Union Members Want Tax Relief, Too
Massachusetts has one of the steepest tax burdens in the country, and voters have taken notice: more than 8 in 10 say they believe their taxes are too high. The frustration reflects the growing sentiment that the state’s high costs are making it harder to live here and get ahead.
Polling consistently shows that taxes are a top concern for residents, and even cited as the number-one reason people are moving to other states. Federal data shows that lately, Massachusetts is experiencing a net outmigration of residents, meaning every year, more people are moving out of the state than are moving in.
Two MOA-inspired ideas for the 2026 ballot seek to fix the competitiveness crisis, by lowering the income tax burden and encouraging responsible spending by the state. While polling data shows the ideas are popular, some labor leaders have dismissed them as “out of touch” with the needs of working men and women.
But a new analysis of MOA polling shows that union members want tax cuts, too.
Union Members are Even More Supportive of Tax Relief Than General Public
A recent MOA poll of over 1,000 Massachusetts voters found the large majority support cutting taxes and strengthening the state’s revenue cap. This support spans every income bracket and across the political aisle – because families say it would positively impact their family’s finances.
New analysis looking specifically at respondents who are members of a union shows they are even more supportive of these tax relief measures.
Eighty-two percent of union members support reducing Massachusetts’ income tax rate from 5% to 4%.
Seventy-eight percent of union members support a revenue cap limit that would result in more tax refunds.
Tax Relief Ballot Proposals Would Put More Money in Workers’ Pockets
MOA analysis of federal and state data finds these proposals would create thousands of dollars of tax savings for the Commonwealth’s taxpayers while boosting economic growth. Making sure taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars makes living here more affordable.
- Reducing the individual income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years would save the average taxpayer more than $1,300 annually and boost the state’s gross domestic product by more than $17 billion.
- Strengthening the state’s cap on revenue collections would promote fiscal responsibility and ensure that excess revenues are more frequently returned to taxpayers.
A Shared Vision for a Stronger Massachusetts
Massachusetts voters, union and non-union alike, are sending a clear message. The Commonwealth’s high costs and heavy taxes are holding the state back from building the kind of economy where workers and businesses can thrive. Across the board, the majority believe lowering taxes and charting a more responsible spending course for the state would help improve affordability and make Massachusetts a more attractive place to live and work.
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