The High Tech Agenda
March 2025
State Business Climate, Government News, & Public Policy Updates
Key Insights from the Mass Opportunity Alliance
The Mass Opportunity Alliance (MOA) continues to provide key insights and raise public awareness on short-term issues and long-term trends related to Massachusetts’ competitive position. Keep up to date on the latest from MOA by signing up for the organization’s weekly newsletter.
As the outmigration of Massachusetts residents to other states continues, MOA conducted a survey of people who left the state for either Florida or New Hampshire to find out what caused them to relocate. Among the notable findings:
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A vast majority of respondents (83.7%) said their current quality of life is better in their new state than it was in Massachusetts.
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Tax policy was the most-cited factor causing respondents to leave Massachusetts (70.7% selected).
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Two-thirds of those who moved said Massachusetts’ high cost of living (e.g. housing, taxes, groceries) was a primary factor causing them to leave the state.
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Tax concerns spanned all income brackets: 56.6% of all respondents citing taxes as a reason for leaving Massachusetts were those earning less than $100,000 annually.
Listen to Council President Chris Anderson’s March 10 interview on NightSide with Dan Rea on WBZ NewsRadio, where he discusses how the MOA is working to improve Massachusetts’ economy and address the outmigration trend.
Together with our partners in the MOA, the Council is working to address these issues and develop a proactive policy agenda that will tackle Massachusetts’ competitiveness challenges.
Advancing Pro-Growth Policies: Competitiveness Policy Project ’26-’32
Four working group sessions with members and collaborating organizations were held in January and February to identify key issues and actionable solutions. These sessions focused on policy areas that drive Massachusetts’ competitive position, including tax policy, the cost of doing business, and the cost of living.
The Council will continue to develop these ideas into specific and actionable policy solutions that tackle Massachusetts’ competitiveness opportunities, challenges, and obstacles facing member businesses. If you would like to share your input or ideas, please contact Council Vice President Elizabeth Mahoney at elizabeth@mhtc.org.
Council Launches Monthly Policy Briefings for Members
Council member companies are invited to join Elizabeth Mahoney for our monthly series of policy briefings. Briefings will broaden member government affairs executive discussions focused on key state and federal policy developments and help shape the Council’s advocacy efforts on issues of importance to member companies.
Please let the appropriate policy or government affairs members of your team know about this opportunity and encourage them to sign up here for more information on these monthly briefings.
Proposed Charitable Deduction Cap Raises Concerns
Governor Healey’s FY26 state budget includes several tax provisions that threaten to make Massachusetts less competitive, including a proposed cap on the charitable contributions deduction. This proposal has the potential to disincentivize charitable giving, harm local nonprofit organizations, and accelerate the exodus of high-income taxpayers from Massachusetts.
Originally approved by voters in 2000, the charitable deduction remains widely supported—only 28% of voters would support a cap on the deduction, according to a recent MOA poll. You can read a summary of this proposal and its impacts here.
The Council is engaging with key Massachusetts-based nonprofit organizations to better understand their perspectives and assess the potential implications of this policy change. If there are nonprofit organizations with which you or your company are closely affiliated or have strong relationships, we welcome the opportunity to meet with them to discuss the Governor’s proposal and explore how we can collaboratively address this issue. Please reach out to Chris Anderson or Elizabeth Mahoney.
MHTC News & Updates
Strengthening Policy Leadership: MHTC & AEI Launch Public Policy Series
The inaugural program, hosted by Empower CEO Robert Reynolds, will take place on Tuesday, April 29, featuring AEI tax policy experts Alex Brill and Kyle Pomerleau. These experts will break down the latest federal tax policy developments and their implications for business growth. Registration for the program will open soon.
Through this initiative, we will continue to equip Massachusetts business leaders with data-driven analysis and policy expertise.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this series, including a Fall 2025 program. Support from our members ensures robust engagement on the policies shaping our economic future.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities and event details, please contact Sarah Anderson Brunelle at sarah@mhtc.org.
MassVision2050 Cybersecurity Community 2025 Program
The MassVision2050 Cybersecurity Community, led by MKS Instruments, has launched its 2025 agenda with a lineup of exclusive, member-only programs designed to enhance organizational resilience and foster executive collaboration.
