Council in the News
Massachusetts High Technology Council media coverage.
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.
So it begins: Business-backed group opposing MCAS ballot question rolling out $250,000 ad campaign
A group backed by business leaders and nonprofit money is rolling out an initial $250,000 advertising campaign urging Massachusetts residents to vote against a ballot proposal that would eliminate the MCAS exams as a high school graduation requirement, hinting at the pricey political fight ahead.
America’s 10 best states for getting a job in the AI boom rather than being replaced by it
As part of its 2024 America’s Top States for Business rankings, CNBC identifies the10 best states for getting a job in the artificial intelligence boom rather than being replaced by it.
Sadly, the MCAS ballot-question battle is on
The Boston Globe Editorial team weighs in on the MCAS ballot question, encouraging voters to “press Massachusetts Teachers Association members on their union’s effort to do away with the statewide test as a graduation requirement, since that would leave the state without any mode of assuring that a high school diploma means the same from school district to school district.”
Business, policy leaders say AI can help Mass. keep lead in biotech, healthcare
On June 4, 2024, the Massachusetts High Technology Council and Boston Consulting Group unveiled a new white paper with recommendations for applying AI to boost the state’s life sciences and healthcare industries.
Massachusetts official warns AI systems subject to consumer protection, anti-bias laws
Developers, suppliers, and users of artificial intelligence must comply with existing state consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data privacy laws, says the Massachusetts attorney general.
Kim Carrigan & Joe Shortsleeve Speak with Doug Banks, Chris Anderson, Robert Mellion & Dexter Ang
Kim Carrigan & Joe Shortsleeve chat with Chris Anderson, President of the Massachusetts High Technology Council about the health of the business sector on the New England Business Report. Segment begins at 16:00.