Innovate, Educate, Elevate

Pioneer empowers Americans to live freely and thrive
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. 
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.
January 28, 2026

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

Context Pioneer Institute has previously gone toe-to-toe with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) over flawed and misleading tax analyses—notably ITEP’s advocacy for the 2022 surtax on high earners as good for the Bay State economy. That argument that has proven to hold about…
January 28, 2026

New Census Data Show Massachusetts Would Be Losing Population Without Immigration 

Newly released Census Bureau data show that Massachusetts’ population growth is now entirely dependent on immigration, as domestic out-migration rose again in 2025 and underlying demographic and economic weaknesses reasserted themselves. 
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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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Crime Rates: Homicide, 2024

In 2024, Massachusetts has the second lowest homicide rate in the nation, at 2 homicides per 100K population. Only Hawaii is lower (1.6). The highest rates were in DC (25.5) and New Mexico (13.1). Find this data on Pioneer’s new US DataLabs website! https://loom.ly/U4Y1-ow

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.