Public Policy & Advocacy
Dedicated to Growth...Committed to ActionPublic Policy & Advocacy
The Council’s Core Philosophy & Policy Approach
The Massachusetts High Technology Council is focused on sustaining the Commonwealth’s innovation economy amidst an ever-changing federal and state policy context.
Massachusetts grapples with a myriad of intricate challenges, from the transformative impact of emerging technologies to changing demographics and global economic shifts. These challenges are further exacerbated by the disruptive effects of Massachusetts’ deteriorating business environment and changes in tax policies, demanding collective action.
To stay ahead of these challenges and continue to thrive as a premier center of innovation, it is crucial that we work together to understand the implications of these trends and develop strategies that will allow us to take advantage of new opportunities and elevate the quality of life for all Bay Staters.
Informed by member input and driven by data, the High Tech Council’s policy agenda focuses on several key areas that are fundamental to the health of the Commonwealth’s innovation sectors and the broader state economy:
Business Climate & Competitiveness
The Council advocates for policies that will improve the Massachusetts business climate and enhance the Commonwealth’s ability to compete with other states for investment and job creation.
Education
The Council is dedicated to safeguarding the high standards that have elevated Massachusetts schools to national excellence. Our commitment extends beyond accolades—it seeks to foster equity across all school districts.
Fiscal & Tax Policy
The Council advocates for less burdensome tax policies and sustainable fiscal management to enhance Massachusetts’ competitiveness and optimize state resources while ensuring fiscal responsibility and continued investment in essential programs.
Innovation Economy
The Council is a staunch advocate for both public and private sector investments aimed at sustaining and expanding key innovation sectors that will drive employment and economic growth in Massachusetts over the coming decades.
Quality of Life & Cost of Living
The Council supports policies that will address the cost of living and enhance the quality of life for residents, from housing affordability and availability to improving the state’s transportation infrastructure.
Talent & Workforce Development
The Council and its members are committed to expanding opportunities for all Massachusetts residents by fostering sustainable partnerships throughout the talent development pipeline.
Advocating for Massachusetts Since 1977
Member-Directed, Data-Driven, & Non-Partisan Advocacy
Since 1977, the Council has developed an unmatched record of success by unifying CEO and senior executive decision makers to advance strategies that impact the most critical public policy decisions facing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, its job creators, and its citizens. The Council’s advocacy is member-directed, data-driven, and non-partisan.
The Council’s public policy advocacy effectiveness and strategies leverage the full array of its core competencies, including:
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CEO-level Executive Engagement
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Policy Analysis
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Strategy Design & Development
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Coalition Building & Management
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Direct Advocacy
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Message Development
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Communications
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Legal Analysis & Strategy
Public Policy Advocacy in Action
Legislative Memos, Testimonies, & Statements
2024
2023
October 4, 2023
Council Testimony Before the Joint Committee on Education Regarding H.495 and S.246, An Act Empowering Students and Schools to Thrive
October 4, 2023
The Council Calls for Stronger Reforms as Governor Healey Signs Tax ‘Relief’ Package
September 26, 2023
Statement from the Council on the Legislature’s Tax Relief Package
September 6, 2023
Joint Statement in Response to the Attorney General’s Decision to Certify the MCAS Ballot Measure
June 8, 2023
The Council’s Statement on the Senate’s Tax Reform Proposal
May 9, 2023
The Council’s Statement on the Senate’s FY24 Budget Proposal
May 1, 2023
Legislative Memo | Constitutionality of Amending Section 6 of Chapter 62F
