Council in the News
Massachusetts High Technology Council media coverage.
Editorial: Boston’s Business Community Has Lost its Voice
The business community has lost some battles at the ballot box. Its confidence is on the wane. Until business leaders unify around a clear and common message, little will change and policy-makers will continue to vote in ways that hurt our long-term economic prospects.
What To Expect In Governor Healey’s Address To The State
Governor Maura Healey is set to deliver her State of the Commonwealth address, focusing on accomplishments and upcoming challenges, covering topics from cost pressures and transportation investments to graduation standards.
Editorial: Keep MCAS Graduation Mandate Temporarily While New Standard is Created
Citing Mass Opportunity Alliance polling data, the Boston Business Journal Editorial Board discusses why lawmakers should delay getting rid of the MCAS graduation requirement for a couple of years to give the state time to develop a replacement standard.
Immigration Spurs Big Bump in Massachusetts Population
Fueled by the highest immigration levels in decades, Massachusetts saw its largest population increase in 60 years between 2023 and 2024, and the rate of domestic outmigration has significantly slowed, according to U.S Census data released last month.
Op-Ed | Lee & Portnoy: Voters give pols lesson in moderation
Mass Opportunity Alliance Directors John T.C. Lee, Ph.D., President and CEO of MKS Instruments, and Adam Portnoy, President and CEO of The RMR Group, discuss the economic pressures facing Massachusetts—from rising costs to a shrinking talent pool—and how these challenges resonate with voters in a Boston Herald Op-Ed.
Editorial: Poll supports likely lawmaker tweaking of Question 2 result
A majority of Massachusetts voters surveyed want a new high-school graduation requirement following a repeal of the MCAS mandate, according to a new survey commissioned by a group that wants the state Legislature to “modify” the voter-approved law. The results, released by the Mass Opportunity Alliance, found that 75% of voters polled supported that notion.
Massachusetts tax competitiveness index improves but residents still leaving state: ‘Overly burdensome’
Massachusetts’ tax competitiveness index has slightly improved over the past year, bumping up to the tenth worst in the nation from the fifth worst, but watchdogs say it’s still far too low and causing people to leave the state. The Tax Foundation, a national watchdog group, increased the Bay State’s taxation standing from 46th last year to 41st this year in its 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index, a ranking that compares state tax systems.
Parents Support Standardized Testing. Here’s Why.
A quality education is the key to giving students from all backgrounds a fair shot at long-term success. But in Massachusetts, proposed changes to statewide testing standards could derail a system that has benefitted countless students for several decades.
Opinion: Massachusetts Is Making Its High School Diplomas Meaningless
On Election Day, Massachusetts voters will have a chance to get rid of the state’s high school exit exam, which involves standards-based tests in math, sciences, and English. New York Times Opinion writer Jessica Grose breaks down the ballot measure, known as Question 2, highlighting the harm it would cause to children if passed, and encourages Massachusetts voters to vote no.
Editorial: Beacon Hill continues to drag its feet on the economic bill
In the three months after lawmakers ended formal legislative sessions without passing most of the major legislation on their plates, nothing has moved lawmakers to pass the $3.5 billion Economic Development Bill proposed by Governor Maura Healey.
Business community needs attitude adjustment, Michlewitz says
Amid comments from Rep. Aaron Michlewitz regarding the business community’s attitude towards state government policies, business leaders, who recently formed the Mass Opportunity Alliance, continue to bring attention to the state’s declining business climate to emphasize the importance of creating policies that support both economic growth and community well-being.
Viewpoint: Competition key to getting Mass. economy back on track
Council President Christopher Anderson, Mass Competitive Partnership President and CEO Jay Ash, and Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios discuss why competition is key to getting the Massachusetts economy back on track in a Boston Business Journal Op-Ed.
Debate over MCAS graduation requirement spills onto state ballots with Question 2
A new business group, Mass Opportunity Alliance, said Massachusetts children have the highest test scores in the country and the highest graduation rate, in part due to MCAS. Although it is not taking a formal position on Question 2, it maintains that a strong educational system contributes to the state’s economy.
Groups continue to spar over wealth flight claims
The Mass Opportunity Alliance, which includes the Massachusetts High Technology Council, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and the Pioneer Institute, is criticizing MassBudget’s analysis, saying it contains “misleading data” that creates “false narratives” about the state’s outmigration demographics.
Editorial: Finally, a group ready to take on state’s tax-and-spend mentality
In response to Massachusetts’ recent tax policies, a new coalition of business leaders has emerged to challenge the state’s tax-and-spend mentality. This editorial explores the formation of the Mass Opportunity Alliance, its goals to improve economic competitiveness, and the broader implications for the state’s business environment and residents.
Fighting ‘Taxachusetts’: Massachusetts business groups, execs launch Mass Opportunity Alliance
The Massachusetts Technology Council, the Pioneer Institute and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership are leading the Mass Opportunity Alliance — a nonprofit meant to highlight the tax burden and high costs of business and living in the Bay State.
Mass. business leaders launch new nonprofit to fight progressives — and ‘Taxachusetts’ label
The old label “Taxachusetts” is back. Now, Massachusetts business leaders are launching a new coalition called the Mass Opportunity Alliance to improve the state’s tax climate and boost competitiveness.
Rankings, Reports Paint Different Pictures Of Massachusetts
Recent reports and rankings highlight Massachusetts’ significant challenges in workforce and infrastructure, overshadowing its strengths in technology and education. The data underscores the state’s ongoing struggle to maintain competitiveness and address critical issues.
Ballot campaign to end MCAS graduation requirement gets underway
The Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2 campaign began with a $250,000 ad roll-out, while the union reportedly has already spent $1 million during their mission to certify the ballot question.
Business-backed group against MCAS ballot question unveils costly ad campaign
The Protect Our Kids’ Future: Vote No on 2 campaign began with a $250,000 ad roll-out, while the union reportedly has already spent $1 million during their mission to certify the ballot question.
Parent, Teacher Featured In New MCAS Ads
Protect Our Kids’ Future, a coalition opposing Question 2, which aims to eliminate the use of the MCAS exam as a high school graduation requirement, rolls out new ads featuring a parent and a teacher that focus on standards and accountability.