NH lawmakers thank Gov. Healey for 'growing economic divide' between states

A coalition of Republican New Hampshire legislators joined the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance at the State House Thursday for a pair of press conferences highlighting what they called “the growing economic divide” between Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The campaign comes as Massachusetts has recently lost a handful of high-profile businesses to the Granite State, including electronics manufacturer SynQor and healthcare and security technology company 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,” said New Hampshire Deputy House Majority Leader 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 said.

It also comes as Massachusetts maintains its rank as a bottom-10 state for economic competitiveness, something national watchdog group The Tax Foundation credits to the Bay State’s sluggishness to fix its “overly burdensome individual income taxes, property taxes, and UI taxes.”

But, Gov. Maura Healey fired back, telling the Herald that New Hampshire’s economy is extremely dependent on that of Massachusetts, adding 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,” said Healey when asked about the 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 said.

Mass Fiscal and the New Hampshire lawmakers pointed to a list of 15 taxes implemented in Massachusetts, 12 of which New Hampshire does not have.

Those include an income tax, a millionaire’s tax, an interest & dividends tax, an inventory tax, sales tax, business profits tax (New Hampshire has 7.5% business profit tax compared to 8% in Massachusetts), a corporate minimum tax, capital gains tax, death tax, cigarette tax per pack (New Hampshire cigarette tax is $1.79 per pack compared to $3.51 in Massachusetts), a local cigarette tax, liquor taxes, vehicle excise tax, a meals and rooms tax (8.5% in New Hampshire compared to up to 11.7% in Massachusetts), and the net zero emissions by 2050 mandate.

But, the New Hampshire legislators say the Bay State is using its larger economy to send businesses and residents fleeing through what they call unnecessary climate mandates, taxes, and more.

“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,” said New Hampshire state Rep. Brian Labrie (R-Bedford), who also chairs the state’s House 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 strategies to strengthen the state’s business and economic climate. The council, which consists of more than 20 leaders from business, labor, research and state government, met for the first 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 said. “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 running to unseat Healey in 2026 also chimed in after hearing about the campaign.

Brian Shortsleeve says “Maura Healey is the best thing that ever happened to the state of New Hampshire,” Shortsleeve said.

“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 said.

As for the Kennealy team, Campaign Communications Director Logan Trupiano told the Herald the display 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 said. “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 campaign for comment.

Mass Fiscal and the New Hampshire lawmakers began their day in New Hampshire, speaking to members of the press outside a Whole Foods in Salem.

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