May 1, 2023
The Council Warns Against Unconstitutional Amendment to State Tax Revenue Growth Limit
April 27, 2023
Legal Memo | Article 44 Implications of the House Proposed Amendment to G.L.c. 62F, § 6
April 11, 2023
The Council’s Statement on the House’s Tax Reform Proposal
March 1, 2023
Council Statement on Governor Healey’s FY24 Budget Proposal
February 23, 2023
The Massachusetts High Technology Council’s 2023 Policy Agenda
2022
November 9, 2022
The Council’s Statement on Question 1
November 9, 2022
The Council Congratulates & Prepares to Partner with Governor-Elect Maura Healey
September 7, 2022
Council Letter to House and Senate Leadership Urging Passage of Economic Development Priorities
June 30, 2022
Council Letter to Legislative Leadership on FY23 Priorities
June 22, 2022
Council Statement on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Ruling on the Tax Hike Amendment
May 20, 2022
Council Letter to Senate leadership regarding FY23 budget amendments
May 9, 2022
Statement before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
May 4, 2022
Council Statement on Graduated Income Tax Amendment Oral Arguments
April 25, 2022
Council Statement on UI Relief and Innovation Priorities in Governor Baker’s Economic Development Legislation
April 6, 2022
Council Letter to House Ways and Means regarding FY23 budget
March 2, 2022
Mass. High Tech Council Supports Governor Baker’s Tax Relief Proposals to Maintain Massachusetts’ Competitiveness
January 27, 2022
Graduated Income Tax Ballot Question is Misleading to Voters, According to Lawsuit
2021
December 13, 2021
Council Statement on Gov. Baker Signing $4B ARPA & Surplus Spending Package with Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Allotment
November 17, 2021
MHTC Requests that Attorney General Healey Draft Accurate Description of the Graduated Income Tax Amendment
October 25, 2021
Council Statement on the House Ways and Committee Proposal for Partial UI Replenishment in $3.65B ARPA Spending Bill
August 18, 2021
Council Statement on the Baker Administration’s Proposal for Partial UI Replenishment in FY21 Supplemental Budget
July 20, 2021
Council Letter to House Leadership Urging Decisive Action to Advance Sports Wagering Legislation
June 23, 2021
Council Letter to House Ways and Means Committee Advocating for UI Replenishment through ARPA Funds
June 21, 2021
Council Letter to FY22 Budget Conference Committee Urging Rejection of Amendment to increase TNC fees
June 9, 2021
Council Statement on Legislature’s Vote on The Constitutional Amendment Graduated Income Tax Trap
January 25, 2021
Legislative Memo | Supporting Recovery and Job Growth in the 2021-2022 Biennial Session
2020
October 7, 2020
Legislative Memo | Hearing on Fiscal and Economic Outlook
2019
2018
2017
December 28, 2017
Council Letter to MA Department of Energy Resources Urging the Department Focus on Cost and Economic Impact on Electricity Ratepayers
Council Urges Massachusetts to Prioritize Cost in Clean Energy Solicitation Process
December 11, 2017
Council Files Opening Brief Challenging Graduated Income Surtax Initiative Petition
October 25, 2017
Council Letter to Legislators re: Senate Health Care Reform Bill
June 27, 2017
MHTC Letter to Senate Members of Joint Committee on Revenue re: Senate Bill 1529
June 26, 2017
MHTC Letter to Chairs Spilka and Dempsey re: MassHealth Reforms
2016
2015
October 13, 2015
Council Testimony in Support of Public Charter School Expansion
October 13, 2015
Council Testifies in Support of Increased Access to Public Charter Schools
June 23, 2015
Council Testimony on Non-competition Agreements
May 11, 2015
Mass. High Tech. Council Testifies in Support of MBTA Reform Legislation
2014
November 26, 2014
Council Statement on Executive Order on Immigration
March 12, 2014
Council memo on unemployment insurance reform.
February 6, 2014
Council Statement on S.2001 (an act relative to Unemployment Insurance Reforms)
2013
November 25, 2013
Legislative Memo | Minimum Wage, UI Reform
September 17, 2013
Legislative Memo | Building a Partnership between Beacon Hill and the Innovation Economy
August 14, 2013
Legislative Memo | Next Steps Regarding the “Tech Tax”
May 30, 2013
Council Memo to Transportation Committee re Software Sales Tax
May 7, 2013
Legislative Memo | In Support of “An Act to Further Narrow the Achievement Gap”
April 8, 2013
Legislative Memo | Council Perspective on the Current Tax Debate and a Preview of Upcoming Competitiveness Study
January 14, 2013
Legislative Memo | MHTC Calls for UI Rate Freeze and System Reform