NH reps: "New Hampshire can't afford to lose a friend like Maura"

A surprising site at the Massachusetts State House today with New Hampshire representatives visiting. >> 22 News state house reporter Olivia Ray explains how these lawmakers were highlighting the growing economic divide between Massachusetts and the Granite State. >> Republican New Hampshire House Representatives held a press conference outside of the Massachusetts House on Thursday, saying they can't afford to lose a friend like Governor Mora Healey. This year, two major companies announced their plans to relocate from the Bay State to the Granite State, Sincor and Analogic Corps, bringing with them 750 jobs. The representatives tongue-in-cheek remark about their state endorsing the governor refers to these relocations. And they say it is Massachusetts taxes and regulations alongside the governor's fiscal policies that make New Hampshire appealing to businesses. >> You guys are doing us the the biggest service in the world, Massachusetts. in the governor's office for allowing businesses to get frustrated and leave the state. >> Although New Hampshire representatives say they benefit from their state's current relationship with Massachusetts, they clarified that they do not want to see Massachusetts fail. The executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a conservative watchdog group who co-hosted the press conference, explained what he wants to see from the governor. >> They need to reverse course. We need to cut taxes, eliminate taxes, get rid of the climate mandate, reduce costs for Massachusetts, make it more affordable. >> Campaign spokespeople from two of the Republicans running to unseat Governor Healey in 2026, Mike Connealy and Brian Shortleeve, sent statements to 22 News and both agreed that Healey's policies are costing Massachusetts businesses. The governor has consistently defended her fiscal record and pointed reporters towards major investment in the life sciences sector as one example of policy supporting business. Working for you from the state house in Boston, I'm Olivia Ray, 22 News.