Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts Maura Healey Deflects Blame Instead of Reckoning With Her Own Disastrous Record
BOSTON, MA — Republican candidate for governor Brian Shortsleeve tonight responded to Governor Maura Healey’s 2026 State of the Commonwealth address, criticizing the governor for blaming Washington, D.C. for Massachusetts’ problems instead of taking responsibility for the failed policies she controls.
“Tonight, Governor Healey tried to shift the blame to Washington to distract from the damage her own policies are doing here at home,” said Shortsleeve. “The truth is simple: the buck stops with the governor — and under her leadership, Massachusetts is 50th out of 50 in private sector job growth, has the second highest electricity rates in the country, and has become the most expensive state in the nation.”
Shortsleeve pointed to soaring costs and economic decline, noting that Massachusetts has lost nearly 5,000 businesses and 12,000 private-sector jobs during Maura Healey’s term, and continues to see residents leave for more affordable states.
“Washington didn’t do that — Maura Healey did,” Shortsleeve said.
He also criticized the administration’s spending record, highlighting that the state budget grew by 11 percent last year — nearly five times the rate of inflation.
“Families didn’t get an 11 percent raise, but they’re paying for a bloated state payroll and billions in new spending while struggling to afford housing, energy, and property taxes,” Shortsleeve said.
Shortsleeve argued that Healey’s response to the crisis has been to deflect and delay.
“Instead of owning her record, the governor forms task forces, blames Washington, and kicks the can down the road,” he said. “We don’t need another study. We need a new governor.”
Shortsleeve also criticized the governor’s newly announced energy “relief” plan, calling it another example of short-term politics over long-term solutions.
“Maura Healey is offering families a temporary discount for just two months, followed by six months of higher electric rates,” Shortsleeve said. “That’s not relief — it’s a shell game that pushes the pain past the election. Families don’t need another gimmick. They need permanent relief from the state-mandated fees and failed energy policies that are driving their bills through the roof.”
Shortsleeve outlined steps Healey could take immediately if she were serious about affordability, including ending proposals to raise the auto excise tax and other local option taxes, increasing long-stagnant local aid to cities and towns, eliminating state-mandated utility fees driving up energy bills, reversing opposition to new natural gas infrastructure, and repealing the MBTA Communities Act, which he called an unfunded mandate that punishes local communities.
He also renewed calls for comprehensive audits across state government.
“We’ve already seen millions in waste and fraud uncovered by federal prosecutors and the state auditor,” Shortsleeve said. “I know there’s more, because when I helped fix the MBTA, we audited everything, rooted out waste and fraud, and balanced the budget. That kind of accountability is missing today.”
“Maura Healey can blame Washington all she wants,” Shortsleeve concluded. “But Massachusetts families know the truth. Her policies are crushing businesses and working families, and it’s time for a governor who will put taxpayers, ratepayers, and communities first.”