At the Chamber, we create meaningful impact through our public policy expertise and advocacy.

Working with our broad and diverse membership, the Chamber’s focus and attention to complex public policy areas move the needle. Through the Chamber, you are at the table on the issues that drive Massachusetts forward. The wide span of policy areas we cover gives us an advantage because we see the connections between them and their impact on people and employers throughout Greater Boston and the Commonwealth. For example, a strong transportation system will increase housing options and expand economic opportunities for downtown workers. The talent pipeline and business climate go hand-in-hand to create jobs and ensure that students and workers are skilled and ready to fill them.

We consistently apply critical and practical lenses in our analysis, looking at the effects on the economy, opportunity, and equity. This, combined with data, real world experience, and input from our members, steers us to positions that will make Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive.

Questions? Contact us.

Christopher
Christopher Eicher

Vice President, Government Relations

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Christopher

The Latest Policy Updates

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Public Policy
Boston Chamber Policy Housing

Chamber Outlines FY26 House Budget Priorities

In developing the House’s proposed budget, we urge you and your colleagues to maintain this responsible approach and avoid outlier policies that may impact Massachusetts’ ability to attract and retain talent and job creators.
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Press Release
Chamber Relaunches Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Relaunches Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition with more than 50 Business Organizations

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Business for Federal Research Funding (BFRF) Coalition.
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Public Policy
business climate

Focusing on Competitiveness, Business Leaders Outline Shared Agenda in 2025

As the 2025-2026 legislative session gets underway, that work continues, and we want to express our same, urgent focus on ensuring that Massachusetts can compete in an increasingly uncertain global economy.
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We concentrate on six priority areas

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Transportation

2025 Massachusetts Business Outlook Address

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Special Event

Our Impact

Our effort directly translates to results and opportunities for our members. Whether it’s supporting a good policy or preventing a bad one, we strive for our region to compete and grow in a changing world.

Recent Successes:

  • In 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed the Mass Leads Act, a nearly $4 billion economic development bill that will bolster investments in Massachusetts’ life science sector and energize emerging industries like climatech and artificial intelligence. A Chamber priority, our team advocated for many of the critical investments and policy improvements included that will help maintain the Commonwealth’s leadership position in key industries and help attract new talent and jobs to the region. Critical policy goals such as permit tolling, EDIP flexibility, small business support, and reauthorization of the state’s successful life sciences initiative are just a few of positive outcomes included in the bill.
  • Signed by Governor Healey in 2024, the Chamber supported the Affordable Homes Act, a $5 billion housing bond bill that makes key investments in housing production, public housing preservation, and includes important policy improvements to facilitate housing development across the Commonwealth. Importantly, through the Chamber’s and its partners’ advocacy, the legislation did not include harmful policies such as transfer taxes, rent control, and other proposals that only hurt housing production and exacerbate affordability concerns without accelerating housing development.
  • The Chamber led the business community’s advocacy to the successful passage of the 2023 Massachusetts tax reform package, the first tax reform package in 20 years, and a good first step in ensuring the state remains a competitive place to do business. The law reformed the state’s estate tax, reduced the short-term capital gains tax rate, brought single sales factor into the state, and boosted the state’s Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), among a myriad of additional favorable tax changes for the Commonwealth. The Chamber partnered with the Massachusetts Society of CPAs to recommend important reforms, and the final law incorporated many of our recommendations.
  • The Chamber successfully advocated for essential energy grid siting and permitting reforms, included in 2024 omnibus climate legislation. These reforms will expedite important upgrades to our energy infrastructure needed as the Commonwealth transition to cleaner forms of energy.
  • We ensured the voice of the business community was heard in the development of the 2024 Francis Perkins Pay Workplace Equity Law, ensuring the Act’s success through reasonable and practical measures. Encouraging equitable and diverse workplaces will benefit the workforce and employers of today and tomorrow.
  • The Chamber, in partnership with 9 other regional Chambers of Commerce from Cape Cod to the Berkshires, co-founded the Massachusetts Chambers Policy Network. Representing over 10,000 member employers and more than 100,000 employees, the Chambers Policy Network uses its united and collective voice on behalf of the business community and advocates for public policy solutions that will strengthen the quality of life and economy in all regions of the Commonwealth. The Network continues to weigh-in on fiscal responsibility, unemployment insurance concerns, and transportation priorities among others.
  • Our President & CEO Jim Rooney served on Governor Healey’s Transportation Funding Task Force reviewing long-term transportation financing in Massachusetts. Advocating for transportation solutions, including complex funding strategies, is how we advance mobility for every person and keep commerce moving forward.
  • We elevated the voice of the employer community with the Boston City Council through direct advocacy, effective testimony and engagement through our government affairs forum and leadership councils, fostering new connections and ensuring local decision makers have access to our members. The Chamber partnered with the City of Boston on supporting Boston Public Schools, improving public safety, and elevating SPACE grantees.
  • The Chamber expanded its advocacy reach through the creation of its Amicus Advisory Board, which weighs in on important judicial cases that may impact the employer community broadly. With the help of our members, the Chamber files or joins amicus briefs when a judicial decision may have deep impacts on individuals and businesses in the Commonwealth. The Chamber is unique among business associations in that it advocates across all three branches of government.

Help Us Move Forward

 

We are a trusted, go-to resource for members, policymakers, and the public on issues affecting businesses, employers, the workforce, and the economy. If you’re a member, you have a dedicated policy contact who will answer your questions and listen to your feedback. Members at the Advocate level and higher can join our Leadership Councils for deeper engagement with our policy team.

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