On March 5, we kicked off the year with an insightful program on Insider Threats & Corporate Espionage, hosted by MKS and featuring insights from two FBI Special Agents as well as PwC Intelligence Thought Leader and former FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst, Rima Hajjaj, and Matthew Gregson, Partner in PwC’s Cyber Incident and Threat Management (ITM) practice. Senior executives gained actionable strategies for identifying and mitigating insider threats in today’s evolving risk landscape.
Registration is now open for the next MassVision2050 Cybersecurity Community program:
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Tabletop Exercise: Ransomware Preparedness & Response
Join cybersecurity leaders for a hands-on simulation designed to help executives strengthen their organization’s ransomware defense strategies, led by UnRavl CEO Joe Flores, the former Massachusetts Cyber Security Advisor for the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This interactive program will guide participants through real-world scenarios to enhance preparedness, response, and decision-making capabilities.
The session will feature a briefing on current threats and resources, a lunch presentation on adversarial engagement by Maretta Morovitz, MITRE Principal Cyber Security Engineer and Engage Lead, and a tabletop exercise.
Keep an eye out for your invitation, containing further details on the event agenda and RSVP instructions.
Other Upcoming Programs:
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Complimentary Admission: Boston Cybersecurity Summit | Partner Program
The Council is a proud partner of the 9th Annual Boston Cybersecurity Summit, offering members complimentary admission to this invitation-only event for cybersecurity and IT professionals.
- Time: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET
- Location: Boston Marriott Copley Place, 110 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
- Admission: Register HERE with code CSS25-MHTC before March 26 to secure your free pass.
This event connects senior executives and cybersecurity leaders to explore cutting-edge solutions and best practices. Attendees will gain CPE/CEU credits and enjoy networking opportunities, including a catered breakfast, lunch, and cocktail reception.
More to Come in 2025!
Additional MassVision2050 Cybersecurity Community programs are in development, covering key topics such as:
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Operational Technology in Manufacturing
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Cloud Security & Third-Party Risk Management
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Advanced Ransomware Mitigation Strategies
MassVision2050 Skills Forecasting & Talent Attraction Project Kicks Off
Members of the Council participated in the initial presentation and discussion of a groundbreaking initiative led by MITRE under the MassVision2050 Engaged Workforce banner. The Skills Forecasting and Talent Attraction Project aims to develop a technology-agnostic analytics platform that integrates diverse data sources to enhance talent attraction and retention strategies for globally competitive industries.
While the initial focus is on microelectronics and semiconductors, leaders from all sectors are invited to participate. Your expertise can help shape the future of workforce innovation in Massachusetts! The next briefing will be scheduled during the Spring.
Council members were invited to a virtual briefing to learn more about this effort. Please contact Sarah Anderson Brunelle at sarah@mhtc.org with questions or inquiries about getting involved in the project.
Join Kids in Tech for the 2nd Annual Pathways to Success Dinner & Awards
Why Sponsor?
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Brand Visibility
Recognition across event promotions and press outreach -
High-Impact Networking
Connect with industry leaders -
Community Impact
Support hands-on STEAM education that builds the future workforce
Get involved today—purchase tickets, explore sponsorships, or donate.
Please contact Steve Weglinski at sweglinski@kidsintech.org for more information.
MHTC’s Elizabeth Mahoney Running Boston Marathon to Support Samaritans
Elizabeth Mahoney is running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for Samaritans, Inc., a Massachusetts-based suicide prevention organization. Samaritans offers free, 24/7 services to all who need them, including through the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Hey Sam, a peer-to-peer mental health support text line for young people. They also provide support groups for those grieving a loss to suicide and educational programming so anyone can learn to help those in crisis.
Support Elizabeth’s Fundraising Efforts
If you would like to support Elizabeth’s fundraising efforts, you can make a contribution online here or via check:
Checks can be made to “Samaritans, Inc.” with “Elizabeth Mahoney” in the memo line and mailed to:
Samaritans, Inc.
41 West Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Information on corporate sponsorships is available here.
