Over the past quarter, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable has continued to engage with the Administration, Legislature, and coalition partners on key issues shaping the Commonwealth’s economic future. Through our Talent Agenda to Drive Massachusetts’ Competitiveness, we have focused on policies and investments that strengthen our ability to attract, retain, and develop talent while ensuring Massachusetts remains a competitive place to live, work, and do business.

As we enter the final months of the legislative session, the Roundtable will be engaged on many important issues, including energy, health care, the FY27 budget, ballot questions, and a possible economic development bill. See below for a quick recap of what the Roundtable team has been working on so far in 2026.

Testimony:

This quarter, the Roundtable submitted testimony and engaged across several priority areas. Consistent with our Talent Agenda, these efforts emphasized strengthening the talent pipeline while addressing cost pressures that impact employers and residents:

  • FY27 Budget: In March, JD Chesloff was invited to testify at an invitation-only Ways and Means Budget hearing relating to education line items in the budget. In testimony before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the Roundtable emphasized that Massachusetts’ greatest competitive advantage—its people—is under increasing pressure due to rising costs and talent outmigration. The Roundtable urged continued investment in key “grow our own” talent strategies, including Early College, Career and Technical Education, Connecting Activities, and ESOL/ABE programs. Read the testimony here.
  • Early Childhood Education & Child Care: In partnership with the Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education, the Roundtable highlighted child care as essential economic infrastructure and urged continued investments in programs such as C3 grants, child care financial assistance, and pre-kindergarten expansion. Read the testimony here.
  • Energy & Economic Competitiveness: In a letter to House leadership on energy legislation the House passed in March, the Roundtable underscored that affordability and reliability must remain central to the Commonwealth’s energy strategy. With rising costs impacting employers and residents, the Roundtable advocated for an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy supply. Read the testimony here.
  • Data Privacy: The Roundtable led a coalition of business organizations to provide input on ongoing efforts in the House to pass data privacy legislation. The letter emphasized the need for a balanced framework that protects consumers while supporting innovation and economic growth. Read the testimony here.

Ballot Questions:

Earlier this year, the Roundtable joined the campaign opposing the proposed rent control ballot question. Based on member feedback, the Roundtable has endorsed Housing for Massachusetts, a coalition of Massachusetts residents, small property owners, employers, family-owned real estate companies, affordable housing developers, and housing advocates working to defeat the proposal.

Based on data from industry experts, the Roundtable believes the proposal would shrink the rental housing pipeline and reduce the availability of quality units, further tightening an already constrained housing market. This would directly impact employers’ ability to recruit and retain talent across the Commonwealth. For more information, or to join the coalition, visit HousingForMass.com.

Op-Eds Highlighting Workforce & Education Priorities

This quarter, the Roundtable also contributed to the public dialogue through two op-eds published in CommonWealth Beacon, elevating key issues that intersect education, workforce, and competitiveness.

  • Op-Ed: In the AI Age, Human Skills Are Even More Crucial in the Workplace.
    The Roundtable, MACP and the Rennie Center for Education highlight that as AI reshapes work, employers increasingly value communication, adaptability, and critical thinking, skills that are often hardest to find in talent and must be intentionally developed through our education system.
  • Op-Ed: A Massachusetts High School Diploma Must Represent True Readiness
    Co-authored by Roundtable Chair Jon Bernstein and Chairs from three other business associations, this op-ed emphasizes the importance of ensuring that a high school diploma signals preparation for both college and careers. It underscores the need for rigorous standards and stronger alignment between education outcomes and workforce needs.