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Education Healthcare Opportunity Citizenship
Education Healthcare Opportunity Citizenship

Agenda for Leadership 2026 is available!

A policy blueprint for a more competitive Massachusetts. Full release February 24—sign up now for weekly preview chapter excerpts!

Latest Publications

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Opportunity
February 12, 2026

Domestic Outmigration is Hollowing Out Massachusetts’ Workforce and Economy 

From April 2020 through July 2025, Massachusetts experienced a net loss of approximately 182,000 residents to domestic outmigration — the equivalent of losing one-and-a-half Cambridges. While a recent surge in international immigration temporarily boosted labor force numbers, new research from Pioneer Institute shows that underlying demographic, workforce, and economic challenges continue to threaten the Commonwealth’s long-term competitiveness. 
Opportunity
February 9, 2026

Nine More Massachusetts Towns Subject of State Litigation over MBTA Communities Act Noncompliance

February’s edition of The House Call discusses new legal action over Massachusetts’ multifamily zoning mandate for transit-accessible communities. It also highlights a new federal data release that shows where many Massachusetts homeowners tend to overestimate – or underestimate – their property values.
Education
February 5, 2026

Study Urges New K–12 Accountability Framework Following End of MCAS Graduation Requirement

Calls for choices of high school pathways, early and end-of-course exams, and independent district accountability
Opportunity
February 2, 2026

A Steady-State Budget in a Moment of Crisis 

Governor Maura Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget totals $62.8 billion, a 3.8 percent year-over-year increase. The budget avoids sweeping new initiatives and largely preserves existing structures. That might be defensible in a period of stability. It is indefensible now. 
Education
January 29, 2026

Poll Finds Massachusetts Residents Overwhelmingly Support Expanding Vocational Schools

A new statewide poll finds overwhelming support among Massachusetts adults for expanding vocational-technical high school capacity, along with broad backing for school choice options, including the new Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program.

Latest Podcasts

​​IJ’s David Hodges & Plaintiff Ariella Hellman on U.S. First Circuit Case, Hellman v. Mass. DESE

February 11, 2026

Emmy Winner A’Lelia Bundles on Madam C.J. Walker, First U.S. Self-Made Female Millionaire

February 4, 2026

Hedgehog Review’s Jay Tolson on Walker Percy, Southern Catholic Novelist

January 28, 2026
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Impact

When We Succeed

Pioneer succeeds when its research, communications, litigation, and coalition-building lead to tangible improvements in Americans’ lives—access to world-class learning options for students; affordable and innovative care for patients; and plentiful jobs, a rich civic life, and individual liberty for all.

We focus on state policy as a proving ground—testing, refining, and demonstrating reforms that work, in order to raise the bar for opportunity across the United States.

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Philanthropic support fuels our ability to deliver bold ideas, rigorous research, and real-world impact—advancing solutions that shape policy and strengthen communities.

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Explore Our Work

Opportunity
January 28, 2026

10 Reasons to Discount ITEP’s Analysis of the Proposed Income Tax Cut

Opportunity
January 28, 2026

New Census Data Show Massachusetts Would Be Losing Population Without Immigration 

Opportunity
January 23, 2026

Statement of Jim Stergios, Executive Director of Pioneer Institute on State of the Commonwealth Address

Transportation
January 21, 2026

Statement in Response to Transportation for Massachusetts Report and MassBudget and Policy Center

Opportunity
January 12, 2026

In Cambridge, New Lawsuit Challenges Constitutionality of Mandatory Set-Asides for Affordable Housing

Healthcare
January 12, 2026

State Report Card on Telehealth Reform: Incremental Progress in 2025 Leaves Many States Unprepared for Rural Health Transformation Funding

Opportunity
January 8, 2026

Pioneer Institute Statement on Mayor Wu’s Decision to Add $100 Million to the Cost of Building a New Madison Park Technical Vocational High School   

Opportunity
January 8, 2026

Statement of Jim Stergios on New Economic Modeling of Proposed Income Tax Reduction

Fact of the day

Domestic Migration 2020- 2025

Which states are winning—or losing—residents over the past five years? From 2020 to 2025, California lost 1,691,867 people to other states, while Florida gained 890,348, Texas gained 812,735, and North Carolina gained 476,921. See how your state compares on Pioneer’s US DataLabs: https://loom.ly/nt9O1eQ

View More Data

Policy Priorities

Education Healthcare Opportunity American Citizenship

PioneerEducation supports excellent school options for all children, world-class liberal arts-based academic standards, and accountability for results in public education.

PioneerHealthcare champions market-based reforms to rein in the cost and improve the quality of care for patients.

PioneerOpportunity seeks a business climate in which entrepreneurs and employees benefit from a thriving economy.

American Citizenship:  To increase public engagement in the nation’s civic life, Pioneer champions K-12 history and civics education, and provides transparent government data for citizens to hold their state governments accountable.