Home Policy Priorities Opportunity Competitiveness

Competitiveness

We want states to win in the competition for talent and investment.

Massachusetts and other high-cost states face a growing challenge: people and businesses are leaving for more affordable, competitive environments. The loss of young professionals and high earners threatens long-term economic strength and innovation. Talent is mobile—and Massachusetts is especially challenged in retaining 26- to 34-year-olds and industries that can, in an age of remote work, relocate with ease.  

Pioneer works to make Massachusetts—and every state—more competitive by advancing smarter tax policy, regulatory reform, and lower living costs. This focus on competitiveness complements our work on housing, healthcare costs, workforce development, and vocational education. Our goal is simple: to create places where talent and capital want to stay, invest, and grow.

August 26, 2026

Massachusetts Should Stop Taxing the Trucks That Deliver Its Goods

A conference committee is deciding whether Massachusetts remains the only New England state that taxes rolling stock at its full sales tax rate, with no exemption and no limit. The House version of the Mass Ready Act would exempt rolling stock (the trucks, tractors, and trailers common carriers use to move goods in interstate commerce) from the 6.25 percent sales and use tax (H.5518, Sections 22A through 22D).1 The Senate version contains no such language.2 The House passed its bill 151 to 0.3 The conferees should keep the House provision and take an easy step toward making Massachusetts more competitive.
August 5, 2026

Study Finds Widening Gap Between Innovation and Broader State Economy

Massachusetts remains a venture capital powerhouse amid cost-driven declines in business formation and private sector jobs AT A GLANCE: BOSTON – Massachusetts remains one of the nation’s leading innovation economies, attracting significant venture capital and ranking third nationally in business research and…
July 23, 2026

Study: Tax Cut Would Have Grown State Economy, Increased Wages and Reduced Unemployment

BOSTON – A proposal to cut the state income tax rate from 5 percent to 4 percent over three years would have provided the median Massachusetts household with $1,095 in annual tax savings, grown the state economy by $14.5 billion, created 43,000 new jobs, increased total wages by nearly 2 percent and reduced the state unemployment rate by 0.3 percent, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.

Support Pioneer

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

Want to get the latest updates from Pioneer Institute?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

Meet the Experts

Jim Stergios

Jim Stergios

Executive Director
Mary Connaughton

Mary Connaughton

Chief Operating Officer, Director of Government Transparency

Dependency Index – Federal Money to the States

Think you know which states depend most on Washington? Pioneer’s new Dependency Index may change your mind. Alaska ranks most dependent on federal funds, and Idaho ranks least. Check out where your state ranks here! https://loom.ly/6LMwO0c