Testimony - Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Testimony submitted on February 4, 2022 in opposition to S. 2651, legislation that would impose price controls on one of Massachusetts most important economic sectors, biopharmaceuticals.

Last year, Pioneer Institute proposed that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)  revise its Scoping Report on the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project and recommend an additional option - a modified at-grade option for the throat area - to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The Institute believed then and continues to believe that an all at-grade design will shorten construction time, lower costs, create fewer negative economic and congestion impacts, and improve neighborhood access to parkland along the Charles River.

Pioneer Institute’s Public Comment calls on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to revise its Scoping Report on the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project and recommend an additional option to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Institute believes that closer analysis of an at-grade option may reveal that an at-grade design will shorten construction time, lower costs, create fewer negative economic and congestion impacts, and improve neighborhood access to parkland along the Charles River.

This public statement addresses the draft of the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework that was released for public comment in January. The authors argue that the new standards would follow in the footsteps of recently adopted English, math, and science standards by representing a decline in content and coherence compared to their predecessors.

There is a bill before the Massachusetts Legislature seeking to expand access to dental care through the creation of a mid-level provider position, commonly known as a dental therapist.

Jim Stergios shares Pioneer Institute's perspective on the Strategic Plan being developed by the Fiscal and Management Control Board. Please allow me to make a few observations on “Strategic Planning Update, September 26, 2016,” the 23-page slide deck that has been made publicly available.

Mary Connaughton provides testimony before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight regarding government transparency.

Testimony Before the Joint Committee on Public Service Regarding the MBTA Retirement Fund Provided in February 2014.

The Tax Fairness Commission deserves credit for considering tax issues affecting Massachusetts’ economic competitiveness. Establishing fair tax policies for individual taxpayers is a laudable and worthwhile goal, but the commission is wise to acknowledge as well that issues of tax fairness affect Massachusetts businesses. Massachusetts businesses compete in a national marketplace where state tax policy plays a critical role in decision-making about where to locate and expand business operations.