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American Citizenship

Strengthening public engagement by improving history and civics education, advancing government transparency, and offering easy-to-use data on the performance of governments across America.

March 16, 2026

MA Residents Believe State Officials, and Legislators in Particular, Falling Short on Government Transparency

State Legislature’s Favorability Rating at 28 Percent   BOSTON – A new poll commissioned by Pioneer Institute finds that state government, and the Legislature in particular, are falling far short when it comes to government transparency, and that satisfaction with the Legislature is in free fall.  Only twenty-eight percent of respondents in the poll of Massachusetts residents have a…
March 2, 2026

Mass. Officials Talk a Big Game About Democracy. Do They Practice What They Preach? 

Elected officials in Massachusetts sure have a lot to say about “democracy” these days.   For those paying attention to goings on around here in recent years, hearing politicians trumpeting their state as a citadel defending democracy and the rule of law, you might be…
September 25, 2025

Statement of Pioneer Institute on Board Member Mike Kennealy’s Bid for Governor

This statement was released on April 15, 2025. BOSTON – Congratulations to Mike Kennealy on his decision to run for Governor of Massachusetts. Mike has served as a thoughtful and deeply engaged member of Pioneer Institute’s board since 2023. We are grateful for…

Surge in State Revenue, Growing Expenditures and Inflation

How has state government spending and revenue changed from 2017 to 2022? Changes in revenue and spending can be a key indicator of state priorities for the size and scope of government, as well as a state’s overall health and economic output….

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Pioneer’s Data Labs

Pioneer’s Data Labs empower you by pulling back the curtain. They give you the ability to compare the performance of all 50 states and D.C. against common policy goals. 

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Meet the Experts

Jim Stergios

Jim Stergios

Executive Director
Mary Connaughton

Mary Connaughton

Chief Operations Officer, Director of Government Transparency
Jamie Gass

Jamie Gass

Director of PioneerEducation
Charles Chieppo

Charles Chieppo

Senior Fellow

Full-Time State Employees: 2024

How big is your state government? Florida ranks last in the U.S. for full-time state government employees per 100K population — just 706 in 2024. Massachusetts had nearly double that with 1,401 per 100K. Explore the numbers: https://loom.ly/TDrajc0 #facts #stategovernmentemployees