Mike Minogue claims Massachusetts residents face excessive tax burdens
Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue argued during a campaign visit to New Bedford that Massachusetts residents face excessive tax burdens that drive out local entrepreneurs and families, while Democratic incumbent Maura Healey counters with proposals tailored to the state’s ongoing affordability crisis, The New Bedford Light reported.
Minogue stated during his campaign stop that the state must alter its fiscal approach to prevent residents and businesses from leaving. The former medical industry executive is challenging Healey in an election cycle where living costs remain a primary concern for voters. In New Bedford, household income purchasing power has stagnated for several years, and census data shows one in five city residents lives in poverty.
To alleviate household financial pressure, Minogue proposed eliminating a mandatory climate tax that he states accounts for one-third of electricity bills in Massachusetts. While Eversource bills lack that specific line item, a 2025 Fiscal Alliance Foundation report estimated that 29% of the average electricity bill in the state stems from renewable energy and efficiency program charges. Minogue also pledged to suspend the state gas tax whenever prices hit $4 per gallon. By comparison, Healey has proposed a temporary, two-month fuel tax suspension amid high fuel prices tied to the war in Iran.
Energy Efficiency Building Codes Raise Construction Costs
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue for communities across Massachusetts, with research showing New Bedford requires significant housing supply growth to reduce costs. Minogue targeted the state’s stretch code—energy efficiency rules adopted by 86% of Massachusetts cities and towns, including New Bedford—arguing that the requirements inflate construction expenses. While opting into the stretch code currently makes municipalities eligible for state grants, Minogue intends to reverse that policy by offering financial incentives for communities to opt out.
A 2025 MIT study found that stretch codes were linked to a 4% increase in single-family housing prices. Researchers noted that nearly half of that price bump stemmed from high consumer demand for energy-efficient homes, while the remainder resulted from construction restrictions that lowered housing supply. An independent state-commissioned analysis concluded that added costs vary depending on building design, heating systems, and the specific tier of the stretch code implemented, noting that adherence to the code is occasionally cheaper.
Contrasting Platforms on Energy, Immigration, and the Fishing Industry
Minogue rejected offshore wind investments, terming them an inefficient use of tax funds that harm the ocean environment and the fishing industry, favoring natural gas pipelines and nuclear power instead.
On immigration, Minogue criticized Healey for labeling federal immigration crackdowns cruel and for limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He argued that the governor should collaborate with authorities to prioritize individuals with criminal records. A review of court records by The New Bedford Light found that most individuals arrested in recent South Coast ICE raids lacked criminal records and were traveling to work.
Minogue’s running mate is New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver. Minogue’s original running mate, Anne Brensley, dropped out in May after a signature-gathering firm failed to collect enough signatures, though Brensley later won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State as a write-in candidate.