Council in the News
Massachusetts High Technology Council media coverage.
Biz groups caution against tax law update
In a letter to Gov. Maura Healey and legislative leaders, the Massachusetts High Technology Council warned that a legal analysis suggests the proposed change to Chapter 62F to allow equal tax rebates when the law is triggered would be a “clear violation” of the constitution.
House’s 62F Overhaul “Unconstitutional,” Council Alleges
The Massachusetts High Technology Council, which has threatened or taken legal action in several other tax policy matters, wrote to legislative leaders and Gov. Maura Healey to argue that carving up excess tax revenues into equal rebates would “violate the state’s Constitution by effectively taxing income at different rates for different taxpayers.”
High Tech Council calls House move unconstitutional
The Massachusetts High Technology Council, which has threatened or taken legal action in several other tax policy matters, wrote to legislative leaders and Gov. Maura Healey to argue that carving up excess tax revenues into equal rebates would “violate the state’s Constitution by effectively taxing income at different rates for different taxpayers.”
Mass. House passes $1.1 billion tax package it says will help families, businesses, and even the dead
Facing little friction, the Massachusetts House on Thursday passed a bill overhauling the state’s tax code, a wide-ranging package that would boost tax breaks for renters, families, and others, and slash how much the state taxes profits on short-term investments. The bill — worth nearly $1.1 billion once it takes full effect — cleared the Democrat-dominated House, 150-3, after about two hours of debate and with just three Democrats voting against it.
Healey made her pitch on taxes last month. Now it’s Speaker Mariano’s turn.
House Speaker Ronald Mariano on Thursday committed to bringing forward a tax reform package this spring, after expressing doubts in recent months that the state could afford one. After Governor Maura Healey last month filed a tax reform bill that could cost up to $1 billion a year, all eyes have been on Mariano to see what kind of reforms the House of Representatives would pursue, if any.
Healey’s plans to cut business tax faces pushback
Healey administration officials argue that a simplified capital gains structure, which “aligns” the short-term capital gains tax with long-term capital gains levy at 5%, would make Massachusetts less of an outlier on corporate taxation. The plan is facing pushback from both sides of the issue with progressive groups blasting the tax breaks and business groups calling for more tax relief.
Beacon Hill Roll Call, Nov. 27-March 3
Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on a roll call from the week of Feb. 27-March 3. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.
What is and isn’t in Healey’s budget
Maura Healey’s first budget proposal is a $55.5 billion blueprint for how the new governor plans to make good on her promises to spend more on education, transportation, and energy and environmental agencies.
Healey pitches her budget and tax reform plans to Boston’s business community
A day after unveiling her $55.5 billion state budget, Gov. Maura Healey is on the road trying to garner support for her plan. She made a pitch Thursday morning to 800 members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Healey tells Boston Chamber her tax relief plan will make Massachusetts more competitive
Her plan would reduce the tax rate on investments held for less than a year from 12 percent to 5 percent, bringing it in line with the state’s taxes on long-term capital gains and personal income. Only two other states, Healey told the chamber, tax short-term gains at a higher rate than long-term gains. Meanwhile, she would offer a credit that would essentially raise the threshold for the estate tax from $1 million to $3 million; she noted only one other state has such a low threshold, and most states have no estate tax at all.
Healey seeks to cut estate, capital gains taxes. Business groups want more.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey told business leaders on Thursday that she sees proposed cuts to estate and capital gains taxes as “the start of a conversation” about ways to make Massachusetts more economically competitive.
Ahead of FY24 Budget Filing, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Announce MassReconnect, Workforce Development Investments
Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll announced that their Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget will include funding to create the MassReconnect program, which will cover the cost of community college for all Massachusetts resident aged 25 or older without an equivalent credential.
The Massachusetts High Technology Council’s Statement on Governor Healey’s FY24 Budget
The High Tech Council is pleased the Governor’s budget invests in programs that expand educational and career opportunities for Massachusetts students and adults.
Elizabeth Mahoney joins Massachusetts High Technology Council as VP of policy
Elizabeth Mahoney, a former senior adviser to former Gov. Charlie Baker, has joined the Massachusetts High Technology Council as vice president of policy and government affairs.
What’s Ahead in 2023? Here’s what several Massachusetts business leaders expect will be the biggest challenges to their industries in the coming year.
What’s ahead in 2023? Several Massachusetts business leaders share what they expect will be the biggest challenges to their industries in the coming year.
Former Baker adviser joins Massachusetts High Technology Council
The Massachusetts High Technology Council’s next public-policy leader comes directly from the office of former-Gov. Charlie Baker. The organization today announced Elizabeth Mahoney as its new vice president of policy and government affairs, responsible for developing and executing its public policy agenda. Mahoney previously worked for Baker as deputy chief of staff and policy director, and then as a senior adviser.
Editorial: Beware of unintended policy consequences
The Boston Business Journal asked some of the region’s most prominent business leaders — in real estate, technology, health care, and retail, among others — to provide a glimpse into the economic future. One recurring theme in their answers has been dealing with the unintended consequences of policies that sound good on the surface but end up undermining other efforts.
Business community has a big ask of new governor: Tackle taxes
As Healey takes office, business leaders are looking for her to tweak the state’s tax structure to make Massachusetts more competitive in a work-from-anywhere world.
Editorial: Our economic success needs a strategic vision
If we don’t look ahead to the next 30 years — and anticipate what actions we can take now to set up New England for success — there’s no guarantee that the successes we’ve enjoyed will continue. The Massachusetts High Technology Council, with the help of McKinsey & Company, recently kicked off what they’re calling MassVision2050 with an eye toward doing just the kind of strategic planning the region will require.
Viewpoint: A vision for Massachusetts in 2050: In pursuit of steady excellence
The Massachusetts High Technology Council has a bold vision for Massachusetts in 2050. High Tech Council Board Chair Robert Reynolds, CEO of Putnam Investments, and Director Navjot Singh, Ph.D., senior partner at McKinsey & Company, detail the strategy in a Boston Business Journal Op-Ed.
Voters have repeatedly said no to raising taxes on the highest earners. This time might be different.
Question 1 on the November ballot is billed as an effort to raise more money for education and transportation by increasing taxes on households with an annual income greater than $1 million. This is the sixth attempt to persuade voters to undo the state’s flat income tax rate. Each previous time — 1962, 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1994 — proponents lost in a landslide.