Healey on ICE

Governor Healey’s repeated attacks on ICE (“Icy Words; Healey again slams ICE in profane rant,” Jan. 29) are political theater — and a distraction from the urgent problems facing Massachusetts taxpayers.

Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Fixing Massachusetts’ affordability crisis, infrastructure failures, and fiscal discipline is the governor’s job — and on those fronts, the record is weak.

Massachusetts now has the second-highest cost of living in the U.S. Housing prices are about 60% above the national average, with median home values exceeding $600,000. Residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — roughly 40% –60% above the U.S. average. Our roads rank among the worst in America, with nearly one-quarter of major roads in poor condition. The MBTA continues to struggle with safety slow zones, service reliability failures, and billion-dollar maintenance backlogs.

Meanwhile, the state is spending over $1 billion annually on shelter and emergency services (for immigrants and homeless), with no transparent long-term plan for funding, housing capacity, work authorization, or workforce integration — costs ultimately borne by Massachusetts taxpayers.

Families are being priced out. Small businesses face high taxes, high energy costs, and heavy regulation. Infrastructure is aging. Public transit remains unstable. And instead of focusing on measurable improvements in affordability, transportation, public safety, and fiscal discipline, the governor is waging rhetorical battles with Washington.

Voters didn’t elect a governor to posture on federal politics. They elected one to lower costs, fix roads and transit, manage the budget responsibly, and make Massachusetts livable for working families again.

Governor Healey: Less grandstanding. More governing

Gary Durst

North Billerica

DiZoglio for governor

I wish that Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio would run for governor. She is the only person on Beacon Hill that the citizens of Massachusetts can trust.

She has not given up the good fight for the audit of the State Legislature that 72% of the state’s voters approved of in the last election. Maura Healey and her cronies have blocked every effort by Auditor Diana DiZoglio to carry out the job she was elected to do. For the good of the people of Massachusetts, please Diana DiZoglio run for governor, because you sure would get my vote and support.

Paul Baranofsky

Waltham