Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday used the Massachusetts Investor Conference to market herself — and the state — as stable, pro-growth and pro-business, telling investors that fiscal discipline, collaborative leadership and an innovation economy make the state a reliable place to put capital.
Speaking at the Thomas Menino Convention Center, Healey said her administration has worked to ensure Massachusetts remains “rock solid” amid federal headwinds.
“Now there is a lot of uncertainty right now,” she said. “There are some things that are just rock solid in Massachusetts… I think we have the most stable leadership in the state when you look at our ability to collaborate, to work together. Treasurer, governor, both chambers of our Legislature, our relationship with our federal delegation, with our local officials. I don’t think you’re going to have a tighter, more consistent, more cohesive, no acrimony, no drama setup in any other state in the country.”
Healey didn’t mention it, but Democrats in Massachusetts have total control of top state and federal offices, which gives party leaders great power if they exercise it and the ability to easily bypass Republican opposition.
While Healey projected an image of cohesion and certainty, critics highlight friction within state government. Legislative bottlenecks, a lack of competitive elections, and the ongoing standoff between the Legislature and Auditor Diana DiZoglio over a voter-approved audit of legislative finances have fueled perceptions of dysfunction. Interbranch legislative tensions that peaked last session have cooled slightly, but remain.
Healey emphasized her administration’s efforts to make Massachusetts competitive for private investment and talent retention.
“I am a pro-business governor. That’s how I’ve led the last three years,” Healey said, pointing to a $4 billion housing bill, streamlined permitting timelines, and new investments in infrastructure and innovation. She even pointed out, “I want you to know that our economic development secretary is a venture capitalist, an entrepreneur. He’s been all about growth, and I want you to understand that he’s never worked in state government,” framing that appointment as emblematic of a results-driven, private-sector approach.
Healey described Massachusetts as “a proactive state” that plays “both defense and offense,” arguing that “more than ever, states and state leaders must provide responsible, collaborative governance, smart, forward-thinking investment and a stable and rewarding business climate.”
Her pitch also targeted specific economic sectors — housing, innovation, transportation and energy — as core growth areas.
Citing the state’s leadership in education, health care and research, Healey said her administration is “never going to be complacent about our position.”
Closing her remarks, Healey extended an open invitation to investors: “I think Massachusetts is the place to be. I think it’s the place to invest. And I think that if you want to be on a winning team, if you want to be on a winning team, come to Massachusetts.”
