We hope you’re staying cool and safe as temperatures continue to reach record highs across the Bay State.
Our latest edition of MassINC Matters is served best with an ice-cold Polar Seltzer and features updates from our research, journalism, and polling teams.
Event RecaP
Constructing the Future: Building Trades Report
On June 17, the MassINC Policy Center hosted a powerful convening at the UMass Club to unveil Constructing the Future: Workforce Strategies to Help Massachusetts Meet Its Clean Energy and Housing Goals. The event brought together state leaders, labor experts, employers, and advocates to discuss how we can build the talent pipeline needed to deliver on our ambitious climate and housing targets.
The report explores how Massachusetts can expand and diversify the construction workforce by modernizing training pathways, increasing equity, and creating more inclusive on-ramps to good-paying careers. Click here to read the full report.
Event Recap
Five Years Later: Reflecting on the Legacy of George Floyd
It has been five years since the murder of George Floyd shocked the conscience of a nation. In the wake of that tragedy, millions took to the streets, calling for an end to police brutality, systemic racism, and state-sanctioned violence. On the anniversary of this pivotal moment, MassINC, in partnership with GBH, hosted a virtual event to reflect not just on what happened, but where we are now.
Housing
North Central Massachusetts
Last month, senior research associate Elise Rapoza spoke at the Annual Meeting for NewVue Communities in Leominster, where she presented findings from the Gateway Cities Housing Monitor, highlighting key insights from across the 22-community region.
As part of her presentation, Elise noted that while Fitchburg and Leominster are experiencing population growth, the local housing supply has not kept pace with increasing demand.
Collaboration
Gateway Cities Innovation Institute and The Engine
At a workshop hosted by the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute last month, Ben Downing of The Engine highlighted that for growing tech companies, factors like siting, permitting, and infrastructure often outweigh the need for traditional lab space. With their industrial legacy, available land, and lower costs, Gateway Cities are well-positioned to meet these needs and attract advanced manufacturing and tech firms.
To capitalize on this potential, MassINC and The Engine are working together to connect startups leaving Cambridge’s incubator ecosystem with growth opportunities in Gateway Cities. These companies typically scale in one of three ways: by building their own factories, establishing pilot manufacturing sites like Sublime Systems in Holyoke, or partnering with existing manufacturers such as Flexcon in Spencer to increase production capacity.
RECAP
Our Changing Climate
In April, our newsroom launched its first-ever special month of coverage with a climate series aimed at expanding our statewide reach and deepening our reporting. The series examined the state’s efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to rising temperatures, featuring voices from environmental advocates, energy experts, and local leaders across the Commonwealth.
This special series was made possible thanks to our sponsors: Citizens Energy Corporation, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and National Grid.
Up next: in September, we turn our attention to the health sector — stay tuned for in-depth reporting on the policies, people, and pressures shaping care in Massachusetts.
Join Our Team
Now Hiring: Senior Reporter
CommonWealth Beacon is looking for its next Senior Reporter to write both daily news and in-depth features. This role also includes serving as a lead writer for our daily newsletter, The Download, on a rotating basis. While the position covers a range of statewide issues, the reporter will take the lead on State House coverage along with another primary beat based on organizational needs and the candidate’s expertise. View the job description and apply here.
The Codcast
Decoding the state Budget with Doug Howgate | (Listen)
Jennifer Smith talks to Doug Howgate, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, about the fiscal year 2026 state budget. They break down differences between the House and Senate plans, discuss why some parts of the process always happen behind closed doors, and consider the future of the wealth surcharge split between education and transportation.
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Poll Release
Voicing the Concerns of Nonprofits
It’s been a busy couple of months for MPG, with high-profile releases for several clients. In fact, MPG was featured at events held by The Boston Foundation twice in one week in May. The first event was for the release of a survey conducted for the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network of nonprofit leaders about the impacts of the Trump administration on their work. The survey, conducted earlier in the spring, highlights the concerns that are now being reflected in ongoing funding cuts and federal action.
Poll Release
Mass. Rental Vouchers: What’s Working, What Needs Work
Two days later the MPG team was back at TBF to present the findings of a survey of tenants and landlords in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, conducted with a wide array of housing sector partners. The project, which also included focus groups of tenants and interviews with landlords, found that the voucher program is making a real difference, but improving communication and administration could help it scale up to tackle the massive backlog of families seeking housing assistance.
Poll Release
Highlighting AAPI Voices in Massachusetts
Earlier in June, MPG presented the results of an unprecedented study of Asian and Pacific Island Americans in Massachusetts. No Longer Invisible is a landmark collaboration between the Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission (AAPIC), the Institute for Asian American Studies at UMass Boston, the Asian Community Fund at The Boston Foundation, and APIs CAN. The conversation continued on the Horse Race as Dr. Paul Watanabe from UMass Boston discussed the survey findings with MPG.
Poll Release
Voters Want to Make Housing Abundant
Statewide surveys have found for several years that housing costs top the list of issues on residents’ minds. At the same time, individual housing projects often face strong opposition at the community level. MPG presented to lawmakers on the findings of a new poll for Abundant Housing that unpacks this dynamic. The poll found broad support for legislative action to increase housing production, and signs that local opposition to new housing projects is likely a vocal minority in most communities.
Staff Update
Leadership Changes at MPG
MPG is happy to announce that Richard Parr, who has been with the team since 2013, has been promoted to vice president. MPG president Steve Koczela and his family are excited to spend a year in Nairobi, Kenya. Steve will continue to work a reduced schedule while Rich oversees day-to-day operations. We’re excited for Steve and his family to go on this adventure, and for the opportunities this new chapter will bring for MPG.
The Horse Race
Episode 350: NEIGH-POR | (Listen)
Rich Parr reports back from St. Louis, where he attended the annual conference of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Rich tells Jen and Steve how AI was top of mind in many panel presentations and on Exhibit Hall, how the quadrennial presidential polling postmortem went, and how public perceptions of polling accuracy do not necessarily line up with reality.
Work with MassINC Polling Group
The MassINC Polling Group is actively seeking new business opportunities. If you're thinking about public opinion research, from adding a single question to a statewide poll to a fully custom program of surveys and focus groups, they can help. Working with MPG is a great way to support MassINC's mission.