Massachusetts' Economic Growth: A New Alliance Aims to Boost Competitiveness

In a bid to revitalize the state's economy, a group of prominent business leaders has launched the Mass Opportunity Alliance, a nonprofit organization aimed at highlighting the tax burden and high costs of doing business in Massachusetts. The alliance, which has already raised millions of dollars, hopes to improve the state's competitiveness by changing public opinions and lobbying for policy changes. The group, which includes the heads of the Massachusetts High Technology Council, the libertarian-leaning Pioneer Institute think tank, and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, a group of big-name CEOs, is concerned that the state's high taxes and costs of living are driving businesses and talent away. They point to the state's recent ranking by the tax reform group, the Tax Foundation, as evidence of the state's decline in competitiveness. The alliance plans to release an "Opportunity Report Card" that will regularly measure the state's competitiveness across several key indicators, including business dynamics, education, and the cost of living. They will also conduct monthly polls to gauge public opinion on issues related to taxes and the economy. However, not everyone is convinced that the alliance is needed. Some business leaders argue that the state already has multiple organizations focused on competitiveness, and that the new group may only add to the noise. The alliance's launch comes as Massachusetts is grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its economy. The pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work, making it easier for people to live and work elsewhere. This has led to a brain drain in the state, with many young professionals and entrepreneurs leaving in search of more affordable and business-friendly environments.