The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance made the following statement following Gov. Charlie Baker’s 2021 State of the Commonwealth speech.

“Since the pandemic hit, state spending has increased, along with an increase to the state payroll. Legislators even saw to it that they received another pay raise this year. It’s important our state’s leaders appreciate the sacrifices made by countless Massachusetts residents in dealing with the effects of this pandemic, but far too often those sacrifices do not seem to be shared by our elected leaders. Governor Baker’s speech did very little to alleviate this perception,” stated Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

“This month, small businesses and their employees saw taxes go up, healthcare premiums rise, and onerous new regulations go into effect. Governor Baker has ensured residents gas taxes will increase by signing up for the Transportation and Climate Initiative,” continued Craney. “Many businesses are now learning that, while they were able to stay afloat and keep employees working by receiving forgivable PPP loans from the federal government, Massachusetts now wants them to pay state taxes on these loans. The Governor has also imposed the state income tax on out of state workers who work for in-state companies.”

“Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, Senate President Spilka, and Speaker Mariano need to do everything they can to promote an economic recovery. Today’s speech did very little to address that need,” concluded Craney.