BOSTON, MA – Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve today criticized legislation that would restrict the ballot initiative process, calling it an attempt by Governor Healey and Beacon Hill Democrats to silence voters after repeatedly ignoring the will of the people.
“The explosion of ballot questions isn’t the problem. It’s the symptom of a broken government led by Maura Healey and the Beacon Hill Democratic supermajority that refuses to listen to the people.
When Governor Healey and legislative Democrats ignore what voters want – like cutting the income tax from 5% to 4% – the ballot becomes the only way for the people to be heard.
The people of Massachusetts keep saying they want an audit of the legislature and tax relief. Instead of giving them that, they look for ways to take their voice away because they don’t like what they are being told.
As Governor, I will veto any legislation that weakens the people’s right to put questions on the ballot. And I’ll lead a government that listens to the people, so ballot questions are no longer the only way to force Beacon Hill to act.”