The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance today pushed back on comments from House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz labeling taxpayer ballot questions “irresponsible,” arguing that opposing tax relief at a time of soaring living costs and declining economic competitiveness highlights how disconnected Beacon Hill has become from the realities facing working families and employers.

Massachusetts residents are grappling with higher housing costs, rising utility bills, and some of the highest overall tax burdens in the region. At the same time, job growth has slowed, employers are cutting back or leaving the state, and Massachusetts continues to lose ground to competitor states on affordability and economic growth.

“Calling tax relief irresponsible while families are being priced out of Massachusetts is tone deaf. The real risk to the Commonwealth is pretending taxpayers can absorb endless cost increases while the state government continues to grow,” said Paul Diego Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

During the annual consensus revenue hearing, Chairman Michlewitz argued that proposals to reduce the income tax or limit revenue growth could destabilize the state budget. MassFiscal countered that the Commonwealth’s fiscal challenges are largely the result of policy choices, including an expanding government spending and growing reliance on volatile surtax revenues that ultimately harm the underpinnings of our state economy.

“Beacon Hill’s answer to every warning sign has been more spending and more dependence on unpredictable revenue sources. That approach may work for their fuzzy math, but it leaves taxpayers exposed when the economy slows and costs keep rising,” noted Craney.

Rather than acknowledging the impact of state policy decisions, MassFiscal argued that Beacon Hill has allowed costs to spiral through mandates, spending growth, and a refusal to prioritize affordability or competitiveness.

“Massachusetts’ affordability crisis is not an accident. It is the direct result of decisions made on Beacon Hill that raise costs, weaken competitiveness, and leave taxpayers with fewer protections,” said Craney.

“If lawmakers are looking for irresponsibility, they should start with their own record. Despite years of increased state spending, Beacon Hill has failed to fund local aid at levels that reflect real-world costs, forcing cities and towns to shift the burden onto property taxpayers. At the same time, legislative leaders continue to ignore the voter-approved audit of the Legislature, backed by 72 percent of Massachusetts voters,” noted Craney.

“Fiscal responsibility starts with respecting taxpayers and the voters who fund this government. Lecturing residents about discipline while refusing transparency and reform only deepens the trust gap,” said Craney,

As debate over potential 2026 ballot questions continue, MassFiscal said the core issue remains clear.

“Tax relief is not a threat to Massachusetts. Ignoring affordability, competitiveness, and voter frustration is,” closed Craney.