Council in the News
Massachusetts High Technology Council media coverage.
Ballot Proposals to Cut Income Tax, Rein in State Spending Clear Key Hurdle
Two business-backed measures to trim the state’s income tax and increase the frequency of taxpayer refunds cleared a key milestone this week, with supporters claiming they received more than enough signatures to make the ballot a year from now.
Cutting Taxes, Recriminalizing Recreational Pot, Scrutinizing Beacon Hill: Record Number of Ballot Questions in the Mix for 2026
There are a record number of ballot questions in the mix for 2026, including cutting taxes, scrutinizing Beacon Hill, and recriminalizing recreational pot.
The Pros and Cons of Slashing the State’s Income Tax Rates
The pros and cons of a 2026 ballot question that would reduce the state income tax rate from 5% to 4% over a three-year period.
Raise Up’s Tax Hike Would Stall Progress on Massachusetts’ Business Climate
Improving the business climate in Massachusetts was never going to happen overnight. But raising corporate taxes—a step lawmakers are weighing—would only undercut the modest gains they have already achieved.
As the Shutdown Drags on, Mass. Republicans Raise Their Voices
New data from the Tax Foundation puts Massachusetts in the bottom 10 states nationwide for the competitiveness of its tax structure, with the Bay State finishing 43rd overall in the think-tank’s annual rankings list. The Mass Opportunity Alliance comments on the results, stating that the rankings confirm what we already know: our tax burden is too high.
Opinion/Guest Column: One-Two Ballot Punch Can Boost State’s Growth
Massachusetts’ economy is stagnating. Council President Chris Anderson discusses two proposed 2026 ballot measures — an income tax cut and a strengthened revenue cap — that could help reverse the decline in a recent opinion column in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Commentary: Why Applegreen is the Right Partner for Mass. ‘Welcome Mats’
Council President Chris Anderson discusses why Applegreen is the ideal partner to revamp Massachusetts highway service plazas, aligning with MassVision2050 to promote innovation, sustainability, and economic growth across the Commonwealth in a recent Boston Business Journal Op-Ed.
Business, Labor and Privacy Issues Converge at AI “Crossroads”
A new MassVision2050 report from the Massachusetts High Technology Council and Boston Consulting Group examines how AI is reshaping Massachusetts’ workforce, education, and privacy policies.
Dozens of Proposed Ballot Questions Filed in Massachusetts: Here’s a Look at a Few
A coalition of business organizations, co-led by the Massachusetts High Technology Council, filed a petition that would close loopholes in the state’s Chapter 62F law — the law that resulted in billions being sent back to taxpayers just a few years ago — so that the taxpayer rebate provision might go into effect more often.
Beacon Hill, Rent Control Ban Targeted in Flurry of Ballot Questions
A coalition of business groups, co-led by the Massachusetts High Technology Council, filed two potential ballot initiatives aimed at rebuilding state competitiveness. One proposal would reduce the personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over a three-year period and the other would revise the state’s existing revenue cap formula.
Ballot Questions May Set Up Clash Over Tax Relief, Spending
A group of business leaders are in the early stages of pushing two ballot proposals that would cut the state’s income tax rate and overhaul the cap on state government’s tax collections.
Massachusetts May Vote on Income Tax Cut in 2026
One of several potential questions that may qualify for the 2026 Massachusetts statewide ballot would allow voters to decide whether to reduce the personal income tax rate from five percent to four percent.
Business Groups Propose Ballot Measures to Lower Income Tax, Boost Refunds
Massachusetts business groups are backing two proposed ballot initiatives that would put more money into residents pockets by slicing the state income tax and returning excess revenues to taxpayers more frequently.
Tax Ballot Question Proposals Filed with AG
Two tax-related ballot initiative petitions were submitted to the attorney general on Wednesday, the first step in the process of getting a question on the 2026 ballot. Proponents of these ballot questions say they are aimed at increasing state competitiveness.
Biz Groups Push for Income Tax Cut, Spending Cap
A coalition of Massachusetts business organizations is pushing for two new tax-relief proposals to appear on the ballot in the 2026 election, arguing the state’s high costs are undermining its economic competitiveness.
Boston Business Leaders Back Tax-Cut Ballot Proposals for 2026
A coalition of Massachusetts business organizations is pushing for two new tax-relief proposals to appear on the ballot in the 2026 election, arguing the state’s high costs are undermining its economic competitiveness.
CNBC Ranks Massachusetts Among The Costliest States To Do Business
When it comes to the cost of doing business, Massachusetts ranks as the second-worst state, according to a CNBC study.
Here’s One Way That Massachusetts is Better Than Hawaii
In CNBC’s 2025 Top States for Business Rankings, Massachusetts ranks as the 2nd most expensive state for business, just behind Hawaii. Chris Anderson shares things the state can do to improve our position on next year’s list.
Massachusetts is 2025’s Most Improved State for Business, Boosted by Financial Independence from D.C.
Massachusetts staged a turnaround in CNBC’s state competitiveness rankings in 2025, jumping 18 places after falling 23 spots in 2024. But Massachusetts still has serious competitive issues. Costs are high, and federal grant cuts threaten to curtail research and innovation.
Healey Opened the Door to Tweaking the ‘Millionaires Tax.’ Now What?
Governor Maura Healey recently acknowledged concerns many business leaders have voiced about the negative impacts of the new income surtax, indicating an openness to adjusting the surtax or mitigating its impacts. Council Chair and MKS Instruments CEO John T.C. Lee spoke to The Boston Globe about the toll the surtax is taking on talent recruitment.
Don’t Call it the ‘Millionaires’ Tax: Inflation is Raising the Bar on Who Pays Massachusetts’ High-Earner Levy
Massachusetts’ surtax is masking a critical issue: unchecked growth in state spending. Indexing the surtax to inflation doesn’t solve the underlying issue of how the state is using that revenue—especially if spending keeps rising without discipline.