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Pioneer empowers Americans to live freely and thrive

Agenda for Leadership 2026 is available!

February 16, 2026

Statement of Jim Stergios, Executive Director of Pioneer Institute on Governor Healey’s Opposition to Lowering State Income Tax

On Friday, Governor Healey opposed a proposed cut in the personal income tax that would put an average of $1,300 back into people’s pockets. Her claim that it would devastate the budget and gut education is a wild distortion—and it ignores more…
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. 
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.
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
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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.

State Medicaid Expenses: 2024

Medicaid now commands a major share of state budgets nationwide. In 2024, the program accounted for 30% of all state government spending (excluding capital costs). Ohio and Louisiana devoted the largest shares, with Medicaid consuming 39% of total state spending, while Utah (13.4%) and Wyoming (13.7%) spent the least.
Explore the full state-by-state data on Pioneer’s US DataLabs: https://loom.ly/-hTmU60

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.