Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Testifies in Support of Mass Wins Act

Boston — Governor Maura Healey and administration officials today testified before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies in support of the Mass Wins Act, the administration’s economic development bill focused on strengthening Massachusetts’ competitiveness, lowering costs, growing the state’s talent pipeline, and positioning the state as a global destination for investment and innovation. 

Governor Maura Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz were joined by business leaders, entrepreneurs, housing advocates, workforce organizations, higher education leaders, and community development organizations from across Massachusetts. 

“We are competing with states and countries around the world for jobs, talent, investment and innovation at a critical moment for America’s place in the global economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts has the strengths this moment calls for: world-class talent, leading research institutions, innovative companies, and a strong culture of collaboration and growth. But now is not the time to stand still. People and businesses are facing real cost pressures, and we need to compete aggressively while also making it easier and more affordable to grow and succeed here. The Mass Wins Act helps us lower costs, build housing, support small businesses, strengthen our talent pipeline, attract investment, and make sure Massachusetts continues to lead in the industries and technologies shaping the future.” 

“The Mass Wins Act reflects both the urgency and opportunity of this moment,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Massachusetts is competing globally for companies, talent, investment, and innovation leadership, and we cannot take our position for granted. This legislation is a compete-to-win strategy that lowers costs, supports growth, attracts global capital, strengthens our talent pipeline, and helps ensure Massachusetts continues to lead in a rapidly changing global economy.” 

“The targeted capital authorizations in Mass Wins give Massachusetts the flexible tools we need to support emerging industries, attract global investment, and continue creating jobs," said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. "By investing in the sectors that power our economy, this fiscally responsible bill will spur sustainable growth and create opportunities for communities across the state." 

Testifying in support of the legislation were representatives from industries and organizations spanning advanced manufacturing, life sciences, applied AI, climatetech, housing, defense innovation, small business, workforce development, and the creative economy, including WHOOP, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, HubSpot, MilliporeSigma, MassTech, CommonWealth Murals, and NAIOP. 

Testimony highlighted GlobalMass as a key part of the administration’s competitiveness strategy, designed to attract international companies, institutional capital, and global talent to Massachusetts. The legislation also advances four additional pillars focused on affordability, talent, competitiveness, and regional economic growth across Massachusetts.  

The Mass Wins Act includes initiatives to: 

• Lower LLC filing fees and expand eligibility for the Small Business Energy Tax Exemption to reduce costs for small businesses  
• Support housing production through commercial conversion tools and permitting reforms  
• Activate the state’s internship tax credit and strengthen workforce mobility through targeted noncompete reforms  
• Invest in SHIELD (Governor Healey’s Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense) to strengthen defense innovation and public-private collaboration  
• Support growth in sectors including applied AI, climatetech, robotics, advanced manufacturing, food science, and quantum computing  
• Invest in downtown revitalization, cultural facilities, and creative economy assets across the state  

The Mass Wins Act builds on the administration’s broader economic development agenda to make Massachusetts more competitive, affordable, and globally connected. The legislation follows the successful passage of the Mass Leads Act and complements ongoing investments in housing production, workforce development, downtown revitalization, transportation, climate innovation, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Together, these efforts are designed to lower costs for residents and businesses, strengthen regional economies across Massachusetts, attract global investment and talent, and ensure Massachusetts continues leading in the industries and technologies shaping the future. For more information, visit mass.gov/masswins.  
 

Statements of Support 

Jon Hurst, President & CEO, Retailers Association of Massachusetts: 

“Electricity costs are currently high, and the sales tax is regressive. Small businesses are getting hit by both on their electricity bills due to a law more than two decades old which taxes the supply side of the bill only for commercial customers. Unlike residential and industrial consumers which are exempt from the sales tax on their power bills, Massachusetts small businesses are almost universally commercial customers, and as such are subject to taxes on the supply side of their electricity and heating fuel bills.  However, there is a tax exemption for small commercial establishments with 5 or fewer employees, with a gross income of $1 million or lower. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is seeking an important update to this law, which will double that tax exemption to 10 employees with a gross income up to $2 million. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts appreciates this initiative to update the law and to cut this cost of doing business for up to 20,000 of our important small businesses across the Commonwealth.” 

Tamara Small, CEO, NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association: 
“NAIOP was proud to testify today in support of the Mass Wins Act’s critical actions that bring together the private sector, municipalities and the state to advance needed new housing and economic development across the Commonwealth.” 

Burak Erdogan, Owner and CEO, ERD Metal Inc.: 

“ERD Metal is one of Turkiye's leading precision aluminum manufacturers, serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers across three continents. When we decided to bring our production capabilities to the United States, we chose Westfield, Massachusetts, investing in a state-of-the-art facility and building a growing American workforce. The Mass Wins Act is exactly the kind of forward-thinking legislation that tipped the scale in Massachusetts' favor. Competitive energy pricing, meaningful support for advanced manufacturing, and a genuine commitment to attracting global industry leaders make this state stand out. We are already planning our next phase of growth here, and this bill sends a strong signal to every international manufacturer weighing the same decision we made.” 

Josiane Martinez, Founder and CEO of ASG, and Co-chair of Governor Healey’s Latino Empowerment Advisory Council:  

“By allowing internationally trained nurses with experience in English-speaking healthcare settings to avoid redundant English proficiency testing, this provision is a meaningful step toward addressing one of Massachusetts’ most urgent workforce challenges and strengthening the Commonwealth’s economy. These nurses are ready to care for patients, support hospitals, fill critical vacancies, and contribute to local communities. By removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining professional standards, the Mass Wins Act strengthens our healthcare workforce, improves access to care, and sends a clear message that Massachusetts values the skills, experience, and economic contributions of internationally trained professionals.” 

Britt Ruhe, Executive Director, Common Wealth Murals: 

“The Mass Wins Act’s investment in the creative economy recognizes that arts and culture are among Massachusetts’ greatest assets. Investments in the arts not only create jobs and support local businesses, they strengthen the social fabric of our communities and help ensure that economic growth is rooted in place, identity, and belonging.” 

###