Gov. Healey, Mass. State Police union push back on Mike Minogue’s endorsement deal allegation

Well, the new state police contract in exchange for an endorsement. That is what Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue claims happened behind closed doors. Governor Maura Healy and the state police union strongly deny those allegations. Boston 25 News reporter Kelly Sullivan joining us live now outside the statehouse where Minogue is actually expected to address some media later on this morning. Kelly. So the Republican candidate for governor, Mike Minogue, he is questioning whether Governor Maura Healy and the state police union made a deal. but both Healy and the union quick to respond, saying that those allegations are false and that Minogue went on an unhinged rant. Now, Minogue made these allegations in a Facebook post over the weekend. He said, quote, in that post, Maura Healy, did you cut a deal with the state troopers for an endorsement as governor? He questioned if the troopers new contract is funded in the state supplemental budget. And if it is, he said, exchanging a political endorsement for a taxpayer contract and withholding the announcement until after an election is illegal. Now, Healy did file supplemental budget on September 23rd, which created a $30 million reserve and includes salary adjustments and other economic benefits. It passed the House. It's awaiting approval from the Senate. Prior to this, on September 10th, Healy received endorsements from several police unions. She, however, refutes Minogue's claims about cutting a deal. But this is just more lies and nonsense from Mike Minogue and his campaign. But I stand by the work that we've done with law enforcement. In fact, I was just on the phone today. There was a major fire in Brockton. And You know, my first call is to police and fire and to the mayor to say, what can we do? How can we help? We have state officials on the scene and look, that's what governing is. Now, the union representing the state police said in a statement, accusing our members of corruption without evidence is reckless and we will not allow their integrity or the contract they earned to be smeared for political gain. Now, the state police union, it did not endorse any candidate in the 2022 gubernatorial election. So, Mike Minogue, he is expected to address the media today at the Statehouse at 9 o'clock this morning. We, of course, will be there. Reporting live from the Statehouse, Kelly Sullivan for your local station, Boston 25 News. Kelly, thank you.