When MTLC was founded in 1985 as the Massachusetts Software Council, one of its core purposes was ensuring the software industry had a voice that affected its growth. That included lobbying for its interests.
A lot has changed since then. Our community now spans tech companies across industries, sizes, and stages. Because of that breadth, we are deliberate about when we step into the policy arena. We are not a lobbying organization. We are a community builder, and our work is rooted in connections, relationships, and professional development. But when a policy issue stands to affect the environment for the entire tech ecosystem, we show up.
That said, it has been a busy few weeks. Recently, that has meant stepping in on four fronts that directly impact how MA tech companies hire, raise capital, and grow.
- We joined a coalition of Massachusetts-based business groups to oppose restrictive privacy legislation that would make it harder for companies and nonprofits to reach potential customers and donors, limiting growth and community impact.
- We partnered with the Center for American Entrepreneurship to support the INVEST Act, a package of 22 bills designed to modernize capital markets, expand access to capital for startups, and broaden investment opportunities beyond the coastal hubs.
- Alongside MassRobotics, we supported the formation of a national commission on Robotics, an 18-member independent body that would spend two years studying America’s position in robotics and making recommendations to Congress on policy, investment, and competitiveness, strengthening a sector where MA already leads.
Just yesterday, I was relieved and honestly a bit elated to hear that a federal judge ruled the White House’s $100,000 visa fee for H-1B recipients unlawful. We worked alongside a number of organizations, including the Technology Councils of North America, to fight that fee from the moment it was announced.
And last year, we were proud to be part of the effort that restored full R&D expenses under Section 174, helping companies continue to invest in innovation and high-quality jobs in MA.
Our mission is to help Massachusetts technology leaders, their teams, and their companies thrive. Policy work serves that mission directly. For larger companies with dedicated policy teams, we can add our voice to theirs. For smaller companies that do not have the bandwidth or budget to engage, we can do some of that lifting for them. Either way, when it matters, we are here. If you want to be more involved in MTLC’s policy work or flag an issue that’s on your radar, please let me know.
