struggling with some of the highest costs in the country, and instead of helping, now Beacon Hill is trying to scare them into voting against their own interests. On Day One, I’ll lower the income tax, deliver real relief like no tax on tips and overtime, and put working families and affordability first. No games, no gimmicks,” he said.