Massachusetts is losing jobs..The Bay State lost about 11,100 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, according to a recent report from the state's Department of Economic Research.The state had about 3,729,800 non-farming jobs in March 2024; that figure decreased to about 3,718,700 in March 2025. That's a 0.3-percentage-point drop.Job growth is necessary to drive economic expansion, increase household incomes, maintain low unemployment rates, provide jobs for an increasing population, and support overall social well-being by providing opportunities for individuals to contribute to society, according to the Brookings Institute.A spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a conservative watchdog on Beacon Hill, said the recent jobs report spells bad news for the state.“Massachusetts is hemorrhaging private sector jobs, and the Healey administration’s answer is to bloat the government at a time when our state’s fiscal wellbeing is in a very tenuous position," Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance executive director Paul Craney said in a press release. "This isn’t job growth — it’s political insulation, and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill.“"As we head into the budget season, legislative leaders need to be worried that the state economy is shrinking, not expanding, and their budget needs to reflect this downward trend," he added. "Instead of new state programs and an increase to state spending, our legislative leaders need to cut state government to reflect what’s happening in the state."Additionally, Craney slammed the Healey administration for increasing the size of the government while the private sector workforce shrinks.As the private sector shedded about 12,100 jobs, the state government under Governor Maura Healey added 1,700 jobs, the report said. Meanwhile, the federal government and municipal governments cut 700 jobs in the Commonwealth year-over-year, in aggregate.“The Healey administration is growing the size of government while the private economy contracts," Craney said. "That’s not a strategy, it’s a crisis. You can’t tax and regulate your way to prosperity.”“Beacon Hill leaders need to recognize the urgent need for policy change," he added. "Private sector employers are facing rising energy costs, burdensome mandates, and an unfriendly business climate. The state is doing serious long-term damage to its economic competitiveness. Every government job added without private sector growth is another step toward eventual fiscal ruin. Massachusetts needs a private sector comeback, not more bureaucrats on the state payroll."National Federation of Independent Business Massachusetts Director Christopher Carlozzi said the report is a reminder that the Bay State is a bad place for small businesses."Despite the help wanted signs still hanging in many small business windows, mounting costs are making it more difficult for employers to create and maintain jobs in the Commonwealth," Carlozzi wrote. "Massachusetts is already an expensive place to do business, but when you factor in double-digit healthcare premium increases, astronomically high energy bills, rising UI taxes due to some of the easiest eligibility standards coupled with the highest maximum weekly benefits in the nation, Beacon Hill policies are having a profoundly negative impact on Main Street."“UI” refers to unemployment insurance.The trend in Massachusetts was different from what happened nationally. During those same 12 months (from March 2024 to March 2025), the country added nearly 2.1 million jobs, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.The state jobs report comes as Massachusetts, despite its strong economy on paper, was ranked 37th in economic outlook by the ALEC-Laffer Rich States, Poor States report earlier this week. That report points to high taxes, population loss, and regulatory burdens as major threats to the state's future competitiveness. The report highlights the state's struggles with domestic outmigration, high cost of living, and anti-business policies, warning that without reform, Massachusetts risks stagnating economically.Healey's office could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.
Massachusetts is losing jobs..The Bay State lost about 11,100 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, according to a recent report from the state's Department of Economic Research.The state had about 3,729,800 non-farming jobs in March 2024; that figure decreased to about 3,718,700 in March 2025. That's a 0.3-percentage-point drop.Job growth is necessary to drive economic expansion, increase household incomes, maintain low unemployment rates, provide jobs for an increasing population, and support overall social well-being by providing opportunities for individuals to contribute to society, according to the Brookings Institute.A spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a conservative watchdog on Beacon Hill, said the recent jobs report spells bad news for the state.“Massachusetts is hemorrhaging private sector jobs, and the Healey administration’s answer is to bloat the government at a time when our state’s fiscal wellbeing is in a very tenuous position," Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance executive director Paul Craney said in a press release. "This isn’t job growth — it’s political insulation, and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill.“"As we head into the budget season, legislative leaders need to be worried that the state economy is shrinking, not expanding, and their budget needs to reflect this downward trend," he added. "Instead of new state programs and an increase to state spending, our legislative leaders need to cut state government to reflect what’s happening in the state."Additionally, Craney slammed the Healey administration for increasing the size of the government while the private sector workforce shrinks.As the private sector shedded about 12,100 jobs, the state government under Governor Maura Healey added 1,700 jobs, the report said. Meanwhile, the federal government and municipal governments cut 700 jobs in the Commonwealth year-over-year, in aggregate.“The Healey administration is growing the size of government while the private economy contracts," Craney said. "That’s not a strategy, it’s a crisis. You can’t tax and regulate your way to prosperity.”“Beacon Hill leaders need to recognize the urgent need for policy change," he added. "Private sector employers are facing rising energy costs, burdensome mandates, and an unfriendly business climate. The state is doing serious long-term damage to its economic competitiveness. Every government job added without private sector growth is another step toward eventual fiscal ruin. Massachusetts needs a private sector comeback, not more bureaucrats on the state payroll."National Federation of Independent Business Massachusetts Director Christopher Carlozzi said the report is a reminder that the Bay State is a bad place for small businesses."Despite the help wanted signs still hanging in many small business windows, mounting costs are making it more difficult for employers to create and maintain jobs in the Commonwealth," Carlozzi wrote. "Massachusetts is already an expensive place to do business, but when you factor in double-digit healthcare premium increases, astronomically high energy bills, rising UI taxes due to some of the easiest eligibility standards coupled with the highest maximum weekly benefits in the nation, Beacon Hill policies are having a profoundly negative impact on Main Street."“UI” refers to unemployment insurance.The trend in Massachusetts was different from what happened nationally. During those same 12 months (from March 2024 to March 2025), the country added nearly 2.1 million jobs, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.The state jobs report comes as Massachusetts, despite its strong economy on paper, was ranked 37th in economic outlook by the ALEC-Laffer Rich States, Poor States report earlier this week. That report points to high taxes, population loss, and regulatory burdens as major threats to the state's future competitiveness. The report highlights the state's struggles with domestic outmigration, high cost of living, and anti-business policies, warning that without reform, Massachusetts risks stagnating economically.Healey's office could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.
