Gov Maura Healey listens as Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt speaks at a press conference at North Station. Recent remarks by Tibbits-Nutt have sparked controversy. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt, while “represent(ing) the (Healey-Driscoll) administration,” recently gave an address that has been widely covered for some of the shocking proposals, but what’s perhaps most concerning is the uncensored view into the attitudes of the administration and their view of the people they serve. In her speech, Tibbits-Nutt advocated for sweeping tax hikes. It was revealed that the Healey-Driscoll Administration is considering tolls at border crossings, taxes on package deliveries, and punitive excise taxes on pick-up trucks. The secretary stated she intends to go after “everyone who has money.”
The framing of taxation as a combative pursuit rather than a means of responsible governance is abhorrent and antithetical to the principle of limited government. The administration’s rhetoric paints residents as adversaries, disregarding struggles of working families, and portraying residents as targets for government revenue.
Governance should aim to alleviate financial pressures on citizens, not treat them as enemies in a zero-sum game. Proposing increased taxes on ride share companies, package deliveries, payrolls, and additional excise taxes on vehicles will only make Massachusetts residents’ lives more difficult. Surprisingly, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt’s speech failed to address these concerns, highlighting a disconnection between the financial well-being of residents and the administration’s policy priorities.
Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt’s unequivocal statement that she’s “100% passing judgment” on “the type of person” who owns trucks and SUVs raises more questions. Who exactly does she refer to? Is it parents with large families or individuals reliant on trucks for their livelihood? Regardless, it should be unacceptable for a senior government official to pass judgment or demonize any group of individuals.
The current administration presents a troubling picture of disunity, marked by the presence of entitled progressive activists lacking competence, poised to wield policy as a weapon to enforce their ideological agenda on the people of Massachusetts. Secretary Tibbits-Nutt’s blunt declaration, “I’ll 100% use it as a weapon… Once I say it, it’s now a policy,” epitomizes this dangerous mindset. Governor Healey’s leadership has empowered her cabinet to an alarming extent, fostering a belief that they can single-handedly dictate policy without regard for community or legislative consultation.
Gov. Healey’s vocal opposition to border tolls contrasts sharply with her silence on the array of other policies promoted by the secretary. Where does Gov. Healey stand on increased taxes on ride share companies, package deliveries, payrolls, and additional excise taxes on vehicles? Residents deserve to know where the Healey-Driscoll Administration stands on the policies proposed by the Secretary of Transportation. Should residents and businesses believe the transportation secretary or does the governor have another policy? However, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt’s tirade on raising taxes and going after residents’ wallets is likely an indicator of what’s being discussed behind closed doors of the administration.
Massachusetts residents face daily struggles that demand empathy and understanding from their leadership as people work hard to put food on the table and pay expenses. Secretary Tibbits-Nutt’s unfiltered glimpse into the administration’s mindset is out of sync with the needs and priorities of the people they serve, highlighting a critical disconnect between leadership and the community. As residents face unprecedented challenges, they deserve leadership that listens and responds with empathy, not one that pursues extreme and lofty policies at their expense.
Amy Carnevale is Massachusetts Republican Party Chair
